Is the stroller stiff around turns? Does it fold easily? Is it too heavy? Is it approved for Disney theme parks? Testers use each stroller the way a parent would, complete with a weight that simulates a child for most of our testing. We adjust the harness, backrest, and wheel brakes, and we fold and unfold each model, as well as collapse and carry it, noting the weight and the folded size. Time for a walk. And finally, we assess safety by subjecting each stroller to standard safety tests as well as CR-designed stability and braking tests.
Another option? Choose a car seat carrier to safely support your strapped-in infant until she develops neck and head control and can sit up on her own. We note in the full view of our stroller ratings which models are suitable for infants 6 months and younger. Use the slider bar to check the specs. All-in-One Travel System It consists of an infant car seat , a car seat base, and a stroller. Once your baby can sit up, you can use the stroller on its own, without the car seat snapped in.
Some travel systems, however, have a stroller seat that reclines to a near flat position, meaning it can be used for an infant not yet sitting up.
A travel system is a good value because the stroller can be used after your child outgrows the infant car seat, unlike a car seat carrier frame. Infant Car Seat Carrier The lightweight frame lacks a seat, so you use it with a compatible infant car seat. Simply remove the car seat from its base in the car, baby and all, and attach it to the frame. Some manufacturers offer car seat carrier frames that are designed for their brand of car seats.
Universal carriers, on the other hand, can accommodate a variety of car seat brands. Once your baby is sitting up, you might be heading out into the world even more, on adventures, park visits, and play dates. Are you traveling by car, or taking mass transit?
That could be the deciding factor in which stroller you choose. Mass Transit vs. A car seat carrier frame would work well until your child reaches about 1 year old; you could also consider a lightweight travel system and an umbrella stroller. We note in our stroller ratings how much each stroller weighs. Some parents buy one of these strollers, plus a lightweight stroller for traveling or a trip to the zoo.
Take a measuring tape. Inspect the frame. It should feel solid, not flimsy. Check to determine whether the brakes or swivel lock mechanisms are easy to use and the handles are comfortable.
Do your legs or feet hit the wheels as you walk? Lift and carry the stroller, both when open and when folded. Check maneuverability by adding weight, such as a heavy handbag, to the stroller seat, then push.
Adjust the backrest. Is it easy to do? And is the harness easy to fasten and unfasten? Open the stroller, with one hand and then both. Now close the stroller doing the same. Note the storage space. Consider your trunk space. Some retailers might let you carry the stroller out to your car to ensure that it fits in your trunk when folded. Evaluate warranty and return policies. Check certification. All strollers sold in the U.
And check our stroller ratings to find out how well a stroller performed in our safety tests. These strollers are designed for one passenger. They include lightweight strollers weighing as little as 7 pounds, traditional or travel systems weighing less than 20 pounds, and heavy-duty strollers that weigh 35 pounds or more. This all-purpose stroller is a smart long-term investment.
Many work well on busy sidewalks, on paved streets, in a park, and on a trail. Some have fully reclining seats that allow infants to ride safely, some are compatible with infant car seats, and quite a few do both.
Pros: Sturdy, solid, good maneuverability, and easy to use. But if there's not a bar, there's probably a snack tray, and those are nice too.
All good strollers have locking wheels, and they all have harness straps, but five-point harnesses are considered the safest. Look for a removable seat cushion for easy washing. We know plenty of parents who, despite all of this, still buy based on brand name, color, or some other superficial reason, like the stroller being named after a car. So be it -- you have to live with it. A better way to choose if you're overwhelmed is to get a solid recommendation from a friend you trust, who has a lifestyle similar to yours.
Joggers: First, we don't recommend them unless you're actually going to jog or walk recreationally with one.
They look cool, but they're big, heavy, hard to turn, and often impossible to fold. The only reason you may want one aside from jogging is if you take your baby on trails or rough terrain.
Because they have big bike wheels, joggers give smooth rides over bumps. Umbrella strollers: You can get these dirt cheap, and that's great. Still look for JPMA certification, which means a stroller has been tested for stability, among other things. Double strollers: If you have twins , a double is a necessity. If you have an older child and a baby, however, you may not use a double as often as you think. They're big and awkward and it's often easier to push the kids in separate strollers, have the older child walk, or carry the baby strapped to you while you push the older one.
If you're buying a double stroller, side-by-side models are not too heavy and some have seats that fold all the way down for newborns. The front-to-back ones are bulkier but can often accommodate car seats , a nice feature. It's a toss-up! All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only.
Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Your Stroller Buying Guide. By Jessica Hartshorn October 03, Save Pin FB More. Getting Started The stroller is a big, expensive purchase and there are so many models, it's not surprising that shopping for one makes new parents anxious.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you check out strollers in the store:. Do you do your grocery shopping on foot or in a car? Would you rather stow your diaper bag or carry it? Can you both comfortably stroll your little one?
Getting Pregnant. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester. Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Popular links under Toddler Toddler Month by Month. Baby Products. Bookmark BookmarkTick BookmarkAdd save. While older style prams are adorable, they are quite expensive.
There are a number of combination prams and strollers that can change into a jogger when your baby gets to a certain size. See the best-rated prams here. These are recreational strollers that are fun to use if you are very active. Here you can check out the best-rated joggers on Amazon. These are very portable strollers made to be lightweight and convenient.
Check out the best-rated umbrella strollers on Amazon here. If you have twins or babies close in age, then you should use a double stroller. There are some really great strollers out there that add convenience and storage to your life.
If you like to run errands and visit friends, you can keep all of your supplies in some of the larger, regular strollers. There is typically a basket under the seat, as well as a small one at the top on the handlebars, such as a cupholder or small storage container. There are also side pockets that work great for holding pacifiers, toys, keys, and other things you might need for the day.
The best thing to do is look at strollers made for convenience. You can test before you buy and look at reviews to make sure that a stroller will meet your needs for convenience first.
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