Choosing the Right Stroller for Your Baby
One of the first purchases parents make for the newborn baby is a stroller. Choosing the right stroller depends on your lifestyle and budget; it is important to know your options when selecting the right stroller for you and your family. There are many factors in determining the right stroller for you; such as where or on what surface you’ll be using it and how often you use your stroller.

Lifestyle
Lifestyle choice is at the top of the list when determining what stroller is best for you. Different manufacturers market to different lifestyles. Some parents enjoy exercising with their kids and companies have created all-terrain strollers that allow parents to jog, hike and enjoy the outdoors.

Busy parents who have to travel a lot and run errands need a stroller that is lightweight and easy to handle. The best compact strollers are designed to fold and carry easily; these parents need strollers that move in and out of cars without any hassle. It is important to remember how your stroller will affect your daily life.

Budget
In this day and age it is important to factor in budget without sacrificing safety and comfort for your stroller. If buying a stroller turns into a budgetary concern, you might want to read the article Do I Need to Buy an Expensive Stroller, where you will find some useful tips.

Over the course of a newborn’s stroller’s lifespan, it is up the parents to determine which stroller fits both their lifestyle and budget. Some parents end up purchasing more than one stroller in order to meet all of their needs and some buy that one stroller fits the bill.

Stroller Size
Parents need to think about how large or small their ideal stroller is. Smaller strollers are less durable and as newborns grow, will not be used for a long period of times. The key factors in larger strollers are storage space, how they fit into your vehicle, and if you will be able to get it through doorways and down sidewalks. Stroller size determines the brand and type of stroller that fits your family’s needs.

Stroller Safety
Around the world , safety is the number one priority to all parents when it comes to strollers. No matter what kind of stroller you purchase, your decision will be based on your lifestyle or budget; parents need to make sure that their newborns are in a stroller that reaches the ASTM standards. If want to learn more about stroller safety read Stroller Safety Guidelines and find out everything you need to know.

Stroller Maneuverability
The only way to determine maneuverability in a stroller is to go to a store and try it out. Swivel wheels are the prototype wheels in maneuverability. How the stroller handles turns and bumps in the road factor into the safety and ease of the stroller. It is a highly subjective process and depends greatly on how the parent feels as they push the stroller. Wheelbase stability is an important in making sure the stroller will not tip or feel unbalanced around corners.

Like I said before, the only way to determine the stability and maneuverability of a stroller is to test drive a stroller before taking it for a real ride down the sidewalk.

Once you have narrowed the manufacturer you feel most comfortable with you will most likely have to determine size, weight and durability of the stroller. Factors such as the child’s weight and size, along with the size of the area you live will play an important part to buying the right stroller. Some guidelines to buying the right stroller can be found right here: How to Choose the Right Stroller for Your Family

Stroller Weight & Durability
The weight and durability of a stroller is an interesting dilemma because the heavier the stroller the more durable and stable it is. Metal strollers are obviously heavier than plastic strollers. That means metal stroller’s are also more durable and will hold older children. Sounds good, right? At the same time, the metal stroller’s are more difficult to transport and maneuver in vehicles, airports and storage. Plastic stroller’s are more lightweight and can be more of a convenience in daily activities.

The above facts are some of the larger factors to think about when deciding and purchasing a stroller. Many strollers have a variety of special features that make their strollers a cut above the rest. Consider these additional features when shopping for a stroller.

•Collapsibility – Not all strollers are created equally. Some strollers are easy to fold, while others are a bit more complicated. Newer models have a one-handed folding system that allows for a quick collapse. Other strollers require many steps before it will finally collapse.

•Harness/Seat belt – The harness on a stroller is designed to protect your child and should adjust and fit accordingly. For more information on stroller harnesses check out Stroller Safety Tips for Parents and learn more about your child’s safety.

•Reclining Feature – The reclining feature on a stroller is important because a full recline is optimal for newborns. As the child gets older, less of decline is needed and having partial incline actually increases the comfort of a stroller.

•Wheels and Suspension – Car wheels are a lot like stroller wheels; the larger the wheels the better the suspension. Larger, air-filled tires prove a smooth, high performance ride and take on curbs and stairs with ease.

•Brakes – The brakes on a stroller are located in the rear and they prevent the stroller from rolling along by its self. The ideal brakes are attached to the wheels and are located on each side. Foot-operated brakes are popular because they do not require you to bend down and can be accessed by, you guessed it, your foot.

•Footrest – Footrests on a stroller are exactly like the ones adults use. They are a place for the child to rest his feet! The benefit for having footrests on strollers is that they will prevent children’s feet from getting caught in the front wheels and from dragging on the ground.

•Optional Accessories – Strollers come with an untold amount of additional accessories. Generally they do not factor into safety or comfort, but if you are deciding between two models, accessories could be a deciding factor.

Take a look at our Stroller Comparisons and Stroller Reviews and hopefully all of this information will ease your stress about buying a stroller and you can enjoy all the happy times with your newborn!