| Most strollers have become larger, but not necessarily | | | | more stable and controllable. Umbrella strollers and |
| heavier, and easy to maneuver. Many are also | | | | other models with two independent handles require |
| compatible with infant car seats. | | | | two hands to maneuver. |
| Navy remains a popular color, and black is now in | | | | Canopies. These range from a fabric square strung |
| vogue. You'll also see shades of green, silver, and | | | | between two wires to a deep, pull-down canopy that |
| other bright colors. Electronic gadgets for babies and | | | | shields almost the entire front of the stroller. A canopy |
| parents abound. | | | | is a must-have, especially in glaring sunlight or inclement |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | weather. Some canopies have a clear vinyl window |
| The biggest-selling brands are Cosco, Evenflo, Graco, | | | | on top so you can keep an eye on baby. |
| and Kolcraft. High-end import brands include Aprica, | | | | Leg holes and other openings (such as the head and |
| Combi, Maclaren, and Peg Pérego. Your baby's | | | | around the occupant area). Strollers, for use with |
| needs and your own preferences will determine which | | | | newborns or very young infants, must have leg holes |
| you'll use and how you'll use it. There's a host of types | | | | that close so that an infant can't slip through. |
| to choose from: | | | | Manufacturers typically use fabric shields or hinged |
| Traditional strollers. This category includes conventional | | | | footrests that raise and clamp over leg holes. |
| strollers and lightweight umbrella strollers. Many | | | | Footrests. These can help children sit more |
| conventional models can accommodate infant car | | | | comfortably without their legs dangling. Even the |
| seats. Unless used with an infant car seat, they're | | | | flimsiest strollers offer some type of footrest, but most |
| generally not suitable for babies younger than 6 | | | | are too low to help any but the tallest toddlers. For that |
| months. | | | | reason, make sure the seat rim is soft and won't press |
| Pros: Often fairly lightweight and convenient. | | | | uncomfortably into the back of the child's legs. |
| Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public | | | | Fabric and upholstery. You'll want to be able to sponge |
| transportation or to use in buildings with elevators or | | | | off spills and splashes and launder the upholstery |
| escalators. And you still need a car seat. | | | | without worrying about shrinking, fading, or puckering. |
| Price range: $20 (for some umbrella strollers) to $300. | | | | Look for a removable seat and laundry instructions, |
| Travel systems. A stroller and infant car seat combo | | | | usually on an attached tag or on printed instructions |
| for use with newborns and toddlers. The car seat fits | | | | inside the packaging. |
| in the stroller. When the child outgrows the car seat, | | | | Play tray. Strollers may have a tray where baby can |
| usually at about 22 pounds, the stroller is used alone. | | | | play, dribble milk, and drop cookie crumbs. If the tray |
| Pros: Adults can move a sleeping baby undisturbed | | | | comes with attached toys, check their size. Some |
| from car to stroller. | | | | strollers have been recalled because small parts on |
| Cons: Some early models were recalled because the | | | | their play trays' toys pose choking hazards. (No toy |
| stroller collapsed suddenly or the car seat handles | | | | part, removable screws included, should be smaller |
| failed. New models are improved. | | | | than the diameter of a toilet-paper roll.) To make it |
| Price range: $150 to $200. | | | | easier to seat a squirming baby or toddler, the tray |
| Jogger or all-terrain strollers. Three-wheeled strollers | | | | should open or be removable rather than permanently |
| for running with mom or dad, or traditional-style strollers | | | | attached. |
| with heavy-duty suspension or air-filled tires. | | | | Parent trays. They're usually molded with a cup holder |
| Pros: Good for off-road use. | | | | or compartment for keys, cell phone, etc. |
| Cons: Not suitable for babies younger than 6 months | | | | Storage areas. Large, easily accessible storage |
| old. Can be unstable when the rear wheels are lifted | | | | underneath the stroller makes running errands with |
| over a curb. | | | | baby a lot easier. Basket sizes vary. Try to choose |
| Price range: $100 to $300. | | | | one that's at least big enough to hold a diaper bag. |
| Double strollers. Some models seat children | | | | When shopping for a stroller, press on the |
| side-by-side; tandems seat one child behind the other | | | | storage-basket floor--it shouldn't drag on the ground |
| or face-to-face. Some can accommodate newborns | | | | when loaded. |
| in infant car seats. | | | | Boots. A few strollers offer protective leg coverings, |
| Pros: The only way to push two children. | | | | or "boots," made of a matching fabric that can snap |
| Cons: Heavier and harder to maneuver than single | | | | over baby's legs for added warmth. |
| strollers. Side-by-side models can't be used with infant | | | | Reflectors or reflective trim of fabric. Many strollers |
| car seats; tandems can be hard to push over curbs. | | | | have this essential safety feature. |
| Price range: $100 to $500. | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| Seat carrier frames. Lightweight, empty frames | | | | Key differences. A high price does not ensure high |
| designed to hold an infant car seat, using it as the | | | | quality. Consumer Reports tests have shown that |
| carriage. | | | | some economical strollers can perform as well as or |
| Pros: Inexpensive and convenient. | | | | even better than models priced hundreds of dollars |
| Cons: Both the car seat and the frame must be | | | | more. Even higher-end models can suffer typical |
| replaced once the child outgrows the seat. | | | | stroller flaws: rivets on frames that sheer off, seat |
| Price range: $40 to $50. | | | | fabric that rips, wheels that become misaligned, folding |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | mechanisms that cease to function, and squeaks and |
| Generally, paying more gets you options such as extra | | | | rattles that develop. |
| padding, additional reclining positions, or a sophisticated | | | | Recommendations. A stroller is a key item of baby |
| suspension. | | | | equipment, and you may well end up with more than |
| Safety belts. Get a model with a sturdy safety belt | | | | one. To take a small infant or new born for a stroll, |
| and crotch strap, which help keep a baby or a toddler | | | | you'll need a model that lets you close the leg holes or |
| from slipping out. Thick nylon webbing is the typical | | | | other openings or one that's car-seat capable. Another |
| material used. Look for buckles that are easy for you | | | | option is to buy a travel system, which lets you |
| to operate but difficult for small hands to unfasten. | | | | transport the infant in the car seat. |
| Most strollers offer only waist and crotch straps, but | | | | For babies who can sit up, any type of stroller is fine. |
| more (usually upscale models) are starting to offer an | | | | A lightweight model that's easy to fold and carry and |
| adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the | | | | has good shock absorption is an excellent choice. |
| shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap), much | | | | Off-road or three-wheel-type strollers steer differently |
| like those found in car seats. | | | | than four-wheelers. Try them first to see if you can |
| Brakes. Over the years, stroller brakes have become | | | | handle them. They can be unstable when you lift their |
| increasingly reliable and easier to use. Some are | | | | rear wheels, say, going up a curb. Multiple-occupancy |
| activated by a bar in the rear of the stroller frame | | | | strollers are becoming increasingly popular, not only for |
| (single-action). Others require two actions and have | | | | transporting twins, but also for strolling with kids of |
| foot-operated tabs above each rear wheel. When | | | | different age levels. Tandem models are a bit harder |
| brakes are engaged, plastic cogs engage with the | | | | to steer and move up a curb, but they pass through |
| sprockets of the rear wheels. Some pricier strollers | | | | most doorways. Side-by-side models are easier to |
| have brakes on the front as well as the rear wheels. | | | | steer, but pose a challenge in narrow doorways. |
| Avoid models that can hurt your feet as you engage | | | | When shopping for strollers, here are things to |
| or disengage the brakes with light shoes or bare feet. | | | | consider: |
| Wheels. The SUV-syndrome has carried over into the | | | | Test-drive the stroller. A stroller should fit the baby and |
| stroller design with large wheels and rugged off-road | | | | the person pushing it. Take the models you're |
| appearance. The larger the wheels, the easier it is to | | | | considering for a test drive. Make sure that you're not |
| negotiate curbs. But big wheels eat up trunk space. | | | | hunched over when you push and that your feet don't |
| Most strollers offer double wheels on the front to | | | | hit the stroller as you walk. For parents of different |
| make steering easier. Front wheels feature two | | | | stature, look for a model with adjustable handle height. |
| positions: full swivel for smooth surfaces, or locked in | | | | Try pushing with one hand as well as two; the stroller |
| the forward-facing position for rough terrain. Misaligned | | | | should immediate respond to your hand. |
| or loose wheels are a chronic stroller problem. One | | | | Check sturdiness. The frame should feel solid, not |
| sign of good construction is that all wheels of a stroller | | | | loose. |
| contact the floor uniformly when there is a baby inside. | | | | Check ease of folding/opening. See how easy it is to |
| Relatively new in stroller design are pneumatic | | | | fold the stroller, remembering that you'll often be holding |
| (air-filled) tires. A pump is needed, but not supplied with | | | | your baby and folding the stroller at the same time. |
| some models. Some manufacturers have created | | | | Consider weight and size. Strollers weigh anywhere |
| wheel assemblies that can be completely slipped off | | | | from 7 to 35 pounds. That's important if you have to |
| the frame for easy replacement, which is a plus. | | | | carry the stroller up the stairs at home. Check the size |
| Shock absorbers. Some tires can help give baby a | | | | for fit in your car's trunk. |
| smoother ride. So can shock absorbers--covered | | | | Manufacturers set a weight limit, usually 40 pounds. |
| springs or rubber pads above the wheel assemblies. | | | | Too much weight loaded into the stroller can cause |
| Softer suspension is a newer feature that offers a | | | | the frame to bend, the wheels to loosen, or the safety |
| smoother ride, but too-soft a ride can be at the | | | | catches to accidentally release, leading to possible |
| expense of steering control. A few expensive imports | | | | injuries. Never try to put two kids in a stroller meant for |
| have loose, nonrigid frames that are supposed to | | | | one. |
| reduce jarring. | | | | Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller |
| Handles. Handles might be padded, even thickly | | | | manufacturers and retailers have warranties that |
| cushioned, on more expensive models. Adjustable | | | | protect you from poor workmanship and inherent |
| handle bars can be extended or angled to | | | | flaws. Manufacturers may replace the stroller broken |
| accommodate parents of different heights. Reversible | | | | part--but in the meantime you're stranded without baby |
| handles allow you to swing them over the top of the | | | | wheels. They also include a registration card with each |
| stroller, then lock them into position so that baby rides | | | | new stroller. Fill out and return the portion that enables |
| facing you. The same is possible with models with a | | | | the manufacturer contact you in case of a recall. |
| reversible seat. A U-shaped handle not only allows for | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., |
| one-handed steering, but generally makes the stroller | | | | Inc. |