Strollers

Having a new baby can be a walk in the park--with the right stroller, of course. A stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll buy. And as your baby grows, you may end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for everyday use plus a lighter-weight one for traveling. You may even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks and curbs. City streets are deceptively hard on strollers.

There are dozens of choices on the market, including umbrella strollers, carriages, travel systems, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. You can also find a bare-bones frame that accepts almost any infant seat.

For a newborn, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes you can close. Another option is buying a stroller that is not for a newborn but that allows you to attach an infant car seat, usually made by the same manufacturer. When your child reaches 6 months old or is able to control his/her head and neck movements, you then can use the stroller alone, without the infant seat snapped in. Another alternative is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base, and a stroller. They are increasingly popular.

Some strollers now have air-filled tires for a more comfortable ride. This adds a maintenance chore, however. Five-point harnesses, a safety feature that better secures baby, are almost standard on higher-priced models. Most strollers these days also have cup holders and trays for parents and for the child. Some are even rigged for sound, an added feature that will, of course, cost you.

Strollers that don't fully recline or that can't accommodate an infant car seat are fine for babies older than 6 months, when they are no longer vulnerable to slipping through the leg openings.


SHOPPING SECRETS



Select it yourself. Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself (then register for it at a department or baby store) if you want to receive it as a gift because you're the best judge of how you intend to use it. If you receive a stroller you didn't select yourself, make sure you want to keep it. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal buying decisions. You'll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.

Don't go by price alone. A higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or even better than models priced hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can suffer typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.

Don't assume lighter is better. Thanks to design changes during the past decade or so, strollers have become smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver. Increasingly, manufacturers are forgoing steel for aluminum, which can reduce stroller weight by a few pounds, though it raises the price substantially. But lighter strollers may not hold up as well, especially if you're an urban dweller. You'll need a model that can take cobblestones, curbs, and disjointed sidewalks--again and again.

Give it a test drive. When you're shopping, take the models you're considering for a spin in the store. Practice the one-arm, open-close move--try opening, folding, and lifting the stroller with one hand--because your other arm will often be holding your baby. Make sure you can stand tall when you push the stroller and that your legs and feet don't hit the wheels as you walk. If both you and your spouse are going to be using the stroller, you should both try it out. Some models have adjustable handles, an important feature if one parent is significantly taller than the other.

If possible, take the floor model of the stroller you're considering out to your car to be sure that it will fit in your trunk when it's folded. Also, jiggle the stroller. The frame should feel solid, not loose. Compare maneuverability.

Consider your baby's age. Newborns can't sit up, so they need a stroller that allows them to lie on their backs for the first few months of life or one that accepts an infant car seat. Avoid traditional strollers that don't recline--including umbrella-style strollers--until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months of age. Some strollers that do fully recline aren't appropriate for newborns because they have large leg openings that could trap and possibly strangle a baby. Infants need to have the foot area/legholes covered to prevent them from sliding out or being strangled.

Think about where you'll do most of your strolling. City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs are going to need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and compactly. Suburban parents who drive a lot may find that a travel system better suits their needs. It's easier to get baby in and out of the car and stroller in the detachable infant car seat. If you're athletic, you might also want a jogging stroller to use during runs or serious walking workouts. If you live in the country, on the beach, in a snowy climate, or walk on unpaved trails, an all-terrain model may be what you need.

Size up storage capabilities. A stroller with a large shopping basket makes life easier for those who get around town mostly on foot. If you opt for a model that reclines, make sure you can reach the basket if the seat back is reclined, or, if it's a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place.

Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws. But they won't necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions in some way. Manufacturers may either refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair--at your expense--leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Check certification. Somewhere on a stroller's frame or carton there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials voluntary standard and that its manufacturer participates in the pass/fail certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. The key tests are for safety belts, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, as well as for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies may be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta, Dorel, Evenflo, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Kolcraft, Maclaren, and Peg Perego.


WHAT'S AVAILABLE



The biggest-selling brands of single strollers are, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Combi, Dorel (makers of Cosco, Eddie Bauer, and Safety 1st), Evenflo, Graco, Kolcraft, Maclaren, and Peg Perego. Brands that are gaining ground include Baby Jogger, Bob, Bugaboo, Instep, Mountain Buggy, Silver Cross, Stokke, and Zooper.


FOR BABIES YOUNGER THAN 6 MONTHS

Because newborns can't sit up without support, they can't ride in a standard stroller. You'll find the following basic choices for this age group:

* Seat carrier frames. These lightweight, empty frames are designed to roll an infant car seat around, using it as the passenger compartment.

Pros: Inexpensive, compact, and convenient.

Cons: Both the car seat and the frame can no longer serve as your stroller once your child outgrows the seat (typically at about a year).

Price range: $50 to more than $60.

* Travel systems. These combine a stroller and infant car seat and are for use with newborns to toddlers. With some models you can use either the stroller or car seat with a newborn; in others, you use the car seat until the child outgrows it, usually at about 22 pounds, then switch to using the stroller alone.

Pros: Allows you to move a sleeping baby in the infant car seat undisturbed from car to stroller.

Cons: If you select the car seat first, you have to live with the stroller it mates with (and vice versa). An alternative is to choose a stroller that accepts car seats from a number of different manufacturers.

Price range: $100 to more than $400.

* Carriage/strollers. These models have backrests that fully recline, providing sleeping space for infants. Once your child can sit up--at about 6 months--this type can convert to a stroller configuration. Some units have large, spoked wheels and compartments that can be removed and used as a bassinet. But they are no longer very popular and few manufacturers produce them. Make sure that the leg openings can be closed off to prevent a reclining infant from slipping through and becoming entrapped or strangled.

Pros: Can be used for newborns and are convenient.

Cons: Difficult to carry on public transportation, and you still need a car seat.

Price range: $50 to more than $800.

* Multiseat strollers (tandems or side-by-sides). Similar to other strollers, these give you a relatively efficient means of taking twins or triplets (or young siblings of different ages) for a ride. Most companies that manufacture strollers for one also make a version with two or more seats. Multiseaters offer the same features as strollers for a single rider, just a larger-scale construction. Alternatives include strollers with a standing bench or small seat in the rear that lets a second child hitch a ride. The major brands of multiseat strollers are Cosco, Graco, and Kolcraft, as well as higher-end imports such as Combi, Maclaren, Mountain Buggy, and Peg Perego. Multiseat strollers usually come in one of two configurations: tandem or side-by-side.

Tandem models, another type of multiseat stroller, have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and the best choice overall. However, while the backseat can recline, the front one usually can't without infringing on the space of the rear passenger. Some tandem strollers let you set the seats so that the children face each other; others have a "stadium seat" arrangement that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.

Pros (tandem): Tandems easily go through standard doorways. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midweight stroller.

Cons (tandem): Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over a curb. Some models offer limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger. They are often quite heavy.

Price range (tandem): $100 to more than $500.

Side-by-side, the other configuration, consists of two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. You can also create your own by joining two umbrella strollers with a set of screw-on brackets--available at baby discount chains and specialty stores. The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to what you'll find on single-passenger models. This type works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins. Each of the seats has an independent reclining mechanism.

Pros (side-by-side): A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem, although when children of different weights ride in the unit, it may veer to one side.

Cons (side-by-side): Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats. A folded side-by-side stroller typically requires twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version. Although manufacturers may claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, you'd be wise to measure both the stroller and any doors or other openings you plan to wheel it through.

Price range (side-by-side): $100 to more than $500.


FOR BABIES OLDER THAN 6 MONTHS

Stroller types appropriate for babies older than 6 months include:

* Traditional strollers. This category runs the gamut from lightweight strollers to heavy-duty models that weigh 17 to 35 pounds. The latter are somewhat bulky but quite stable, deep, and roomy. Higher-end models may have shock absorbers on all wheels as well. For folding, many strollers employ a one-handed release.

Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient.

Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public transportation and to lift into car trunks or minivan cargo areas. And you still need a car seat. Small wheels don't perform well on uneven sidewalks or rough terrain. The compact size of lighter-weight models may cramp toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.

Price range: $20 (umbrella strollers) to more than $800 (high-end conventional strollers).

* Umbrella strollers. These strollers are named for their curved, umbrella-like handles, and typically weigh less than 12 pounds. For folding, they may employ a one-handed release.

Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient.

Cons: The compact size of umbrella strollers may cramp toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.

* All-terrain strollers. These three- or four-wheeled strollers or traditional-style strollers with heavy-duty suspensions and/or larger air-filled tires let you push your child while you walk on a variety of surfaces, from mall floors to pavement to off-road. The more "rugged" look of an all-terrain may have special appeal for active parents.

Like bicycles, many all-terrains have air-filled tires, and larger wheels than a traditional stroller. The larger the wheels, the easier it is for the pusher. Many all-terrain strollers have a three-wheel design that mimics jogging or running strollers, but check the user's manual to see if the manufacturer advises against using it for running. Some have a front wheel that swivels for easier maneuvering on smoother surfaces but can be locked for use on rougher surfaces.

Many all-terrains are not suitable for babies under 6 months of age. A couple of exceptions: Phil & Ted's e3 (about $380) and Bumbleride Rocket (about $330). Among the all-terrains that accept an infant car seat is the Zooper Boogie (about $360).

Pros: Good for off-road use; provides a relatively smooth ride over obstacles such as rocks, potholes or uneven sidewalks. Some all-terrain strollers may accommodate children of higher weights than plain strollers. Several companies offer double or triple all-terrain strollers with a total weight limit of up to 100 pounds or 150 pounds, respectively.

Cons: Three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are lifted over a curb. Many all-terrains are not suitable for infants younger than 6 months. They are often large and heavy; some may require removal of the front wheel to fit in a car trunk. Bicycle-type air filled tires can go flat and require reinflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.

Price range: $80 to more than $700 (depending on the number of seats).

* Jogging strollers. These three-wheeled strollers with heavy-duty suspensions and large, air-filled tires let you push your child while you run or jog. Larger wheels make it easier for the runner who's pushing, and the air in the tires helps provide a smoother ride for the little passenger. The long, high handlebar is designed to give running feet and legs more space to avoid bumping into the stroller's frame. A wrist strap should be attached to your wrist at all times while running with a child in the stroller; this will keep the stroller from getting away from you if you should fall or trip during your run. The large front wheel is fixed and does not swivel.

The appropriate minimum age for children to ride in a jogging stroller is a matter of debate. For most jogging strollers, manufacturers typically suggest a child should be 8 weeks or older, but our medical consultants say a baby should be at least 6 months, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride.

Pros: Jogging strollers can also be used for off-road walks (though the fixed front wheel can make them difficult to steer in non-running situations). Many jogging strollers have a longer useful life than plain strollers, often being able to accommodate children of higher weights. Several companies offer double- or even triple-strollers with total weight limits of 100 or 150 pounds, respectively.

Cons: The fixed (non-swiveling) front wheel is good for running, but can make maneuvering difficult in other situations. Some three-wheel designs may be unstable when the rear wheels are lifted over a curb. Our medical consultants advise not having your child ride while you're running until he or she is at least 6 months old, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride. Jogging strollers are often large and some are heavy; you may need to remove the wheel(s) to fit it into your car trunk. Bicycle-type air filled tires can go flat and require reinflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose.

Price range: $80 to more than $700 (depending on the number of seats).