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Picking out the Ideal Stroller for You

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There are numerous varieties of strollers. Some are designed for specialized use, such as lightweight strollers and joggers, while other strollers are designed for everyday use. Regardless of the variety of stroller you are purchasing, here are some points to look at before you make your purchase.

Make absolutely sure the stroller comes with a proper, and operational, restraint system. Look for a three-point seatbelt that wraps the waist and comes up between the legs. The buckle should be comfortable up against your child. If you are buying a jogging stroller, get a five-point restraint system (shoulder straps) since jogging will lead to your child being jostled about. The shoulder straps should keep them in place comfortably even when jogging.

Be certain the stroller has a brake. For most casual strollers, this will just be a brake to use when you are parking the stroller. Make sure it works and is easy to engage and disengage. For jogging strollers, you should also look for a brake that can be used to brake the stroller while running. Make sure the brake is easy to engage and that you can lock the tire(s) without too much effort.

Look for a mechanism that allows the stroller to be folded up for travel. Be certain that you can operate the folding mechanism yourself; it's not much fun to be standing outside your car in the foul weather trying to fold your stroller. Even more essential than how easy it is to fold, consider how dependable it is when it is open. Be sure that when opened, there is a reliable locking mechanism that keeps the stroller from folding unintentionally. If this happens when your kid is in the stroller, they can be seriously injured.

Try out the stroller and see how comfortable it is to maneuver. You should be able to push and turn the stroller with one hand. Strollers with front and rear swiveling wheels will be easier to maneuver. Strollers with wheels that only move in one direction are usually harder to steer.

Examine the height of the handle. The stroller will be most comfortable to operate if the handle is at waist height. For most people, this will not be a problem. But if you are exceedingly tall or short, you should look for a stroller with an adjustable height handle.

Consider options that will make the stroller more, or less, comfortable for your child. These include cup holders and bins for snacks; canopies to protect and against sun, rain, and wind; comfortable padding; and reclining seats (makes for easier napping).

Look to make sure that the stroller has plenty of storage space for things like shopping bags, diaper bags, coats, etc. The more storage you have, the happier you will be with your stroller.

Kids make lots of messes. If your kids are especially prone to spilling, consider a stroller with removable fabric covers on the seats. Whether the fabric is removable or not, try to select fabric on the stroller can easily be cleaned with water and mild detergent. While a specially designed fabric may look great new, if it can not be washed the shine will quickly fade.

Carefully examine the frame of the stroller for sharp edges or pokey bits. In addition look for gaps that could trap toes and small fingers. Look at the leg openings of the stroller; make certain that they are not wide enough for an infant to accidentally slip through them.

Before you purchase a stroller, or any other product for your child, check the product recall finder website (http://www.babycenter.com/product-recall-finder) to see if there is a recall against the product you are considering.