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Strollers Buying Guide
What To Look For In A Stroller

So
you’re about to have a baby and you know you need to buy a stroller.
Wondering what you should look for in your stroller purchase? Here are
some features to think about.
The Seat
Look
for a stroller seat with enough width and a high seat-back that
reclines fully and is not too high off the ground. The wider, taller
and deeper the stroller seat, the more comfortable baby will be during
the ride. The lower the child sits, the more stable the stroller. Most
seat backs are around 20 inches high, seat bottoms are 10 inches long
and knee-to-foot length is typically around 11 to 12 inches.
The 5
Point Harness
Like a
seat belt in a car, this series of straps holds the baby or toddler in
the stroller. Generally accepted as the safest way to secure a child,
the harness has two straps at the shoulders, two at the hips and one at
the crotch.
What to
Look For: A harness that is easy to lock and unlock with one hand. It
should be tamper proof and difficult for the toddler to unlock. Look
for padded straps, which are more comfortable for the child, and
adjustable sliders that are easy to operate with one hand.
The
Frame

Like
the frame of a bicycle, the platform that the stroller is built on is
very important as it will determine the appearance and durability as
well as its ability to carry loads and keep the child safe.
What to
Look For: A one-piece unit made of aluminum with welded joints and
rounded surfaces is ideal.
What do avoid: Rough edges and joints secured by plastic fittings;
spaces or gaps where little hands and feet can slip through and get
stuck in.
The
Handlebar
The
height of a stroller handlebar is a bigger issue with tall parents.
When testing a stroller, make sure that your back is not hunched over
while you’re pushing the stroller. For parents or caregivers who are
not approximately the same height, the best bet is an adjustable
handlebar that can go between 32 inches and up to 42 inches (most
handlebars are around 40 inches high).
What to
Look For: Handlebar height is the distance from your elbow to the
ground when standing straight. If your forearm is parallel to the
ground as you grip the handlebar while standing straight, the handlebar
is the right height for you.
The
Brakes
Hand,
parking and tether are the three most common brake formats. The better
the stroller, the more likely it will have all three options. The most
basic (and cheaper) strollers have only one brake format.
Hand
Brake
What It
Does: Applies stopping power to the front wheel only.
Best For: High-end strollers usually have a hand brake mounted on the
handlebar, which makes them ideal for strolling around the city. This
kind of brake is not intended to stop a speeding stroller pushed by a
fast runner.
Parking
Brake
What It
Does: Stops a stationary stroller from moving.
Best
For: Urban parents who commute with a stroller on the bus or subway;
for those who live in hilly cities and stop-and-go frequently, such as
those who need to wait up for a walking child or a dog.
Wrist
Strap
What It
Does: It stops the stroller as a last resort. At one end the strap or
tether is fixed to the stroller (usually the rear axle) and to your
wrist (usually through a loop) at the other end.
The
Storage
Strollers
with storage allow on-the-go parents to carry all sorts of things, from
groceries to a diaper bag, cell phone and toys for the child. The
storage compartment should be easy to access and offer adequate room
for you to store essentials. Storage areas
are most commonly under-seat basket, side compartments and
behind-the-seat pouches.
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