Looking for the ideal stroller is harder than it looks, with all of the excellent choices out there. Here are some guidelines for you.
Is your baby less than 6 months old?
When a baby is born, the head and neck areas are not fully developed yet, so upright strollers will not cut it. To adjust for this, you will need to get a stroller that is designed for newborns, or one where you have the ability to attach an infant seat or one that has a bassinet. You can also get one of these newborn inserts that holds the child more securely in the stroller. Also remember that at this early stage, try not too jar the baby too much while in the stroller, so no jogging while pushing the stroller please!
Once babies are over six months old, you will have much more options in terms of shopping for a stroller.
Will you use it a lot?
If you'll be using a stroller daily you will need one that is comfortable and easy to push around. Long walks will be much more enjoyable for you and the baby if you picked a nice, rolling stroller. It will be tough to judge this aspect of it if you are buying online, so try to go through various reviews on how a stroller pushes or handles, before you decide to buy it.
In general, the larger the wheels, the easier it is to push. Rubber wheels mean better handling. Shock absorbers means you are in for one smooth ride!
If you do not plan to use the stroller that much for long strolls, then it's not as important to be concerned about the ride.
How many pounds?
A good quality light stroller weighs about 8 pounds. For the full sized and full-featured models, expect more than 25 pounds! Keep this in mind in terms of the lifting you will need to do up and down the stairs, or in and out of you vehicle. If your lifestyle tends to be towards frequent use, then it's really important to weigh the must-have features versus the weight it will add to the stroller.
Remember that the lighter the stroller, the less smooth is the ride and the less features it will have. They also tend to be smaller and will have less comfortable seating for the baby. They will also have less seating adjustments such as reclining angles. On the positive side, these lighter models are great if you are traveling frequently or you do a lot of daily errands with the baby.
If you find a model that has all the major features you like and it weighs less than 20 pounds, just grab it!
For the all-terrain (aka jogger models), you can get them at weights below 20 pounds. Also, don't forget that it's not just the size and weight but also the folded size and how it makes it less bulky and easier to lift and carry as you move in and out of your car or house.
What features should I look for?
The most common are as follows:
Reclining seats : the more angles the better, plus some are easier to adjust than others.
Adjustable handles : make sure you can adjust the handles so that it matches your height, as this will make it more comfortable to push around.
Reverse handles : this is a nice feature where you can change the handle positions so you can see the baby's face as you push the stroller.
Cupholders : this is just a bonus, you can always buy these cupholders separately if it's not included.
Storage basket : the more storage space you have, the better it is for carrying your stuff(i.e. diapers, bottles, snacks).
Canopy : important for sun protection and the bigger it is, the better for your baby.
Five-point harness : this is a must have for safety.
Adjustable leg rest : babies grow up fast, so having an adjustable leg rest is a great advantage.
Toy bars or grab bars : this holds the fun stuff to keep the little tykes amused.
Lastly, for the joggers among you, consider buying a jogger model, also known as a jogging stroller. These strollers have become more common recently, as more folks are getting more health conscious. These models usually have large tires which means you get a smoother ride over rough surfaces. Yo do not need to be a jogger to benefit from this. Joggers also have large handlebars that are designed so you can hold the stroller securely while jogging behind it. Your baby may not be getting any exercise while you run, but they will definitely have a more enjoyable ride!
Author Resource:
Dolores is a student who is also promoting a varied collection of web sites on the side. If you are looking for a place with the best selection and pricing on baby halloween costumes or if you are one of the lucky few with an ipad and is just looking for the ideal ipad case , try visiting her sites.