17 Signs To Know You Work With Toddler Stroller

What to Look For in a Toddler Stroller

Strollers are an excellent way to take your wiggle toddler on adventures. It should be equipped with a five-point harness to ensure your child's safety and swivel wheels lockable so that they can't roll away.

Think about a travel system for your baby that is attached directly to your car seat. You could also consider you can get a convertible model that can be extended from a single to a double (and even triple with the Vista PiggyBack Ride-Along Board). Find a basket that is large and easy to reach.

Safety

If you want your toddler to have fun strolling around for years make sure you choose a top-quality model that has safety features that meet the highest standards. Included in this are age and size compatibility as in a stable design with restraining straps, sunshades and seats with a secure shell. Look for a five-point harness that has straps on the shoulders and between the legs as well as at the crotch area to prevent your child from falling out of the stroller in the event of a crash. Many strollers have additional hip straps that can further increase your child's safety.

Strollers undergo impact testing to ensure they are safe standards. The test involves dropping the stroller from a height and measuring the force of the impact to make sure that it doesn't fall over using it. The best strollers also feature a secure, lockable brake system that can be activated just like in a car.

Check the brake pedals and make sure that they are easy to operate for you but difficult to loosen for children. If you can, choose an electronic harness that utilizes strong magnets to keep the harness straps in place and is simple to fasten for parents but hard for babies to unlock. Also, look for a padded bumper bar that is wrapped around the frame and an opening for the safety harness that closes when the seat is reclined to keep your baby from getting trapped.

Folding and unfolding strollers should be kept away from children to prevent dangers of pinching. Always ensure that the hinges do not have protrusions and no sharp edges. Keep bags in the storage area or in the basket underneath the stroller to prevent the risk of entanglement and to decrease the risk of the stroller tipping over when in motion. Don't hang your diaper or purse bags from the handles of your stroller, which could be a risk of strangulation for your infant.

Strollers are a great way for your toddler to soak in the world and learn about nature, so choose one with an expandable canopy or sunshade that will protect them from harsh sunlight. A snack tray and cup or bottle holder can keep snacks and drinks to hand. A bag clip or a tote can help you carry your shopping bags and other items without adding bulk to the stroller.

Comfort

As toddlers grow to be more mobile, they require a stroller that is more comfortable than what they had as infants. A seat that has lots of padding and reclining features will allow them to fit comfortably and remain relaxed in their stroller. A stroller with an adjustable footrest and canopy is the best to accommodate their changing height. A sturdy frame, a 5-point harness, and braking system are all essential elements.

A double stroller is ideal for parents with twins or children of similar ages. Choose a double stroller with a seating position that can be reversed to allow them to ride facing toward the parent or facing each other. Reversible chairs can aid your children in bonding while on a stroll. Based on your lifestyle you might want an infant stroller with a cup holder or bag clip to keep snacks and drinks within reach.

The most effective strollers for toddlers are simple to fold and maneuver. Strollers that have swivel wheels and suspension systems that work will allow you to maneuver through crowded streets or uneven terrain. Other useful features to look for include a movable handlebar and a peek-a-boo window. You might also consider a parking brake that is operated by hand to make it easier and more convenient to use when you have a lot of hands.

Whether you're out on a short trip around town or a whirlwind holiday, the right stroller will keep you and your family at ease while exploring. From an ultra-compact self-folding design to an expansive basket for storage, these strollers offer the convenience and flexibility you want.

To narrow your choices I spoke to five experts on strollers and parenting such as Lisa Trofe, compact travel stroller executive director of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association; Kyleyn Gosewisch, customer care specialist at Strolleria; Marielle Marquez, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Thrive Little; Holly Choi, cofounder and co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid, an organization that offers safety and baby-related resources as well as Sarah Huff, senior manager of customer and community services at BabyQuip, a baby equipment rental site. Find out their top tips for choosing the best stroller to use with toddlers.

Folding

Your child will likely leap into and out of the stroller on their own, so search for a model that has an easy-to-use folding mechanism. Some models fold with just one hand, while others come with a strap so you can carry the stroller. Consider a stroller that has a large canopy to shield your child from the sun, or one that has multiple reclining positions.

Some of the best strollers come with a separate compartment where you can attach an infant car seat (and some also have other attachment points for baby carriers). You may want to opt for a lightweight stroller that weighs less than 30 pounds so that it's easy to carry to and from public transport. If you're planning to use the stroller on uneven surfaces, select a model with big sturdy wheels that can effortlessly glide over a variety of terrain.

A stroller with a padded strap that can carry it will allow you to easily sling the stroller over your shoulder if necessary. Do not hang a purse, diaper bag or any other item from the handle of a stroller as it could cause a tipping effect and may cause injury or death to your child or toddler.

The stroller that you choose should come with five-point harnesses that are securely connected to your child's back and front. It should also include large, ample storage basket that's easy to access and a tray for your child. A reclining seat is essential for tired toddlers.

You can find additional tips and information on selecting strollers in our buying guide. Contact our customer service department should you have any queries.

What's the difference between a Stroller and a Pram?

A stroller (Canada & US) or pram (U.K.) is an automobile that can be used by hand for transporting babies and small children. Some strollers have the capability to hold the infant car seat and some come with an adjustable bassinet that can be converted into an adult-sized seat. While most strollers are hard to steal, some models have locks and shackles to stop them from being stolen by people who pass by. A top-quality carrier is a great alternative to using strollers and increase bonding while freeing your hands to do other things such as grocery shopping or running around.

Storage

As your baby becomes an infant, stroller rides are longer instead of the quick strolls of the early years. For these outings, you'll need to bring more items, including an adequately stocked diaper bag, snacks, drinks and extra clothes for Baby. Stroller storage is the key to bringing all these items and keeping them within arm's reach.

Look into a stroller with plenty of storage that can easily hold your diaper bag or spare clothes, one of our best water bottles for kids and much more. These essentials will allow you to take your time on your vacation without worrying about bags or baby.

Most full-size strollers have plenty of storage space. However, if you want an even more convenient place to store your items, look for strollers equipped with a tray for parents. These consoles usually come with cups holders as well as a large storage compartment that can accommodate more than just drinks. Some of our favorite strollers come with a tray for parents as an option, while others offer it as an optional add-on.

If you are choosing a stroller that has a tray for parents on it, make sure that the cup holders are sufficient in depth to secure your drink. Shallow cup holders are more likely to spill over the edges, making them a risk for your baby. We also recommend against hanging any item on the handlebars since this can cause the stroller tip over. This can make a sturdy stroller unstable based on the weight, the steepness of the terrain, as well as the amount of weight inside the bottom storage basket.

Families who plan to have more than one child over the coming years should think about a tandem or side by side stroller. These types of strollers offer seats that are placed in a row, pushchairs side-by-side with a toddler's seat on the top and an infant seat at the bottom. These strollers can save you money in the end by allowing you to use a single stroller from birth until toddlerhood.