Having a new baby can be a walk in the park--with the right stroller, of course. In fact, a stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you'll buy. And as your baby grows, you may end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for everyday use plus a lighter-weight one for traveling. You may even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks and curbs. City streets are deceptively hard on strollers.

There are dozens of choices on the market, including umbrella strollers, carriages, travel systems, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. You can also find a bare-bones frame that accepts almost any infant seat.

For a newborn, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes you can close. Another option is buying a stroller that is not for a newborn but that allows you to attach an infant car seat, usually made by the same manufacturer. When your child outgrows the infant seat--typically at about 6 months or 20 pounds--you then can use the stroller alone. Another alternative is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base, and a stroller. They are increasingly popular.

Some strollers now have air-filled tires for a more comfortable ride. This adds a maintenance chore, however. Five-point harnesses, a safety feature that better secures baby, are almost standard on higher-priced models. Most strollers these days also have cup holders and trays for parents and for the child. Some are even rigged for sound, an added feature that will, of course, cost you.

Strollers that don't fully recline or that can't accommodate an infant car seat are fine for babies older than 6 months, when they are no longer vulnerable to slipping through the leg openings.


SHOPPING SECRETS

Select it yourself. Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself then register for it at a department or baby store if you want to receive it as a gift because you're the best judge of how you intend to use it. If you receive a stroller you didn't select yourself, make sure you want to keep it. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal buying decisions. You'll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.

Don't go by price alone. A higher price doesn't always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports' tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or even better than models priced hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can suffer typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.

Don't assume lighter is better. Thanks to design changes during the past decade or so, strollers have become smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver. Increasingly, manufacturers are forgoing steel for aluminum, which can reduce stroller weight by a few pounds, though it raises the price substantially. But lighter strollers may not hold up as well, especially if you're an urban dweller. You'll need a model that can take cobblestones, curbs, and disjointed sidewalks--again and again.

Give it a test drive. When you're shopping, take the models you're considering for a spin in the store. Practice the one-arm open-close move. Try opening, folding, and lifting the stroller with one hand, because your other arm will often be holding your baby. Make sure you can stand tall when you push the stroller and that your legs and feet don't hit the wheels as you walk. If both you and your spouse are going to be using the stroller, you should both try it out. Some models have adjustable handles, an important feature if one parent is significantly taller than the other.

If possible, take the floor model of the stroller you're considering out to your car to be sure that it will fit in your trunk when it's folded. Also, jiggle the stroller. The frame should feel solid, not loose. Compare maneuverability.

Consider your baby's age. Newborns can't sit up, so they need a stroller that allows them to lie on their backs for the first few months of life or one that accepts an infant car seat. Avoid traditional strollers that don't recline--including umbrella-style strollers--until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months of age. Some strollers that do fully recline aren't appropriate for newborns because they have large leg openings that could trap and possibly strangle a baby.

Think about where you'll do most of your strolling. City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs are going to need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and compactly. Suburban parents who drive a lot may find that a travel system better suits their needs. It's easier to get baby in and out of the car and stroller in the detachable infant car seat. If you're athletic, you might also want a jogging stroller to use during runs or serious walking workouts. If you live in the country, on the beach, or in a snowy climate, an all-terrain model may be what you need.

Size up storage capabilities. A stroller with a large shopping basket makes life easier for those who get around town mostly on foot. If you opt for a model that reclines, make sure you can reach the basket if the seat back is reclined, or, if it's a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place.

Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws. But they won't necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions in some way. Manufacturers may either refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair--at your expense--leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Check certification. Somewhere on a stroller's frame or carton there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials voluntary standard and that its manufacturer participates in the pass/fail certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. The key tests are for safety belts, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, as well as for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies may be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified as of this printing are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta, Dorel, Evenflo, G&A USA Group, Go-Go Baby, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Kidco, Kolcraft, Maclaren, and Peg Perego.


WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The biggest selling brands of single strollers are, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Combi, Evenflo, Graco, Kolcraft, Maclaren, and Peg Perego. Newer boutique brands that are gaining ground include Bugaboo and Mountain Buggy.

Because newborns can't sit up without support, they can't ride in a standard stroller. You'll find the following basic choices for babies younger than 6 months:

Seat carrier frames
These lightweight, empty frames are designed to roll an infant car seat around, using it as the passenger compartment.

Pros: Inexpensive, compact, and convenient.

Cons: Both the car seat and the frame can no longer serve as your stroller once your child outgrows the seat (typically at 6 months to a year).

Price range: $50 to more than $60.

Carriage/strollers
These models have backrests that fully recline, providing sleeping space for infants. Once your child can sit up--at about 6 months--this type can convert to a stroller configuration. Some units have large, spoked wheels and compartments that can be removed and used as a bassinet. We didn't test these for this book since they are no longer very popular and few manufacturers produce them. Make sure that the leg openings can be closed off to prevent a reclining infant from slipping through and becoming entrapped or strangled.

Pros: Can be used for newborns and are convenient.

Cons: Difficult to carry on public transportation, and you still need a car seat.

Price range: $50 to more than $600.

Travel systems
These combine a stroller and infant car seat and are for use with newborns to toddlers. With some models you can use either the stroller or car seat with a newborn; in others, you use the car seat until the child outgrows it, usually at about 22 pounds, then switch to using the stroller alone.

Pros: Allows you to move a sleeping baby in the infant car seat undisturbed from car to stroller.

Cons: If you select the car seat first, you have to live with the stroller it mates with (and vice versa). An alternative is to choose a stroller that accepts car seats from a number of different manufacturers.

Price range: $100 to more than $400.

Multiseat strollers
Similar to other strollers, these give you a relatively efficient means of taking twins or triplets (or young siblings of different ages) for a ride. Most companies that manufacture strollers for one also make a version with two or more seats. Multiseaters offer the same features as strollers for a single rider, just a larger-scale construction. Alternatives include strollers with a standing bench or small seat in the rear that lets a second child hitch a ride. The major brands of multiseat strollers are Cosco, Graco, and Kolcraft, as well as higher-end imports such as Combi, Maclaren, Mountain Buggy, and Peg Perego.

Multiseat strollers usually come in one of two configurations: tandem or side-by-side. Tandem models, the most common type of multiseat stroller, have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and the best choice overall. However, while the backseat can recline, the front one usually can't without infringing on the space of the rear passenger. Some tandem strollers let you set the seats so that the children face each other; others have a "stadium seat" arrangement that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.

Pros (tandem): Tandems easily go through standard doorways. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midweight stroller.

Cons (tandem): Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over a curb. Some models offer limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger.

Price range (tandem): $100 to more than $500.

Side-by-side, the other configuration, consists of two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. You can also create your own by joining two umbrella strollers with a set of screw-on brackets--available at baby discount chains and specialty stores. The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to what you'll find on single-passenger models. This type works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins. Each of the seats has an independent reclining mechanism.

Pros (side-by-side): A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem, although when children of different weights ride in the unit, it may veer to one side.

Cons (side-by-side): Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats. A folded side-by-side stroller requires twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version. Although manufacturers may claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, you'd be wise to measure both the stroller and any doors or other openings you plan to wheel it through.

Price range (side-by-side): $100 to more than $500.


DOWN THE ROAD

Stroller types appropriate for babies older than 6 months include:

Traditional strollers
This category runs the gamut from lightweight umbrella strollers (named for their curved, umbrella-like handles), which typically weigh less than 12 pounds, to more heavy-duty conventional strollers that weigh 17 to 35 pounds. The latter are somewhat bulky but quite stable, deep, and roomy. Higher-end models may have shock absorbers on all wheels as well. For folding, many strollers employ a one-handed release embedded in the handlebar. You flip a lock switch or move the casing of the latch mechanism to one side, then push the handlebar forward until the frame begins to fold.

Pros: Many are lightweight and convenient.

Cons: Heavier models are difficult to carry on public transportation and to lift into car trunks or minivan cargo areas. And you still need a car seat. The small wheels on low-end models don't perform well on uneven sidewalks or rough terrain. The compact size of umbrella strollers and other lighter-weight models may cramp toddlers, especially when they're dressed in heavy winter clothes.

Price range: $20 (umbrella strollers) to more than $800 (high-end conventional strollers).

Jogging or all-terrain strollers
These three- and four-wheeled strollers or traditional-style strollers with heavy-duty suspensions and/or larger air-filled tires let you push your child semireclined in a canvas pouch while you walk (or in some cases, jog or even race). The larger the wheels, the easier it is for the pusher. Like a bicycle, a jogging or all-terrain stroller is made of metal tubing, has wheels with spokes, and rides on air-filled tires. It has large wheels that are 12 to 20 inches in diameter--two in the rear and one or two in front. The long, high handlebar is designed to help keep your running feet and legs away from the stroller's frame and legs, but you still may have to adjust your gait to avoid bumping into the unit.

The appropriate minimum age for children to ride in a jogging or all-terrain stroller is a matter of debate, although one brand, Mountain Buggy, makes an all-terrain stroller that can be used as a carriage. For more conventional jogging/all-terrain strollers, manufacturers typically suggest 8 weeks, but our medical consultants say a baby should be at least 6 months, able to sit up, and have some head support to withstand the potentially jarring ride.

Pros: Good for off-road use; provides a relatively smooth ride over obstacles such as rocks, potholes, and uneven sidewalks. A jogging/all-terrain stroller typically has a longer useful life than a plain stroller, with some models able to accommodate a child as heavy as 75 pounds. Several companies offer double- and triple-sports strollers with a total weight limit of up to 100 pounds or 150 pounds, respectively.

Cons: Can be unstable when the rear wheels are lifted over a curb. Not suitable for infants younger than 6 months (unless it converts from a carriage convertible). They also require more space than other strollers, and you may need to remove the stroller's wheels to fit it in the trunk of your car. Bicycle-type tires can go flat and require reinflating with a bicycle pump or a gas-station hose. Also, not all "all-terrain" strollers are usable for jogging.

Price range: About $80 to more than $700, depending on the number of seats.


FEATURES TO CONSIDER

Brakes. Brakes are especially important with jogging and all-terrain strollers since you may be using the stroller at a good clip and need to slow down quickly. Most have two types of brakes: a bicycle-style hand brake for slowing down and a foot-applied brake, used when the stroller is parked or to hold it on a sloping surface.

Canopy. Meant to protect baby from sun or rain, canopies range from a simple fabric square strung between two wires to deep, pull-down versions that shield almost the entire front of the stroller. Some canopies also have a clear plastic "peekaboo" window on top so you can keep an eye on your baby while you're strolling. The window (or viewing port) is a nice feature; you'll use it more than you think you might.

Cup holders. Many strollers have a cup holder for the pusher as well as one for the small passenger. They're a welcome feature for both.

Five-point harness. The best models offer an adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap), much like those found in car seats, which help keep a baby or toddler from slipping out (or climbing out when you're not looking). The straps should be height-adjustable for proper fit, and they should be securely anchored.

Footrests. Footrests can help a child sit more comfortably without legs dangling. Even the flimsiest strollers offer some type of footrest, yet most are too low to help any but the tallest toddlers. For that reason, make certain that the seat rim is soft and won't press uncomfortably into the back of your child's legs.

Handlebars. Adjustable handlebars can be extended or angled to accommodate parents of different heights. Reversible handles allow you to swing them over the top of the stroller, then lock them into a front position so baby rides facing you. A single crossbar not only allows for one-handed steering but also generally makes the stroller more stable and controllable. Umbrella strollers and other models with two independent handles almost always require two hands to maneuver.

Large shopping basket. A roomy, easily accessible storage basket underneath the stroller makes errands with baby much easier. Sizes of baskets vary. Try to choose one that's at least big enough to accommodate a diaper bag. When shopping for a stroller, press on the storage basket's floor--it shouldn't drag on the ground when loaded. Some strollers also offer storage pouches, with elastic top edges, in back. With other strollers, you can buy a net bag that fastens onto the handle--good for carrying snacks, but nothing much heavier than that. Don't hang bags off handlebars. They can cause the stroller to tip.

Leg holes. Carriage/strollers, which fully recline, must have leg holes that close so an infant can't slip through one of them. Typically, manufacturers use mesh shields or hinged, molded footrests that raise and clamp over the leg holes. According to the industry's voluntary standard, a stroller with leg holes that can't be closed off shouldn't be able to fully recline, which is meant to prevent its use with a newborn. One-handed opening/folding mechanism. Essential for when you need to open or fold the stroller with one hand while holding baby with the other. The best strollers fold compactly in a matter of seconds.

Play tray. Strollers may have a tray where babies can play, dribble milk, drop crumbs, or just rest their hands. If the tray comes with attached toys, check their size and make sure they are securely fastened. Some strollers have been recalled because small parts on their play trays' toys pose a choking hazard. Instead of a tray, other models have a front bar to help keep baby restrained with the attached crotch strap. To make it easier to get a squirming baby or toddler seated, the bar should be removable or swing open rather than be permanently attached.

Shock absorbers. Air-filled tires or tires molded from foam can help give baby a smoother ride. So can shock absorbers--covered springs or rubber pads above the wheel assemblies. In all strollers the frame reduces some jarring.

Wheels. The larger the wheels, the easier it is to negotiate curbs and rough surfaces. But big wheels eat up trunk space. Most strollers have double wheels on the front that swivel to make steering easier. Front wheels often have two positions: full swivel for smooth surfaces or locked in one position for rough terrain. Misaligned and loose wheels are a chronic stroller problem. One sign of good construction is that the wheels of a stroller contact the floor uniformly when there's a baby inside. Some manufacturers have created wheel assemblies that can be completely slipped off the frame for easy replacement, which is a plus. Three-wheel strollers, whose front wheel doesn't swivel, can be very hard to maneuver/steer.


RECOMMENDATIONS

Your first decision is which of the types of strollers discussed earlier in this chapter you want to buy. As we mention, you may want to have more than one--such as a traditional stroller and a lighter-weight model for traveling.

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