10/17/11

Who knew buying a stroller would be so complicated? There are lots of things to consider before purchasing or registering for a stroller. 

1. Safety. You want to make sure that the stroller is safe. Make sure that it is sturdy and that it won't tip over if you have the diaper bag hanging over the handles. A 5 point harness is best. For short trips a 3 point harness will do. Make sure there are no sharp edges or pinch points to hurt your child.
2. Wheels and handles. The handles should be at a comfortable height for you. If you are tall make sure that the handles are high enough so you're not stooped over when trying to push the stroller. The stoller should roll and turn smoothly. Make sure that when you're walking at a brisk pace you're not kicking the wheels.
3. Convenience features. Many strollers have baskets below, cup holders, sun shields, toy bars, trays and more. You can sometimes buy these things aftermarket so if you fall in love with a stroller, but it doesn't have one or two of these features don't let it stop you. 
4. Lightweight strollers. You know what I mean when I say umbrella stroller. Well, now that umbrella stroller has become a little more like a standard stroller only lighter, under 20 pounds. Some models have reclining seats, storage baskets, and sunshades. These are easy to pack in the car and don't take up much space. They're ideal for traveling. However, if the seat doesn't recline you can't use them until the baby can sit up on her own. We got one of these at our shower thinking it will be ideal if we're going on a trip.
5. Standard strollers. Heavier and roomier than lightweight strollers perform well in most conditions. They may be harder to manuever in crowded places and do take up more trunk space. They usually fold up pretty easily though.
6. Jogging stroller. These are nice for the active parent. They feature large tires and even suspension to work through any kind of terrain. They don't fold up as nicely as other strollers and they are not for children under 6 months old.
7. Travel systems. These are nice because they are designed for the infant carrier to snap on top for when the baby is very small. Once the baby is a little bigger they are a standard stroller. This is what we chose to go with. 
8. Strollers for multiples. If you have more than one baby at once or if your babies are close in age you'll want a stroller for more than one baby. There are a lot of different models to choose from. If you're worried about the expense you may consider buying stroller clips. These allow you to snap two lightweight strollers together. These are easier to store than the big multi-rollers.