Baby Stroller Guide

Nothing assures you of a healthy, well-balanced kid like toting them around in a gigantic bomb stroller when they're a baby. I mean, just look at this thing. What baby would not get a great outlook on life from rolling around the neighborhood in this shiny monstrosity?

Today's active lifestyles and hectic schedules demand more variety than ever before, and stroller manufacturers have answered the call with a plethora of styles. From the styles of the turn of the century to the modern athletic trend, there are many types of baby strollers:
traditional baby prams, similar to the bassinet style baby carriage in which you may have, at one time, felt at home;
modern style strollers which can accommodate from infants through toddlers;
umbrella and lightweight strollers for convenient trips to the local store;
jogging strollers to handle the fast pace of the day's routine run; and all-terrain strollers for outdoor recreation and strolling across rough terrains.

Safety Features Are Important As always, baby's safety is the biggest concern. Check strollers for stability before buying, and don't forget to see if the stroller will remain upright with a diaper bag hanging over the handles! Also check the stroller harness. A five-point harness is best, especially for infants or babies who are in the stroller a lot. For occasional mall trips, a three-point harness might be OK. Look for pinch points and sharp corners, too.

Wheels and Handles
Walk your favorite strollers through the store before making a purchase. Check the height of the handles to be sure they are comfortable for you. Taller parents should look for strollers with adjustable handle heights so they don't have to stoop. Choose a stroller that makes corners smoothly, especially if you'll use it in crowded places. Also try walking with the stroller at a faster pace to be sure your feet don't hit the wheels. Foam-covered handles are a nice choice for comfort.

Convenience Features
Do you need a stroller with a basket underneath, or will you carry the diaper bag elsewhere? Some strollers come with parent organization trays, toy bars, snack and drink holders, rain hoods and more. Many of these accessories are available separately, so don't let the lack of a drink holder sway you away from a stroller you otherwise love. How the stroller folds and how much trunk space it may take are important considerations. Be sure you can fold, unfold and store the stroller easily!

Lightweight Strollers
Lightweight strollers have come a long way from the old umbrella stroller. This new generation of strollers under 20 pounds have many of the same features as larger strollers, such as reclining seats, storage baskets and sun shades. These strollers are great for travelers and perfect for trips to the mall or zoo. Inexpensive umbrella strollers are still a great, economical choice to be stashed in the trunk as a spare, but those without a reclining seat can't be used with tiny infants.

Standard Strollers
Larger and heavier than lightweight strollers, standard strollers often feature roomier seats, larger wheels, more storage space and extras like built-in music systems and ergonomic handles. Standard strollers perform well in most conditions, and many parents love these versatile wonders. For travelers, these strollers do fold, often with nice one-hand mechanisms, but they take up more trunk space and are heavier to lift in and out. Larger strollers may be hard to handle in crowded places.

Jogging Strollers
Outdoorsy parents may want to consider a jogging stroller, as a backup for a standard stroller or even as an everyday stroller. Featuring large, sturdy tires, sleek frames, hand-grip brakes and all-terrain suspension systems, jogging strollers perform well on almost any surface. Jogging strollers may not fold as easily or as flat as other strollers, meaning there may be better everyday choices for parents who travel a lot. Jogging strollers are not recommended for infants under 6 months old.