There are many stroller manufacturers and some stroller manufacturers offer as many as a dozen models. Prices vary widely as does the quality of strollers on the market. To make matters more complicated, there are umbrella strollers, travel strollers, old fashioned prams, carriage strollers, double strollers and strollers which accommodate infant car seats. Your choice should be based upon your expected pattern of use and budgetary considerations.

Your choices are as follows:

1. Old fashioned Prams….the kind grandma used to use.

These typically have big wheels, often a stainless steel chassis, and frequently a bassinet component as well as a stroller component. The bassinet is snapped into place for the newborn who will lie flat on the bassinet mattress. When the baby grows and is able to sit up, the bassinet is taken off the chassis and the stroller portion is snapped into place on the chassis. Prams are heavy with the more popular ones weighing 40 pounds. They are the best choice for situations where the parents walk to shopping or where a nanny walks the child each day. The pram is more difficult to collapse to put it into a vehicle. Frequently the wheels have to be taken off to fit it into the vehicle. While still popular in Europe, where many parents walk to the grocery store, the Pram is seen less frequently in the U.S.  Silver Cross is the best example of a pram manufacturer.

2. Carriage stroller

A Carriage Stroller is a convenience designed to accommodate a sleeping baby who is laid on a flat, or nearly flat surface. The parent can look down into the carriage. A stroller is designed to accommodate a child capable of sitting up, looking forward. The parent walks behind the child.  A carriage/stroller, therefore, is one which can be reconfigured to accommodate both scenarios. This is done by reversing the carriage/stroller handle and repositioning the seat. (flat for the carriage and upright for the stroller). This is by far the most popular option. They fold compactly in seconds, ready to be loaded into the vehicle.

If you are confused, and are in the Maryland area, please feel free to stop by Great Beginnings for a complete stroller tour. We would be pleased to demonstrate any of our 200+ strollers and supply you with all the knowledge you need to make the right decision for your needs. Stroller prices can range from $50 to $900. Great Beginnings employs four fulltime staff members to help you with your stroller, carseat, and highchair decisions.

3. Strollers which accommodate infant car seats. One manufacturer calls these the 4 in 1 system. (Car seat, Car seat base, stroller and stroller canopy)

The better ones accommodate the best infant car seats.  The idea here is to have a stroller at hand which can accommodate the infant car seat. (Parents soon learn that one of the Cardinal Rules Of Parenthood is to LET SLEEPING BABIES LIE…..ask Grandma).

The infant car seat fits securely into the stroller base. A sleeping child can be lifted from the car in its car seat and be seated comfortably in the seat which is now securely in the stroller. When the baby reaches twenty pounds and outgrows the infant seat, the 4-1 system can be reconfigured to become an umbrella  stroller, with the baby facing forward. Again, ask for a demonstration.

The strollers which accommodate the car seat are the most convenient but are not of the same quality as the better strollers. These systems which retail for $150 to $200, including the car seat and car seat base, are built to incorporate low cost strollers. Subtracting the cost of the car seat from the total price, the stroller part costs the consumer approximately $90.

Is a $90 stroller built to last through several children and survive repeated long walks?

In our experience, the answer is no.

A realistic plan is to buy one of these with the expectation of replacing it with a good umbrella stroller at some point in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the convenience.

3. Umbrella strollers

There are many fine umbrella strollers which can accommodate the newborn as well as the older child. Expect to use the better ones for three years and with care, be ready to serve one or more other children. These are designed to accommodate the newborn in a sleeping position when the stroller seat  is reclined. When the child is able to sit up, the stroller seat can be raised to accommodate the sitting child. In both cases, unlike the carriage or pram, the parent walks behind the child. The name derives from the fact that the earlier versions had curved handles similar to those used on umbrellas.

Some consumers favor this design because it folds compactly and is relatively lightweight.

4. Travel strollers

This is a special category and these strollers are not suitable for newborns. The child should have complete head control and be able to sit up unaided before they are placed into a travel stroller. Travel strollers, as the name implies, are designed to fold up into a small unit which does not take up a lot of space when not in use. They have few moving parts and do not recline to accommodate the sleeping infant. They are great for airplane travel, as a stroller for use on vacation, or simply for errands. The best are made by Combi and Maclaren. This class of strollers weigh from seven to twelve pounds and can easily be stored in the trunk of an automobile or stowed overhead on an airplane.

5. Universal Stroller Frames

Two good examples are the Graco Snugrider and the Kolcraft Universal Stroller. Both are basic frames with a basket for travel essentials storage. They are relatively light in weight and also fold flat for easy storage. Their sole purpose is to transport an infant car seat.

What do I look for in a stroller or carriage ?

Besides price, the key words are Wheels, Weight, Washable fabrics. For the tall person the Handle Height is an important  factor.

1. Wheels

The common failure points on strollers are most often the wheels and the fabric. Inevitably, dirt, sand or salt will penetrate the gap between the axle and the hole in the center of the wheel. The particles act like an abrasive and sand down the surface of the hole making it larger and out-of-round. The stroller with soft plastic wheels (usually the strollers costing less than $200) is quite susceptible to this problem, the stroller with a hard nylon wheel (such as Perego) is much less so. Good wheels cost more to make which raises the cost of the stroller but extends the life of the stroller.

The better strollers such as those made by Combi, Maclaren, Bugaboo, and Peg Perego use much better materials to construct their products. Wheels on these strollers should be cleaned periodically and lubricated. One manufacturer recommends using the air hose at the filling station to blow out any dirt between the hole in the wheel and the axle. We use a silicon spray available at most hardware stores. Only a small amount should be applied. Never use petroleum based lubricants such as WD40 as they can cause deterioration in the wheels.

2. Weight

As established above, some prams weigh 40 pounds or more. Good carriage/strollers weigh from 13 to 22 pounds although some of the less expensive ones which use steel frames instead of aluminum weigh 30 pounds. The consumer faces a price/weight trade-off in that the less expensive strollers invariably weigh more!  As an example, Graco strollers weigh up to 32 pounds, whereas the highest end Perego strollers weigh only up to 20 pounds! Some Combi umbrella strollers weigh as little as 7 pounds.

3. Washable Fabrics

The better strollers have easily removable fabrics. Fabrics are cotton based and can be washed with care, following the manufacturer's washing instructions. Since most are cotton based fabrics, however they should not be dried in a high heat dryer.

Most child related stains have a protein base. To remove protein based stains, such as milk, formula, spit-ups and ``the unmentionables" try a product specifically designed to dissolve protein. WE have received positive feed back on the stain removing abilities of Mothers Little Miracle. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on the stain. Let it stand a while (overnight is best but an hour will dissolve most stains.) These products do not work on ordinary grime…soap will do.

4. Handle Height

Tall people (those of us over six feet two inches), should walk briskly behind a stroller before buying it. Are you hunched over with your elbows straight?  Do you kick the rear tires when you walk? Try a stroller with a taller handle or try a stroller that was made to bend such as the Combi models. Great Beginnings  also sells a product called the stroller stretcher. This innovative product extends the length of your existing stroller handles to accommodate taller users.

Ten things to consider when choosing a stroller for your baby:

 

How many children do you plan on having? - If you plan on having more than one child you may consider getting a multiple occupancy stroller.  Also, you may consider buying a higher quality stroller that will last long enough for a second or third child. Your lifestyle - Will you be taking short trips with the baby?  Long trips?  Will you be taking your baby jogging and exercising with you? Stroller Seatbelt & Restraint system - The seat belt and restraint buckles should be easy for you to latch and unlatch, yet comfortable for your baby or child.  The belt should fit snugly around your baby's waist and have crotch straps that loop into the waist belt to prevent him or her from slipping out.  For jogging strollers and children who are more wiggly, a five-point harness is more desirable to keep your baby more secure. Stroller Adjustable seat and canopy - A stroller with an adjustable seat that fully reclines is a must for infants that cannot support their heads yet and is comfortable for children who want to nap on the go.  An adjustable canopy is a plus to protect your baby from the sun, rain, wind or cold. What is the Stroller frame material made from? - Strollers can be made of plastic, aluminum, steel or a combination of materials.  Strollers made of steel or aluminum will usually last longer but there is the added weight.  The lightweight strollers with more plastic are easy to move around, but keep in mind they may not last long. Does the stroller have a washable fabric - Be sure the stroller has removable fabric that can be easily cleaned.  Most strollers have removable seats that can be cleaned. Storage area - If you're going on a long outing, you will want storage area for all the stuff you will be toting around. Brakes, wide wheel base and swivel wheels - Be sure the stroller has brakes that lock the wheels in place, a wheel base that is wide for stability and wheels that swivel for easy maneuverability. Adjustable Handle height - With most strollers being designed for the average height person; if you are tall you will want an adjustable handle. Does the stroller have an easy open and close mechanism? - You will want a stroller that folds with the use of one hand or foot, leaving the other hand free to hold your baby.

Top Strollers : Graco Strollers, Maclaren Strollers, Combi Strollers, Peg Perego Strollers. Bugaboo Strollers

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