how to buy a baby stroller? wat all features should i look for?

Answer 1

"Deranged" offerred some good tips.

I think it's most important to start by figuring out what you will be using the stroller for. Do you plan to do a lot of outdoor walking with the stroller? Or, will you use it mostly in indoor spaces, such as shopping malls? If you're going to do outdoor walking, what are the streets/sidewalks like where you will be using it? Will you be getting around primarily by car? -- if so, do you want something that will fold up quickly and easily? Do you have specific space requirements in terms of the trunk of your car? Etc.

For a newborn, I went with getting infant car seats (as opposed to "convertible car seats") and a snap n'go stroller. The infant car seats can be removed from the car -- no need to disturb a sleeping baby! When the babies are really light/small you can of course just carry them in the car seat, but you'll still want a stroller. Plenty of strollers can accomodate the infant car seats, so you'll have options (if you get an infant car seat) but you'll want to check on makes and models. Frankly, I got a snap n go because it was easiest and cheapest, and, bought me time to figure out my stroller needs. The snap n go is essentially a frame -- a lightweight frame into which you snap your car seat. The vast majority of car seats are compatible with the snap n go (FWIW I had the graco snugride). Lightweight, easyfold, couldn't be easier. The downside of course is that it's only temporary, and when your baby outgrows the infant car seat you'll need to get a different stroller. (My babies were in the infant car seats until they were 10 months old...and could've gone a bit longer, too.)

I suggest taking a look at the stroller reviews at baby-gaga.com; I found them to be very helpful when I was stroller shopping.

Also, be sure to "test drive" any stroller you're thinking about purchasing. I can't tell you how many strollers I've heard others rave about, only to find that I couldn't stand it when I tried it out. It's important that you're comfortable with it.

It may not be an option for you, and it may not be something you'd want at any rate, but, like many mothers, I have more than one stroller. I have a large all-terrain stroller for going out and about by foot, because the sidewalks are lousy. For things like doctors' appts or shopping or just about anything involving the car, I have a Maclaren, which is heavy but folds up very easily.

So, figure out your needs/how you'll be using the stroller. Obviously, look at how good the brakes are, how the stroller folds up, how much it weighs, whether the height of the handles is comfortable, etc. Once you ascertain it's safe, you'll want to consider the frills -- if you want frills. How accessible is the basket? (Some strollers have great, large baskets....that are difficult to access!) What is the reclining mechanism like -- how easy/difficult to use, how many positions, does it fully recline, etc. How good is the sun canopy? What accessories does it come with? (Let me tell you, the booty things that my Maclaren came with proved invaluable to me in the really cold weather this winter. Similarly, if you take walks, things like a bug screen and/or wind and rain shield will be helpful.)

If I write anything else this will be a full fledged novel....

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Keep in mind when you use it you will not only have a baby to worry about, but all the baby paraphernalia you have to carry around.

Make sure you can manoeuvre it easily, and the wheels are suitable for where you’ll be using it the most. (Big wheels for ‘off road’ the little ones for shopping centres and stuff.)

Make sure it’s stable, and preferably has a storage are underneath. If it doesn’t, the temptation is always there to hang things on the back of the pusher, which can – and will – up end the whole thing.

Make sure its brakes are decent. You’d be amazed how many don’t have brakes strong enough to hold a fully loaded pusher.

Make sure the handle is either adjustable, or at a comfortable height for both parents. You don’t want to have to stoop.

Make sure you can easily fold, and unfold the pusher, but once the pusher is unfolded that it locks securely to avoid accidental folding.


That’s all I can think of, I’m sure others will provide more though :-)

Answer 3

Just look at which one will be practical for you, for example do you need just a stroller or on that comes with a car seat too. You need it to be a good make becasue it will need to be durable, try Micralite I've always been very happy with those x

Answer 4

Depends I like the 3 wheeled ones with the small bicycle type tires they are durable and navigate rough terrain,bumpy sidewalks,dirt/gravel paths much better than the traditional,the downfall is they are difficult to transport so we bought a cheap 20-30 dollar folding one to leave in our vehicle for shopping trips.

Answer 5

the best stroller i had was a lghtweight double stroller, even when it was just one kid. the kind that can fold down and make a big bed.

Answer 6

check the Consumer Report and you´ll find the best

Answer 7

I would check out this site. They're pretty much the best out there.