Stroller Guide

Choosing the right stroller can be pretty difficult since time, money, and most importantly you and your child's comfort and safety all come into play. When deciding on what stroller to purchase, we highly recommend taking the time and effort to do your research! We can not stress this enough since there are so many different strollers with various features to choose from and prices that vary. Some strollers may look good but don't have any of the features that you need. You wouldn't want to be riding around in just any car would you? Why put your child in any ol' stroller? You might be wondering what are the differences between the different stroller brands? Well simply put, it lies in the competitive advantages of style, cost, features and accessories. Stroll and Go not only offers a variety of brands, but we also do our best to list the product specifications as well as their features/benefits and what actually comes with your stroller.

So where do I begin you ask? Let's start with what you need! Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you begin to look at strollers.

Type Of Strollers

Price Range: How long do I plan on having this stroller?

What do I personally need to be comfortable?

What will my child need to be comfortable?

Aluminum, plastic, or steel frames?

Which multi-child stroller should I choose?

Which stroller is right for me?

Stroller Safety

What if I don't like the stroller after I purchase it?

What's the warranty for the stroller?

Price Range: How long do I plan on having this stroller?

Simply put, you get what you pay for. The amount of money you should spend on a stroller is totally up to you. The amount of money you pay will normally indicate the quality of the stroller you will receive.

If you walk into a mass merchant and pick up an umbrella stroller for $10, you are sure to get $10 worth of quality. The frame will bend easily, the seat fabric will tear and fade, and the stroller will not have a life span of more than a year at best. This stroller will start to show it's wear on day 1 of use.

The more you spend the more you get? Well, not always, but spending more is sure to give you some sort of guarantee that you are getting more stroller and life span for the money. The more expensive strollers will almost always have a warranty card included that will give you some peace of mind that if something happens in a given amount of time, then it will be completely fixable or replaceable, free of charge to you.

If this is your first child, and you know the future holds at least one more, the more expensive stroller now may end up being cheaper in the long run. If you purchase the Bugaboo Stroller for the first baby, chances are it will be in absolute perfect condition for a future child. As long as it is handled with care, that could potentially be your only stroller.

Of course they are always manufacturing new and improved strollers and products and you may find something you like better....but what about the money you spent on the first stroller? NO PROBLEM. More expensive and innovative strollers always hold a great resale value. Put it on auctions sites and sell boards. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the stroller you paid more for, resold 2 years or so later for not much less than that. Now, that is what I call getting my money's worth!

What do I personally need to be comfortable?

Are you tall and your spouse is short or vice versa? Maybe you should consider strollers with adjustable handle bars. Do you have twins, triplets, or kids that are just close in age? Consider strollers designed for multiple kids. Tired of lugging around both a car seat and stroller? Try using a car seat & stroller combo (also called travel systems). Are you a jogger, mall cruiser, park or city walker? Select strollers that suit your needs, consider the following: jogging/all terrain strollers, lightweight strollers, standard strollers, or prams. Believe it or not, there is a difference in how strollers handle each environment. Other things to consider would be the undercarriage basket/bag size, stroller weight, cup holder/trays, and other accessories available to the stroller. How big is the stroller when it's folded down? Will it fit in my car or will it be too bulky? Does it even fold down? Is it easy to open/use?

What will my child need to be comfortable?

Do you have a newborn? Strollers that fully recline, come with bassinets, or prams would be the best option for your newborn. Some strollers partially recline, but newborns need a full recline since they can't hold their heads up on their own yet. They need to be able to lay down and be comfortable. Does this stroller have a sun canopy, bug net, parasole, or a rain cover that can block the damaging rays of the sun or other weather elements from your child? Does it have a removable front bar/guardrail that will allow for my child to easily climb in and out? Is the stroller fabric plush and comfortable? Is the material washable? Can I connect a car seat to it or does it have adaptors?

Aluminum, plastic, or steel frames?

Strollers made from aluminum or steel frames tend to last longer, but are heavier than those made of plastic. If your in more humid or wet climates, consider aluminum frames since they won't rust.

Which multi-child stroller should I choose?

For families with twins, triplets, or multiple children close in age, a multi stroller would be ideal. The two main types of strollers you can find are tandem strollers, where the seats are front and back, and the side-by-side strollers where the children sit next to each other facing the same direction. An alternative to using multi-child strollers is using a stroller clip allowing 2 lightweight/umbrella strollers to be clipped together to form a side-by-side stroller. If you have an infant and a toddler, a wheel board which connects to the stroller is another option which allows your older child to stand on the back of the stroller and enjoy the ride (consider the max weight limit).

Sit And Stand Strollers:

Tandem Strollers:

Usually only offer one fully reclining seat, usually the rear seat, so are not highly recommended for newborns.
Easier to maneuver through small aisles/doorways.
Some designs allow for car seat attachment.
Allows children to sit face to face, or both seats can face front or back.

Side-By-Side Strollers:

Offers both seats to fully recline
Allow both kids to have the same view.
Wider than tandem strollers
Easier for kids to get in and out of.

Which stroller is right for me?

Choosing the right stroller can be as tough as choosing the right name for your child. Do you only want to buy one stroller? Do you like to "test drive" a new one each week? Do you like to have a smaller stroller for quick trips and a larger stroller for all day use? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

In this section, we hope to break down the pros and cons of each type and make buying a stroller to fit your needs as easy as 1,2,3.

Jogging/All-Terrain Strollers

If you enjoy jogging and walking, don't give that up just because you had a baby, take the baby with you! Jogging strollers are the only strollers on the market today that are safe for jogging and running. The large rubber tires, and the 3-wheeled design will cushion your baby from the obstacles of outdoor bumps and cracks. The basic jogger design consists of two back wheels and one front wheel. The front wheel may or may not have a swivel. You can find some jogging/all-terrain strollers where the front wheel can be adjusted from the fixed wheel to the swivel to meet your needs. Most of them do not recline enough to allow a newborn to fit comfortably or safely in the stroller. We recommend 6+ months or when the baby has steady head support and can sit up alone. In some cases, you can find joggers that sell extra accessories. Some of these include the newborn carrycot or car seat adapters to fit your infant car seat/carrier, thus making those joggers useable from birth. Not a walker or a runner but like the ease of the all-terrain stroller? No problem! There is no rule that says "for runners only", so if you like it, buy it! Most of them are slim enough to fit through shopping center doors and aisle ways. Most all-terrain strollers are a bit heavier than traditional strollers, but not so heavy that they are impossible to maneuver. Most of the jogging stroller seats have solid colored canvas. Some come with an overhead canopy and an adjustable handle bar so that the shorter mom or the taller dad can push the stroller all the same.

Prams

Maybe you like the nostalgia of the old-fashioned pram, just like the one you were pushed in and your mother before you. Those are still available today, however, most have a much larger price tag than some of the more mainstream strollers. These strollers usually have an elegant looking chassis frame with 4 large fixed wheels. The part the baby lays in looks like a bed. It lays flat and has a lay in mattress. These can only be used for approximately 3-4 months. Once the baby realizes that there is more to the world than the blue sky, he or she will no longer enjoy the view of the clouds. These are not recommended for shopping or for carrying up and down many flights of apartment or building stairs. They are just too heavy, and many do not break down. If you are taking an afternoon stroll in the park, you have found the reason for the pram. Many of these strollers also have some "bounce" in them. If baby becomes fussy, simply "bounce" the handle bar and your baby will calm down.

Lightweight Strollers

If you are looking for a stroller that is compact, will fold easily, and is lightweight, you may be looking for an "umbrella" stroller. This stroller type generally weighs less than 12 pounds. Most of them do not have a full recline and use is recommended from 6+ months or when baby can sit up alone and has steady head control. Many of these strollers can be found for $10-$20 just about anywhere. These are not the most safe stroller. When you pay $10-$15 for anything, you get that much of a guarantee. They have many potential dangers. Also, the life span of the stroller may not be as long as you wish and you could end up replacing it often. There are some new "umbrella" strollers out today that are more expensive and come from name brands you can trust with the safety of your child. Some of these are Maclaren, and Chicco. The umbrella stroller is great for quick runs through the mall, a quick shopping trip, and even out to lunch with some friends. It's small, it's compact, and best of all it won't take up a lot of room in crowded restaurants and other areas.

Car Seat & Stroller Combo (Travel Systems)

The stroller of convenience. The stroller/car seat combo, more commonly known as the travel system. These are generally more difficult to steer, heavier, and bulky. A typical travel system can cost between $150 and $199 but they do offer you a name you can trust in overall quality. If you are looking for a complete set that you only have to purchase once, this is the stroller for you. The stroller usually has a child weight limit of 40 pounds or 4 years old. These stroller types offer a child tray as well as a parent tray. This is nice if you are out and want to have a drink for yourself and food or entertainment for your little one. Stroller quality is quickly improving, and with those improvements and innovations comes a high price tag. Today, you can find a stroller that will fit just about any need you may have. Strollers are becoming more innovative as well. These new strollers also have extra accessories for purchase that will customize your stroller to suit your every need. From rain covers to bug nets, and footmuffs for keeping little legs and feet warm on cold days, you can find just about anything.

STROLLER SAFETY

Now that you have chosen the stroller best suited to your specific needs, here are a few tips to ensure that your child's never in danger while in a stroller. Your child is your most precious gift, keep him or her safe.

Try to get a stroller with a brake system of some type. If you are going to stop, even if it is just for a moment, use it! You may think you are on flat ground, but it only takes one bump to send your stroller rolling away from you. If your stroller has a safety wrist strap around the handle bar, wear it all times. This is to keep the stroller from getting away from you.

Make it a habit to always strap your child in. Many of the newer strollers have the recommended 5 point harness strap. Think a race car driver. It has straps that go over each shoulder and one that comes up between your child's legs. You snap these into place with a buckle located near the stomach area. Many of these straps are adjustable. You don't want them too tight, but you don't want your child to be able to escape, adjust accordingly. If your stroller only has the 3 point harness, this is the strap that comes around each side of the hip and locks into place at the buckle located near the stomach, that is OK too, as long as your child is securely fastened. Never leave a child unbuckled or unattended in the stroller.

Make sure your stroller is evenly balanced. A child leaning too far to one side or the other may cause the stroller to tip over. A standing child may cause the stroller to fall backwards. Always use the stroller exactly as indicated in the instruction guide provided with your stroller.

Use the under the seat bag/basket for toting items such as diaper bags, purses, and purchases. Hanging anything on the rear of the stroller may cause it to lose it's balance and fall over with your child inside.

Always make sure your stroller is fully opened and locked into place. Most of them will have a "clicking" sound that you listen for or some other indicator that tells you that your stroller is safe for use. If you have a stroller that is a two-part fold, that is the seat disconnects from the chassis, such as the Bugaboo Frog, always make sure you hear the double click when attaching the seat to the chassis. If you are unsure, collapse your stroller and start over. . .better safe than sorry!

Always watch for tiny fingers when opening and closing the stroller. Tiny fingers can be pinched easily.

Now that you know the ins and outs of stroller types and ways to stay safe. . .why not shop around for that perfect stroller?

What if I don't like the stroller after I purchase it?

Read all return/exchange policies since each store/vendor is different. Consider the following when making a purchase:

Do they offer easy returns/exchanges?
Is there a restocking fee?
Will I have to pay to ship the stroller back?
How is their customer service? Do they reply in a timely manner?

What's the warranty for the stroller?

As with many other purchases you make, the warranty for most strollers require that you fill out the warranty cards and send them in. Find out what the warranty for your stroller is to ensure that it can be fixed or replaced if anything should happen.