4 Important Things to Consider When Buying a Stroller
Buying a stroller is considered a big investment. You’ll be spending a big amount of money on it. So never buy one out of impulse.
Do your research first on your options and think about these things:
1 – How Much am I Planning to Spend on a Stroller?
Before you look into your options, you should already have a budget in mind. Strollers cost anywhere from $300 to over a thousand.
Having a budget can help narrow down your search early on.
2 – What Type of Stroller Should I Buy?
There are different kinds of strollers. You should choose the kind of stroller that fits the lifestyle you have.
These are your choices:
Standard or Full-sized strollers
Standard or full-sized strollers come complete with all the basic features expected from a stroller such as a basket, a canopy, and padded seats. They’re big and bulky. But usually, they’re more sturdy and durable than other strollers.
Jogging strollers
Jogging strollers are also big. But they’re lightweight. They come with sturdy wheels that can stand hours of walking or jogging. Jogging strollers can give your baby a smooth ride despite the bumps along your trail.
Umbrella strollers
This type of stroller is portable and lightweight, weighing 15 lbs or less. Umbrella strollers are easy to fold and carry. They’re perfect for traveling. The downside is, you can’t expect them to come with many features and accessories as you would in a standard stroller. And most of them can only be used for babies from 6 months and older.
Double strollers
Double strollers are usually the top pick for parents with twins or kids who are close in age. They can either be side by side or one in front of the other.
Travel systems
They’re either a car seat and stroller combo or they come with an adapter for a car seat. You can expect them to be big and heavy. Travel systems type of strollers can come as standard or jogging strollers.
3 – Is It Safe?
This is the most important feature to consider. Your baby’s safety always comes first.
Look for the five-point safety harness strap. They should be easy to secure and unbuckle (but not for the kids).
Check the brakes to see if it’s efficient and highly-functional.
Inspect the frame for sharp edges as well as corners where a baby’s finger can get caught.
Check to see if there’s a safety certification sticker.
4 – Is it Easy to Use?
Aside from your stroller being safe, it’s also vital for it to be easy to use.
Can you maneuver it with one hand? If you can push a stroller and turn it with just one hand, it’s a good stroller.
Are the wheels rolling smoothly even when you make a turn?
Does it come with adjustable handles? Ideally, handles are at the waist level or slightly below.
Can you fold it easily? Can it fit in your car? is the seat easy to wash? Can it fit between store isles?
These are some of the things you need to ask to decide if the stroller is easy to use.