BabyZone's Ultimate Stroller-Buying Guide

Stroller Brands

The most expensive strollers, such as Bugaboo and Peg Perego, tend to score well in reviews. If you plan on putting a lot of miles on your stroller, the extra cash might be worth it. Additional brands such as Graco, Kolcraft, Combi, Evenflo, Century, and Baby Trend offer a variety of great products, often with the same features as pricier models.

Lifestyle Factors

When choosing a stroller, consider the following:

• The season during which your baby will be born: This may be one of the first deciding factors in what kind of stroller you buy. If you're due in the winter and you live in Colorado, you may not be venturing outside often and need only an infant car seat for the first few months. Conversely, if you live in a locale that's sunny most of the year, you might be thinking more about a lightweight stroller.
• Your baby's developmental stages: During the first few months of your baby's life, she won't be able to sit or support herself. You will either need to purchase a stroller that will grow with your baby (either by reclining positions or by hooking in a car seat), or look for a stroller to use during different times in your baby's development.
• Where you live: Do you live in the city or the suburbs? If you live in New York City and don't own a car, your stroller will likely get a lot of wear. If you drive a lot, your stroller may sit in the trunk.
• Your travel needs: How you live is just as important as where you live. If you don't plan on long walks in the park, but instead short jaunts between errands, you may opt for an infant car seat carrier versus a full-blown stroller. But if you plan on walking everywhere with baby then you might be more willing to spend money on a top-of-the-line stroller.

Stroller Safety




"Check to make sure that the stroller you purchase has the JPMA seal," advises Anne Marie Lisko, product manager for strollers with Graco Children's Products. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal ensures that the manufacturer adheres to certain safety standards.

Lisko also recommends that parents carefully read through the instruction manual that comes with the stroller. "The instructions contain important warnings about how to use the stroller properly and how to assemble it correctly." Lisko gives the incentive that parents are likely to find additional features on their stroller they might not know about if they don't read the manual.