Choosing the right baby stroller is essential for parents who wish to take their little ones out for a stroll in the park, to the mall for a shopping run, or a catch-up session with your friends at a local cafe.
Deriving at the right answer, however, may take some research because it depends on your lifestyle, budget, and other reasons like how often are you going to bring your baby out, who is going to use the stroller, the storage space you have, and how many babies/toddlers are going to be sharing the same stroller.
Here are a couple of quick tips on what to ask yourself when shopping for the right baby stroller for the family.
Baby Stroller Buying Guide
Although this is not an end-all-be-all, the following quick tips will get you started with baby stroller shopping.
A baby stroller can cost anything between under RM100 to RM1,500, depending on its features, brand, and the material it is made of. So, first of all, nail down a budget.
The length of time you are going to use the baby stroller. You’ll get a good idea about the type of baby stroller to invest in.
If you’re going for a full-fledged one (which can be a bit bulky), do you have the right storage space for it?
Do you need the brackets, pouches, awnings, bassinets, and car seat features that some of these expensive baby strollers come with?
If it’s a multi-functional stroller like the Jogging Multi-Purpose Baby Stroller, is your partner/spouse/parents/caregiver able to manage the stroller too?
Types of Baby Strollers
Baby strollers generally fall into these few categories.
Lightweight umbrella stroller
Car Seat carrier stroller
Travel system carrier stroller
Full-sized stroller
Double stroller
Jogging stroller
We’ll run through the pros and cons of the strollers here.
1 - Lightweight Umbrella Strollers
Because of the material and design of a lightweight baby stroller, they’re really mobile, to begin with. For some busy parents, it’s the best purchase for newborn babies!
The lightweight, foldable umbrella strollers are so compact that they can, literally, be fit into the car, planes, buses, trains and no one will even bat an eyelash when you drag it into the subway.
Getting these strollers into and through tight spaces is also a breeze. Of course, another advantage to using these umbrella strollers is their price points which is far lower than conventional or heavyweight baby strollers.
The downside is that they’re not very durable and babies will outgrow them within a couple of months or a little after a year.
2 - Car Seat Carrier Strollers
This is how some parents kill two birds with one stone - buying one car seat carrier stroller instead of purchasing a carrier AND a stroller. They’re, however, pretty much in the same league as a travel system stroller which has an in-car counterpart that you can detach from when you are out and about.
The pros are that it is helpful because it is a one-size-fits-all for the stroller and carrier. They’re also feature-packed with stuff like extra storage space, cupholders, handlebars, swing-out front trays, reclining seats, etc.
The downside to this type of carrier-stroller combo is that it has a limited lifespan. Not only will it get taxing for you to tot the baby around in the carrier/stroller because of the heavyweight strollers, but steering can also be difficult.
3 - Full-Sized Strollers
The good thing about a full-sized stroller is this - it’s so big and sturdy that it could be the only stroller you’ll need for your baby, child, kid (or, sometimes, groceries included) for some time to come.
The great thing about full-sized strollers is that it is a worthwhile investment to carry your baby through from their infant years right through to their toddler ones. It often comes with accessories that make your baby’s ride around town a joyful one and yours, peaceful. There’s enough space for plushies, favourite blankies, baskets, storage space, bottle holders, and even little baby-sized fans to keep baby cool when the weather is blistering hot outside.
The downside of a full-sized baby stroller is that it is the bulkier counterpart to a normal umbrella stroller. The strollers are also quite sizable to cater to babies through the years, so if you have an infant, you might have to prop your baby up with pillows and other accessories to keep them from tipping over!
Because of their size and multi-functional capabilities, the full-sized baby strollers may be tricky to put together as well as a bit of a hulk in crowds. And when it comes to navigating yourself through a bustling mall or a narrow staircase, the struggle could get real.
4 - Double Strollers
Double baby strollers are designed specifically for parents with more than one child. As we all know, going out with two or more children can be quite challenging, especially when they’re both young.
A double stroller will be God-sent when you can keep either one or both of them safely in the stroller while you enjoy your mobility. The purpose parents invest in a double stroller is to remove the need to purchase multiple baby strollers. With the younger sibling in the stroller, the double stroller also eliminates sibling envy from the older sibling.
With double baby strollers, what you might have to contend with, although it is not a surprise at all, its size, bulk, and weight. That was why, when the product first hit the market, it didn’t get the kind of raving reviews its creators anticipated. Taking the cue from consumers, luckily, modern-day double baby strollers are much lighter and easier to handle. With its size, you can also be sure that your car boot will be the designated baby stroller storage area...and nothing else.
5 - Jogging Strollers
Because of the way they are designed and the purpose they are made for, jogging baby strollers are sturdy, durable, and capable of doing everything an off-road loving parent wants to do with their children in tow. They’re also likely to last you a long time.
It is perfectly fine to use jogging baby strollers for everyday use although they tend to have long and large front wheels to stabilize them. They are, therefore, more difficult to handle than your everyday umbrella baby stroller. Some jogging strollers, however, have swivel front wheels which makes it easier to manoeuvre around crowded places and packed malls. There is an option to keep them locked in place when the need arises.
If you love exercising and going outdoors for a jog, taking your child with you, investing in one of those sturdy jogging baby strollers is a good idea.
Pick a Baby Stroller that Fits your Budget and Lifestyle
Having a child to care for should not stop you from doing what you love most, nor should it prevent you from going out and enjoying some time with family and friends. Having the right kind of baby stroller will make all the difference in the world.
The key to buying the right kind of baby stroller is to base your purchase on your budget and lifestyle.
Run through the quick tips we have given you above and once you’ve answered the questions, we believe you’ll be in a better position to make the right choice.
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