Buying advice Strollers
Having a new baby can be a walk in the park--with the right stroller, of course. In fact, a stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll buy. And as your baby grows, you may end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for every day and a lighter-weight one for traveling. You may even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks and curbs. City streets are deceptively hard on strollers.
There are dozens of choices on the market, everything from the lightest-weight umbrella strollers to heavy-duty, midsized strollers, carriages, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. For a newborn, you can find a basic frame with no stroller seat of its own that can support almost any infant car seat. Or, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes you can close, so your baby doesn't slip and get trapped.
Another option is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base for your car, and a stroller. Some jogging strollers, such as the Graco LeisureSport ($200), are sold as travel systems, and some strollers also function as travel systems by allowing you to attach an infant car seat. All Peg-Pérego strollers--the Pliko P3 Classico, GT3 Completo, Centro Completo, and Aria OH Classico--are designed to anchor a matching Peg-Pérego car seat, which is sold separately. Those strollers include a strap to attach other manufacturers' car seats to the stroller. When babies reach 6 months old or can sit up and control their head and neck movements, you can use the stroller alone, without the infant seat snapped in. The downside? Until then, you have to push your baby in both a stroller and a car seat, which can be unwieldy, depending on the circumstances, such as the terrain you're navigating.
A final option is a combo stroller--such as the Bugaboo Frog, Gecko, or Cameleon--which functions as both a carriage and a stroller. This stroller is a hybrid that consists of a stroller chassis with wheels that can be used with various manufacturers' car seats. It includes a removable bassinet, which converts it into a carriage, so your newborn baby can fully recline, and a removable stroller seat to use when your baby is ready to sit up. Your stroller options are dizzying. Here's what you need to know to buy the right wheels for you and your baby.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Select it yourself. Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself because you're the best judge of how you intend to use it--then register for it at a department or baby store if you want to receive it as a gift. If you receive a stroller you didn't select yourself, make sure you want to keep it. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal items. You'll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.
Let your lifestyle be your guide. City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs will need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and compactly. A travel system, for example, probably isn't your best bet. A stroller with sizeable, air-filled tires is recommended if you'll be going for long walks with your baby and your vehicle is big enough to accommodate it. Besides being more shock-absorbing, these strollers typically have cushier, more supportive seating. If you'll be strolling through snow, on unpaved roads, or on the beach or taking your baby to soccer games in the park, a stroller with large wheels is the way to go. Under those conditions, a stroller with small wheels may be difficult or impossible to push. If you're athletic, you might want an all-terrain or jogging stroller for walking or jogging workouts.
Don't go by price alone. As you'll find out when you're shopping, there's a wide price range among types and brands. What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $750? Several things drive up the price tag. Higher-end strollers are made of high-grade, lighter-weight aluminum, and are easier to lift in and out of a car. The seat is cushier, with more back support, and is likely to be made of high-quality fabric. And because they often feature large, shock-absorbing, swivel wheels, higher-end strollers are easier to push, especially over rough terrain, which includes anything from uneven sidewalks to sand and snow, so babies get a smoother ride.
Bigger-ticket strollers have such comfy amenities as adjustable handles, which can save your back if you're tall, and a reversible seat so your baby can face toward or away from you. They tend to be more durable, lasting from child to child. But that doesn't mean a lower-end stroller won't serve you well. A lot depends on where and how much you'll use the stroller. For infrequent travel or trips to the mall, a lower-end umbrella stroller (less than $100) may be all you need. But if you're going to be strolling more often and through all kinds of weather and conditions, consider spending more. Good-quality traditional strollers start at around $250.
That said, a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports' tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or better than models costing hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can have typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.
Give it a test drive. Take the models you're considering for a spin in the store, even if you plan to buy online or expect to get a stroller as a gift. Compare maneuverability and practice opening and closing it--with one hand as well as two. See how easy it is to adjust the backrest, lift and carry the stroller, and apply the rear brakes. Make sure you can stand tall when you push the stroller and that your legs and feet don't hit the wheels as you walk.
If both you and your spouse will use the stroller, you should both try it out. Some models have adjustable handles, an important feature if one parent is taller than the other. If possible, take the floor model you're considering out to your car to be sure it will fit in your trunk when it's folded. Also, jiggle the stroller. The frame should feel solid, not loose.
Consider your baby's age. Newborns can't sit up, so they need a stroller that lets them lie on their backs for the first few months, or one that can hold an infant car seat. Don't use a traditional stroller that doesn't fully recline--including an umbrella-style stroller--until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months of age.
If you buy a stroller that fully reclines for an infant, make sure it has a wall surrounding all sides above the retention space. In addition, you can use the cover or stroller boot the manufacturer sometimes supplies for the foot area/legholes so your baby can't possibly slip through, or use the bassinet that may come with the stroller.
Size up the storage. A stroller with a large shopping basket makes life easier for parents who get around town mostly on foot. If you opt for a model that reclines, make sure you can reach the basket if the seat back is fully reclined, or, if it's a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place.
Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws, but they won't necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions. Manufacturers may refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair--at your expense--leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
Keep the packaging the stroller comes in until you're sure you want to keep the stroller and ask about a store's return policy (usually 30 days). It's not uncommon to buy a stroller many months in advance. If you're shopping that far ahead, you'll want to buy from a store with a flexible or long-term return policy.
Check certification. Somewhere on a stroller's frame or carton there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard and that its manufacturer participates in the certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The key tests are for restraint system, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, as well as for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies may be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta Enterprise, Dorel Juvenile Group, Evenflo, Go-Go Babyz, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Joovy, Kolcraft, Maclaren, Mia Moda, and Peg-Pérego.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Major brands of single- and multi-seat strollers are, in alphabetical order, Baby Jogger (www.babyjogger.com), Baby Trend (www.babytrend.com), Bertini (www.bertinistrollers.com), Bob (www.bobstrollers.com), Britax (www.britaxusa.net), Bugaboo (www.bugaboo.com), Bumble Ride (www.bumbleride.com), Chicco (www.chiccousa.com), Combi (www.combi-intl.com), Dorel Juvenile Group (maker of Cosco, Eddie Bauer, and Safety 1st, www.djgusa.com), Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), GoGo Babyz (www.gogobabyz.com), Graco (www.gracobaby.com), Inglesina (www.inglesina.com), InStep (www.instep.net), Kolcraft (www.kolcraft.com), Maclaren (www.maclarenbaby.com), Mountain Buggy (www.mountainbuggy.com), Orbit (www.orbitbaby.com), Peg-Pérego (www.pegperego.com), Phil & Teds (www.philandteds.com), Rock Star Baby (www.rockstarbaby.com), Silver Cross (www.silvercross.co.uk), Stokke (www.stokkeusa.com), Stroll-Air (www.stroll-air.com), Tike Tech (www.tiketech.com), Uppababy (www.uppababy.com), and Zooper (www.zooper.com).
FOR BABIES YOUNGER THAN 6 MONTHS
Because newborns can't sit up without support, they can't ride in a standard stroller, that is, one that doesn't fully recline. You'll find the following basic choices for this age group:
Seat-carrier frames
These lightweight frames have no seat of their own. Instead, you attach an infant car seat for strolling.
Pros: They're compact and convenient, also inexpensive because your car seat does double duty. They let you smoothly get a sleeping baby in and out of the car. When you move a baby in an infant car seat to the stroller frame, you're less likely to wake her.
Cons: The car seat and the frame can no longer be used as a stroller once your child outgrows the seat (at about a year).
Price range: $30 to $90, for just the frame.
Combo strollers
These are a combination carriage and stroller. Before your baby can sit up, you can use the stroller's bassinet, snap an infant car seat into the stroller chassis, or, depending on the model, fully recline the seat and close the legholes. After that, use the stroller seat attachment to wheel around your baby.
Pros: You can start using the stroller from day one, and because it's designed for infants through toddlers (to 40 pounds or so), you may not have to buy more than one stroller.
Cons: Combo strollers tend to be pricey. Bugaboo, which is a popular brand of combo stroller, for example, will run you from $680 (the Gecko model) to $880 (the Cameleon). That price includes everything--the chassis, bassinet, and reversible seat, which weigh a total of just 17 to 20 pounds, plus a canopy, rain cover, tire pump and pressure gauge, bug net, underseat bag for storage items, and maintenance kit. But you'll still need to buy a car seat.
Price range: $390 to $880.
Travel systems
These combine a stroller and an infant car seat; the baby is in the car seat snapped into the stroller until she can sit up, and then you use the stroller without the car seat.
Pros: Like an infant seat with carrier frame, a travel system allows you to move a sleeping baby in the seat undisturbed from car to stroller. Some also can fully recline the seat, so you can use it as a carriage.
Cons: If you select the car seat first, you have to live with the stroller it works with (and vice versa). An alternative is to choose a stroller that can hold car seats from a number of manufacturers. You have to push around a car seat and a stroller, which can be bulky and unmanageable on stairs.
Price range: $130 to more than $600.
Carriages
These models provide sleeping space for infants. Some have large spoked wheels and compartments, or "carry cots," that can be removed and used as a bassinet.
Pros: They can be used for newborns and they're convenient for sleeping.
Cons: They're not very portable or user-friendly. If you get the kind with large, spoked wheels, it'll be nearly impossible to maneuver on public transportation, and you'll still need a car seat. Traditional prams, the kind that don't convert to a regular stroller, aren't very popular and few manufacturers produce them. If you want your baby to lie flat when strolling, consider a combo stroller.
Price range: From $135 to $370, or more.
MULTISEAT STROLLERS--INFANTS TO TODDLERS
Similar to other strollers, multiseat strollers give you a relatively efficient means of taking twins, triplets, or young siblings of different ages for a ride. Most companies that manufacture single strollers for one also make a version with two or more seats. Multiseaters offer the same features as strollers for a single rider, but are bigger. Options include strollers with a standing bench or small seat in the rear that lets a second child hitch a ride. Multiseat strollers usually come in one of two configurations, tandem or side-by-side.
Tandem models
These strollers have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and easy to fit through doorways and get around enclosed spaces, such as retail stores. However, while the backseat can recline, the front one usually can't without limiting the space of the rear passenger. On some tandem strollers, you can set the seats so that the children face each other; others have a "stadium seat" that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.
Pros: Tandems easily go through standard doorways and fit through tight spots, such as an older apartment building with a narrow elevator door. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midsized stroller. Many tandem models accept an infant car seat in one or both stroller seats, but check which brands of car seats are compatible before you buy.
Cons: Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over curbs. Some models have limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger. They're often quite heavy, which can be difficult to manage if you're small.
Price range: $130 to $200 or more for double tandem strollers; tandem strollers for triplets, such as the Inglesina Trio Domino (there's not a lot to choose from), will cost you even more, in the range of $800.
Side-by-side models
The other configuration, side-by-sides have two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. You can create your own side-by-side by joining two umbrella strollers with a set of screw-on brackets--available at baby discount chains and specialty stores. The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to those on single-passenger models. This type of stroller works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins. Each seat has an independent reclining mechanism.
Pros: A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem. Some side-by-side models accept an infant car seat, though some brands limit it to one seat only. That may be fine if you're shopping for a newborn and an older child. If you're shopping for infant twins and you want a side-by-side, look for one in which both seats recline, such as the Combi Twin Savvy Sport ($200), and use the infant boot that comes with the stroller for both seats.
Cons: If children of different weights ride in the stroller, it can veer to one side. Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats. A folded side-by-side stroller typically requires twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version. Although manufacturers may claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, it can be a tight squeeze, and the stroller may not fit through some doorways at all.
Price range: $120 (for lightweight models that don't accept an infant car seat) to more than $900 (for deluxe models with independent reversible seats with multiple reclining positions, and air-filled tires).
DOWN THE ROAD
Stroller types appropriate for babies older than 6 months include:
Umbrella strollers
These are named for their curved, umbrella-like handles, and typically weigh less than 12 pounds. They may have a one-handed release for folding.
Pros: They're lightweight and convenient.
Cons: The compact size of umbrella strollers may cramp infants and toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes. Because these strollers lack suspension and seat support, they don't provide a cushy ride.
Price range: $32 to $120.
Traditional strollers
This category runs the gamut from lightweight strollers to heavy-duty models that weigh 17 to 35 pounds. The heavy-duty strollers are somewhat bulky but stable, deep, and roomy. Higher-end models may have shock absorbers on all wheels as well. Many strollers have a two-step, one-handed release for folding.
Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient. They have more features than umbrella strollers, such as a snack tray and a roomy storage basket, and some may accommodate an infant car seat or fully recline and have a wall around all sides above the retention space, so it's possible to use this type of stroller from day one.
Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public transportation and to lift into car trunks or minivan cargo areas. And you may still need a car seat. Small wheels don't perform well on uneven sidewalks or rough terrain. The compact size of lighter-weight models may cramp some toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.
Price range: $60 (lightweight strollers that are an upgrade from an umbrella stroller) to more than $1,000 (high-end traditional strollers).
All-terrain strollers
These three-wheel strollers or traditional-style strollers with larger air-filled tires let you push your child on a variety of surfaces, from mall floors to pavement and off-road. They have a rugged, outdoorsy look. Many all-terrains have bicycle-type air-filled tires, and larger wheels than a traditional stroller. The larger wheels make the stroller easier to push. All-terrain strollers have a three-wheel design that mimics jogging strollers, but check the user's manual to see if the manufacturer advises against using it for running. All have a front wheel that swivels for easier maneuvering on smoother surfaces but can be locked for use on rougher surfaces. Many all-terrains are unsuitable for babies under 6 months of age. A few exceptions: Maclaren MX3 (about $400) and the Phil & Teds e3 (about $380). One all-terrain that can accept an infant car seat using special separate adapters is the Zooper Boogie (about $360).
Pros: They're good for off-road use and provide a relatively smooth ride over rocks, potholes, or uneven sidewalks. Some all-terrain strollers can accommodate heavier children than other strollers can. Several companies offer double or triple all-terrain strollers with a total weight limit of up to 100 pounds or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: Three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb. Many all-terrains are not suitable for infants younger than 6 months. They are often large and heavy; some may require you to remove the front and/or rear wheel to fit in a car trunk. Air-filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Price range: $80 to more than $700.
Jogging strollers
These three-wheel strollers with front hand brake, non-swivel or lockable front wheel for serious runners, and large, air-filled tires let you push your child while you run or jog. Larger wheels make it easier for the runner who's pushing, and the air in the tires helps provide a smoother ride for the little passenger. The long, high handlebar is designed to give running feet and legs more space to avoid bumping into the stroller's frame. A wrist strap should be attached to your wrist and the stroller at all times when you are running with a child in the stroller; this will give you some control and keep the stroller from getting away from you if you fall or trip. On some brands, the large front wheel is fixed and does not swivel; on others, it swivels but can be locked into place.
The appropriate minimum age for a child to ride in a jogging stroller is a matter of debate. Most manufacturers suggest a child should be 8 weeks or older, but our medical consultants say a baby should be at least 6 months, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride. Some jogging strollers are made to accommodate the youngest babies, however. Baby Jogger makes a bassinet/pram to work with its Baby Jogger City and Q-Series single strollers, so your baby can lie flat while you're logging the miles. The seat faces the rear of the stroller so you can see your baby at all times. But that doesn't mean you should sprint with your newborn; brisk walks are a better idea.
Pros: Jogging strollers can also be used for off-road walks. All jogging strollers tested scored Excellent for outdoor performance while running. Many jogging strollers have a longer life than traditional strollers, because they can accommodate heavier children. Several companies offer double or even triple strollers with total weight limits of 100 or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: The fixed (non-swiveling) front wheel is good for running, but can make maneuvering difficult. Some three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb, or if a child tries to climb into the stroller. Jogging strollers are often large and some are heavy; you may need to remove the wheel(s) to fit the stroller into your car trunk. Bicycle-type air filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Price range: $80 to more than $700.
Recommendations
Your first decision is which types of stroller you want to buy. You may want more than one--such as a traditional stroller and a lighter-weight model for traveling--though you might be able to get along fine with just one, depending on what you select as your main set of wheels.
Having a new baby can be a walk in the park--with the right stroller, of course. In fact, a stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll buy. And as your baby grows, you may end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for every day and a lighter-weight one for traveling. You may even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks and curbs. City streets are deceptively hard on strollers.
There are dozens of choices on the market, everything from the lightest-weight umbrella strollers to heavy-duty, midsized strollers, carriages, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. For a newborn, you can find a basic frame with no stroller seat of its own that can support almost any infant car seat. Or, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes you can close, so your baby doesn't slip and get trapped.
Another option is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base for your car, and a stroller. Some jogging strollers, such as the Graco LeisureSport ($200), are sold as travel systems, and some strollers also function as travel systems by allowing you to attach an infant car seat. All Peg-Pérego strollers--the Pliko P3 Classico, GT3 Completo, Centro Completo, and Aria OH Classico--are designed to anchor a matching Peg-Pérego car seat, which is sold separately. Those strollers include a strap to attach other manufacturers' car seats to the stroller. When babies reach 6 months old or can sit up and control their head and neck movements, you can use the stroller alone, without the infant seat snapped in. The downside? Until then, you have to push your baby in both a stroller and a car seat, which can be unwieldy, depending on the circumstances, such as the terrain you're navigating.
A final option is a combo stroller--such as the Bugaboo Frog, Gecko, or Cameleon--which functions as both a carriage and a stroller. This stroller is a hybrid that consists of a stroller chassis with wheels that can be used with various manufacturers' car seats. It includes a removable bassinet, which converts it into a carriage, so your newborn baby can fully recline, and a removable stroller seat to use when your baby is ready to sit up. Your stroller options are dizzying. Here's what you need to know to buy the right wheels for you and your baby.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Select it yourself. Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself because you're the best judge of how you intend to use it--then register for it at a department or baby store if you want to receive it as a gift. If you receive a stroller you didn't select yourself, make sure you want to keep it. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal items. You'll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.
Let your lifestyle be your guide. City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs will need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and compactly. A travel system, for example, probably isn't your best bet. A stroller with sizeable, air-filled tires is recommended if you'll be going for long walks with your baby and your vehicle is big enough to accommodate it. Besides being more shock-absorbing, these strollers typically have cushier, more supportive seating. If you'll be strolling through snow, on unpaved roads, or on the beach or taking your baby to soccer games in the park, a stroller with large wheels is the way to go. Under those conditions, a stroller with small wheels may be difficult or impossible to push. If you're athletic, you might want an all-terrain or jogging stroller for walking or jogging workouts.
Don't go by price alone. As you'll find out when you're shopping, there's a wide price range among types and brands. What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $750? Several things drive up the price tag. Higher-end strollers are made of high-grade, lighter-weight aluminum, and are easier to lift in and out of a car. The seat is cushier, with more back support, and is likely to be made of high-quality fabric. And because they often feature large, shock-absorbing, swivel wheels, higher-end strollers are easier to push, especially over rough terrain, which includes anything from uneven sidewalks to sand and snow, so babies get a smoother ride.
Bigger-ticket strollers have such comfy amenities as adjustable handles, which can save your back if you're tall, and a reversible seat so your baby can face toward or away from you. They tend to be more durable, lasting from child to child. But that doesn't mean a lower-end stroller won't serve you well. A lot depends on where and how much you'll use the stroller. For infrequent travel or trips to the mall, a lower-end umbrella stroller (less than $100) may be all you need. But if you're going to be strolling more often and through all kinds of weather and conditions, consider spending more. Good-quality traditional strollers start at around $250.
That said, a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports' tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or better than models costing hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can have typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.
Give it a test drive. Take the models you're considering for a spin in the store, even if you plan to buy online or expect to get a stroller as a gift. Compare maneuverability and practice opening and closing it--with one hand as well as two. See how easy it is to adjust the backrest, lift and carry the stroller, and apply the rear brakes. Make sure you can stand tall when you push the stroller and that your legs and feet don't hit the wheels as you walk.
If both you and your spouse will use the stroller, you should both try it out. Some models have adjustable handles, an important feature if one parent is taller than the other. If possible, take the floor model you're considering out to your car to be sure it will fit in your trunk when it's folded. Also, jiggle the stroller. The frame should feel solid, not loose.
Consider your baby's age. Newborns can't sit up, so they need a stroller that lets them lie on their backs for the first few months, or one that can hold an infant car seat. Don't use a traditional stroller that doesn't fully recline--including an umbrella-style stroller--until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months of age.
If you buy a stroller that fully reclines for an infant, make sure it has a wall surrounding all sides above the retention space. In addition, you can use the cover or stroller boot the manufacturer sometimes supplies for the foot area/legholes so your baby can't possibly slip through, or use the bassinet that may come with the stroller.
Size up the storage. A stroller with a large shopping basket makes life easier for parents who get around town mostly on foot. If you opt for a model that reclines, make sure you can reach the basket if the seat back is fully reclined, or, if it's a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place.
Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws, but they won't necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions. Manufacturers may refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair--at your expense--leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
Keep the packaging the stroller comes in until you're sure you want to keep the stroller and ask about a store's return policy (usually 30 days). It's not uncommon to buy a stroller many months in advance. If you're shopping that far ahead, you'll want to buy from a store with a flexible or long-term return policy.
Check certification. Somewhere on a stroller's frame or carton there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard and that its manufacturer participates in the certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The key tests are for restraint system, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, as well as for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies may be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta Enterprise, Dorel Juvenile Group, Evenflo, Go-Go Babyz, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Joovy, Kolcraft, Maclaren, Mia Moda, and Peg-Pérego.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Major brands of single- and multi-seat strollers are, in alphabetical order, Baby Jogger (www.babyjogger.com), Baby Trend (www.babytrend.com), Bertini (www.bertinistrollers.com), Bob (www.bobstrollers.com), Britax (www.britaxusa.net), Bugaboo (www.bugaboo.com), Bumble Ride (www.bumbleride.com), Chicco (www.chiccousa.com), Combi (www.combi-intl.com), Dorel Juvenile Group (maker of Cosco, Eddie Bauer, and Safety 1st, www.djgusa.com), Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), GoGo Babyz (www.gogobabyz.com), Graco (www.gracobaby.com), Inglesina (www.inglesina.com), InStep (www.instep.net), Kolcraft (www.kolcraft.com), Maclaren (www.maclarenbaby.com), Mountain Buggy (www.mountainbuggy.com), Orbit (www.orbitbaby.com), Peg-Pérego (www.pegperego.com), Phil & Teds (www.philandteds.com), Rock Star Baby (www.rockstarbaby.com), Silver Cross (www.silvercross.co.uk), Stokke (www.stokkeusa.com), Stroll-Air (www.stroll-air.com), Tike Tech (www.tiketech.com), Uppababy (www.uppababy.com), and Zooper (www.zooper.com).
FOR BABIES YOUNGER THAN 6 MONTHS
Because newborns can't sit up without support, they can't ride in a standard stroller, that is, one that doesn't fully recline. You'll find the following basic choices for this age group:
Seat-carrier frames
These lightweight frames have no seat of their own. Instead, you attach an infant car seat for strolling.
Pros: They're compact and convenient, also inexpensive because your car seat does double duty. They let you smoothly get a sleeping baby in and out of the car. When you move a baby in an infant car seat to the stroller frame, you're less likely to wake her.
Cons: The car seat and the frame can no longer be used as a stroller once your child outgrows the seat (at about a year).
Price range: $30 to $90, for just the frame.
Combo strollers
These are a combination carriage and stroller. Before your baby can sit up, you can use the stroller's bassinet, snap an infant car seat into the stroller chassis, or, depending on the model, fully recline the seat and close the legholes. After that, use the stroller seat attachment to wheel around your baby.
Pros: You can start using the stroller from day one, and because it's designed for infants through toddlers (to 40 pounds or so), you may not have to buy more than one stroller.
Cons: Combo strollers tend to be pricey. Bugaboo, which is a popular brand of combo stroller, for example, will run you from $680 (the Gecko model) to $880 (the Cameleon). That price includes everything--the chassis, bassinet, and reversible seat, which weigh a total of just 17 to 20 pounds, plus a canopy, rain cover, tire pump and pressure gauge, bug net, underseat bag for storage items, and maintenance kit. But you'll still need to buy a car seat.
Price range: $390 to $880.
Travel systems
These combine a stroller and an infant car seat; the baby is in the car seat snapped into the stroller until she can sit up, and then you use the stroller without the car seat.
Pros: Like an infant seat with carrier frame, a travel system allows you to move a sleeping baby in the seat undisturbed from car to stroller. Some also can fully recline the seat, so you can use it as a carriage.
Cons: If you select the car seat first, you have to live with the stroller it works with (and vice versa). An alternative is to choose a stroller that can hold car seats from a number of manufacturers. You have to push around a car seat and a stroller, which can be bulky and unmanageable on stairs.
Price range: $130 to more than $600.
Carriages
These models provide sleeping space for infants. Some have large spoked wheels and compartments, or "carry cots," that can be removed and used as a bassinet.
Pros: They can be used for newborns and they're convenient for sleeping.
Cons: They're not very portable or user-friendly. If you get the kind with large, spoked wheels, it'll be nearly impossible to maneuver on public transportation, and you'll still need a car seat. Traditional prams, the kind that don't convert to a regular stroller, aren't very popular and few manufacturers produce them. If you want your baby to lie flat when strolling, consider a combo stroller.
Price range: From $135 to $370, or more.
MULTISEAT STROLLERS--INFANTS TO TODDLERS
Similar to other strollers, multiseat strollers give you a relatively efficient means of taking twins, triplets, or young siblings of different ages for a ride. Most companies that manufacture single strollers for one also make a version with two or more seats. Multiseaters offer the same features as strollers for a single rider, but are bigger. Options include strollers with a standing bench or small seat in the rear that lets a second child hitch a ride. Multiseat strollers usually come in one of two configurations, tandem or side-by-side.
Tandem models
These strollers have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and easy to fit through doorways and get around enclosed spaces, such as retail stores. However, while the backseat can recline, the front one usually can't without limiting the space of the rear passenger. On some tandem strollers, you can set the seats so that the children face each other; others have a "stadium seat" that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.
Pros: Tandems easily go through standard doorways and fit through tight spots, such as an older apartment building with a narrow elevator door. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midsized stroller. Many tandem models accept an infant car seat in one or both stroller seats, but check which brands of car seats are compatible before you buy.
Cons: Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over curbs. Some models have limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger. They're often quite heavy, which can be difficult to manage if you're small.
Price range: $130 to $200 or more for double tandem strollers; tandem strollers for triplets, such as the Inglesina Trio Domino (there's not a lot to choose from), will cost you even more, in the range of $800.
Side-by-side models
The other configuration, side-by-sides have two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. You can create your own side-by-side by joining two umbrella strollers with a set of screw-on brackets--available at baby discount chains and specialty stores. The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to those on single-passenger models. This type of stroller works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins. Each seat has an independent reclining mechanism.
Pros: A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem. Some side-by-side models accept an infant car seat, though some brands limit it to one seat only. That may be fine if you're shopping for a newborn and an older child. If you're shopping for infant twins and you want a side-by-side, look for one in which both seats recline, such as the Combi Twin Savvy Sport ($200), and use the infant boot that comes with the stroller for both seats.
Cons: If children of different weights ride in the stroller, it can veer to one side. Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats. A folded side-by-side stroller typically requires twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version. Although manufacturers may claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, it can be a tight squeeze, and the stroller may not fit through some doorways at all.
Price range: $120 (for lightweight models that don't accept an infant car seat) to more than $900 (for deluxe models with independent reversible seats with multiple reclining positions, and air-filled tires).
DOWN THE ROAD
Stroller types appropriate for babies older than 6 months include:
Umbrella strollers
These are named for their curved, umbrella-like handles, and typically weigh less than 12 pounds. They may have a one-handed release for folding.
Pros: They're lightweight and convenient.
Cons: The compact size of umbrella strollers may cramp infants and toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes. Because these strollers lack suspension and seat support, they don't provide a cushy ride.
Price range: $32 to $120.
Traditional strollers
This category runs the gamut from lightweight strollers to heavy-duty models that weigh 17 to 35 pounds. The heavy-duty strollers are somewhat bulky but stable, deep, and roomy. Higher-end models may have shock absorbers on all wheels as well. Many strollers have a two-step, one-handed release for folding.
Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient. They have more features than umbrella strollers, such as a snack tray and a roomy storage basket, and some may accommodate an infant car seat or fully recline and have a wall around all sides above the retention space, so it's possible to use this type of stroller from day one.
Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public transportation and to lift into car trunks or minivan cargo areas. And you may still need a car seat. Small wheels don't perform well on uneven sidewalks or rough terrain. The compact size of lighter-weight models may cramp some toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.
Price range: $60 (lightweight strollers that are an upgrade from an umbrella stroller) to more than $1,000 (high-end traditional strollers).
All-terrain strollers
These three-wheel strollers or traditional-style strollers with larger air-filled tires let you push your child on a variety of surfaces, from mall floors to pavement and off-road. They have a rugged, outdoorsy look. Many all-terrains have bicycle-type air-filled tires, and larger wheels than a traditional stroller. The larger wheels make the stroller easier to push. All-terrain strollers have a three-wheel design that mimics jogging strollers, but check the user's manual to see if the manufacturer advises against using it for running. All have a front wheel that swivels for easier maneuvering on smoother surfaces but can be locked for use on rougher surfaces. Many all-terrains are unsuitable for babies under 6 months of age. A few exceptions: Maclaren MX3 (about $400) and the Phil & Teds e3 (about $380). One all-terrain that can accept an infant car seat using special separate adapters is the Zooper Boogie (about $360).
Pros: They're good for off-road use and provide a relatively smooth ride over rocks, potholes, or uneven sidewalks. Some all-terrain strollers can accommodate heavier children than other strollers can. Several companies offer double or triple all-terrain strollers with a total weight limit of up to 100 pounds or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: Three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb. Many all-terrains are not suitable for infants younger than 6 months. They are often large and heavy; some may require you to remove the front and/or rear wheel to fit in a car trunk. Air-filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Price range: $80 to more than $700.
Jogging strollers
These three-wheel strollers with front hand brake, non-swivel or lockable front wheel for serious runners, and large, air-filled tires let you push your child while you run or jog. Larger wheels make it easier for the runner who's pushing, and the air in the tires helps provide a smoother ride for the little passenger. The long, high handlebar is designed to give running feet and legs more space to avoid bumping into the stroller's frame. A wrist strap should be attached to your wrist and the stroller at all times when you are running with a child in the stroller; this will give you some control and keep the stroller from getting away from you if you fall or trip. On some brands, the large front wheel is fixed and does not swivel; on others, it swivels but can be locked into place.
The appropriate minimum age for a child to ride in a jogging stroller is a matter of debate. Most manufacturers suggest a child should be 8 weeks or older, but our medical consultants say a baby should be at least 6 months, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride. Some jogging strollers are made to accommodate the youngest babies, however. Baby Jogger makes a bassinet/pram to work with its Baby Jogger City and Q-Series single strollers, so your baby can lie flat while you're logging the miles. The seat faces the rear of the stroller so you can see your baby at all times. But that doesn't mean you should sprint with your newborn; brisk walks are a better idea.
Pros: Jogging strollers can also be used for off-road walks. All jogging strollers tested scored Excellent for outdoor performance while running. Many jogging strollers have a longer life than traditional strollers, because they can accommodate heavier children. Several companies offer double or even triple strollers with total weight limits of 100 or 150 pounds, respectively.
Cons: The fixed (non-swiveling) front wheel is good for running, but can make maneuvering difficult. Some three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are rolled over a curb, or if a child tries to climb into the stroller. Jogging strollers are often large and some are heavy; you may need to remove the wheel(s) to fit the stroller into your car trunk. Bicycle-type air filled tires can go flat and require re-inflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.
Price range: $80 to more than $700.
Recommendations
Your first decision is which types of stroller you want to buy. You may want more than one--such as a traditional stroller and a lighter-weight model for traveling--though you might be able to get along fine with just one, depending on what you select as your main set of wheels.
