When my husband and I first went stroller shopping before my daughter was born, we considered several features before making our first purchase. How easy was it to push? Was there enough storage for a diaper bag? Would it be a hassle to push around in an airport? Did it look good? These were the important questions. Safety wasn’t anywhere on that list. And it’s not that I wasn’t concerned about safety with all of that pre-baby shopping, it’s just that strollers never struck me as particularly dangerous.

And let me say right off the bat that, thankfully, we have no stroller horror stories of our own to tell. Like that of Australian model Kerry Lucas, who stopped to answer a telephone call, bent over long enough to write down a telephone number, and looked up to find her stroller had rolled into a river.  Or remember the YouTube video of a stroller accidentally rolling in front of a train? (Thankfully the baby survives, which is the only reason I could watch that clip at all.) In our house, it’s been pinched fingers and bumped heads, but I realize that it’s frighteningly easy to go from mundane boo-boos to a terrible, life-changing tragedy.

So here are a few things that a couple of years of motherhood and too many viral stories and videos have taught me. Maybe, hopefully, once you have that baby and are out there one day jogging off all of those pregnant cravings for Jack-In-The-Box Oreo shakes (dammit!), you’ll make sure to wear the wrist strap. So, here it is. The things I now know about stroller safety:

STROLLER SAFETY TIPS

-Not to sound like a broken record, but wear that wrist strap! Always! Even if you’re stopped still just long enough to make a phone call…

-Go stroller shopping on a sunny day and take the stroller outside. See exactly how well the sunshade works. Babies get sunburned easily. We’ve gone through five (or six) strollers by now and that has been my biggest overall stroller issue so far. Not having good shade can make an otherwise good stroller a bummer to take out.

-Buy a stroller with a five-point harness and use it. I didn’t always use ours. One day when my daughter leaned too far forward, down she went with the stroller right on top of her. It was a lightweight umbrella deal, and she came up laughing, but it could have been a lot worse, depending on where she went down and how fast you’re going. We were stopped.

-And speaking of tipping over, remember that the bigger your baby gets, the stronger they get. An 18 month old having a tantrum can get pretty crazy, and if they’re strong enough they can really get that thing rocking. Make sure you’ve got a wide base and that you’re using that five-point harness.

-Those sit-and-stand strollers are great, but take care with sudden stops and trying to get the stroller up onto a sidewalk. I have, more than once, accidentally dumped my daughter out of the back. The strap that is supposed to prevent this from happening broke on our stroller, so if yours works, use it!

-So that’s what I’ve learned. How about you? I’m sure there are a lot of important safety tips out there that I haven’t touched on, so if you’ve got one, please share!


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Nowadays it seems like whenever you go into the baby store to buy a stroller, there is an overwhelming sea of strollers.  Maybe you got a recommendation.  Maybe you are relying on the sales associate in the store.  Or maybe you are on a strict budget and are praying you find something cute.  The real question is “How do I know this is the one?”  Here are a few tips and for testing and choosing the best stroller for you.

  1. Understand it is an investment.  It will likely be used from birth till age 3+ and could be used longer if you plan on having more children.
  2. Measure the stroller storage areas (car, garage space, closet space, etc).
  3. Consider why you are buying a stroller?  Jogging?  Outings?  Travel?  Trips the park?  Long walks?  Shopping?
  4. Don’t worry about the storage basket too much…accessories, like the Snuggle Wool car seat cover, can fill in those gaps.  Same goes for the cup holder.
  5. Set a budget for yourself.  Realize you will likely go over it.  Some strollers cost more for a reason…you will see.  Understand you may need more than one type of stroller depending on your lifestyle or if you have more kids in the future (but don’t buy the double right away unless you are having twins).
  6. Look at online reviews (like those on Amazon), but be wary of some blog sites.  Many don’t give unbiased reviews…only rave ones.
  7. If you plan on using your stroller with a car seat, we recommend getting a good car seat first, then finding a compatible stroller…not vice versa.
  8. If you are having trouble deciding and the baby is due, you may want to opt from a “frame stroller” like the Snap-N-Go, until you figure out your “stroller lifestyle.”

Here are some suggestions for in-store testing (we do it ALL the time…so don’t be shy)

  • Fold and unfold stroller twice…by yourself…even if pregnant.
  • Lift stroller by yourself while folded (some have a handle…not all latch).
  • Bring a heavy bag and put it in the seat.  Take your bag for a test stroll to better understand the maneuverability.
  • Look to see if you can attach a car seat.  Not all can.  Some require an attachment (additional cost) and most don’t fit all car seats.
  • Give the suspension a little test (gently lean down on the handle to feel it “give”).
  • Check for a 5-point harness.
  • If you can, bring the tallest person who will be pushing the stroller to make sure they don’t kick the back while walking.

Some things to consider:

  • Can you remove the cover for washing?
  • Is the canopy removable?
  • What car seats are compatible?
  • Does it come with a warranty?
  • Do you like the color?
  • What is the weight capacity (realize if you go on outings with older children…they still may want to sit)?
  • Would your husband or significant other be comfortable pushing this stroller (this may not be the case if you pick a pink one)?

We hope this helps you with choosing that oh-so-perfect chariot for your little one.  Happy Strolling.

Amber Maxwell and Ilana Johnson are the founders of Petite Consumer, an online juvenile product review site.  They are two moms who have a passion for parenting products.  The Petite Consumer takes an unbiased look at products using methodology and independent testing. Amber and Ilana use research, testing, analysis, and their experience in the parenting retail business to write product reviews with integrity.  They are here to give consumers the facts…no sugar coating.  Please take a look around and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to the Petite Consumer, tell them your feedback or leave a comment or email them at info@petiteintuition.com. Can’t wait to see you there!

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