Baby Strollers - Jogging Strollers - Baby Strollers Travel Systems

Finding the Right Stroller

When deciding on the appropriate stroller to purchase, first decide where and how you are going to use it. Single passenger strollers are available in several different types including standard, umbrella, jogging, special needs, pram, or system. A standard stroller has a forward facing seat with many options such as a foot rest, a canopy and a tray. The seat on most models reclines with two or three positions to accommodate nap time. One of the most popular styles is the umbrella stroller. They are called umbrella strollers because they look like umbrellas when folded up. This design usually has a three point harness which secures the child in the seat. Umbrella strollers are smaller and lightweight which makes them a popular choice for parents on the go. The umbrella style is quite inexpensive starting and can hold up to forty pounds.

Stroller Brands

Most strollers today have an aluminum frame with an average weight of around twenty pounds. If you need an even lighter model, Baby product.com lists the Maclaren Volo Lightweight Stroller as the best in lightweight baby strollers. It weighs in at a dainty nine pounds but holds up to an astounding fifty-five pounds. It has a five point harness, a sunshade, rain cover, and a carrying strap. Surprisingly, it is compact when folded and fits easily into most car trunks. Another lightweight baby stroller listed in the top ten, the Kolcraft Tour Sport Lightweight Stroller, is eleven pounds and holds up to thirty-five pounds. It comes with a sunshade, reclining seat, cup holder and a gear bag. The seat is wider than most umbrella styles. Priced at just under forty dollars, it proves to be quite a bargain. The Zooper Waltz Lightweight Stroller weighs seventeen pounds but holds a whopping fifty-five pounds. It features a removable arm rest, a sunshade, rain shield, and a winter boot for keeping toes warm in frigid temperatures. This model has smooth steering, one-hand fold out capability, and stands alone when folded. Other super lightweights include Dream on Me 452Y, Peg Perego Pliko Lite, and Joovy Caboose Ultralight. The best user ratings on nextag.com of lightweight strollers, with four out of five stars, go to Peg Perego Aria OH Stroller, Peg Perego Lite Stroller, Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel System, Kolcraft Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller ZLN010-CIN, Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller, and the Chicco KeyFit 30 Cortina Atmosphere Travel System.

Baby Stroller Safety

Safety is another consideration when purchasing a stroller. Check to see if it is stable with a diaper bad hanging on it. Make sure the handles are at a comfortable level and that your feet do not hit the wheels when walking at a brisk pace. A five point harness and brakes are two other features to look for in safety. Many name brands of strollers have been around for several decades Most stroller manufacturers have good track records, however, some have recalls on several products. It pays to check out the list of recalls so you do not end up with defective or substandard equipment. A list of recalled baby strollers is available at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.

Types of Jogging Strollers

Another type is specially designed for jogging with swivel wheels and larger back wheels that make any terrain manageable.

The jogging models usually have aluminum frames and are the most lightweight baby strollers. The jogging models come with special suspension to provide a smooth ride and easy rolling wheels. A five point harness is usually standard and an adjustable seat. With prices on the basic as low as ninety dollars, this model proves attractive for the active mom.

Eddie Bauer Strollers	Bugaboo Strollers
Bumbleride Strollers	Baby Jogger Strollers

Most models include a no slip handle and some even include drink holders for the jogger and an mp3 player to entertain the child. Prices range from one to eight hundred dollars according to the brand name, available accessories and specific models chosen.Special needs strollers are much like jogging strollers with a sturdier frame that can hold up to a hundred pounds for a larger individual. These models come with added suspension, easy rolling wheels, often with vents on the sides of the seat and added storage areas. The occupants are almost completely encapsulated in this model with only an opening in the front. Although these models have more covered space and options, they are often the most lightweight strollers on the market. The prices for special needs strollers vary from three hundred dollars up to over a thousand dollars. Prices are higher for special needs strollers but the basics and available accessories are nearly identical to a jogging model.

Prams, Double and Strollers Systems

Prams are actually bassinets on wheels. This style is for newborns and young infants who spend the majority of their time asleep as it allows the child to lie flat. Most prams convert to standard strollers which have the occupant in a seated position usually facing forward. Some models with rear facing seats are also on the market. Prices range from two hundred to a thousand dollars.

A system is also referred to as a chassis and car seat combination. The car seat is the rear facing type or some models can be either forward or rear facing. This option is a little more expensive but pays off in the long run especially if you choose the one that can double as a forward facing car seat. Instead of purchasing a car seat, a baby carrier, and a stroller you can use the system which combines them all into one apparatus. This model allows the child a smooth transition from car to home with no need to move the child just move the entire seat. Prices range from one to three hundred dollars.

Products for multiple children are also available. The types of strollers for more than one child are tandem and sit and stand. Prams, chassis, special needs, and standard are just like the single transport models with an extra space. A tandem stroller has two or more seats sitting single file with one behind the other. Most models provide a sunshade and tray for each child. The sit and stand variety is another popular item for parents of multiple children of varying ages. This model provides one or more seats and a standing area for an older child, usually in the back. These may provide a canopy and tray to the seated occupants.

Stroller History

With all the advancements in strollers, it is difficult to decide on which one is the right for your family. Baby strollers have evolved significantly over the years. William Kent designed the first baby stroller in 1733. The Duke of Devonshire asked Kent, an Englishman, who worked as a garden architect to build a conveyance for his children. Kent’s design was a basket shaped like a shell, highly ornate and heavy. Kent’s stroller was meant to be pulled by a pony or other animal. Within the next hundred years the baby stroller became quite popular and its design improved as well. In 1889, William Richardson patented the first reversible stroller with a seat allowing the child to face either direction. This design also allowed the wheels to turn separately increasing its maneuverability considerably. Safer designs appeared in the 1920s with brakes as an option. In 1965 Owen Maclaren, the founder of Maclaren, was an aeronautical engineer who introduced a lightweight baby stroller that is the basis of most designs currently available. He developed the first umbrella stroller and incorporated an aluminum frame reducing the weight to a more manageable level. Today parents have a myriad of strollers from which to choose.