Rolling With Your Baby

Looking for the ideal stroller is harder than it looks, with all of the excellent choices out there. A few guidelines might help.

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. It's important at these early stages not to jar the baby while in the stroller, so jogging with a baby in the stroller is out of the question!

Once your baby is over 6 months hold, more options will be available for you in terms of stroller models you can pick from.

Will it be for daily use?
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. If the wheels are made of rubber, that means the handling will be better. If it has springs or shock absorbers, that means you will have a smoother ride. Sometimes it feels like you are buying a car!
If you do not plan to use it for long strolls frequently, then a really smooth ride is not as important.

How many pounds?
The ideal weight is less than 10 pounds. For the full sized and full-featured models, expect more than 25 pounds! Make a note of this especially if you expect to lift this up and down flights of stairs, and the usual in and out exercise when lugging it in your car. 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. These lighter models also tend to have less comfort level in terms of seating. Seating adjustments are also limited in terms of available 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 can find a full-featured standard stroller that is less than 20 pounds, and the weight is comfortable for you, get it!
The lightest all-terrain strollers or jogger models usually average around 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?
There are many but 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 : it's a nice-to-have but not a must-have since you can always purchase separately.

Storage basket : it's very handy for the usual diapers, bottles and snacks, -- the more storage space, the better.

Canopy : this is a must have to protect your baby from too much sun.

Five-point harness : this is the safest type of harness you can find, you will need this.

Adjustable leg rest : this makes the stroller more comfortable as your child grows.

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. One of the main benefits of these models are those large, air filled tires, which will give you a smoother ride over bumpy 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!

By: Ereh Winowitz

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Ereh is a a retiree who is trying her hand in technology by doing IM, and is having fun setting up a varied collection of sites, so if you are looking for the best quinny stroller or bumbleride stroller for the baby, come visit her sites!