Double Stroller Travel System

BLB asked:


I’m looking for a stroller for my 6 mo old daughter once she outgrows the infant car seat with snap n go stroller frame. What do you recommend. I’m looking for something lightweight, folds well and small, has a smooth ride on the sidewalk and has someplace to put my diaper bag. What do you recommend?

Strollers For Twins

Nicky Meintjies asked:


A baby stroller is one of the biggest expenses in having a baby. There is a baffling array of them on the market and there are tricks you will pick up that will make using a baby stroller easier. Together, they are the essential knowledge about baby strollers that every parent needs to know.

Comfort

First, in choosing a stroller, you must get one which both your baby and you will be comfortable with. Nothing is more important than your baby’s safety and comfort. That said, to get the right stroller that will suit your needs and last for a while, you also need to consider how easy it is to use and transport and whether it is flexible (for instance transforming into a car seat or carry cot).

If you don’t know what you are looking for, and have not considered the factors above, you can spend ages looking for a stroller and never finding what you need. One of the first things you need to think about is whether the stroller is safe and stable. Is it sturdy, even when the baby is moving around in the stroller and it is loaded down with the ever-important diaper bag and perhaps even some shopping?

Harnesses

You need to take a look at the harness system. Children soon grow inquisitive and get to squirming around. A five-point harness system is best for keeping them safe and secure. It also worked well to support the more floppy bodies of infants too.

Handles

Next, have a look at the stroller handles. Does it adjust so people of different heights can push it? You don’t want your six foot tall husband to have any excuse to get out of his pushing duties do you?

Necessary Extras

Good strollers will come with a sun canopy and a rain hood. You may have to use the stroller in all weathers so be prepared for that. However, be aware that these accessories can be bought later to add to the stroller so don’t necessarily let the lack of one of these features deter you from buying a good value stroller.

One thing you cannot compromise on is whether the stroller folds. It has to! A stroller which won’t fit into your car is of no use to you. Preferably, find a stroller that folds with one hand so you can hold your baby at the same time.

Stroller travel systems are great. These incorporate a standard stroller with an infant seat that removes from the frame. That means you won’t have to wake up your sleeping baby to get them into the car. Just think of all the tears you’ll save. It serves as a standard stroller for older babies.

If you have twins or babies with a small age gap between them you may want a double stroller, but an easier solution may be to clip two single strollers together. That way, you can also use the strollers separately when you want to.

It’s really important to try out a stroller before you buy it. Walk normally with it. Walk quickly with it. Make sure it doesn’t trip you up. Check that it fits in your car.

Think long-term, too. Children aren’t known for being clean. Your stroller will soon get dirty. You should look for one with removable seat covers which are easy to wash.

How much do strollers cost? They can regularly run you about $200-$300. That sounds like a lot, but if you are a busy parent with lots of little ones, that stroller may be a lifesaver!



Hayden

Shania Scott asked:


Each model comes with a variety of features and the trick is to see which ones are right for you. You might have to decid between weight or storage, maneuverability or a trendy design, but on the whole you should be able to find a stroller that has everything you need. Before shopping make a check list of the features that are important to you.

Basket Capacity

Once you decide where you and baby are going, you need to decide what you need to take with you. How much storage does that require? Do you need a basket that can fit a large diaper bag, extra clothing, and lunch? Or would a pocket for your keys and a cup holder work better for you? Be sure to check dimensions so you can take all your supplies wherever you need to go.

Weight

Again, you need to ask yourself where you will be taking your stroller. If you need to transport your stroller you may want to research the lighter models. Heavier strollers are likely to be well built and loaded with features, but it may not be worth it if you hate to lug your stroller around.

Folding and Storage

The “one handed fold” is a very popular feature now. More and more companies are catering to the parent who never has enough hands. Be sure to try folding your stroller of choice at the store if at all possible. This will let you see how easy it really is to fold. After folding your stroller away think about where it will need to fit. How big is your vehicle? Will your stroller fit in the trunk? What about when you travel and your stroller needs to come too? Will you have enough room for all the luggage? Check the measurements to be sure your stroller will fit.

Maneuverability

If it is possible – test drive a stroller before you buy! This will avoid a lot of trouble down the road. Test how easy you can make a turn, if you can fit though a narrow isle, and if the handlebars are high enough for you. Many of the newer models now feature adjustable handlebars which are a relief for taller parents.

Color

Strollers now come in a variety of snazzy colors and prints, but how do you know which one to choose? First think about your baby. Dark colors absorb heat and may make your baby uncomfortable. On the other hand, light colors tend to show stains. They are good for night walk though, as they tend to be easier to see. Also think about the next little one who will be in the stroller. Purchasing a pink stroller may not be practical if the next baby is a boy! It is safer to stick with neutral colors because you never can tell.

Upkeep

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, little ones are going to make messes. Be sure to take this into consideration when purchasing a stroller. Some stroller models conveniently allow you to remove the seat for washing. Others sell seat covers to keep any mess off the upholstery.

Accessories

First, check out what comes with your stroller. Does it have cup holders or a snack tray? What accessories are important to you and your baby? If they are not included, many manufacturers make accessories to go with your stroller. Many sell rain covers, sun shades, cold weather boots, and even cup and snack holders. Just one more thing to check out before you buy.

Buying a stroller can seem very overwhelming, but just think about what is at stake. This is for your babies comfort, but you also have to be comfortable pushing your stroller around. The more research you do the better decision you will make. Some people say there is no perfect stroller…but maybe you can prove them wrong and find a stroller that you absolutely love.



Carla

David Cummings asked:


There are countless baby stroller accessories to choose from when outfitting your child’s stroller for a more comfortable ride. There is everything from extra cushions, to strap covers and extra storage to toys that hang down for them to play with if the ride gets too boring. Baby stroller accessories fit most all standard size strollers, and there are also baby stroller accessories for double and triple strollers as well.

Starting at the back of the stroller, where the parents stand and push the stroller, there is a parent’s organizer, which is basically either a tray that snaps on to where the handle is or a ‘bucket’ that has Velcro straps and it hangs from the curved handle. The ‘bucket’ has two cup holders and a secret pocket for valuables and the middle is insulated for snacks or can just be used to carry keys and a cell phone.

Also in the back of the stroller are several different types of stroller accessories such as mesh bags and thin backpack style bags for carrying extra clothing or diapers or toys that don’t fit in the cargo area below. These bags usually Velcro on or slip over the handle bars or curved bar for pushing the stroller, in addition to the bags, there are large plastic hooks that snap on to the arched pushing handle that will be able to hold a diaper bag strap, purse strap, grocery bag or a coat and scarf. They come in sets of two and are great stroller accessories to add.

There are countless items that can be snapped onto the arch that is the handle that pushes the stroller. There are cup holders, an umbrella holder, a powerful light for dark nights, and an odometer for telling how far you’ve gone, especially for jogging strollers.

Inside the stroller there are a number of stroller accessories that help baby to be more comfortable such as strap covers and adjustors, quilted bumper padding or a small head holder for when she or he is trying to sleep. Lambskin covers for the entire strollers inside to help keep them comfortable and then there are mesh netting that cover the entire strollers outside so that there are no bugs getting to the babies and rain ‘hoods’ and covers to keep them dry.

Other stroller accessories include frames to convert the strollers into car seat or carrier holders so you don’t have to move the baby from the car seat over to the stroller; the car seat becomes the stroller.

There are add-on stroller accessories such as the toddler stroller step in which a toddler can stand and ‘ride’ along with the baby. This attachment goes on the back of the stroller and has two wheels to stable the child and they can hold on to the inside of the arch while the parent pushes the stroller. Along the same lines as the toddler stroller step, there is the jump seat for toddlers in which it attaches to the back of the stroller, allowing the toddler to sit behind the baby and ride along with them, basically making a single stroller into a stroller for two!



Moises