1. Dual Purposes
A travel system comes with both a stroller and infant seat that locks into the stroller. This type of stroller has the advantage of serving you when the baby is small as well as when he's big enough to ride in the stroller without the infant seat. However, strollers that are part of a travel system have a tendency to be heavier and bulkier, which is an issue for some parents. Traditional strollers not part of a travel system usually weigh less and fold down more compactly.
2. Frame Baby in Comfort
The other option for an infant carrier is a frame stroller, in which the carrier snaps right into the stroller. An advantage to this is that you don't have to buy the stroller and infant seat as one unit, so you have more choices when it comes to infant seats. They are lightweight and easy to store, but when the baby outgrows the infant carrier, a traditional stroller will need to be purchased.
3. Doubling Your Capacity
A double stroller is a great option if transporting two children. Models are available that will accommodate an infant carrier in one seat and toddler in the other. Other strollers are designed so the older child actually stands on the stroller. This is a good option if the child is a little older and isn't interested in sitting in the stroller for long periods of time.
4. A Stroller for Every Reason
An umbrella stroller is very compact and lightweight. It's great when a child is a little older and you aren't using the stroller as much. It's not safe for infants who can't yet support their heads and sit up unassisted. Umbrella strollers are great for traveling due to their compact size. Jogging strollers typically have three larger wheels and are great over different types of terrain. Due to their expense, avid joggers frequently choose a jogging stroller as their main stroller because of its versatility. However, the three-wheeled design of a jogging stroller sometimes makes it less stable when negotiating over curbs, and they are also only appropriate for children over 6 months of age.
5. Drive Before You Buy
When shopping for a stroller, be sure to "test drive" it before you buy. This entails more than seeing how easy it is to push and steer, both with two hands and with just one. Also consider how easy it is to fold up and lift, and how much room it is going to take up in the trunk of your car. Keep in mind other things will need to go in the trunk as well. A lot of decisions depend on the type of situation you'll be using the stroller in. Convenience features in strollers vary by model too. Large baskets, parent/child trays, cup holders and a sunshade are all things that should be considered when buying a new stroller.
