How to Choose a Baby Stroller

With so many options on the market today, choosing a baby stroller can be a monumental task. Weight, maneuverability, durability and special features will ultimately be determined by when and how you intend to use and transport your stroller. Of course it goes without saying that the most important consideration in choosing a stroller is to provide maximum safety for your child. The following are some of the most popular options “du jour”, along with a few useful tips on how to buy the perfect stroller for your needs.

Jogging Strollers

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Jogging strollers are one of the most popular trends in baby gear right now. They are all-terrain, stable and sturdy. For added maneuverability, opt for a lockable rotating front wheel. Unfortunately, they tend to be bulkier and are not recommended for infants under 6 months old.

Travel System Strollers

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Travel systems allow parents to transfer a sleeping child from car to stroller without getting them out of the car seat. This is a practical feature, but your child can outgrow the car seat in as little as 5 months, which often makes a travel system a rather expensive investment.

Lightweight Strollers

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Lightweight strollers have come a long way since the flimsy umbrella stroller. Nowadays, you can find a high quality aluminum stroller with features like a canopy, 5-point harness, adjustable seat, breaks and suspension – all under 20lbs! Most parents will own a lightweight stroller for everyday use.

Tall Order

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If you are tall, look for a stroller with adjustable handles so you won’t have to stoop to push your child around. The Quinny Buzz stroller has hydraulic technology that unfolds the stroller at the touch of a finger for added convenience.

Safety First

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Experts recommend a 5-point harness to provide ultimate safety for infants or babies that spend a lot of time in their strollers. For older kids or short trips to the grocery store, 3-point harnesses will do the trick.

Double Trouble

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If you are the proud parents of twins or young children close in age, a double stroller could save you a lot of headaches. You can choose between side-by-side or tandem strollers, but make sure your choice can fit through a 30-inch doorway, and that the seats can be adjusted individually.

Bike Trailers

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Bike trailers are available in single or double size, are constructed from light-weight aluminum, and collapse easily for transportation. Some manufacturers will sell separate attachments to convert your bike stroller to a jogging stroller.