Baby Stroller
Is it a stroller jungle out there?
There is a tremendous number of choices in the market place when it comes to strollers. For parents to be, and especially for first time parents, making this major purchase can be quite an undertaking and sometimes an overwhelming one. It is invaluable to get professional advice from a knowledgeable retail store when deciding which stroller will ultimately best fit consumers' lifestyles and budgets. A good stroller salesperson will ask lots of questions about the parents' lifestyle to help determine which stroller will best meet their needs. In the store, parents need to fold and unfold strollers, check that they are easy to turn and maneuver, test how brakes are activated and disengaged, and match their stroller style, not the least size and type of tires, to the area and climate they live in. Many parents do their homework before coming to the store but are hungry for more information and professional advice upon arrival.
The City Mom and The Country Mom
What may be the perfect stroller for one couple may be a poor choice for another. Some features are always desirable, regardless of whom the consumer is. The stroller needs to be safe, ASTM safety standard compliant, come with at least a 1 year warranty, be well designed with a five point harness, stable and convenient for the parent and naturally comfortable to the child. A child spends a substantial amount of time in the stroller from newborn to preschool age; therefore, reclining features and excellent padding in the seat are important. The fabric should be easy to spot clean and ideally also be easy to take off the frame for easy washing. Some desired features are more individualized, catering to personal lifestyle, budget, and fashion awareness. The savvy sales person benefits from listening to what the parents have to say early on in the conversation. Fourth floor in the apartment building, no elevator? Or one family home with a private garage? Are the parents planning for the stroller to work not only with the first baby, but also with two or maybe more children in years to come? If so, what are the features that will make it hold up well and work for a growing family during the course of several years?
Looking for all the right features
By knowing the answers to these questions, the search can be more easily narrowed down to a suitable range of strollers to choose from in which most of its desired features are to be found.
Brakes - whether located on the handlebar or at your feet, need to be dependable and easy to operate. Preferably brakes will lock not one, but two wheels at the same time.
Frames - The frame can be made of powder coated steel, or aluminum of different weight. Often, a lightweight aluminum stroller is up to 20% lighter than the traditional steel frame.
Tires - Pneumatic tires (at least 12" in diameter) are practical especially for outdoorsy, active families and in climates with snow and slush that can be hard to conquer with smaller, EVA-type foam tires.
Handlebar - If parents are of considerably different heights, having a handlebar that is easy to change in height is important.
Full recline - A safe, ergonomically correct sleeping environment is crucial. A flat, fully reclined configuration is recommended by pediatricians. Some models are convertible in that they offer a full recline and easily transform to a regular single stroller.
Storage - While it is important that the stroller has superb built-in storage space, look for added storage accessories available for ultimate organization.
Accessories - A good stroller manufacturer offers a wide array of practical accessories; sleeping bags, foot muffs, rain covers, extra sun protection, insect mesh nets, seat liners and the list goes on. A travel bag may be a perfect accessory for families traveling by air, saving on the wear and tear of the stroller's frame as well as fabric.
What stroller fits my lifestyle?
Just as the actual number of stroller brands and models have increased, the number of ways for expecting parents to do their stroller homework before making a purchase is more impressive than ever. Many online product review sites help parents to understand what stroller may be the best fit for their family by publishing test results and listing pros and cons on specific strollers. Pregnancy, baby, parenting and lifestyle magazines frequently test and evaluate strollers, doing actual "road tests" on functionality and comfort, and their opinions are published as a valuable guidance to potential stroller buyers. Parents who look for the input from other real life moms and dads, and who spend time researching an upcoming stroller choice will come into the store well prepared with a true understanding of the different strollers carried by the store and end up purchasing the stroller that is perfect for their needs.
What do celebrities have to do with it?
Are today's parents influenced by what products their favorite actors and actresses, musicians and TV personalities are using with their babies? Judging from the many websites and blogs reporting on new celebrity babies and their famous parents, there is indeed a growing interest from some parents to follow what strollers, diaper bags and other items that well-known celebrities are sporting. A number of well-informed, frequently visited sites publish paparazzi shots of celebrity parents pushing their offspring in a stroller, together with information on the stroller used, brand, model, price and color choices together with a link to the manufacturer's website. In print press, pictures showing up in People Magazine, New York Post, US Weekly and others send a message to potential stroller buyers.