The Most Valuable Advice You Can Receive About Toddler Stroller
What to Look For in a Toddler Stroller
Strollers are a great option to ensure your toddler on adventures. It should be equipped with a five-point harness to keep your child safe and swivel locks that won't roll off.
If you have a newborn look into a travel system that can be attached to your car seat or a convertible model that could expand from single to double (and sometimes triple when you add the Vista PiggyBack ride-along board). Choose a basket that's spacious and easy to access.
Safety
If you want your toddler to enjoy strolling for years pick a top-quality model with safety features that meet the highest standards. Included in this are size and age compatibility as along with a sturdy design and restraining straps. Also, you can secure seats shells and sunshades. Find a five-point harness that uses straps on the shoulders, between the legs and at the crotch to stop your child from falling out of the stroller during an accident. A lot of strollers come with hip straps that can further increase your child's safety.
Strollers go through impact testing to ensure they are safe standards. The stroller is lowered from a height to measure the force of the impact. This assures that it won't be able to tip over while in use. The top strollers also have an extremely safe brake system that locks and can be activated just like in a car.
Check the brake pedals, and make sure they're easy to operate for you but difficult to unfasten for children. If you can, opt for the magnetic harness. It is made of strong magnets that keep the straps together. It is simple for parents to secure, but difficult for infants to open. Choose a padded frame bumper bar as well as a safety belt opening that locks in the reclining position.
Folding and unfolding a stroller should be kept away from children to avoid pinching hazards. Always ensure that the hinges are free of protrusions and no sharp edges. Place bags in the storage area or the basket underneath the stroller to prevent entanglement hazard and to reduce the possibility of the stroller tipping over when in motion. Do not hang diaper bags from the handles of your stroller. This can pose a strangulation hazard for your baby.
Strollers can be a wonderful way for your little one to soak in the world and discover nature, so select one with an extendable shade or canopy to protect them from harsh sunlight. Keep drinks and snacks handy with a cup or bottle holder as well as a tray for snacks. A bag clip or tote can help you carry shopping and other items without adding bulk to the stroller.
Comfort
As toddlers grow older they will require an easier stroller than the one they had as infants. A wide seat with plenty of cushioning and recline options will ensure they are able to comfortably use their stroller and stay relaxed on their outings. Also, a model that has an adjustable footrest and canopy is the best to allow for their growing height. Other important factors to consider are a sturdy frame, 5-point harness, and braking systems that guarantee security.
A double stroller is ideal for parents with twins or close-knit babies. Choose a double stroller with a reversible seating position so that they can ride facing towards the parent or facing each the other. Reversible chairs can aid your children in bonding when they go for a walk. You can choose one with a cup holder, or a bag clip, so you can keep snacks and drinks in reach.
The ideal stroller for toddlers should be simple to maneuver and fold. Strollers that have swivel wheels and a suspension system that works will make it easier for you to navigate through crowded streets or on rough terrain. Other useful features to look for include an adjustable handlebar and a peek-aboo window. You may also want a hand-operated parking brake to make it easier and more convenient to use when your hands are full.
If you're taking a short trip around town or on a long vacation, the perfect stroller will keep your family and you at ease while exploring. These strollers are designed with convenience and adaptability in mind. They offer a compact design that can be folded away and have an ample storage basket.
To narrow down your options, I spoke with five experts on strollers and parenting such as Lisa Trofe, executive director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association; Kyleyn Gosewisch, customer care specialist at Strolleria; Marielle Marquez, occupational therapist for children and founder of Thrive Little; Holly Choi co-founder and co-owner at Safe Beginnings First Aid, an organization that offers baby and child safety resources and Sarah Huff, senior manager of customer and community services at BabyQuip, a baby gear rental site. Find out their top tips to choose the best stroller for toddlers.
Folding
Choose a stroller with an easy-to-use folding mechanism. Your toddler may be able to get into and out of it on their own. Some models fold down with just one hand, while others come with a strap that you can use to carry the stroller when required. Consider a stroller that has a large canopy that protects your child from direct sun, or one that has several recline positions.
Some of the top strollers have a special compartment where you can connect an infant car seat (and some also have other attachment points for baby carriers). You might want to go for a lightweight stroller that weighs less than 30 pounds, so that it's easy to carry to and from public transport. If you're planning to use the stroller on uneven surfaces, select one with large sturdy wheels that can roll easily over different terrains.
If you have to, a stroller that has padded straps can be easily carried over your shoulder. This Internet page should never hang your purse, diaper bag or any other item from the handle of a stroller as it can cause a tipping effect and may cause injury or death to your toddler or baby.
The stroller you choose should come with a five-point harness that securely connects to the rear and front of your child. It should also come with an ample, spacious storage basket that's easy to access and an infant tray. For tired toddlers, a reclining seat is a must.
In our buying guide, you will find additional tips and information about selecting the right stroller. Contact our customer support team for any questions.
What is the difference between a stroller and a pram?
A stroller (Canada and US) or pram (U.K.) is a hand-driven vehicle that can be used to transport babies and young children. Some strollers have the capability to hold an infant car seat and some come with an adjustable bassinet that can be converted into an adult-sized seat. Certain strollers come with locks and shackles that prevent them from being taken by people passing by. Wearing your child in a top-rated baby carrier is a fantastic alternative to a stroller. It can improve bonding and allow you to do other tasks, such as grocery shopping or running the errands.
Storage
As your baby grows into an infant, stroller rides are longer rather than the short out-and-back strolls of infancy. For these outings you'll need more supplies, including an adequately stocked diaper bag, snacks, drinks and even extra clothes for Baby. Storage for your stroller is essential to bringing all of these items and keeping them within reach.
Look into a stroller with plenty of storage space. It can store your diaper bag, extra clothes, and one of our best water bottles for children. These essentials will allow you to relax and enjoy your trip without having to worry about baby or bags.
Most full-size strollers offer plenty of storage space, but if you want an even easier-to-access storage space for your belongings consider one equipped with a tray for parents. These consoles usually have cups holder as well as a huge storage space that can hold more than just drinks. Some of our favorite strollers include a parent tray and some offer it as an option.
When choosing a stroller with a tray for parents, make sure that it comes with deep cup holders that can securely hold your beverage. Shallow cup holders are more likely to spill onto the edges, making them a risk for your baby. We also recommend against hanging things from the handlebars since it could cause the stroller to tip over. Based on the weight of the item and how steep the terrain and the amount of weight that is placed in the storage basket, this could transform a stroller that is stable into a potentially dangerously unstable one.
For families who plan to have two kids in a couple of years, a tandem stroller is something to consider. These strollers have seats that are side-by-side with an infant seat at the bottom and a toddler's seat at the top. These strollers will save you money over time by allowing you to use one stroller for your child from birth until toddlerhood.