When your baby is growing up, you may be confused by the choices of baby strollers. There are so many types of strollers on the market that it is easy to see why this happens. Before looking at specific brands and models, figure out what type of stroller you need.
Types of Stroller
Car Seat Stroller
This type is for parents who tend to travel with their baby in a car most of the time. It can also be used as a regular stroller if your car has a back seat that reclines. The car seat attaches to the top part of the stroller base and is locked into place.
The weight limits vary by model but usually range from 5 pounds for infant seats to around 50 pounds for convertible seats. If your child is smaller than about 5 pounds, you will need to buy a special car seat made just for newborns that snaps into the stroller base. For children over about 50 pounds, check out convertible seats, which can be used as a regular stroller once your baby outgrows the infant carrier stage.
Travel System Strollers
These create a travel system with your car and allow you to snap in an infant carrier or carrycot. It's similar to the all-in-one type of stroller but doesn't come with a diaper bag or other storage space. The weight limit on these models is usually around 40 pounds.
Reversible Stroller
This type of stroller has two seats that can face forward or backward. It gives you the option to switch positions so your baby can see what's happening behind, without turning the entire stroller around. These are good for twins because they have room for two car seats or two bassinets.
To reverse it, turn the knob at the bottom of the seat and pull it down until it clicks into place. This will change which way your child faces if he is riding in a sitting position. If she is in a reclining position, you will need to lift up one side of her headrest and pull down on the other before reversing.
All-in-One Stroller
This type of stroller is usually the most expensive, with prices ranging from $150 to over $500. It has all the features of a travel system stroller but also has storage space for your essentials. It comes with a diaper bag that attaches to handlebars, along with cup holders, peekaboo windows, and other accessories. You can easily fold it into itself, making it smaller for storage or getting through crowded areas like close quarters on an airplane.
What should a good stroller have?
- Handle Bars
Many parents overlook the importance of having adjustable handlebars on their baby strollers. If you are short, being able to lower them so they are at waist height will make pushing much easier on your back and shoulders compared with having to lean forward.
If you are tall, being able to raise them so they are above your head level is important for comfort and safety. The taller you are, the more likely it is that children will want to stand on the back of the stroller while you push them around. Not only will this make it harder for you to steer, but if your child falls off, she could get hurt if her head hits the ground first.
- The canopy
A good quality baby stroller has a large hood with enough coverage to keep out sun and rain. It should be sturdy enough that it doesn't flop into your face while you're standing or moving too fast (a common problem with cheaper models). It also needs some sort of ventilation so that your baby doesn't become too hot.
- Storage
A good-quality baby stroller has ample storage space for all your essentials. Most can hold a diaper bag, a few toys, and a couple of water bottles. If you plan on using it for longer days out, look for one that has pockets or mesh sides to make it easier to see what's inside.
It should also have some sort of cover over the basket so belongings don't fall out if you tip the stroller slightly. The best models give you quick access to this compartment from the back seat, either by lifting up the top part of the seat or by having zippered openings on each side of the bottom seat.
- Wheels
The average size wheels should be made of hard rubber and swivel or pivot. If you plan on using your stroller for jogging, look for models with fixed wheels as they are much easier to control when running at high speeds. The best quality models also have a locking feature to make them stationary for those times when you need more stability or want to use it as a rocker. Some even have the option of switching the front wheel from regular to locked mode.
- Suspension
A good quality baby stroller has shocks on each of the three wheels. This will help absorb some of the shocks whenever your child lands or bumps into something while in motion, making it more comfortable for her. It's also important that any seat reclines independently, which is common in the best models.
How can you fold a stroller?
How to Fold a Single Stroller
This type of stroller has one seat and one set of wheels. It's the compact choice for parents who don't plan on using their stroller a lot, but it can still hold a child up to 50 pounds.
Step 1: The first step when folding is always to make sure that your baby is safely secured in her seat with all harnesses fastened. Make sure you have removed any extra items from the storage basket underneath before continuing.
Step 2: Grab both sides of the frame with one hand and pull them towards each other until they meet in the middle or at least until you feel resistance. With your free hand, push down on the handlebar lock located near your steering wheel. This will lock the handle in place so that it cannot be folded down onto the passenger seat.
Step 3: Push your stroller backward or forwards slightly until you hear a click sound. Make sure you have locked both sides of the frame before continuing to step 4.
Step 4: Lift up on either side of the crossbar located near the wheels and pull out towards yourself. The backseat should now be able to fold forward with ease. You can lift up by using one hand under each bar, but make sure you have one free hand just in case your baby starts to wiggle about.
Step 5: Fold down your baby's seat from above her head into a laying position. Be careful not to bend it too much as it may snap off. The seat fabric should rest on top of the frame with ease and lie flat.
Step 6: Once folded, push your stroller forward or backward until it locks in place. Make sure you have locked both sides before attempting to lift it up. If you want to collapse your stroller with one hand, simply continue to steps 7 and 8.
Step 7: Push down on the handlebar lock, located near your steering wheel, just like you did when you were folding it for storage.
Step 8: Fold the backseat into itself by lifting up on either side of the crossbar and pulling towards yourself. This will create a compact fold that will allow you to grab onto any part of the frame without hurting your hands.
How to Fold a Double Stroller
This is the most versatile type of stroller on the market and can hold children up to 100 pounds each. It's best suited for parents who have twins or love spending time outdoors with their kids. The only downfall with this type of stroller is that it doesn't fit in most car trunks, so you'll either need an SUV or a large trunk just to store yours when not in use.
Step 1: First things first, always make sure your baby is safely secured inside her seat with all harnesses fastened. Make sure you have removed any extra items from the storage basket underneath before continuing.
Step 2: With one hand grab both sides of the frame and pull towards each other until you feel resistance or until they meet in the middle. With your free hand, push down on the handlebar lock located near your steering wheel. This will lock the handle in place so that it cannot be folded down onto the passenger seat.
Step 3: Lift both seats up at an angle where you are able to grab them from underneath. Make sure you have one hand on either side of one seat so that neither side falls back down onto another child's feet. Then just lay it flat over the top of the second seat and carefully rest them against each other.
Step 4: You can now fold your stroller by pushing down on the crossbar, located near the wheels, with both hands. Your backseat should easily fold in half and rest against your front seat.
Step 5: Once you have finished folding it, push your stroller forward or backward until you hear a click sound. Make sure both sides are locked in place before attempting to lift it up. You can now lift the handlebars up with one hand by grabbing onto any part of the frame. Just make sure there is no resistance when lifting under each bar.
How To Fold A Graco Stroller
There is a difference between folding an umbrella stroller and a traditional one, so here's how to close a Graco stroller.
Step 1: Fold the backseat of your stroller against itself by lifting up on both sides of the crossbar with one hand each. Then pull towards you until it rests flat over the top of the second seat. You can now lift up on either side just like when you were opening it.
Step 2: Push down on your handlebar lock with both hands. This will create resistance in the bar which prevents you from folding it any further. Make sure this is done before attempting to push it down or they may lock together.
Step 3: With both hands grab onto the frame near where your wheels are located. Pull the frame firmly towards yourself until it locks into place.
How to close a stroller with one hand?
This is the easiest way to close a stroller with one hand, which is nice if you have your hands full of groceries or your other child. All you need to do is push down on both sides of your handlebar lock at the same time. This will create resistance in the bar and prevent you from folding it any further. You now just need to lift up on either side just like when you were opening it for storage. Keep reading for tips on how to close a stroller with two hands.
An umbrella stroller can be closed using one hand by pushing down on both sides of the bar lock at once. The handlebar lock helps keep your stroller securely in place while you are walking. Just lift up on each side of the handlebar to close it for storage.
When closing a quick fold stroller, push down on both sides of the crossbar with one hand. Make sure that neither side drops down onto another child's feet as you press down. Then pull towards yourself until it is resting flat over the top of the second seat and lift up on either side just like when you were opening it. Keep reading for tips on how to close a stroller with two hands.
Conclusion
The above was a guide on how to close a Graco stroller and some more. This is the easiest way to close a stroller with one hand, which is nice if you have your hands full of groceries or your other child. All you need to do is push down on both sides of your handlebar lock at once.
This will create resistance in the bar and prevent you from folding it any further. You now just need to lift up on either side just like when you were opening it for storage. Keep reading for tips on how to close a stroller with two hands.