Saturday, May 23, 2009

All about Strollers

We were quite surprised by the variety of strollers in the market. We initially thought that a stroller is just an equipment to bring the baby around. Other than the standard baby strollers, there are lightweight strollers, heavy strollers with lots of features, strollers suitable for all terrain, the travel system strollers (car seat and stroller in one) and the old-fashion kind of carriages. Someone mentioned that buying a stroller is just like buying a car. It's gotta fit our budget and lifestyle.

Initially, we thought the travel system would be quite good since we can move the baby from the car to the stroller without waking her up but found it not suitable after looking through some of the models. So now we're looking out for a good quality, safety and reliable baby stroller and then a separate infant car seat.

There are quite a few considerations to make in choosing a baby stroller. Following re-produced from myshopping.sg:

Wheels. Look for strollers with large wheels for better maneuverability. The larger the tyre the easier the stroller is going to be pushed. There are 3 basic types of tyres for strollers, hollow plastic, solid composite and air filled. Hollow plastic wheels are cheaper but are prone to cracks and wear with lots of use. Solid wheels are costlier but they should last the life of the stroller. Air filled tires provide not only a comfortable ride but are easy to push over a variety of surfaces.

Brakes. It is important for strollers to have good brakes. The brake on a stroller is simply a wedge that locks the wheels to keep them from spinning. Usually you press down the wedge to lock it and push up to unlock it. The brakes are generally easy to operate with your foot.
Canopy. This is the hood that protects your child from the light, sun, rain and keep strangers’ stares at bay. You will want to make sure that the canopy retracts easily and can be removed for cleaning.

Restraining straps. Make sure the restraining straps that keep the child in the stroller is secure and easy-to-fasten.

Foldability. Ensure easy foldability of the stroller as you are going to use this operation every time you use the stroller. Also check how compact the stroller is able to fold.

Weight. Most people prefer lightweight strollers as they are easy to carry around. Choose a lightweight stroller if you plan to carry it onto buses or other vehicles often.

Handles. Check to see if the handles are of comfortable height. There are two basic types of handles. Stroller will either have two separate handles or one bar across. Stroller with one bar across is generally easier to steer using one hand.

Storage. The main storage area on most strollers is the basket under the seat. These under seat basket are great for holding packages while shopping.

Seat. See if the fabric used on the seat is comfortable. Also check that the reclining mechanism of the seat is easy to operate. There are different degree of angle for recline, while many infants and their parents like a stroller seat to recline completely flat, it is not a necessary.

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