| For visits to the mall or park, or just to | | | | swing them over the top of the stroller, then |
| stroll around the block, you'll need a | | | | lock them into position so that baby rides |
| stroller. You may end up needing more than | | | | facing you. The same is possible with models |
| one. | | | | with a reversible seat. A U-shaped handle not |
| | | | only allows for one-handed steering, but |
| Most strollers have become larger, but not | | | | generally makes the stroller more stable and |
| necessarily heavier, and easy to maneuver. | | | | controllable. Umbrella strollers and other |
| Many are also compatible with infant car | | | | models with two independent handles require |
| seats. | | | | two hands to maneuver. |
| | | | |
| Navy remains a popular color, and black is | | | | Canopies. These range from a fabric square |
| now in vogue. You'll also see shades of | | | | strung between two wires to a deep, pull-down |
| green, silver, and other bright colors. | | | | canopy that shields almost the entire front |
| Electronic gadgets for babies and parents | | | | of the stroller. A canopy is a must-have, |
| abound. | | | | especially in glaring sunlight or inclement |
| | | | weather. Some canopies have a clear vinyl |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | window on top so you can keep an eye on baby. |
| | | | |
| The biggest-selling brands are Cosco, | | | | Leg holes and other openings (such as the |
| Evenflo, Graco, and Kolcraft. High-end import | | | | head and around the occupant area). |
| brands include Aprica, Combi, Maclaren, and | | | | Strollers, for use with newborns or very |
| Peg Pérego. Your baby's needs and your own | | | | young infants, must have leg holes that close |
| preferences will determine which you'll use | | | | so that an infant can't slip through. |
| and how you'll use it. There's a host of | | | | Manufacturers typically use fabric shields or |
| types to choose from: | | | | hinged footrests that raise and clamp over |
| | | | leg holes. |
| Traditional strollers. This category includes | | | | |
| conventional strollers and lightweight | | | | Footrests. These can help children sit more |
| umbrella strollers. Many conventional models | | | | comfortably without their legs dangling. Even |
| can accommodate infant car seats. Unless used | | | | the flimsiest strollers offer some type of |
| with an infant car seat, they're generally | | | | footrest, but most are too low to help any |
| not suitable for babies younger than 6 | | | | but the tallest toddlers. For that reason, |
| months. | | | | make sure the seat rim is soft and won't |
| | | | press uncomfortably into the back of the |
| Pros: Often fairly lightweight and | | | | child's legs. |
| convenient. | | | | |
| | | | Fabric and upholstery. You'll want to be able |
| Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry | | | | to sponge off spills and splashes and launder |
| on public transportation or to use in | | | | the upholstery without worrying about |
| buildings with elevators or escalators. And | | | | shrinking, fading, or puckering. Look for a |
| you still need a car seat. | | | | removable seat and laundry instructions, |
| | | | usually on an attached tag or on printed |
| Price range: $20 (for some umbrella | | | | instructions inside the packaging. |
| strollers) to $300. | | | | |
| | | | Play tray. Strollers may have a tray where |
| Travel systems. A stroller and infant car | | | | baby can play, dribble milk, and drop cookie |
| seat combo for use with newborns and | | | | crumbs. If the tray comes with attached toys, |
| toddlers. The car seat fits in the stroller. | | | | check their size. Some strollers have been |
| When the child outgrows the car seat, usually | | | | recalled because small parts on their play |
| at about 22 pounds, the stroller is used | | | | trays' toys pose choking hazards. (No toy |
| alone. | | | | part, removable screws included, should be |
| | | | smaller than the diameter of a toilet-paper |
| Pros: Adults can move a sleeping baby | | | | roll.) To make it easier to seat a squirming |
| undisturbed from car to stroller. | | | | baby or toddler, the tray should open or be |
| | | | removable rather than permanently attached. |
| Cons: Some early models were recalled because | | | | |
| the stroller collapsed suddenly or the car | | | | Parent trays. They're usually molded with a |
| seat handles failed. New models are improved. | | | | cup holder or compartment for keys, cell |
| | | | phone, etc. |
| Price range: $150 to $200. | | | | |
| | | | Storage areas. Large, easily accessible |
| Jogger or all-terrain strollers. | | | | storage underneath the stroller makes running |
| Three-wheeled strollers for running with mom | | | | errands with baby a lot easier. Basket sizes |
| or dad, or traditional-style strollers with | | | | vary. Try to choose one that's at least big |
| heavy-duty suspension or air-filled tires. | | | | enough to hold a diaper bag. When shopping |
| | | | for a stroller, press on the storage-basket |
| Pros: Good for off-road use. | | | | floor--it shouldn't drag on the ground when |
| | | | loaded. |
| Cons: Not suitable for babies younger than 6 | | | | |
| months old. Can be unstable when the rear | | | | Boots. A few strollers offer protective leg |
| wheels are lifted over a curb. | | | | coverings, or "boots," made of a matching |
| | | | fabric that can snap over baby's legs for |
| Price range: $100 to $300. | | | | added warmth. |
| | | | |
| Double strollers. Some models seat children | | | | Reflectors or reflective trim of fabric. Many |
| side-by-side; tandems seat one child behind | | | | strollers have this essential safety feature. |
| the other or face-to-face. Some can | | | | |
| accommodate newborns in infant car seats. | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| | | | |
| Pros: The only way to push two children. | | | | Key differences. A high price does not ensure |
| | | | high quality. Consumer Reports tests have |
| Cons: Heavier and harder to maneuver than | | | | shown that some economical strollers can |
| single strollers. Side-by-side models can't | | | | perform as well as or even better than models |
| be used with infant car seats; tandems can be | | | | priced hundreds of dollars more. Even |
| hard to push over curbs. | | | | higher-end models can suffer typical stroller |
| | | | flaws: rivets on frames that sheer off, seat |
| Price range: $100 to $500. | | | | fabric that rips, wheels that become |
| | | | misaligned, folding mechanisms that cease to |
| Seat carrier frames. Lightweight, empty | | | | function, and squeaks and rattles that |
| frames designed to hold an infant car seat, | | | | develop. |
| using it as the carriage. | | | | |
| | | | Recommendations. A stroller is a key item of |
| Pros: Inexpensive and convenient. | | | | baby equipment, and you may well end up with |
| | | | more than one. To take a small infant or new |
| Cons: Both the car seat and the frame must be | | | | born for a stroll, you'll need a model that |
| replaced once the child outgrows the seat. | | | | lets you close the leg holes or other |
| | | | openings or one that's car-seat capable. |
| Price range: $40 to $50. | | | | Another option is to buy a travel system, |
| | | | which lets you transport the infant in the |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | car seat. |
| | | | |
| Generally, paying more gets you options such | | | | For babies who can sit up, any type of |
| as extra padding, additional reclining | | | | stroller is fine. A lightweight model that's |
| positions, or a sophisticated suspension. | | | | easy to fold and carry and has good shock |
| | | | absorption is an excellent choice. Off-road |
| Safety belts. Get a model with a sturdy | | | | or three-wheel-type strollers steer |
| safety belt and crotch strap, which help keep | | | | differently than four-wheelers. Try them |
| a baby or a toddler from slipping out. Thick | | | | first to see if you can handle them. They can |
| nylon webbing is the typical material used. | | | | be unstable when you lift their rear wheels, |
| Look for buckles that are easy for you to | | | | say, going up a curb. Multiple-occupancy |
| operate but difficult for small hands to | | | | strollers are becoming increasingly popular, |
| unfasten. Most strollers offer only waist and | | | | not only for transporting twins, but also for |
| crotch straps, but more (usually upscale | | | | strolling with kids of different age levels. |
| models) are starting to offer an adjustable | | | | Tandem models are a bit harder to steer and |
| five-point harness (two straps over the | | | | move up a curb, but they pass through most |
| shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch | | | | doorways. Side-by-side models are easier to |
| strap), much like those found in car seats. | | | | steer, but pose a challenge in narrow |
| | | | doorways. |
| Brakes. Over the years, stroller brakes have | | | | |
| become increasingly reliable and easier to | | | | When shopping for strollers, here are things |
| use. Some are activated by a bar in the rear | | | | to consider: |
| of the stroller frame (single-action). Others | | | | |
| require two actions and have foot-operated | | | | Test-drive the stroller. A stroller should |
| tabs above each rear wheel. When brakes are | | | | fit the baby and the person pushing it. Take |
| engaged, plastic cogs engage with the | | | | the models you're considering for a test |
| sprockets of the rear wheels. Some pricier | | | | drive. Make sure that you're not hunched over |
| strollers have brakes on the front as well as | | | | when you push and that your feet don't hit |
| the rear wheels. Avoid models that can hurt | | | | the stroller as you walk. For parents of |
| your feet as you engage or disengage the | | | | different stature, look for a model with |
| brakes with light shoes or bare feet. | | | | adjustable handle height. Try pushing with |
| | | | one hand as well as two; the stroller should |
| Wheels. The SUV-syndrome has carried over | | | | immediate respond to your hand. |
| into the stroller design with large wheels | | | | |
| and rugged off-road appearance. The larger | | | | Check sturdiness. The frame should feel |
| the wheels, the easier it is to negotiate | | | | solid, not loose. |
| curbs. But big wheels eat up trunk space. | | | | |
| Most strollers offer double wheels on the | | | | Check ease of folding/opening. See how easy |
| front to make steering easier. Front wheels | | | | it is to fold the stroller, remembering that |
| feature two positions: full swivel for smooth | | | | you'll often be holding your baby and folding |
| surfaces, or locked in the forward-facing | | | | the stroller at the same time. |
| position for rough terrain. Misaligned or | | | | |
| loose wheels are a chronic stroller problem. | | | | Consider weight and size. Strollers weigh |
| One sign of good construction is that all | | | | anywhere from 7 to 35 pounds. That's |
| wheels of a stroller contact the floor | | | | important if you have to carry the stroller |
| uniformly when there is a baby inside. | | | | up the stairs at home. Check the size for fit |
| Relatively new in stroller design are | | | | in your car's trunk. |
| pneumatic (air-filled) tires. A pump is | | | | |
| needed, but not supplied with some models. | | | | Manufacturers set a weight limit, usually 40 |
| Some manufacturers have created wheel | | | | pounds. Too much weight loaded into the |
| assemblies that can be completely slipped off | | | | stroller can cause the frame to bend, the |
| the frame for easy replacement, which is a | | | | wheels to loosen, or the safety catches to |
| plus. | | | | accidentally release, leading to possible |
| | | | injuries. Never try to put two kids in a |
| Shock absorbers. Some tires can help give | | | | stroller meant for one. |
| baby a smoother ride. So can shock | | | | |
| absorbers--covered springs or rubber pads | | | | Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most |
| above the wheel assemblies. Softer suspension | | | | stroller manufacturers and retailers have |
| is a newer feature that offers a smoother | | | | warranties that protect you from poor |
| ride, but too-soft a ride can be at the | | | | workmanship and inherent flaws. Manufacturers |
| expense of steering control. A few expensive | | | | may replace the stroller broken part--but in |
| imports have loose, nonrigid frames that are | | | | the meantime you're stranded without baby |
| supposed to reduce jarring. | | | | wheels. They also include a registration card |
| | | | with each new stroller. Fill out and return |
| Handles. Handles might be padded, even | | | | the portion that enables the manufacturer |
| thickly cushioned, on more expensive models. | | | | contact you in case of a recall. |
| Adjustable handle bars can be extended or | | | | |
| angled to accommodate parents of different | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| heights. Reversible handles allow you to | | | | U.S., Inc. |