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