Strollers

I don't even know where to start when looking for a stroller. I'd like to be able to get one, but there are all these different features on different strollers. I mainly want an every day stroller, but one that could be used for an infant.

I like the bugaboo frog, but it's expensive, and I'm not sure if it's worth it. I don't live in the city and would need to pack it into the car easily (which I hear is not easy with the bugaboo)

I looked on consumer reports and they seemed to give better ratings to strollers like the Zooper-waltz, Graco Quatro and Chico

What are some other good review sites for baby products?

Re: Strollers

It is DEFINITELY worth buying the baby bargains book and reading the large stroller chapter.... they tell you the basic stroller types and features, and help you determine which are necessary for your lifestyle and which are not.

Re: Strollers

I have the same dilemma!

There are so many different varieties and brands to choose from! How do people even decide...

DH and I have the Baby Bargains book but I think the first place to start is to write down a list of 'must-have' features.

Then go visit a baby store that has a good variety of strollers to test them out. You can read about them until you're blue in the face but I think the best thing is to see them and jot down the ones you really like the look and feel of. Then find out how others rate them to narrow the choices down to the one.

Re: Strollers

I agree.... I used the book to figure out which features are 'must haves'. (We primarily needed an all-terrain stroller becuase of the bumpy / cracked sidewalks in port jeff ... but also wanted a lighter all terrain that can be folded and plopped into my prius.)

I won't lie... it was hard to find out what strollers match our needs.... all-terrain and plop in trunk are often mutually exclusive...

in the end we went with the lightest all-terrain stroller... the bumbleride indie.

Re: Strollers

I think your best bet is go to BRU or BBB and test drive the strollers - see how easy it is to fold them up, ect

Re: Strollers

A lot of people I know that purchased a "travel system" (big stroller and car seat that locks in it) are not happy with it. Saying its too heavy or bulky. So - I decided to just get a snap n go that the car seat can snap right into and it is much lighter than a stroller. The Snap N Go can be used until the baby is 1 year old, so then I got a regular stroller for after a year, where the baby just sits up, no need for the infant carrier

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Re: Strollers

I registered for the same type of stroller/carrier that DeniseMarie did. Graco Metrolite is their lightest strollers. The SnugRider is a great investment for outings when the baby is still in the infant carseat! I chose Graco Lexington...

Re: Strollers

With strollers, like diaper bags, you will find that everyone has a different one for different reasons and that while one person loves it, another hates it (just to make it more confusing )

That being said, I got the Graco Quattro Tour for dd with the matching carseat and the snap and go. I did use the snap and go 90% of the time that she was in the carseat, but there were times that I did use the Quattro. When she got bigger I started using the quattro more and I really like it, even though a lot of people find it to be too heavy. I love that it has a big basket, a snack tray for DD (that I could strap toys to when she was smaller), two cup holders, that I could strap my diaper bag to the back of it without it falling over if DD wasn't in it - a lot of the lighter ones will fall right over when you take dc out. I also liked that it had a flat recline for when she was smaller and that you could put the leg flap up to make it into a bassinet.

I also think that now that we are looking for a double, I am glad that we got the Graco infant seat, some of the other seats out there only work with a few of the doubles and I dont see us having that problem.

If you have specific questions, ask on parenting (I know I certainly did when I was looking!) and you will get a ton of info. Also, I found it very helpful to asks moms when I was out and about if I saw a stroller that I was interested in. People are definitely not shy about telling you what they like/hate about them.

Good luck!

Re: Strollers

I completely agree about getting Baby Bargains. After reading that and posts on here, I had a few strollers in mind when I went to BRU. We tested them out and then I picked the ones I liked.

I got the Graco snugride carseat and snap 'n go for the beginning. I also registered for the Peg Perego Pliko P3 and the Maclaren Quest Sport, which is a little lighter than the Pliko. We could probably get by without the Maclaren one, but it seemed good to get a super lightweight stroller to use for quick trips.