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