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| |    Strollers and Carriages: A Practical Parenting Perspective by Susan E. Davis reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. You're probably well aware of the parade of strollers and carriages that pass by you on the street every day: giant, heavy-duty carriages with unpronounceable foreign names, sleek joggers, tiny umbrella strollers, and the many models in between. If you're expecting your first baby or you've just decided it's time to upgrade your mode of baby transportation, you're probably trying to figure out which one will suit your lifestyle. While there's no question that stroller safety should be your number one priority as you set out on your search, below are some practical considerations that you may find helpful when making your decision. The truth is, most parents end up with more than one stroller or carriage, because certain models are good for certain things. I should know--my family has a veritable fleet at this point, including a baby carriage, a jogger, a car-seat stroller, and an umbrella stroller (and this, I'm embarrassed to admit, is in addition to a front-pack, a backpack, and a bike seat). That doesn't mean you should rush out and get one of each style; it just means you don't have to agonize over a decision as you figure out what makes the sense for your own family's baby-transport needs. Carriages These heavy strollers look like old-fashioned prams. They generally have large wheels for easy maneuvering and a thickly cushioned seat that reclines into a bed, which is great for little babies (and, on some models, is even removable, so it can be used as a bassinet). Many also have cushy shock absorbers and can be gently bounced just by jogging the handle--a nice feature when baby needs a little soothing. Most carriages include cloth "boots" to put over your baby's legs in cool weather, as well as elegant and eye-catching fabric. In fact, these carriages are so luxurious, my three-year-old still asks to be taken out in ours when she's having trouble falling asleep in the afternoon--even though her feet stick six inches beyond the footrest. Baby carriages are lovely to look at and often handle like luxury cars. And having a carriage that doubles as a bassinet can save you several hundred dollars. But carriages can be very expensive (up to $400). They can also be quite heavy, so carrying one up and down stairs, fitting it through narrow doorways, or folding it to lift (or rather heave) into the trunk of your car can be difficult. In fact, I avoid folding up our carriage at all costs, for fear I'll never get it unfolded again. If you decide to spring for one of these elegant contraptions, here are some practical characteristics you may want to look for:
Also called lightweight strollers, these usually weigh less than 12 pounds. As you consider this option, you should take into account that these inexpensive strollers can easily tip or collapse, and are not infrequently responsible for injuring their passengers. That said, they are very popular, mainly because they are lightweight and easily stored in the trunk of your car. They're also perfect for carrying on an airplane because they're not bulky or heavy to lug around. Most umbrella strollers cost less than $30; you can even get some for $10-$20. Only caveat: You generally get what you pay for. These ultra-light models and their ultra-flimsy plastic wheels don't stand up well to off-road (or off-sidewalk) travel, to long years (or even long months) of use, or to being thrown in the car too roughly. (One of ours broke when a babysitter's 13-year-old son pushed it into a big shrub; my two-year-old daughter wasn't hurt, but the stroller instantly self-destructed, as did the boy's visiting privileges.) Most don't recline, so newborns can't ride in them, and even infants may be frustrated by being kept upright. And while some of them come with little pockets on the back of the seat, very few (if any) of them can actually hold any weight back there without putting your child at risk for tipping over backwards. Look for:
Single strollers (that's for just one baby) can range from super cheap (e.g., about $50) to super high-end (e.g., $500.00). They are sturdier and heavier than umbrella strollers, which means they'll last longer and be safer. Some can even be taken off the frame and serve as car seats. The more expensive models have many deluxe features, such as reclining and padded seats, baskets or hooks for carrying bags, sturdy parking brakes, and easy folding and unfolding mechanisms. This last feature may not seem like an issue now, but it becomes very important when you're juggling a baby, a diaper bag, and a bag of groceries while trying to fold up the stroller with someone else impatiently waiting for your parking space. That doesn't mean you have to get the fanciest stroller out there; just look for one that looks like it will last for several years (if that's your goal) and won't give you a headache every time you open it. And look for one that you can put in your car without giving yourself a hernia; some of these strollers can get pretty weighty. Look for:
You may be thinking, Yeah, right--who has time to jog? But the reality is that you don't have to be a runner to benefit from these streamlined models; plenty of parents use them just for everyday use as well. These large-wheeled strollers are the only ones built to cushion your baby against bumps and bounces (don't try jogging with any other kind of stroller; it's just not safe). They typically have a single wheel in the front, and two larger bicycle-like wheels in the back. The seats are generally made of canvas, and most models include net pouches in the back for carrying water, snacks, keys, sunglasses, sunblock, and whatever else you or your tyke might desire. (I usually stuff my jogger pocket with a small blanket, too, just in case my passenger gets cold.) Most current models also have detachable sun canopies and even optional rain protectors. The advantages of joggers are numerous: they're not too heavy, they're easy to maneuver, they let parents get exercise, the large wheels make them great for off-road travel, and they're narrow enough to be useful in stores with narrow aisles or even single-track paths in the forest. Downsides? Due to the lack of head support, it's not safe to put brand-new infants in joggers. They're heavy and not as compact as many other strollers when collapsed (in fact, some models don't fit into car trunks). Most joggers also have stationary wheels (i.e., they don't swivel when they go around a corner), which can make them awkward to maneuver in small spaces, like your local boutique or even your living room. (In order to turn, it is generally best to lift the front wheel off of the ground, and turn on the pivotal back wheels.) Getting the seats off the frames off to wash them can be remarkably tedious as well. Look for:
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