What Type of Stroller is Right for Your Newborn?

Congratulations on your latest addition!  If you have or will be having a newborn, then one of the pieces of baby gear that you might want to consider is a stroller.  Strollers can be a great accessory for families on the go, as they help you to carry children and gear.  However, the options for strollers can be overwhelming.  Here is what you need to know about finding the right stroller for your newborn.

What kind of family are you?

Before you can go shopping for baby strollers it is helpful to know how you will be using one.  Different strollers work better for different needs, and you may even find it worth the investment to purchase a couple of strollers.  Some things to consider:

• Where will you be using the stroller?  Will it be indoors at stores or do you want something you can jog with?
• How long do you want to be able to use the stroller?  Do you want something that will work right now or something that will grow with your baby?
• Who will be riding?  Do you just need a stroller for your newborn, are you having twins, or is there an older sibling who will want to ride?
• How portable do you need a stroller to be?  Do you need something lightweight that will fit in the car?

So what are your options?  Here is a look at some of the stroller styles that are best suited for newborns.

If you are going to be using the infant carrier

Besides your stroller purchase, another thing that you will need to consider is the type of car seat that you are going to use.  If you plan on using the infant carrier or “bucket” seat, then some strollers will allow you to use this seat to hold the newborn in the stroller.  The two main types are seat-carrier frames and travel systems.

• Seat-carrier frame strollers are designed to use your car seat as the seat of the stroller.  The good news about that is that it is very lightweight and portable, which is great for families on the go.  Plus there is no unbuckling and transferring the newborn from one stroller to another.  The biggest downside is that they are useless once your child outgrows the infant carrier – which for some infants can be as early as 4-6 months.
• Travel system strollers are designed to be used both with the infant car seat and as a separate stroller.  The stroller and car seat are often sold together.  The advantage is that you will be able to use this stroller much longer as it will grow with your child.  However, the travel system is bulky and heavy and may be difficult to store or lift in and out of car trunks.

Strollers that grow with you

If you plan on avoiding the infant carrier seat and/or want a stroller that will grow with you, then you have a few additional options.  Keep in mind that in order to use a stroller with a newborn it needs to be able to recline flat until they have adequate head control.

• Combo Strollers – These either offer a detachable bassinet or will fully recline for newborn use, and then act like a regular stroller into toddlerhood.  Can be very expensive.
• Traditional Strollers – These offer a few more features than umbrella strollers used for older babies and toddlers.  You must look for a model that allows you to use it with the car seat or folds flat for a newborn.  Lighter models may be too small for older toddlers while heavier models can be difficult to transport and maneuver.

If you have more than one

If you have more than one child who will be riding in the stroller, then you will need an option that is built for two.  The two main options that can be used for newborns are:

• Tandem Strollers – These strollers offer plenty of options, and may be able to recline flat and/or accommodate the infant carrier.  They work well with children of different ages.  Tandem strollers can be heavy and may not fit into all car trunks when folded flat.
• Side by Side – It can be hard to find side by side strollers that will accommodate the infant seat and/or lay flat.  They work best with children of the same age – using these strollers with a toddler and a newborn can make them hard to steer and gives the toddler free access to touch the baby.  Side by side strollers can also be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.

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