The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Baby Stroller

When you find out that you are pregnant, there are going to be tons of things to buy! However, the one item that many parents start thinking about right off the bat are strollers.

This big ticket baby item is often one of the costlier things you will have to purchase for your baby. However, they are also one of the most essential and handiest items you will have in your arsenal. But how to choose just one?

You will be hard pressed to find just one stroller that will be perfect in every way, but the important thing is to find one that is perfect in the exact ways you need it to be. By answering a few questions, you’ll be able to know whether a stroller will work for you based on your family’s circumstances, or whether it’s going to end up driving you nuts every day!

To figure out exactly what you need in a stroller, answer the following questions, and we guarantee that, by the end, you’ll know just what you need to keep you and your baby happy and healthy.

Will you be using the stroller to run errands?

Most strollers come with baskets that allow you to carry a few groceries, but it’s important to know exactly how big the basket is going to be if you’re going to be using the stroller often to go shopping or run errands. Remember that manufacturers will almost always describe their baskets as being large or roomy, however, the only way to know exactly how big the basket is to look at the stroller basket weight limit.

For most families, a 10-pound weight limit will work just fine for running errands or going shopping, but you’ll want to consider how the basket is built. If the basket’s mouth is narrow and tight, you may struggle to get things in and out, though it will look sleeker. However, a bigger opening will make it easier to store items and to find them in a pinch.

Are you planning on expanding your family in the next 3 years?

While it might be early days to be considering it, when you’re shopping for a stroller you should have a good, long think about whether you’re going to be growing your family within the next one to three years. Even if you’re hoping to have another baby, it doesn’t mean you need to get a double stroller now, but it may be beneficial to get a single stroller that can convert to a double stroller.
 
In fact, many young families mention regretting that they passed up the chance to buy a convertible stroller like the Demi Grow and then end up having to buy another stroller within a couple years. Having two stroller seats also helps remove sibling conflict, since the older sibling will have the option of walking or of being in the stroller.

Is this going to be an all-purpose stroller or will you have different strollers for different situations?

While an all-purpose stroller will work for most families in most situations, it may be beneficial for your family to have two. If you’re a first-time parent, you may be looking at stroller price tags and thinking that getting two strollers is just obscene. There is a benefit to owning more than one stroller though. If you have more than one stroller, you can match it to the exact situation you’re in. For example, if your family loves to travel, a travel stroller will be a blessing when it comes to airplanes. If you’re runners, a jogging stroller will allow you to take the baby out for a walk while still getting your workout in.

How much are you willing to spend?

Your stroller budget will help define exactly what you can get. Many first-time parents get serious sticker shock when shopping for a stroller. While they may have budgeted $200, $300, or even $400, a high-quality stroller could cost upwards of $800, or more. However, a more expensive stroller can often have some added benefits. Consider that the Britax travel system will not only serve as your stroller but will also work as your car seat. So while the initial price will be higher, you will save money by not having to purchase a car seat as well.

In general, a lightweight stroller will be cheaper and can range anywhere from $50 to $300. If you’re going to use it every day, err on the more expensive side. If you are only using it sparingly, you can go cheaper.

An all-purpose stroller can really range anywhere from $150 to $1300, depending on its features, and a running stroller will always be extremely pricey since it needs to keep baby safe while going at higher speeds.

Are you ever going to have to carry your stroller?

Knowing if you’re going to have to carry your stroller regularly will help you quickly narrow down what kind of stroller you’re going to buy. If you live on a fifth-floor walk-up and you take public transportation everywhere, then it’s best to go lightweight. If you live in a roomy, suburban home with a nice, flat walkway, then you can splurge and get a heavy, luxury stroller that can be 30 or 40 pounds.

The best thing to keep in mind is that carrying a stroller, even a folded up stroller, is very similar to carrying a bicycle, but unlike when you carry a bicycle, you will most likely also be carrying a diaper bag, any grocery bags you may need–and your baby! When you consider that, you may quickly start to understand why the weight of a stroller and how much you’re going to carry it will become a very important factor when choosing a stroller.

How much room do you have in your home and car to store it?

Depending on what car you drive and where you live, you’ll need to consider how much room you have in your home and your vehicle to store your stroller. When the baby is tucked away at home, you don’t want to keep tripping over the stroller! For this reason, you may want to take measurements of the storage space in your trunk and of where you’ll be keeping the stroller with you when you go shopping.