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It feels like an understatement to call those last few months before a birth ‘preparation’ for having a baby. It’s such a huge investment, in terms of time and money. It extends from the physical to the emotional and takes in bottles, nappies, clothes, cribs, toys, and strollers along the way. If it’s your first child, you’re bound to feel a little overwhelmed.
Take strollers for example. There is a huge amount of choice. There are lightweight strollers, travel strollers, retro strollers, strollers for jogging, and even four-wheel drive strollers. That’s without getting into double prams, triple prams, and strollers that morph into travel seats as well. There is a lot to consider, but finding the right product doesn’t have to be a chore.
You’ve just got to identify your needs and any features that are a top priority for your lifestyle, goals, or current situation. Then, it’s just a matter of finding a stroller that fits.
Stick to Your Budget
Most people have a budget when shopping. If you want the process to be simple, try to stick to yours. Otherwise, you’ll end up browsing hundreds of products that aren’t a good match. Knowing how much you’d like to spend is a good way to give the search a clear direction.
Consider Your Habits
These days, you can do almost anything with a baby in tow, including jogging and running. However, if this is your intention, you need to pick a stroller that is built for the task. Even regular walkers can benefit from a sturdy, all-terrain pram with adjusting and locking wheels.
Split Your Investment
Baby strollers can be expensive, but it might worth investing in two different types. All-terrain prams are fantastic for general use, but they’re not always great for travelling. If you have enough cash, you may want to pick up a lightweight, foldable product for packing into the car.
Think about the Future
Not everybody plans to have babies close together, so it’s not always possible to think ‘scalable.’ However, if you are keen to have multiple children that will be quite close in age, it may be worth buying a double pram or a stroller with space for additional seats.
Make It Shareable
Some strollers have just the one rigid handle. This is fine if only one parent is using it, but it can be a real headache for two people of different heights. Adjustable handles are a valuable investment in most cases because other people are likely to take over at some point.
Invest in Safe Designs
Any stroller you buy must adhere to Australian regulations. This means a suitable restraint that will keep the child tight in place, even over bumpy terrain. It should have five points of contact, with straps at the waist, crotch, and shoulders.
Get That Collapsible Factor
Ideally, you want a stroller that can be fully collapsed in less than two steps. Over-complicated mechanisms will turn shopping trips into a major headache, so try to keep things simple. This isn’t putting up a tent. You should be able to fold the pram away without help from others.
Finding the Right Stroller for Your Lifestyle
Baby strollers are a substantial investment, so it’s worth putting the time into getting it right. If you plan to buy online, make sure you get plenty of information on the key features. The purchase should also come with a robust guarantee. You don’t want to unpack and assemble it, only to realise it won’t fit in the car and you can’t send it back.
