New Mom Needs Help Picking Stroller

Hi there!

I love the graco snap-n-go. It's lightweight, easy to steer, the car seats pop right into it so you don't have to wake the baby when you get somewhere...It's awesome and very well priced.

After reading all of the other responses, it seems that everyone has their own personal favorite. My advice is to do what we did. Go to a few stores that have a large selection of strollers, take the floor models down off the shelf (or have someone who works there take them down), push them around the store, open and close them to see what feels comfortable for YOU. Also, if you're looking for a travel system then also try to put in and pull out the carseat from the stroller. Good luck.

I'm pregnant with my first baby, so take this advice with a grain of salt... it's not tested yet! :)
I bought the Peg Perego Aria OH from strollers.com. I can open and close it with one hand, which is a huge plus. It's also light-weight and fits the Graco infant car seat. It actually comes with a strap so you can fit on whatever carseat you want.

I have gone through four stollers with my first son & can tell you the pros & cons of mine.

The one I have used the most & continue to use is the Peg Perego Venezia (same as the Uno). It fits in the trunk of my Corolla & is midweight, not lightweight, it can be used with newborns (it lays all the way down like a bassinet & has a reversible handle). Two things I don't like-the cover does not function how it should-it flops down when it should stay still & the height adjuster totally broke :( My friend has the Aria & loves it (I know it light weight too).

The Jeep jogging stroller, well I can't fit it into my trunk, so I don't recommend it based on size alone (front tire not removable), but it has held up well & I like listening to music when I walk.

The Jeep umbrella stroller, lighweight, cheap, not compatable with infants & my son's footrest broke, oh & no drink holder or storage, except for tiny side pouches.

The BabyTrend ($40 one at BabiesRUs-bought because I went out of town & needed a stroller), after a few months, like 5-6 the steering stopped working. Cheaply made & not fully reclinable (questionable for infants). I have another friend who has had it for years & it worked & still works for her (her son is 5!!!). When it did work I really liked it because it has a nice tray for the drinks & lots of storage space, although it was lighweight & definitely fit in my Corolla's trunk.

Overall, if I had to go back & do it again I would look at the Aria or maybe the Graco if I could get the Graco car seat with it.
Honestly though, do you plan to have another kid in the next few years? If you do, save money and look at a stroller that could be dual compatable(Phil & Ted's sport buggy), or a cheap stroller for the time being, maybe that BabyTrend...

Good luck, it really can be a hard decision!

I have one of those Graco convertible systems that you can attach the car seat to and I can tell you that it's quite cumbersome to fold up and put in my trunk. I have seen some people with these smaller metal folding things that just hold the car seat so you don't have to worry about the full sized stroller too. I'd check in to one of those if i had it to do all over again.

Valco baby is definatly the easiest to push, but it will cost you not only 1 arm, but both! I would look into the Graco one. Its fairly cheap and the single is not that hard to push. Its does weight more then the combi to pick up, but I have the combi, and its fairly hard to push when the baby gets older. The Graco is very easy to fold together, its 1 hand fold. I would go to a good stroller store (not just babies r us) and take some for a test drive around the store. I like USA baby myself.

I've had my Graco Metrolite for 5 years and its still my number 1 stroller. It folds quite small, is light, easy to use, and inexpensive. The only flaw is that the basket is hard to get to when the seat is fully reclined, but mine is 5 years-old, the newer ones may have fixed that flaw.

~N.

J L,

I am a physical therapist and specialize in helping moms. I love Stokke or strollers like this. It makes it much easier for lifting.

Kudos to you for looking into things like this!

I'd be happy to talk to you over the phone if you have more specific questions. www.momeezpt.com

C. Attiken

Congratulations on your baby! I have two children, and have gone through 7 strollers. By far my favorite for a newborn is a Snap-N-Go in combination with a carseat. Lightweight, easy to use, and takes up almost no room. My favorite all-in-one stroller (not a travel system as it doesn't take a carseat) is the Phil & Ted E3. It's a double stroller that's only the size of a single, and if I only had one child, I could store a boatload of stuff in the lower seat. It's a bit pricey, but it was a birthday present for me, and I used it until my children exceeded the weight limit. They loved it, too. My older daughter would sleep in the bottom compartment while the baby was in the top. I, too, had problems with my arms and wrists and hands during my pregnancy (although not before) and continue to have problems afterwards, but both of these strollers were a dream. Good luck!

I had one of those Graco convertible stollers with my first child and learned a valuable lesson. All that cool stuff adds weight and bulk. With my second child, I bought a Baby Trend "Snap-N-Go" and I love it! It's light, can be opened and closed with one hand and has a basket underneath for carrying your stuff as well as cup holders. Which is pretty much all you need. It was also very cheep! About $40 and fits any kind of snap in carseat. I have a Graco Snugrider and it snaps in perfectly. The only drawback is that you have to buy a new stoller once your child has outgrown his infant seat but for the price it was well worth it. We've been using it for 8 months now and it looks like we may have to replace it in the next month as my childs little feet are starting to extend over the front of the carseat...Sniff! They grow too fast.

Hi Jama,

I own a baby shop in San Clemente and we do personal stroller consultations at no charge and also offer the option of renting a stroller for the day so you can actually test it out before you buy it! Buying a new stroller is a big decision and you don't want to end up with one that doesn't quite groove with your family and end up hating it. There are some great strollers out there that can fit into your requirements and this is actually a great time as all of the new 2008 strollers are just coming out. Valco baby has a brand new stroller coming out that I think would be a perfect fit for you. It hasn't even been released yet but I do have images and some information on it if you wnat to give me a call or send me an email. Anyway, if you would like any help as you continue your research do not hesitate to contact me for an appt to come down to our showroom or just some help over the phone. www.octraveltykes.com ###-###-####
Take care and best of luck!
K.

Jama, I have a KolCraft Contors that I love. Very easy to push even with one hand. I think I paid about $100-120 for it. You can find them at Baby Depot or online at Target.com. I also have a Peg Pergo that is easy to push but they are pricey. Good luck!

Hi Jama,
I use to sell strollers so there are options out there for you... If you plan on using the infant carrier a lot (leaving your baby in the carrier when going to and from car into stores or whatever), there is a snap and go, which is very light weight and the infant carrier snaps onto the frame and away you go. If you do not plan on using the infant carrier for in stores and stuff like that, Maclaren has great, light weight, one hand folding strollers. Some Maclarens will connect with the infant carriers and some will not. They are a little bit more on the pricey side, but are great durable strollers. I have had mine for 2.5 years and love it and it still looks to be in great condition and I have an all boy 2.5 year dare devil =) lol... If you have the time, I'm not sure where the closest one is now but the Right Start, a baby store, trains their employees to point out all the differences in strollers to better match the stroller with your needs and lifestyle. I believe there is still one in Sherman Oaks =)
Hope this helps and good luck- congrats on your baby,
Take care,
H.

I used the Graco Metrolite stroller and LOVED it. I thought it was very light and very easy to fold/unfold, and both of my babies loved sitting in it, too. I used it for about 2 1/2 years with my two kids. They also make a "travel system" with the matching car seat that attaches, which we found very convenient with a newborn. I think they run about $125 or close to $200 with the car seat also. But you can check on ebay for a used one. I gave mine away because we graduated to a double stroller and had little use for a single, but now I am regretting it's absence and want to get another one. I don't know how small it is for storing compared to other stollers, it is not nearly as compact as an umbrella stroller but it was plenty compact for us. And it is very easy to push. It has an adjustable handle height so both my husband and I could find the most comfortable height for pushing it. I don't know about the safety ratings, but we never felt there was anything unsafe about it and neither of my babies ever came close to injury in it.

I found this website (and their accompanying book) very helpful for almost all of our baby decisions.

Here's their message board:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Here's the baby book (They have several others that are also well done.):
http://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/default.html

I highly recommend both.
Good luck!

I bought the Combi travel system, it came with the car seat and the stroller for about $225-250 (can't remember). I chose it because The Baby Bargains book rated it super high and also because the stroller and the seat were the lightest I could find without going to a super cheap-O. My daughter is about to be 3 and I still LOVE my combi stroller, I have never even bought an umbrella or lightweight stroller because mine is so light (14lbs). The seat goes all the way down, she loves the tray, the basket below is big and it was soooo easy to move around with one hand. Now that she is almost three, the one handed thing doesn't really work well, but it did for a couple years.
http://www.combistrollers.com/products/savona_ts.htm
this is the exact set I have:
http://www.babydirect.com/p-5808-combi-2006-savona-stroll...
My Uncle gave me $600 to go get it, sure I could have gotten some fancy thing, but I decided to buy this since it was rated great and spend the other $ elsewhere. Again, I still love my stroller.
My second choice (in hindsight) would be the Peg Perego Pliko P3, however that is 5 pounds heavier than the Combi!
Good Luck

Decide which one works best (based on recommendations and test driving) then look for a used one on Craigs List: it will save you a TON of money.

I had seriously issues with my back after my first pregnancy and during my second. I opted for the Peg-Perego Aria (twin version) because it was only 15lbs. It was great, for awhile. The problem was once the baby hit about 20lbs (around 1yr) the stroller was very difficult to push because of the small wheels. I don't know if the single versions have this problem. With my third baby, I was concerned about the weight of the stoller too. I purchased the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe. It's about 9 lbs heavier, but I can lift it in and out and collapse/unfold it with one hand. It is so sturdy and the stowing capacity is great! The wheels are big which makes turning and unsmooth roads easy. Graco also makes the MetroLite. It's very nice looking and seems pretty sturdy too. It's 18 lbs.

You might also consider looking at jogging strollers. They tend to be lightweight, though not as compact. They are very easy to manuver if you get one with a front wheel that swivels.

I opted for a Maclaren and I LOVE it. It folds nicely, handles much more smoothly than my friends' Graco strollers and is lightweight. I walk a lot, and chose this because of the above features; I have a bad back and needed something light and easy to handle.

I agree that you might start out with some sort of snap & go system to start. The baby car seat does add weight.

Find a couple of good stores in your area, and spend sometime pushing the different brands around the store to see what feels comfortable to you.

good luck
C.

Dear Jama:

Just thought I'd recommend something different. Have you considered baby-wearing? I have no problems with the strength in my arms and I found pushing strollers tedious and exhausting after a couple of miles. Pushing with just one arm would cause the stroller to veer to the sides. Even if you're considering just using the stroller for short distances, you have to consider the drama of folding it up and stashing it while baby might be wailing in the carseat. Not fun. Also, I've got average-length legs and most strollers didn't accomodate my normal stride, not to mention Daddy's! It was obvious that the only strollers which allowed a long stride were the super-spendy ones.

So, just as an alternative, here are some sites which might help you in your decision...
http://www.wearyourbaby.com/
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/
http://www.mayawrap.com/n_sewsling.php
http://www.mayawrap.com/s_choosing-guide.php

Benefits: closeness to baby, better posture for Mama, discreet nursing, free arms, more natural gait, more secure baby, less contraptions, and inexpensive (especially if you make it yourself!).

Congratulations on your new baby and best wishes for a decision that suits you both perfectly!

M.

I have the Peg Perego Pliko P3 and LOVE it! My son has always been comfy in it, it easily reclines, easily folds up, easily opens up and is lightweight. We took him to London when he was nine months old and it was great! I couldn't imagine having anything heavier. I also really like the handles on it...it's not a solid bar all across, it's two individual, almost bike-like handles and they make it so much easier to manuever. You can actually hold the baby in your arms and still push the stroller if the baby is fussy...

My only complaint about it is the storage underneath is practically useless...but I've been very successful at piling bags on the handles as I walk through the mall!

Good luck!
-M

Hi Jama,

Congratulations! I loved my Peg Perego. When my son got a little bigger, I bought a McClaren Umbrella Stroller because they take up less room. As research, I stopped every mother with a stroller that I passed on the street to see what they liked and didn't like about their choices. I highly recommend the Baby Bargains book (they sell it at Babies R Us and online) - it goes over all the issues you might have with each brand and makes good recommendations, including safety. It is also a great book for advice and info on all baby products. Consumer reports online also has good safety info.

The best thing you can do is go to Babies R US and try each and every different brand yourself to see what is easiest for you. Then pick the one with the best safety ratings.

Good luck.

L.

I also have back issues. I would recommend a Snap N Go to start. Very lightweight and easy to use. I also have the Peg Perego Aria '07 model. It worked with the Graco SnugRide car seat too, but it's not the sturdiest thing around. It's very lightweight but little pieces kept falling off every time I opened or folded the stroller. The cupholder flew off the very first time I used the stroller! The basket is difficult to get into and isn't that big either. I am looking for a new stroller now that he's outgrown the Snap N Go. Although very lightweight, I wouldn't recommend the Aria.

We got one of those empty frames that the carseat clicks into ($50) and it was great. Very light and convenient when baby is sleeping for transfers, etc. I live on a rural road close to town and would walk all the time with it. baby faces you and is up off the ground a bit more than regular strollers. I also traveled with it and it's THE BOMB. We ended up getting a Mclaren when he was 9 mos old (could have done this sooner). This is a GREAT stroller: very easy to manuver, fold up, open up and reclines for naps and the canopy moves around so you can protect them from wind etc. I used a friend's combi and it DIDN'T COMPARE at all. The Mclaren was worth the price, esp. since I only paid $50 for the other one. I have baby #2 now, however, she doesn't like being in the carseat much so I did end up getting a Graco stroller on craig's list (she's too young for mclaren i feel). It is heavier and not as easy to manuver but I wanted it because it lays completly flat and has a big canopy/ very cushy inside. I've been reading how Eurpeans are big pushers for babies sleeping completely flat. If $$ is an issue , I would go for the empty frame to start out and then get a great Mclaren later. Get a good baby carrier like the Ergo so if baby is fussy while in the stroller you can just strap them on while shopping and use your stroller w/ carseat in it for a basket! that's what I do :-) good luck and congrads!

When I was shopping for a stroller, I had a mom of 6 who happend to be on the aisle, and she shad two good points:

1. Be sure you can get in the bottom basket easily when the baby is sleeping.

2. Make sure the sunshade covers the baby well, if you are going with a travel system, make sure they meet well in the middle and don't have a gap.

I have a big stroller that I used a lot when my boy was small and still fit in the carrier. But I love my Graco IPO umbrella stroller. It folds up and lays back when the baby needs to sleep. It is not extreamly lightweight (so it doesn't tip) but it's easy to push around. I have taken it on several trips already and find it to be awesome.

Hi Jama. Congrats on the baby! I am a new mom and spent a ton of time researching about strollers during my pregnancy. I opted for the Compass T730 Portable Magnesium Travel System. It's stroller is light weight (less than 15 lbs) making it super easy to deal with (like getting it in and out of a car one-handed) and has super sturdy wheels (I've pushed my guy through sand, over broken up concrete, rocky paths all without issues), locking brakes, and it's car seat is excellent! It sounds complicated to take the stroller apart, pull the locking device up and snap the car seat in place but once you do it a few times it will become second nature. I highly recommend this stroller for it's ease of use, practicality and most of all it's safety features. I also recommend wearing your baby. I would get a wrap or a sling (I LOVE Moby wraps) and just carry it will you. By the way, the basket under the stroller is huge, plenty of room for my always overstuffed diaper bag! And there are cup holders and little pockets for keys and cell phones, etc. I wore my little guy often but he's pretty big now (17 pounds at 4 months) and is really into sitting in the stroller checking everything out. Not that this is important, but the Compass Travel System looks quite nice as well and I've been complimented on it a few times! It's sunshade covers the whole baby, the wheels are magnificent and when your little one outgrows the infant seat s/he'll be ready for the "big kid" stroller. I've actually used the stroller without the carseat in it as an emergency bassinet! You can adjust the back to be straight up for sitting or flat for laying down completely or any level in between. It has a five point harness so the babies can't wiggle and slide out the bottom. Sorry for the lengthy description, but I really love this stroller/car seat combo. The company is very cool too. The story behind Compass is pretty inspirational. After years of working in the super corporate world of child products, these DADS (and car seat specialists) were pretty disillusioned with the nature of the industry. So they broke away from corporate America in order to fulfill their own mission: to provide safe, high quality, innovative children's products and market them in an honest and straightforward way. I got mine as a shower gift but I think they sell for $229. It's worth it... I'm sure it's the only stroller we'll have for this kid (and the next ones that follow)! Good luck!

i have a graco stroller because i got a travel pak (so it came with the car seat) but i also have a lite weight stroller. i bought a safety first altura stroller. its super light and is just under a full size stroller so your lil one wont grow out of it fast. i love it because it one hand up and one hand down. heres the link so you can see it! good luck!!!

http://www.target.com/Safety-1st-Altura-Stroller-Eclipse/...

Hello Jama,

I have had surgery on both of my shoulders and needed to make sure I found a stroller that was light weight and easy to use. I bought a Graco Metro Lite 5 years ago for my son and it worked so well that I bought the same stroller in Pink when I had my daughter. It is very light weight, Closes easy with one had, I can steer it around almost anything using one arm and the best part the car seat fits in it when they are very small and when they get bigger they just seat in the stroller in the seat. My kids Both loved it so much that I didn't have the problems most moms have when their kids don't want to be in it. My kids didn't care. My daughter just turn 3 and we still use it for Disneyland or long shopping trips. It still works Great. I did also buy the Prego Double stroller for the time they both needed it but I really liked the Graco Metro Lite the best.

I hope this helps. Good luck and congrats on the new baby!

C.

I did a lot of research on this very issue and fell in love with the Zooper line of strollers. The Ska is only 13.5 lbs and is suitable for 6 months and older-- but the Waltz and Bolero are on the high end and can accomodate an infant. The seat on the Waltz fully reclines so that baby can sleep and the extras include a cup holder, sun shade, rain cover and foot boot! Very light weight, can be manuevered with one hand. Fold up is easy. Check out them out at zooper.com The color schemes are nice too and the price is reasonable. The Waltz can also accomodate other infant seats-- we used the Graco Snugride.

I don't know if it meets all your requirements but the BOB Revolution is the best. I love it! It is light as a feather to push. My mommy friends and I call ourselves BOB snobs cause none of us will push anything else. Once you go BOB you'll never go back.