Baby Strollers

When your first baby comes along a good deal of expense comes along with them.

One of the most expensive items you will need to buy is a baby stroller. This is also the item which can take the most time decide upon, given the vast choice available and the different types all of which have their own pros and cons.

The parent to be is faced with a choice of prams,pushchairs, strollers and buggies with an assortment of accessories and add-ons.

If you are expecting twins or more then the are additional dilemmas to face!

The first and most important requirement is that the baby stroller you choose MUST be suitable from birth. Not all models are so it is very important to check this. A newborn must be laid flat in the stroller.

After that think about your environment and lifestyle-

• Do you live in the city where you will often have to negotiate crowded areas?
• Do you regularly use public transport
• Will you be putting the stroller into your car - will it fit?
• Do you like to get out and bout in the country?
• Will you need to carry items of shopping?

Then of course there is your own personal style preferences - do you like traditional or modern?

When you choose a stroller you need to think a bit about what you actually want it to do. Otherwise you can easily end up having to buy a second stroller when you baby grows into a toddler. As this is an expense most parents can well do without its worth thinking ahead a little.

• will the stroller be big enough to carry a toddler around comfortably?
• can you change from rear to front facing? Older babies like to see what is going on around them.
• does it have components which you can change, such as a car seat or a carrycot?
• is the handle height adjustable?

If you live in a city or large town them you will very likely find yourself in crowded areas when you are out and about. You may also need to rely on public transport of one sort or another quite a bit.

If this is the case then the following may be useful features to look for when you are choosing a pushchair

• Articulated steering. This can give much greater manoeuvrability and ease of turning when space is limited.
• Compact size. Obviously you need the pushchair to be large enough to offer comfort to your baby but some of the larger models are just not practical in some situations

If you either live in the country or like to spend your leisure time getting out and about in the great outdoors then your choice of stroller will need to take this into account. There are now lots of really good models around which cope well on more rugged terrain.

Features to look for might include -

• the ability to have the wheels fixed or swivelling
• pneumatic tires - a more comfy ride for your baby
• sturdy wheels with strong rugged tires
• darker colors which will not show the odd muddy mark quite so badly!

If you have enjoyed running prior to having your baby then chances are that you wish to get back into it afterwards. Its a great way to get back into shape and lose the extra pounds.

Of course it can be very difficult to organise care for your baby to allow you to get out for a run. You may feel guilty about going out and leaving them too.

The answer for an increasing number pf people has been to get a jogging stroller so that you can take baby with you.

this offers the chance to get out at a time which suits you rather than when you can get someone to look after baby. They get to benefit from the fresh air too!

There are now lots of jogging strollers to chose from including some doubles - now that really should get you fit!