How to pick the perfect stroller for your baby

The baby is now on its way. What’s next? Well, you're likey getting busy preparing for the arrival, like baby-proofing the house, researching the how-to’s of bringing a baby home, and mentally and physically preparing yourself for the experience.

The planning will inevitably take you to the job of picking the perfect set of wheels for your baby! Yup, you are going to need to move that little human safely with you to the grocery store, on your runs, on transit, and even on a plane!

In this article, we will discuss how to pick the perfect stroller for your baby!

Factors to Consider when Buying a Stroller

Because the stroller will be with your family for a while and it can be quite the investment, it is important to carefully consider different factors about the utility of the stroller, including the following:

1. Your family unit

One of the biggest regrets parents have about strollers is not choosing the best one that can accommodate their growing family. Are you planning on having just one child? Do you plan on having a couple of babies back to back? Are you carrying twins?

These are all factors in choosing the best stroller for you and your little one. For example, if you want to give your first child a sibling pretty close to their age so they can grow up together, you should probably opt for a double stroller.

2. Your home

Are you one of those big-city families where space comes at a hefty premium or do you live in a sprawling suburban home? You will soon find that a small human can take up quite a bit of space with all of their things. Between the toys, walkers, cribs, and baby seats, the space you have in your home will start to feel a bit cramped.

As such, your home will also play an important role on what type of stroller you will go with. Will they have a lot of attachments? Could you go for maybe two strollers: one for exercise and another for travel/commute? Consider the size and space of the home that will house the stroller to pick the size of the stroller.

3. Your lifestyle

Do you live a very active lifestyle? Do you like your morning runs? Do you live in a city where you rely on public transit? If so, you may need to look at lightweight strollers. You can look up some great options for lightweight strollers at here.

Do you live in an area where cars will be essential? Do you travel a lot? These are important questions to ask to figure out which stroller to pick. Some strollers are built for jogging, and others are foldable and can be put away in small storage spaces.

Now you know the factors to keep in mind when looking for the perfect stroller for the family, let’s take a look at the different kinds of strollers you can choose from:

Types of Strollers

These are three main types of strollers you can pick from:

Lightweight Strollers

As the name suggests, these strollers are lightweight and slender. They have smaller frames and are easier to carry. They are compact and can be folded to take up very little storage space. Lightweight strollers are great for infants from six months of age to up to the age where they reach up to 50 pounds of weight (or 23 kgs). The stroller itself weighs around 15 pounds, making it easy to maneuver.

The small frame and light wheels make them easy for transit, small sidewalks, or in narrow hallways. In other words, they are great for city dwellers. They also fold easily for storage. Because they are built to be as light as possible, these strollers will have very little storage space in them, and the wheels are not meant for heavy-duty travels or jogging.

Car & Travel System Strollers

These travel systems are strollers with a car seat in it. The car seat can be detached and safely secured in the car and then put back into the system when you need to use the stroller. These are popular options because they are relatively cheaper than buying a stroller and a car seat separately. The compatible car seat makes it convenient to use as you don’t have to wake the baby to move them from the car to the stroller. These are great options for parents who heavily rely on moving their families in cars.

Jogging Strollers

As the name suggests, these strollers are made for active parents who would like to take their babies out for a jog with them. This is quite popular because it allows the parent to stay active while also looking after the baby. It also gives the baby a ton of fresh air opportunities and allows them to adjust to being in park settings with lots of people and noises around. The strollers come on three wheels and are designed to absorb the shocks and bumps of a jog. They are also very well designed for motion and come with large umbrella canopies to protect your baby from the elements.

Double Strollers

This is a perfect option for parents with twins or two kids that are close in age. You can fit both children in one system and move them together with ease. These strollers can accommodate from babies to children up to 40 pounds of weight (or more in some cases). If you are planning for twins, be sure to pick a double stroller that can seat them right from birth, which requires proper seating support. Some double strollers even come with detachable car seats, making it a truly versatile system.

Now you know what factors to consider when buying a stroller and about the different kinds of strollers and their special benefits. A few more things to keep in mind are the age and weight of your child. If you are looking to move a newborn, be sure the seat offers proper neck support and specifically says it is safe for newborns.

With the right set of wheels, you will be off to a great start on this beautiful journey of being a parent.