How to Select a Stroller

Selecting a stroller is never easy. There are so many options and finding the right fit for your little one can be overwhelming. While the choice of a stroller is a decision only you can make, evaluate each of the stroller's features to consider when making this daunting decision.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take into account the number of passengers the stroller carries. This is the most basic of decisions. Strollers now come in singles, doubles, triples, quads and more. Some work best when children are the same age; others work well with an infant and a toddler, for example.

2. Find out how much the stroller weighs. No matter how strong you are, a heavy stroller will not serve you well. There will be times when you need to toss it in the trunk quickly, lug it up or down a stairway, or hoist it up a curb, fully loaded. Keep your biceps and back in mind when you’re shopping for a stroller.

3. Consider bulkiness and folding ease. One-hand folding is a nice feature and general folding ease can make your day smoother. Also, consider bulkiness, especially if you have a smaller car or limited storage options in your home

4. Check the stroller’s ability to recline. It is nice to have a number of recline options so that your child can rest and ride. For infants, the ability to recline to a flat or near-flat position is imperative.

5. Look at the tires and suspension. Depending on the terrain you frequent, tires and suspension come into play. If you are a runner or take your buggy off-road, you might want to consider treaded tires or upgraded suspension. For basic mall walking, simple plastic tires often are enough.

6. Make sure there is enough storage. You will need somewhere to put a diaper bag, supplies, snacks and potentially even shopping bags. Make sure the stroller you select has ample storage and that you can access the storage easily. For example, some stroller models have storage that you can only get to when the seat is in the upright position and others have storage right where a second passenger child places their feet.

7. Check for cup and accessory holders. Many strollers come with a place for the pusher to place a drink or keys, which is a very convenient option when you’re using two hands to maneuver a stroller. Remember never to place a hot drink in a stroller’s cup holder, however; doing so could lead to a spill that burns the child in the stroller.

8. See if the stroller has a snack tray and cup holder for the child. It’s nice for your little one to have access to snacks and a drink while you stroll along, as well as a little place to place his or her treasures.

9. Make sure your car seat works with it, if necessary. Some strollers accommodate an infant car seat (or two), which makes transferring and transporting a sleeping baby a breeze.

10. Drive it around. Maneuverability is very important when it comes to strollers. While this is an especially important issue for double or triple strollers, poor maneuverability can be a major bummer in single strollers as well. Again, assess the terrain you will most often use the stroller on and give your favorite models a test drive.

11. Assess the stroller’s durability. Quality is important, and it often has nothing to do with price. Check the fabric, wheels, frame and overall structure of any stroller you consider carefully.

12. Read stroller reviews and talk to other parents. There are numerous online sites where you can read stroller reviews. Of course, many of these paid reviews, so keep that in mind, but even paid reviews can give you an idea of a stroller’s features. The best bet is to ask other parents you know, or to hit up strangers pushing a stroller in town or at the mall; most will be happy to share their experience with a particular stroller.

13. Watch the price. If your wallet isn’t overflowing with cash, price is an important consideration. There are many great strollers in lower price ranges and many awful strollers in higher price ranges, so you can be frugal without compromising features.