Baby strollers are an essential tool for parenting because they allow parents to transport their kids with minimal effort or fuss. Whether you are taking a stroll in the park or buying something from the grocery, it is always good to have a trusty stroller with you.
But before you buy a stroller, you should make sure that you buy a good quality one.
Some strollers are relatively cheap, but they break too easily. While some strollers cost a fortune, which is not really a good investment for something that your child will outgrow in a year or two.
So you will need to buy a stroller that is somewhere in between. In order to choose well, you will need to know what you’re looking for.
Here are 7 key features that you should look for in a baby stroller.
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1. Storage
When it comes to selecting a stroller, storage is key. Remember that you will be bringing a lot of stuff with you. You’re not only going to bring a diaper bag with you.
You are also going to bring toys, baby food, and other necessities.
This is a lot of stuff to bring along with you and it can be such a pain to lug them around. But with a stroller with great storage features you will be able to bring all this stuff without any hassle.
You can just store your diaper bag and other accessories into the storage compartments. Just make sure that the storage compartments are easy to access because it would be such a pain to grapple with your stroller while trying to get diapers or milk from the storage compartment.
2. Protection
Baby strollers must be sturdy enough to provide protection. Remember that babies are fragile, and a slight bump can be quite damaging.
So when you select a stroller, make sure that it has a wide base. The wider the base a stroller has the harder it will be to tip over.
The stroller should also be well padded and made of good quality materials.
There are various types of strollers, some are lighter such as the lightweight stroller, while some are heavier such as full-sized strollers. But whatever type you choose, you should make sure that it offers a good amount of protection.
3. Portability
Decades ago baby strollers were cumbersome affairs. They were made of heavy materials and could not be easily packed up.
But there have been innovations in stroller technology through the years. Now strollers are made up of tough and light-weight products.
Most strollers, such as this triv stroller, can now be folded and packed in a matter of minutes. This makes traveling with a baby so much easier.
So before you decide on purchasing a baby stroller you should make sure that it has portability features.
Check out its weight and its actual size when you fold it. Remember that you will be packing it in the back of your car so it is important that it fits perfectly.
4. Maneuverability
There will be times where you will have to steer your stroller through tight spaces. It could be a crowded area in the grocery stores or a tight spot in a cafe.
Whatever the situation may be, it always pays to have a maneuverable baby stroller. When selecting a baby stroller you should choose one that has an efficient wheel system.
They should be plastic coated and be installed with shock absorbers. This will make using the stroller a lot easier and bump-free.
5. Canopy
Canopies are key when it comes to selecting a baby stroller.
Remember that the stroller will serve as a temporary shelter for your baby when you’re out. So your baby stroller should be equipped with a sturdy canopy system.
The canopy should be able to shelter your child from the elements such as rain or sunlight. It should be waterproof enough to stave off the rain and also be able to protect the baby from UV rays from the sun.
The canopy should also be big enough to shelter the entirety of your baby from the elements.
6. Brakes
One of the most important features that you should look for in a baby stroller is sturdy brakes. Faulty brakes are very dangerous because they could lead to accidents.
If your brakes are loose your stroller could roll down a steep incline or get pushed in the middle of the road. So if you are going to look for a stroller, your brakes should be a top priority.
If you are going to buy a stroller from a physical store, you should test them out. Try to push the stroller and test out its resistance.
If you are going to buy from an online store, you should do your research first. There are various websites such as Babylic that give great parenting advice, and also sell quality strollers and baby carriers.
Your brakes should also be easy to control. Some brakes are automatic while some are manually controlled. Whichever type you choose, it is important that the brake controls can’t be reached by the baby.
7. Handlebars
Although the handlebars may seem like a trivial detail, it is, in fact, a very important feature.
Remember that you will be pushing the stroller for a long time and if the handlebar is not comfortable or has sharp edges you could end up getting calluses.
The handlebar should also have a non-slip handlebar grip because your palms can get sweaty and it would make holding on to the handlebar quite difficult.
So before you decide on a stroller make sure that you check the handlebars first.
Conclusion
Taking the time to do research on strollers and testing them out may seem a bit excessive.
But remember that your child’s safety may depend on these key features. So take the time to test out any potential strollers you may purchase.