Sunday, August 24, 2008

Choosing the Best Stroller For Your Baby

Are you struggling to decide which stroller to buy for your new baby, or have you a new addition to your family and are looking to buy a double stroller? There are strollers to suit every need. Singles, doubles, lightweight, jogging, umbrella, the manufacturers have thought of numerous variations.

There are a number of things you should think about when choosing. Some are safety features that you should look for with every stroller, others are extra features that may come with more expensive strollers. Extra features are nice, but that does not mean that cheaper strollers do not offer good value for your money. Comfort for your child or children and ease of use for you is a priority, decide what suits you and buy accordingly. Many parents are tempted to buy a status symbol, only to find that it is totally unsuitable for their needs.

Five point safety harness The five point safety harness, going over the shoulder, around the waist and between the legs, is the best harness although the three point harness is also safe.
Check that the model has a locking mechanism to prevent the stroller from accidentally folding down.

Balance The stroller should not tip easily and hanging shopping on the handles is dangerous!
Fully reclining seat. A newborn baby be able to lay flat to support the neck. If you are buying for an older child this is not so important, particularly if you are looking for a less expensive, lightweight stroller.

Washable covers. Babies can make a mess!

Wheels. Bigger wheels make for a more comfortable trip, particularly if there are shock absorbers, but of course this can result in a heavier stroller. Some tires are now air-filled.
A good size basket is always desirable unless you only want a quick, lightweight stroller.
Most Moms will probably buy two strollers as their family grow up. Newborn babies need the kind of comfort and protection from the elements that was found in the old fashioned prams once pushed around the park by nannies. Many modern strollers offer that degree of comfort, but they are often heavier models and as children grow they are harder to push. A three or four year old will be walking more, but there are still times when they need to ride. Cheap, lightweight, umbrella strollers are the perfect solution for this age range. Some manufacturers are producing more and more lightweight models, even double strollers, that can be used from birth through to 4 years and still be easy to push, so it is worth shopping around.

Finally you should be very careful if you decide to buy a used model. Choose a well known manufacturer and as well as making sure that it works properly, ensure that the model has not been recalled. You can do this at cpsc.gov

Margaret Tye runs the From Tots 2 Teens - Best Strollers and Best Strollers Blog websites. Please visit the sites to choose the best stroller for your baby.

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