Travel Baby

Have you ever been in public and seen some poor parent or grandparent struggling to open a massive stroller? These “one handed” operations usually require several hands to open and close, which is not always possible when you have a squirming infant or toddler to deal with as well. Convenience strollers provide an alternative to parents or grandparents who want a stroller but do not want to have to deal with the size and hassle of the larger strollers that come with baby travel systems.

Convenience strollers are lightweight strollers that fold up easily to stash in your car’s trunk. They are more durable and comfortable than umbrella strollers, but less bulky than the single stroller that comes with a baby travel system. They typically forgo the luxuries like parent cup holders or huge under-carriage baskets. They do have conveniences, such as a cup holder for the child or a small basket for carrying necessary items, but the main goal of the stroller is to be compact, comfortable, and convenient to use.

Convenience strollers do not attach to infant carriers, so many parents wait to use them until the child is able to sit up on his own. However, many of these lightweight strollers do recline fully, so infants can use them comfortably, just not with the infant carrier.

Whenever you purchase a stroller, whether it be a normal sized stroller or a convenience stroller, you need to be concerned with safety. If you plan to use the stroller with a baby, not a toddler, you need a 5-point safety harness restraint system to keep your baby where she needs to be. Always check the weight guidelines on a stroller before using it to make sure that your baby fits properly. Stability can also be a concern. Some types of lightweight strollers, such as umbrella strollers, can tip easily. Convenience strollers tend to have sturdy wheels and strong suspension systems to add stability for your baby. Finally, locking wheels will protect your baby from rolling away when you park the stroller, so this is an important safety feature.

If you have decided that convenience strollers fit your lifestyle well, there are some features you may wish to look for as you shop. First, look for a stroller that has adjustable handles. This will ensure that the stroller is comfortable for all of the adults that may be using it, no matter how different they are in height. Next, look for a stroller with a sunshade. This will protect your baby’s delicate head if you are out on a sunny day.

You will also want to note the age that the stroller’s manufacturer says you can safely begin using the stroller. Some are not safe to use until a baby is six months old, so make sure you check this if you intend to use the stroller with a young infant. Finally, consider the storage options you need. Do you need and under-the-seat basket? You can find convenience strollers with this feature. What about a cup holder for your child? This is also available, but not all models have it.

Convenience strollers help fill the gap between the larger single strollers which are heavy and sometimes difficult to store and the much smaller umbrella strollers which are very limited in features and capabilities.

By: David Cummings

If you are a new parent or a soon to be parent there is no doubt that you have started to notice the massive variety of strollers available. They all have different looks, different uses and most noticeably, different price tags. It is enough to leave you wondering how to judge which is the best value.

The stroller that is the best value for you is one that will meet your needs and last until you no longer need it. Many parents have made the mistake of choosing the cheapest stroller thinking that it was the best value only to have to replace it several times. Many low end strollers are made of plastic or have plastic joints that can wear out, warp and twist in a surprisingly short time. It is best to invest a little bit of money up front in a higher quality stroller in order to save you the money of replacing it in a year.

You know you don’t want to buy two strollers because one breaks but do you want to buy two strollers for different activities? For some the answer is yes but for most of us it is not. If you are an avid runner and you are going to put in a lot of miles with your jogging stroller, you will need to invest in a high quality jogger that can stand up to the abuse. The stroller that is perfect for jogging is rarely perfect for anything else. Joggers are big and a non-swivel front wheel is necessary for jogging but very difficult to steer any other time.

If you are not an avid jogger you will probably want to find a stroller that you can take for a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to the park or a trip to the mall. There are so many strollers that will fit the bill for all of these activities as well as anything else you can think of. Bugaboo makes great strollers that are easy to push and will hold up through multiple children. The Stokke Xplory has a unique design that many parents and babies love. Orbit baby has created an easy to use and incredibly safe travel system for parents who spend a lot of time traveling.

One thing these strollers have in common is a hefty price tag and yet they are all good value. If you are planning on having more than one child any of these strollers will remain in good condition after years of use. You must also remember that each child will need the stroller for about three years and if you have to replace a cheap $200 stroller three times per child that can really add up fast. For value it is better to spend $500 or $600 once than to spend $200 over and over again and deal with the hassle of a low quality stroller.

By: Andrea Marchant

Car seats are mandatory baby equipment. I know that you’ll be tempted to cuddle your little bundle in your arms while driving, but please don’t! It’s just too dangerous and besides that, against the law.

Here are seven tips to buying a quality car seat for your child…

1. Buy a quality car seat. Make sure that the seal of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety is present on it. Make sure it’s constructed well with no sharp edges or loose parts.

2. Look for a car seat with travel system. The seat, infant carrier and stroller are all part of one convenient unit.

3. Make sue that you check for safety recalls. There are many safety recalls on car seats yearly. You don’t want to purchase one of those!

4. Choose cloth. It is generally more easily cleaned and is more comfortable.

5. Be positive that you choose the correct size. A small baby could slip out of a seat that is too large for him. It’s important that tiny babies under 20 pounds ride only in rear-facing seat. Only after the child is over 20 pounds should he be switched to front-facing seat.

6. Choose a car seat that has been given good reviews by other parents. Many online stores allow people to post reviews about their purchases. Why not check these out to see what other parents have to say?

7. Don’t use a used car seat unless you are able to borrow it and try it first. You want to make very sure that the parts are still functioning well, so your baby will be safe.

Proper child restraints are important. You don’t want to find that out the hard way.

By: Kristi Sayles