If you’re reading this blog, you are either starting your family, or growing it ❤️! How exciting! There are many decisions that will need to be made to get ready for the new addition, and we are here to help! Choosing a stroller can be a daunting task because there are many factors to consider. For that reason, keep reading to find out some tips and tricks to choosing the perfect stroller for you and your family.
Things to Consider when Choosing a Stroller
There are many things to consider when selecting the perfect stroller for you and your family. These four factors can help you narrow down your options, so that you don’t get overwhelmed with the multitude of strollers on the market today. Because trust me, there are HUNDREDS of options!
1. FEATURES
Strollers range from the the bare essentials (ie seat and wheels) to the luxury models (self-folding, stands when folded, etc). It’s helpful to prioritize which features matter most to you and to focus on strollers that check all those boxes. Here are some common features:
- Air-filled tires
- Hand brake
- Large storage basket
- Reclining seat
- Stands when folded
- Full shock suspension
- Swivel front wheel
- Removable infant insert
- One-handed fold
- Adjustable handle bar
- Large SPF canopy
- Compact fold
2. COST
This might be one of the major determining factors of which stroller is best for your family. Price points can range from around $20, for your most basic umbrella stroller, up to several thousand dollars for luxury, designer models. Typically, the cost-effective strollers are more basic and have less convenience factors, whereas the more expensive versions can feature full-suspension, adjustable handlebars, large storage baskets, etc. If you are on a budget, it helps to set a maximum price point and see what strollers fall into that category that posses the features you desire most. It’s super helpful to narrow down your options so you can focus on what matters most and not get lost in the stroller universe.
3. LIFESTYLE
What your family does for fun will influence what type of stroller you need. No need for a bulky stroller if you’re a commuter. If you are an active family and like to hike, camp, go to sporting events or more, I’d strongly consider a jogging stroller because the air-filled tires will allow you to off-road like a champ and won’t hold you back. If you travel often and are jet-setters, I’d highly recommend an umbrella stroller or compact stroller because they’re easy to fold, light to carry and don’t take up much space – some even fit in the overhead bins on airplanes!
4. SIZE OF YOUR FAMILY
This could be a huge determining factor on which stroller you choose. Do you have an older child that still needs to ride AND you’re expecting and infant? Are you expecting twins or triplets? Are you planning on adding to your family after this pregnancy/addition? If your family is growing or has grown, you might want to consider a stroller than can transform into a double (or triple!) stroller in order to better fit your needs at the time. Double strollers can be both in-line or side-by-side. My favorite double stroller was the City Select by Baby Jogger because it is a single stroller, but can adapt to carry a second toddler seat to make it a double, so you can easily convert between single and double, depending on how many kids you had on your errand or adventure.
5. AGE OF KIDS
Age matters in helping to determine how many kids will be riding in your stroller, so you know what type to get, but the age also plays a role when deciding which stroller is best for you. Many strollers, like jogging strollers, are suitable for children around 6 months and up. They are not suitable for newborns because they can not ensure proper support and posture while riding in the stroller at such a young age. In this case, things to consider would be whether that stroller features an infant insert, a bassinet, if it can recline flat/near-flat, or if it can accommodate a car seat to transform it into a travel system so that your newbie can ride in it from birth.
Ready to Buy your next Stroller?
If any of the strollers we highlighted above make you smile, click on the link below to be brought to our stroller shopping page on Amazon. All the strollers we mentioned, all in one place! Because shopping for baby gear should be exciting, not stressful!
Want More?
Now that you’ve created a list of features that matter to you, established a budget, determined how long you want to use the stroller for, and who needs to ride in it, let’s chat about the types of strollers that are available on the market so you can have a better understanding of what you need for your growing family.
READ BLOG HERE: What’s the Difference between all the types of strollers?
Here’s a few more blogs that might help take some stress off of you as you find the perfect stroller!
- What car seat adapter do I need for my City Select stroller by Baby Jogger?
- What type of stroller is best for my family?
- What’s the difference between the BOB Alterrain Pro, the Revolution Pro and the Revolution Flex?
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