I am currently 25+ weeks pregnant and I’ve just started making a baby registry. I had no idea how daunting this process would be! It’s much more complicated than a wedding registry- I have no idea what I need! Today I’m investigating strollers.
As somewhat of an exercise buff, I initially thought that I would only get a jogging stroller- with those sturdy wheels, jogging strollers seem like they would be perfect under any circumstances- WRONG! Apparently, jogging strollers should not be used for children less than 6months of age. Moreover, jogging strollers do not fold as easily as other strollers and therefore are more cumbersome to transport. Also, their big wheels can make them awkward to maneuver in tight spaces- like those you might find in the mall…
Next option to consider- the shape/style of the stroller. While most strollers are forward facing, some strollers have the option of being forward or rear facing. This option is appealing as it allows mothers to position their newborn so they can easily peak in on her as they go for a walk. Many of the rear facing strollers are also adjustable- featuring different settings for newborns and older babies. Another feature to consider- in some strollers the seat is elevated so that the baby has a better view of peoples faces rather than their legs.
A couple other considerations: I want to make sure the stroller is sturdy and won’t tumble over on uneven ground or under the burden of a few shopping bags. I also want to have adequate storage space for a diaper bag, bottles, etc. No one wants to be carrying around extra bags while they’re out for a walk.
Yikes- so much info and I’m no closer to making a decision. I think this is an item best bought after careful in-store evaluation. I think I’ll make a trip to Babys R Us to try out a few different brands.
In the mean time, here are a few cool websites that helped me narrow down my selection:
Parents.com (excellent site recommended by my sister-in-law)!
We have the Bob Revolution stroller for a jogger and it is awesome! Our pediatrician said we could use it for walking now and our son is 3 months old. As for our everyday stroller we have a travel system and I am wishing we got a snap and go frame instead of the big travel system. Happy Registering!
The Bob strollers look very nice - and the idea that you can get a car seat that is compatible is a good idea too, but from the sounds of it, that isn’t the best way to go. I guess the Britax is the best car seat, but that’s not compatible with the Bob. Then there is the carrying case… whoa!
Today we went to Babies are Us and examined the strollers and Pack and Plays.
Strollers:
The Graco strollers were nice, and we’ve chosen one of them. However, a fellow shopper mentioned that they had a Graco and didn’t like the bottom storage system. I could see the problem, there isn’t much of an opening to access. I wasn’t too fond of the fact that only the back wheels have brakes, though I do like how sturdy the locking system for the carry-all is.
Pack-and-Plays:
I don’t have too strong of an opinion about these, though the changing spot needs to have some walls in my opinion.
Cribs:
I like the “Wendy” system the best. Sturdy and lots of style, how can you go wrong?
Yeah- I like the Graco Travel System too. It’s a nice looking, compact stroller that seems pretty sturdy. Also, it has a window in the “rain cover”, so you can see your baby even when the cover is down.
As far as a second choice, I guess I liked the Chico stroller about as much as the Graco stroller, but we’ve heard so many good things about Graco products, we ended up chosing the Graco travel system….