How to choose a stroller for a newborn? What to look for when choosing a stroller

The question of choosing a stroller for a newborn baby before future parents arises long before the baby is born. And it is right. Indeed, upon arrival from the hospital, parents will not have time for this. You can quickly make a decision in such a difficult matter, only having decided in advance on the desired functions of the future stroller. Below we will talk about the main types of prams, list the pros and cons of each type and give general recommendations on what you need to pay attention to before buying.

The main criteria when choosing a stroller

Before moving on to choosing a pram, you should answer a number of questions for yourself:

1. The amount of money you plan to give for a stroller.
2. The time of year at which the baby will be born. For babies born in winter, the stroller should be insulated as much as possible, the bed is spacious (for a child in a voluminous warm down jacket), the bottom is made only of wood. For the spring-summer period, a ventilated cradle is required. Valid bottom made of plastic.
3. Do you live outside the city or in the city? Consider the possibility of transporting strollers in a car.
4. The time period for which you purchase a stroller. There are models designed only for newborns and designed for use up to 2 - 3 years.
5. Stroller operating conditions (sand or gravel shore, forest paths, park paths or city sidewalks).
6. When living in a multi-storey building, it is important to know the internal dimensions of the elevator and the width of the doorway of the front door. If the elevator is intermittent, pay special attention to the weight of the stroller, because you have to carry it yourself.
7. The storage space for strollers (apartment, balcony, staircase, corridor). It should be convenient to get it before the walk, and after - put it back.
8. The fate of the stroller after the child grows up (put up for sale, present to relatives or friends, leave for the next child).

READ ALSO: 5 main criteria by which a baby stroller should be evaluated

Video: general recommendations:

Differences in a quality baby stroller

• The presence of a hard bottom. This will allow the spine of the child to be in the correct position;
• Belts to prevent the child from falling;
• Protection from bad weather (wind, snowfall and rain), bright sun, insects;
• Compact in assembled position and easy folding mechanism. This is very important when storing a stroller in a small apartment and when transporting it in a car;
• A bulk basket below for storage of things. It is indispensable when traveling with the baby to the store and for transporting children's toys for a walk.
• Brakes;
• Shock absorbers;
• Wheels should be stable, inflatable, with high traffic;
• Adjustable height and angle of the handle, wheel position, seat and canopy. The presence of a cross over handle that allows the child to ride both face-up, looking at the sidewalk, and looking at the parent;
• Removable cradle. It is easy and convenient to move the baby during sleep;
• Easily removable mattress and removable fabric (for dry cleaning and washing);
• The appearance of the stroller. She must be liked by the mother of the child.

The main types of strollers

Classic Strollers

Convenient surround cradle mounted on the cross chassis. These strollers are equipped with a bag (on the handle) and a basket (below). The bed has a solid, horizontally located bottom. Conveniently and comfortably, the baby will feel in a stroller from the moment of discharge from the hospital and up to 5-7 months. After that, you can use either a model with a removable cradle, in place of which a sitting seat is installed, or purchase a stroller.

Advantages:

• hard bottom;
• height (it’s convenient for mom to lean toward the baby);
• excellent weather protection;
• soft suspension, which allows you to easily rock the baby;
• during transportation, the lower basket is removed and the chassis folds.

Disadvantages:

• weight 15 - 20 kg;
• large dimensions;
• in the walking variant, the stroller is quite high, and many children like to climb into the seat on their own.

Strollers

Intend for grown up children who begin to sit on their own. Choosing such a model, it is worth paying attention to weight and dimensions. Although it is desirable that they be minimal, but they must comply with the age of the baby.

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For walks on rough roads, pay attention to models with soft suspension and smooth ride. The front wheels must be rotatable (vertically), and the stroller must have brakes.

Advantages:

• compactness;
• ease of folding;
• the presence of a falling back;
• the cross over handle is also welcomed and for the cold season, a cover on the legs (included).

Disadvantages:

• low level of comfort on a bad road;
• small diameter of wheels, as a result, poor passability;
• they are very “cold”;
• tricycle models, although maneuverable, are unstable when hit by potholes;
• tricycles will not pass on the ramp in the porch and store.

Photo of strollers (clickable)

Strollers

One of the varieties of strollers are strollers - canes. Although assembled, their width reaches only 20 - 30 cm, the length may not allow it to fit in the trunk of your car (especially if it is small), so pay attention to this parameter when buying.

In addition to the pros and cons of most walking models, the "cane" has its own characteristics.

Advantages:

• easy transportation (ideal for transportation by public transport);
• low weight.

Disadvantages:

• unacceptable for use in cold weather (autumn-winter time).

Strollers - Transformers

This is the most popular option for baby strollers. The cradle easily transforms into a sitting seat and vice versa. Suitable for children from birth to 24 - 36 months. The set of these models usually includes: large wheels, shock absorbers, bag, rain cover, carrying envelope, flip handle, canopy for legs and sides, imitating a cradle.

Advantages:

• profitability (the issue with the stroller for the child disappears);
• size and weight are much smaller than that of classic models;
• folded compactness;
• maneuverability;
• models with large pneumatic wheels can safely be called "SUVs";
• cross over handle and seat belts.

Disadvantages:

• lack of a hard base;
• in winter, the cradle may be cramped;
• the center of gravity when the handle is thrown is shifted, which makes it difficult to control;
• much more cumbersome than walking options.

READ DETAILS: 2-in-1 strollers: stroller features and selection rules

Universal (modular) prams

In the presented embodiment, different modules are installed on a single chassis. In 2 in 1 models, there is a sitting unit and a cradle.“3 in 1” options are also equipped with a car seat (it is designed for only born children and up to 1 year old). We read in detail: How to distinguish a transformer stroller from a modular?

Advantages:

• deprived of the negative qualities of "transformers";
• have big wide wheels, the cross over handle;
• the cradle has a rigid base;
• carrycot can be transported.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• dimensions and weight (expensive models weigh more than 10 kg, inexpensive - at least 17 kg);
• not mobile, for transportation and storage require a lot of space.

Before buying a stroller, it is advisable to see it with your own eyes, touch and measure, yourself to test its practicality and functionality. And remember, the pram should be comfortable not only for a small child, but also for his parents.

Read on about things for a newborn baby:

• Choose a sling (carrying).
• Choose a kangaroo (carrying).
• Cots for babies.
• A complete list of things for a newborn baby.

Video: How to choose a pram