When it comes to selecting baby gear, namely a stroller, being a new parent can be overwhelming with all of your choices. Pediatricians, who are experienced in child development and safety issues, advise parents in recognizing the critical need to choose age-appropriate toys that are safe and can provide hours of fun. Thanks to their experience, moms and dads may skip mistakes made by the majority and choose the most suitable baby stroller for their lifestyle and even the age of their baby. In the following piece, we sit down with a paediatrician to discuss how to choose and use strollers, providing practical advice for parents in search of the ultimate baby stroller.
Q1: How to choose the stroller？
But Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a pediatrician and the founder of BabyGearLab, notes that the right stroller should be picked in a matter of being: it just needs to match your family’s lifestyle and the baby’s age and requirements. Here’s what to consider:
Lifestyle Fit: Urban parents appreciate a lightweight, folding pushchair that can handle busy sidewalks and public transportation – like the BabyZen YOYO, for example, which folds small enough for a plane trunk. Families who live in the suburbs or the country, and want a stroller with bigger wheels for rougher ground, however, may turn to jogging strollers, such as the BOB Revolution Flex, to take the baby on runs or walks to the park.
Type of Stroller: There is travel strollers, jogging stroller, full-size, travel system. Travel strollers are for babies and children who are often on the go, and full size strollers are best for everyday walking and storage.
Weight and Portability: The lighter a baby stroller is (a baby stroller under 15 pounds is good to go), the easier it is to carry and pack in and out of your vehicle as well as your house. This is good news for parents Thanks to city dwellers or frequent travelers. Folding shapes add to ease.
Safety elements: A 5-point harness, durable brakes, and wide base are necessary to slow tipping and maintain safety.
Storage: Some features to keep in mind include large under-seat baskets or parent trays, where you can put things like diapers and bottles.
Car Seat Compatibility: First thing's first: When is baby coming and what will you need to help put 28thoughts of that delivery out of your mind? With a newborn, find a travel system that can face backward with a bassinet attachment or that is compatible with an infant car seat for safer strolling until she's able to sit up.
Dr. Spurrier tells parents to focus on function, rather than form, to pick a stroller that complements their lifestyle as well as the baby’s comfort.
Question 2: What Safety Concerns Should Be Top Of Mind For Parents?
The cornerstone of stroller choice is safety, Dr. Spurrier said. She points to a few key safety features to look for:
5-Point Harness: The best security is to have the baby strapped in safely at the shoulders, waist and between the legs to help to prevent your baby from slipping or falling out. Make sure that the buckles are easy for an adult to release but unfathomable to curious little hands.
Trustworthy Brakes: Choose strollers with foot-activated brakes that lock all the rear wheels. Check the brake to see if it bites hard.
Sturdy Base: A large base helps prevent tipping on uneven surfaces, assuring safety.
Safety Criteria: You need to make sure that the stroller is JPMA certified or it meets the ASTM standard to make sure it's up to all safety regulations.
Recall Tips: Search CPSC on models before you buy to avoid those with ongoing problems.
Note: Do not hang heavy bags on the handlebar to prevent the stroller from tipping. Never take the steps or escalators with the stroller, use the elevator.
Failing to use these safety features can result in accidents, like fingertip injuries from folding mechanisms or burns from hot liquids in cup holders, Dr. Spurrier says.
Question 3: What is the Advice for the Various Age Groups?
For parents looking for stroller recommendations based on a child’s age and developmental stage here’s what moderate physical activity guidelines recommend.
Newborns (0-6 months) Infants lack neck control, which means they need a stroller that reclines flat. Travel systems designed to attach an infant car seat, such as the Chicco Corso, or strollers with a bassinet are best. Dr. Spurrier also warned against long term use of bassinets, which are a suffocation risk, and she indicated that you should follow SIDS guidelines (BabyGearLab SIDS Advice).
Babies (6-12 Months): When babies can sit up and hold their heads up (around 6 months), they can move to a stroller with a seat that reclines and a five-point harness. Suitable options for this age include lightweight travel strollers like the UPPAbaby Minu V2.
Toddlers (1 and Up): A nice umbrella stroller is lightweight and easy to use for short trips and can fold up to take along with you as you travel. Function and fashion combine in models such as the Cybex Coya for on-the-go tots.
Dr. Spurrier recommends waiting to buy a full-size stroller until the baby is about 6-12 months and starting with a car seat frame stroller for both cost and safety.
Question 4: What Common Mistakes Do Parents Make?
In a hurry, parents often make the wrong choices when purchasing the stroller and sometimes the wrong stroller can result in an inconvenience. According to Dr Spurrier, some common mistakes include:
Failing to Consider Lifestyle Needs: If you live in a city apartment and you buy a heavy full-size stroller, you’re not going to be happy. Urban parents should choose best travel stroller, and rural families require an all-terrain (Maternity Miracles).
Price over Features: If you prefer price over safety or convenience, you may end up with a stroller that doesn’t have efficient features such as a tight harness and a proper storage.
Ignoring Portability: A travel or storage heavy and bulky stroller is never easy. If you spend a lot of time on public transport, or you live in an upstairs flat and have to carry the pushchair in and up the stairs, you might be better with a foldable pushchair.
Failure to Inspect for Safety Standards: If you do not check for a JPMA certification or refuse to look at a recall history, you may be putting yourself, your child or your brand new furniture in danger.
Not Testing the Stroller: Purchasing a stroller sight-unseen from the Internet as opposed to test driving it in a store can result in a stroller that’s not responsive or easy to fold.
Dr. Spurrier advises testing the stroller’s handling and folding mechanism in store before you buy, even if you ultimately make the purchase online.
Question 5: What Are Some Tips for Using a Stroller Properly?
So selecting a proper stroller is the best and important thing for your child otherwise using of stroller can be harmorous for your child. Here is what else Dr. Spurrier recommends:
Use the Harness Always: Every time you seat the baby, use the five-point harness to keep baby secure and safe, tighten and adjust the straps for a fit that is snug.
Don’t Overload: No heavy bags hanging from the handle, distribute the weight in the under-the-seat basket to provide the best possible ride.
Recline Seat as Needed Based on Age and Comfort: Newborns should either have the seat laid completely back or have a car seat/bassinet attached. For older babies, recline the seat for comfort (Chicc).
Weather Protection: A rain cover or sun shield or canopy can protect the baby from sun, wind or rain. Dress the baby in appropriate weather gear, and the nape of the neck should be checked to make sure the baby is neither too hot nor too cold.
Routine Maintenance: Perform regular checks of the wheels, brakes, and the folding mechanism to ensure that they are working as they should. Keep the stroller clean to create a sanitary environment.
If catching a nap, do not leave the baby to sleep unattended in the stroller, especially in crowded places, in order to minimize chances of suffocation.
Dr Spurrier said using a pram correctly can improve safety, as well as the experience parents and babies have.
Conclusion: Top Advice from the Experts
PUSH IT REAL GOOD Pediatricians (like Dr. Juliet Spurrier) offer indispensable advice about picking out a stroller and how to use it, with an overriding emphasis on safety, lifestyle fit and age of your baby. When focusing on what the best strollers have in common, parents should consider a five-point harness, good brakes, and a stable base while choosing a stroller that suits their daily life — be it the best travel and umbrella stroller to navigate city life or a rugged model to explore the great outdoors. By steering clear of pitfalls like skimping on safety and selecting on price alone, you’ll be well-positioned to make a practical purchase. By taking such tips as utilizing the harness regularly and keeping the stroller in good order, parents can ensure safety and convenience. Bearing in mind this expert advice, families can choose and use a travel stroller or foldable pushchair with confidence, this fully take into consideration the development and lifestyle of their baby.
