3 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Stroller
Before you make a purchase, ask yourself these key questions.
by Jess Wartinger
Jul 02, 2018
Having five babies in under eight years has meant that we’re rarely without a few key pieces of baby gear. An infant car seat, a diaper bag, a baby carrier, and a stroller are almost always surrounding us.
Of all the different types of baby gear, a stroller is one of those purchases you won’t want to make on a whim. Perhaps you’re a researcher, looking at the list of best strollers, reading reviews, and weighing your options.
Before you make this big purchase, you’ll want to consider a few things to find the right stroller for you.
3 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Stroller
Where and How Will You Be Using the Stroller?
Your first job when purchasing a stroller is to identify where and how you plan to use it. The following are questions you’ll want to ask about your stroller use:
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Do you want your stroller to accept an infant car seat?
Transitioning baby seamlessly from car to stroller without having to remove her from an infant car seat can be fantastic in the early days. Strollers that accept infant car seats often provide ample storage for diaper bags and transition easy as baby grows to fit toddlers and even preschoolers. The biggest downside is that these strollers can become bulky and may weigh more than their competition.
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What terrain do you plan to use the stroller on?
This is a question you’ll want to stop and really think about. What are the areas around your house like or where will you travel to? Pavement, packed dirt, grass, or rocky bumpy trails? The type of terrain you’ll be on should impact your stroller choice.
If you’re in a metro setting, having a lightweight, compact stroller to use when running errands is a must. In a neighborhood where walking is convenient, a pram-type stroller with ample storage and space for baby might suit you best.
For the outdoor lover who might not stick to the paved road, you’ll want to avoid the hard rubber tires and look for a stroller that will work well on rough, bumpy paths.
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How do you plan to use your stroller?
Thinking through what life might be like after having baby will help you answer these questions:
Do you love to travel and plan to continue once baby comes along? Will you be attempting to pack a stroller in the car or use it while flying and traversing airports? If so you’ll want to measure how much space you have in your car and think carefully about how heavy you want your stroller to be.
You’ll also want to decide what functions your stroller will need to serve. Perhaps you’ll want to go jogging with baby. Or you may need to have space for baby and an older sibling.
Often times, I find that wearing baby is easier than lugging around a stroller in the early days. If you plan to babywear through the first months, perhaps you’re just thinking ahead for what stroller will be best as baby gets older and heavier.
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Taking time to list out how you plan to use your stroller will help guide you to find the type to fit your needs best.
Having some good ideas of how you plan to use a stroller sets you up for success with this big purchase. Next, check out these 7 stroller features to consider before you decide on the perfect one!
Jess Wartinger
Jess Wartinger resides in rural New York with her husband and five children. Formerly an early elementary teacher, Jess currently spends her time loving her kids and holding down the fort at home.
