Selecting the right type of stroller for your lifestyle
Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There are tons of
decisions you will make throughout your pregnancy, throughout your
babies infancy and during their entire lives! One of those early
decisions you will have to make is what type of stroller to by your
precious baby. In case you weren't aware, a stroller is a must have
item for all new parents! Most parents buy their first stroller before
they even buy a crib for their newborn. You can use your stroller from
day one!
It's easy to get wound up over the selection process. Fortunately if
you use the tips below for selecting the right type of stroller, you
won’t have any trouble at all selecting the right stroller! Here are
some important considerations when buying a stroller for your baby.
Selecting a Style There are many different 'styles' of stroller. Here are just a few:
Conventional stroller – this is your standard
stroller. Most come with a harness or belt to keep your baby safe and
secure, a snack tray, maybe a cup holder, foot brakes and removable
padding to keep your baby comfortable. A conventional stroller may
range in price from $30-$300 or more.
Tandem or double – if you are having twins or have two
babies close in age, a double stroller may be your best bet. You can
buy a side-by-side version or a front to back version. While bulky,
these strollers do come in handy when shuffling around your little ones.
Exercise or Jogging – these strollers are increasingly
popular in recent years. While many are more expensive than traditional
models, most parents feel the added investment is well worth it. Most
exercise strollers come with a durable aluminum frame. They can carry
your toddler up to 80 pounds, twice as much as conventional strollers.
Exercise strollers usually easily fold like any other model. They are a
good selection for parents on the go who want to get fit while
entertaining their child.
Lightweight – lightweight strollers feature
lightweight materials. Most weigh less than 20 pounds. Most average
12-15. This is a bonus especially if you plan to haul around a hefty
30-pound toddler. Remember the heavier your stroller the more weight
you’ll push around. A lightweight stroller makes quick trips to the
grocery store a lot easier. Some families opt to have a lightweight and
a conventional stroller in the house. They can use the lightweight
stroller for traveling and the conventional stroller for walks around
the block.
The first thing you should do when hunting for a stroller is decide
what style best meets your needs. Once you do this, you can start
looking for a stroller that has the unique features and accessories you
feel make the package complete.
Stroller Accessories and Features
Once you decide the style of stroller you need, it's time to select
accessories and features. Some strollers come fully loaded with
accessories and features. You may pay a little extra, but you won't
have to buy these features separately. Here are just a few accessories
and features that most parents find useful when buying a stroller:
One
feature you can't live without is an adequate harness. Look for a
stroller with a three or five point harness to keep your infant safe
and secure while riding. You should always belt your child when riding,
even when they are an infant, to make sure they don't accidentally slip
out of the stroller and hurt themselves.
Before shopping for your stroller, create a list of the key features
and the style of stroller you plan to buy. This will help reduce your
list of 500 strollers to perhaps 20. Once you have narrowed your list
you can look at dozens of online reviews to select the perfect stroller
for you and your family.
About the Author
Ant Arthur
is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional
experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics
as
Baby Carriers, Baby Slings and Baby Car Seats