HOME

BOOKMARK

NEWSLETTER

Join our newsletter to receive news of offers and discounts

Search

AS FEATURED IN...


Lucy Siegle On Eithical Living: Sunday March 5, 2006 The Observer

Weight Watchers®.co.uk. Now with an online plan.

Navigation


Parening Books

Search Now:
Amazon Logo


Have Fun Purchasing A Stroller For Your Baby


You are getting ready to welcome your baby into your life and one of the items you are considering is a stroller. Strollers come in various styles, features and brands. If you have a newborn you want to be sure the seat fully reclines so your newborn can lie flat. Consider what strollers will need assembly once you purchase it. The restraint system on most strollers is the 5 point restraint; two at the shoulders, two at the hips, and one at the crotch. Be sure to use the restraint system as recommended by the manufacturer for your baby's safety.

You can go through any department store or look in any catalog and can be overwhelmed by all the available choices. You must take into account your personal preferences and the next is your budget. What price range can you afford? They can run anywhere from $30.00 to over $300.00 or more. How are you going to use your stroller? Is it just for around town or walking in the mall or do you plan to go off-road with it? If it's just walking around town or the mall a traditional type stroller will work well for you. The same stroller will not work well if you are taking your child off-roading with you. They have strollers with special wheels to allow you take your baby almost anywhere.

Speaking of wheels, you will want to check the wheels and make sure they move well, as this is important in maneuvering turns. Maneuverability is also important if you want to give your child a relatively smooth ride. It is also preferred that the wheels are attached to an axle. It provides more stability.

The construction of the frame is also very important if for nothing else, your child's safety and comfort. Is the frame all one piece? There are some brands that do make their frames in one piece; there are no gaps or rough edges that could let your child get his hands stuck in or cut on the rough edges. In other types of frames you will want to check this out and see if you can do it before you purchase it.

When considering the style of your stroller think about the color of the fabric, the types of canopies, attachments to the stroller such as rain/wind covers, sun covers, and netting to prevent bugs from bothering your child. Some models of strollers have detachable leg support/foot rests.

What kind of features are you looking for? When I was looking for a stroller cost was a factor but my main complaint was that the handlebars were not high enough. Now however, strollers come with height adjustable handles so the parent can be comfortable. It's amazing to me how much strollers have changed. Canopies now come with viewing windows so that you can keep an eye on your little one. Many strollers have a bar in front of the baby to prevent falling out of his seat others, though have trays where your child can put a sipper cup or bottle and an inset where he can put a snack or some toys. A very important suggestion, get some small toys you can attach to the stroller, otherwise be prepared to play 'step and fetch it' with your child. There is also a parent tray that is detachable. It has a place for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water, a place to put your keys and your cell phone. An under the seat storage basket is available on most models allowing you to put the diaper bag under the seat. Hanging things on the handlebars will make the stroller top heavy and it could tip risking injury to your child. The seat padding on most strollers is removable for washing.

There are many types of strollers on the market such as the traditional pram type, which has wheels that do not swivel and can make maneuverability difficult at times. Other types of strollers include the basic umbrella stroller all the way up to models that have plush seat covers, special wheels and a big price. Travel systems have a detachable seat that is attached to a base that stays in your car or become an infant carrier and back to a stroller. You can purchase an inset head padding that will prevent your baby's head from rolling around and some strollers as well as car seats have them included when you purchase them.

Multiple rider strollers have most of the same features as single strollers the primary consideration however is the weight of the frame. Some of the multiple rider strollers can be heavy so you might want to check that out. The basic umbrella stroller is good to throw in the car for short trips to the mall or a long walk. They are easy to use however they will topple if something is put on the handles. It is very light weight. They could also be advantageous to have as a back up or when space is limited.

Multiple rider strollers have a number of different seating arrangements. Tandem seating refers to one child sitting behind the other. Stadium seating is tandem style but with the rear seat being slightly higher so both children can see. Double strollers can have seats in the tandem and stadium style or they can have seats where the children face each other.

Jogging strollers are available and also come as single strollers or multiple rider strollers. The wheelbase is different; it is triangular with two wheels in the back and one larger wheel in the front. They have a 5-point restraint system and some have storage baskets by not a lot. They also have a wrist brake which is a strap attached to the frame that fits around the wrist of the parent so that if you are stopped will prevent the stroller from accidentally rolling away.

There are many brands of strollers. Some the names are McClaren, Bugaboo, Peg Perego, Schwinn, Baby Trend, and Evenflo. I believe Cosco also makes strollers. Strollers can be purchased online, in specialty and retail stores, as well as at consignment shops or garage sales. You will want to check the frame for any signs of wear or gaps. Check all the belts, straps, and buckles to make sure they work and are easy to use. You don't however, want it to be so easy that your baby can manipulate it and get out of the stroller on his own. Make sure the brakes work properly. Choose your stroller wisely, your baby deserves a safe comfortable ride.

About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for parents and consumers on purchasing a variety of baby products which includes baby crib bedding, strollers, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information


MORE RESOURCES:

TIME

Babies most abused in US
WFXL FOX 31
by Jessica Fairley The most common victims are babies under the age of one, with 58 cases per 100000 infants. ALBANY, GA. -- A new study released by the journal of Pediatrics is bringing the severity of child abuse to the light.
Ending Violence Sparked By Baby's CryNPR (blog)
Child abuse experts call for US campaignFox News
Abuse's big toll on littlest victimsWashington Times

all 110 news articles »


Sky News

Giving babies finger food can stop them growing up fat
Daily Mail
Psychologist Dr Ellen Townsend, who led the study, said babies who take control at mealtimes have the best chance of avoiding obesity. This may be because they get used to several textures, she suggested. 'Control is the key thing, as well as sitting ...
Giving Babies Finger Food Could Stop ObesitySky News
Baby weight: finger foods better than spoon-feeding, study suggestsThe Guardian
Spoon feeding 'makes babies fatter'BBC News
The Press Association -AFP
all 39 news articles »


Baby on the way? Make time to prepare your pet
Chronicle-Telegram
by Lorain County Moms SUE MANNING, AP LOS ANGELES — Parents have months to get ready for a baby. Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything for a pet — from how its home looks, smells and sounds to what ...
Get pets ready for new babyNew Jersey Herald

all 5 news articles »


Los Angeles Times

The Year of the Dragon is also the Year of the Baby
Los Angeles Times
But there is one centuries-old tradition the Asian American couple still swears by: having a baby in the Year of the Dragon, considered the most auspicious year in the 12-year zodiac cycle. "We're both dragons ourselves," said Gemma Chen, ...
Chinese New Year sparks 'dragon baby' boomAsian Correspondent

all 15 news articles »


Report released on baby's death
Kennebec Journal
By Amy Calder acalder@mainetoday.com WATERVILLE -- A baby boy who died last year at Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter died of sudden unexpected death in infancy, according to the state Medical Examiner's Office. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Deaths in ...

and more »


Financial Times

Sex, stars, dogs, babies: Advertisers whiff on Super Bowl stage
Appleton Post Crescent
And stars from the 90s were everywhere, as were dogs and babies, of course. Companies paid an average of $3.5 million for a 30-second spot for the right to duke it out Sunday in front of the expected 111 million-plus fans. But there were it was all so ...
Viewpoints: Eastwood's heartfelt halftime message transcended politicsSacramento Bee

all 1,463 news articles »


Super Bowl Fans: Cutest Babies And Kids In Jerseys
Huffington Post
And I don't know if any of my fellow Huffies caught it on the news the other night, but the baby playing PING-PONG with his dad was a BEAUT ! There he was all of about 12 months old, seated on top of the table and whacking at ping-pong balls sent his ...

and more »


msnbc.com

From baby to bébé: Learning from French parenting
msnbc.com
So how come they never point out that so many French babies start sleeping through the night at two or three months old? And why don't they mention that French kids don't require constant attention from adults, and that they seem capable of hearing the ...
Bringing Up BabyWBUR
Parenting À la ModeWall Street Journal
Parenting memoirs go globalSTLtoday.com
Huffington Post
all 19 news articles »


Alone in crib is safest way for baby to sleep
Tallahassee Democrat (blog)
As a new or expectant parent, it is important to create a safe sleep environment for your baby. Sleep Right, Sleep Tight is a public awareness campaign developed by Prevent Child Abuse Florida in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and ...

and more »


Fastest–Growing Baby Website, TheBump.com, Partners with Mamasource.com to ...
EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
“We're thrilled to be expanding The Bump Network with the addition of one of the top mom advice and daily deals sites in the baby industry,” said Carley Roney, editor in chief of TheBump.com. “Our focus has always been on growing our brands to provide ...

and more »

Google News