Buying anything for babies can be challenging (how many different types of diapers are there?) but I found shopping for strollers to be the most overwhelming. Did I want trendy? Light weight? Durable? A Jogger? One that was easy to maneuver through a department store? All of the above?
Buying a car was less stressful!
I knew a stroller was going to be one of the most important things that I’d purchase for my baby and for me me so I pushed my overwhelmed feelings aside and bit the bullet. And here are my tips for how to find the perfect stroller for you.
#1. Research, Research, Research. There are a gazillion strollers on the market and if you don’t do your homework, you could end up with the wrong choice. Think about what you want out of a stroller. Will you take a lot of walks? Will you jog behind it? Will you only use it when you run errands with the baby? Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, I suggest you join consumerreports.org. They’ve done a lot of your work for you and have tested important things including safety.
#2 Talk to your mom friends. Ask your girlfriends what strollers they use-and why. Ask them which features their stroller has that they like. Which features their stroller is lacking. Does their baby seem to like the stroller-is he or she comfortable in it? Is it worth its price tag? Once you find out why they selected their stroller, ask them if they could do it all over, would they buy it again?
#3 Don’t be trendy. I’ll admit it. I was drawn to the trendy strollers. The more expensive, sleek designs that were “in” in many mom crowds. But when I took a closer look at some of those models, I found that many weren’t worth their expensive price tag. There’s nothing wrong with selecting a high-end stroller. But just make sure it has everything you’re going to need and talk to someone who has actually owned it. And remember that sometimes a feature like a coffee cup holder-that you don’t have to pay extra for- can make all the difference.
#4 Test drive. You must take your stroller out for a spin. See how the wheels move. Find out how heavy it is. See how easy it is to maneuver around corners. It’s amazing what you can find out just by pushing it. Some strollers are awkward. Some don’t handle corners well. Some are bulky and will be a pain in the you know what to try to push anywhere with a lot of people. Think about amusement parks, airports. And take your husband a long or anyone else who will be pushing it. What works for you, might not work for another.
So, after a lot of research and test driving, my husband and I happily settled on The Urban Jungle Mountain Buggy stroller for walking, jogging and any other outdoor activities. We liked that a newborn baby can lie flat in it but also has an adapter for the infant car seat, the handle is adjustable which is a must for my husband who is much taller than I am and it’s durable for our Midwest weather conditions. And it got a great rating from Consumer Reports. The Bob Revolution SC was our runner up. And for quick trips, including running errands, we opted for the Snap ‘N Go. It’s inexpensive, easy (just pop the infant car seat on top of it, strap it on and go) and light weight!
What stroller do you use?
BOB Daullie Revolution Stroller all the way!! I liked the color options on the BOB. It has excellent maneuverability, you can push it with 1 finger as your other hand holds your beverage of choice. The cup holder attachment is handy too! I tested it before buying it at REI (they were extremely helpful) and it folded down and fit right into the trunk of a Honda Civic. Mine is 4 yrs old and after a little bath with soapy water it looks brand new again.