Researching Baby Strollers?

Ask Yourself These 9 Important Questions First

Are you sure you know what to look for? There are countless makes and models of baby strollers available. How do you know which one is the best one for you?

Whether you're going to be purchasing a stroller from a store in your area or shopping online to get the best selection and price, you need to make sure you ask yourself the following questions before even beginning to do your research. Knowing what to look for in a stroller beforehand will save you time, money and frustration.

Remember, information is your best tool!

Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Stroller

• Shopping at the mall?
• Jogging on paved sidewalks or paths?
• Running errands?
• Long walks in the countryside?
• Walks in the snow or on icy streets and sidewalks?
• Frequent travel?

Think about which activities you do the most and choose accordingly.

2. Do you maybe need more than one type of baby stroller?

I presently use 3 types of baby strollers:

• a triple stroller (for walks and jogs with my three children)
• a double side-by-side stroller (for shopping with my twins)
• a double bike trailer/stroller (for biking or walks to the park with two children)

One good stroller may be all that you need for the first 6 months of baby's life. However, it may be unrealistic to think that you will only need one stroller after that, so be prepared to shop more than once.

3. How often are you going to use the stroller?

• Every day?
• A few times a week?
• Occasionally?

Baby strollers vary greatly in quality. Some can take a lot of use and abuse, and some can't.

4. Who will be using the stroller?

Will it be grandma? A small woman or a tall man? Keep in mind the height, stride and strength of the person or persons who will be using it the most. It's no fun pushing a stroller that's too low or too high for comfort and neither is folding and picking up one that's very heavy and bulky.

5. What features are you looking for?

Do you want a fully reclining seat for a newborn? Individual canopies for twins? Large, all-terrain tires for doing off-road walking?

It's very disappointing to buy a stroller and then learn that you could have chosen one with different or better features. Been there, done that!

6. How much space do you have for transporting and storing it?

The size of your vehicle may be a big deciding factor when choosing a stroller. Make sure it fits! Or if you use public transportation a lot, or have to walk up stairs, you need something that's compact and lightweight.

Also take into account where you will store the stroller. In the garage? In the front closet of your apartment? In your car?

7. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

If you are a new parent, think about your future needs for baby transportation. You may not plan to have any more children or you may want a whole bunch. Should you make a purchase now that will still be practical later on (ex: a double stroller )?

If you already have children, are you buying a stroller to replace a "mistake" you bought, or is your family expanding?

8. Do you already have an infant car seat for your baby?

If you do, then think about buying a universal car seat carrier. If you don't already have a car seat, you may want to consider purchasing a travel system.

9. What can you afford?

This is probably the most important question of all. Think carefully of your present and future needs (remember, your baby will be a busy toddler one day). What is the minimum you are willing to live with? Can you afford to pay for a few extras that might make your life easier in the long run? Then look around at what's available in your price range and narrow down the possibilities. It is possible to find a good quality stroller without spending a fortune, but it does take some research.

Make a Choice that Fits Your Lifestyle