Searching for the Perfect Stroller
Find the perfect stroller for your lifestyle.
Cherylyn Feierabend
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Searching for the Perfect Stroller
Shopping is fun! It’s one of my favorite hobbies much to my husband’s dismay, I’m sure. One of the fun items I was able to shop for upon becoming a parent was a stroller. There are so many to choose from and I had no idea where to start. Now that I’ve been the proud owner of five, no wait, six different strollers, I thought I’d share some of what I’ve learned with you. I’ll also be sharing tips from other parents who probably did a much better job picking out their strollers because they had more experience in this particular area of shopping.
How to Find the Perfect Stroller
Personally, I’m all about lists. Lists help me with everything. Shopping is no different. If you know what you are looking for before you head out or in some cases, go online, you’ll have a better starting point. Some things to consider when searching for a stroller are obvious: number of seats, price range, and age level.
What Stroller Features Are Important?
There are so many other options now that you can look for, it’s good to prioritize what will work best for you. Some extra features to look for are.
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Indoor/Outdoor wheels or Jogging style
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Front and back facing reversible seats
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Snack trays for child and drink holders for adults
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Under-seat storage and side and back storage pockets
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Standing-sitting rail for older child
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Extra-padded seats for comfort
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Adjustable seats for sitting or sleeping
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Easy-folding or one-handed foldability
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Canopy
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Snap-on convenience for infant car seats
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Adjustable foot rest
Can you believe these are only a few options you can look for? There are many more, but those are the ones that really stood out for me. I’m going to include a link on the transcript to an excellent website I found that lists comprehensive details about strollers and options. It’s Stroller Advisor and the link is www.stroller-advisor.com. When going through the options, make notes as to the ones you want, don’t want, and the ones that won’t matter either way. Take the list with you when you start shopping.
How to Shop for Strollers Online
If you do start your shopping online, make some notes or print out some pictures of the strollers that interest you. Then, go to the store and actually look at them and, if possible, take them for a test drive. A stroller that looks amazing online, even if it has tons of positive recommendations, might have some type of flaw that you won’t know about until you get it home and assembled. Test driving is fun anyway. Stores such as Babies R Us often have strollers assembled and on display. So, even if you aren’t going to buy the item at the store, you might still consider stopping in to try out the stroller before you make your final purchase elsewhere.
How to Test Out Your Stroller
Another important thing to do when test-driving your perspective new ride is to fold it closed and then reopen it. Test it for ease of use. You don’t want to be out somewhere with your kids struggling to get your stroller opened or closed. Also take note of how much space it’s going to take up. You’ll want to be sure it’s going to fit in your car. Check the brakes to make sure they won’t be difficult to handle. One of the strollers I owned gave me fits because if I put on the brakes, it was a huge battle to un-brake. I am pretty sure I broke a toe at least once trying! So, take a few or more models for a spin, kick the tires, and get to know what they are all about.
Should You Buy an Umbrella Stroller?
When you are running a bunch of quick errands during the day with a toddler, you might want to consider an umbrella stroller. These are generally pretty inexpensive, take up very little space, and are quick and easy to open and close. This type of stroller would be in addition to your main stroller. The drawback to umbrella strollers is that they lack in comfort. They are great for short trips however, when you just need to contain your little one for a few minutes at a time.
How Best to Choose a Stroller
So, to summarize the simple steps for picking out your stroller: prepare a list of features, go on some test drives, and aim for a model that best suits your lifestyle. If you are still struggling with a starting point, there are websites you can visit, such as the Stroller-Advisor I mentioned earlier and also some other sites which offer reviews of current and past models. The reviews of past models can be very helpful if you are considering buying a used model from a private party or from a second-hand store. If you can already see that people have had problems or that models have been recalled, it will save you some time in the long run. I will include a few additional sites on my transcript on the website.
That’s it for now.
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This is your friend the Mighty Mommy wishing you happy and fun parenting!
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Stroller image courtesy of Shutterstock