A travel system tends to comprises of the pushchair itself, car seat adapters, and a baby car seat. The automobile infant seat can be used on the pushchair and is able to be either facing the back or front facing. Ideally you’re going to want to position it in a rear facing position so you can watch baby.

One of the interesting factors of a travel system is that the car seat is very convenient for the parents. What you do is place it on top of the car seat adapters and once it clicks you’re off. It can be very useful because the baby can be sleeping, and with this kind of click and go mechanism, you won’t have to worry about the baby waking up.

Here are the pros and cons of an all in one travel system.

Pros:

1. Baby seat that can be used on the pushchair frame.

2. Click and go mechanism with no hassle.

3. All in one system so you don’t have to worry about buying separately.

Cons:

1. Can be expensive.

2. Needs replacing when the baby is about 12 months old.

Just remember to search around thoroughly before you make your purchase as there are many travel systems to buy. Make sure you view as many as possible become committing yourself.

Some parents prefer to have a newborn baby facing them so that they get to know their parents and so that mum can keep an eye on them. When they’re a little older they will want to see the world around them so you can switch to forward facing and stop them getting bored. The easy clip-on shopping basket gives you great storage space under the pushchair leaving your hands and arms free to push the stroller and tend to your child needs. Other accessories include a raincover for those unpredictable days, small storage bag at rear of pushchair, sun canopy to shield your little ones eyes from those dreaded rays and a parasol clip.

Optional accessories include the Dreami Carrycot, Maxi-Cosy Infant car seat, footmuff and shopping basket. These can be bought as part of a Quinny Buzz Travel System or separately. The chair, carrycot and car seat have clip-on attachments and are very, very easy to place on the frame. Two release clips allow it to lift off.

The Quinny Zapp is a lightweight, sporty pushchair for busy parents on the move. It has a lot of clever features and benefits that make it ideal for today’s busy lifestyle. This article will take you through the different things you can find out about the Quinny Zapp and help you find out if it’s right for you.

First of all, the design of the Quinny Zapp is quite special. Although a lot of buggies have good designs, the Zapp’s shapely aluminium frame and bright contemporary colours make it something you’ll be proud of. It’s a lightweight construction that’s also feels sturdy when you push it around.

Moving on from the looks, as this is something you can judge for yourself from the photos, the Quinny Zapp is also very functional. One of the best features about this stroller is that it folds away to a very compact size. We found it was very easy to fold and that it’s size when folded was only 62cm. Not bad at all.

You get a sun canopy with this pushchair, as well as a rain cover. These are great extras that help protect your baby from the elements. There’s also a number of extras you can buy for the pushchair. The most useful of which is the Maxi-Cosi infant carrier and the Zapp comes with the attachments for this. With the Maxi-Cosi, the pushchair can be adapted to children from birth age.

The Quinny Zapp isn’t the cheapest pushchair you can buy but the quality of the parts and the ease of use, combined with it’s portable size when folded make it an ideal buy for parents who are always on the move.

If you’re considering purchasing a Quinny Puschair then look no further than QuinnyTravelSystems4u.com

Schwinn jogging strollers have become a household name brand when it comes to baby accessories and it’s not difficult to see why. Their products feature innovative designs while providing maximum comfort and safety for its users. The following are 3 tips to finding the right Schwinn stroller for you and your baby.

1. Choose the right type depending on where you intend to jog

If you intend to jog through urban environments, then a stroller that has front wheels that swivel is ideal for better maneuverability. If you plan on jogging through bumpy terrains or country lanes, then fixed front wheels allow for greater stability and handling. In addition, you can also get all purpose strollers that are designed for any type of terrain.

2. Choose between single or double

If you only have one child then a single stroller is probably best though you can most definitely get a double if you have two children. Obviously which one you get is ultimately your choice and is dependent on how many babies you have. Fortunately, Schwinn has a wide variety of different models available with a broad range of accessories so you’ll be sure to find exactly what you are looking for.

3. Safety features are a must

Perhaps one of the most important things that most if not all parents will have are whether these strollers are actually safe. Which is why many companies including Schwinn include safety harnesses to ensure your baby is firmly in place in addition to padded seats for extra comfort. Easy access to handbrakes is also standard when a quick stop is needed.

Saving a little money can go a long way so be sure to shop at online retail sites or take advantage of clearance items at department stores to find affordable prices. Before finalizing the purchase, be sure to take these 3 factors into consideration and to always deal with a reputable seller.

Purchasing a baby stroller is as an important decision as purchasing a crib or a car seat. There are so many choices to choose from and each baby stroller holds a multitude of features. They also range in prices from inexpensive to expensive which is why it is important to choose the right stroller from the start. While staying within a budget is important, you may be better off spending a little more for a baby stroller up front, rather than buying a cheap stroller and having it break after a couple of months.

The most important features to consider when buying a stroller are the safety features. Buying a new stroller makes it easier to check for various safety features required in baby strollers. First off check that the stroller has an adequate breaking system. Also be sure that the proper safety harness is in place (usually a 5 point safety harness) and check that there is a crotch strap as well. A crotch strap will prevent your baby from sliding out of the stroller.

Other features which are not critical but help are things like adjustable handles. You are more than likely not the only person who will be pushing the stroller so adjustable handles are very helpful. You may also want to consider a stroller made from washable material or has Scotchguard protection to limit staining. Newer model strollers are usually built with stain guard fabrics.

Storage space is also a plus in a good stroller. You will need to have space for things such as a diaper bag, baby formula, as well as having room to carry any extra bags. After storage space consideration, your next feature check is how well will your stroller store? You will want one that will fold easily and open easily because you will be moving that stroller in and out of the car or storing it in a closet, etc. The last thing you want to be doing is fighting with a stroller every time you need to use it or put it away.

If you are an active parent, you may consider the jogging stroller. Jogging strollers are great for the mom or dad who wants to get in their exercise with their baby. The only downside to these strollers are that they are usually not made for carrying extra bags and are generally not lightweight. Another issue is they are not recommended for newborns. If you are into exercising, you are probably better off purchasing two separate strollers, one for daily use and one for jogging or running.

What it boils down to is the features that you will need on a regular basis. Safety features go without saying but some parents need more storage in there strollers where as some parents rather have a lighter weight stroller that is easy to store. It may help to write down the features you are looking for in a stroller and then researching particular brands to see which one fits your needs best.

When buying a baby stroller…..

The very first thing you should consider when buying a baby stroller, is safety. The safety of your baby is the most important, NOT the price, the model, the looks, the brand. When it becomes time to buy a baby stroller, you must keep in mind that your baby must be transported in safety. The safety features of the stroller are paramount and non negotiable. And how do you make sure that they are good enough? Well, check for them in the description of the stroller, the specifications, and the reports you can find. If possible, take the stroller for a “test drive” – preferably without the baby.

Safe baby strollers are sturdy baby strollers. If the stroller seems to be top-heavy, remove it from your list of options. If it  handles well, meaning that it does not tip over when you change direction, consider it. Check its manoeuvrability in tight spaces. Check the stability when it moves, and check for a proper braking device when you leave it standing on its own.

It must also be comfortable for you to push. The handles must be at a comfortable height for your length, and preferably adjustable as well. If you are not comfortable while you take your baby out, the outing can become tedious for you.

The harness for the baby is much safer if it is a five-point harness, because the three-pointed harness just leaves too much room for things to go wrong. And, at the risk of repeating myself, safety comes first. Check out the baby strollers at Baby Be Mobile if you are serious about safety at a good price.

When we get word that a little one is on the way whether we are adopting or pregnant it sets off the nesting instinct in us. We start browsing the baby products at all of the local stores and we spend hours surfing the web for the latest baby gear. Whether your new to the game or you have been away for a while, the seamlessly never ending stream of new baby gadgets can be very confusing. The fact is, your baby only needs a few basic baby products and some simple baby gear to get started in this world. Let’s exam the essentials every baby must have.

1. Feeding items are a must whether you are bottle or breastfeeding. You will need your feeding items before you even leave the hospital, so they are essential. If you are bottle feeding your baby you will need to decide what bottles you will be using and stock up on smaller sized bottles. You will also need to select a formula and get a bottle brush, drying rack and warmer. If you are planning on breastfeeding your baby you will need breast pads, a nursing bra and possibly a breast pump and storage kit. Regardless of which feeding method you choose you will need burp cloths and bibs.

2. Diapering items are also a part of essential baby gear. There are many diapering baby products available and sorting out what you do and don’t need can be mind bending. When buying diapering products you must decide between cloth and disposable diapers before you proceed with any other purchases. If you choose to use a cloth diapering system you will need a diaper pail and plenty of cloth diapers to start. If you decide to go with a disposable diapering system you will need to stock up on newborn sized diapers and you may want to consider buying a diaper pail. Regardless of which diapering method you choose you will need baby wipes, a diaper changing pad and some form of diaper rash treatment.

3. When you and your baby are ready to leave the hospital and head on your way home you must have a car safety seat. Car safety seats are required by law and most hospitals won’t even allow you to leave without one. It is absolutely essential that you make sure your car safety seat is not recalled and that it is suitable for infants. Typically the reclined rear facing carrier style seats are best. Additionally, if your car safety seat does not already have one in place you will want to buy an infant head positioner. Newborns are unable to control their neck and head, so the positioner nestles them in their car safety seat comfortably.

Naturally, there is so much more out there that you will want and need for your baby. Just keep in mind that your baby only wants for you to love them and meet their basic needs.

The thought of buying baby stroller toys can be extremely exciting, especially once you hit the sores that are filled with cute looking things that your baby would love to play with. Not only do they amuse the babies, a good selection of toys can also help sharpen the baby’s mind, and can train his or her mind to work smarter. Nice baby stroller toys also make for great room accessories when they are put in open shelves or simply as they are left lying around on the baby’s room floor. To make sure that you buy the best possible baby stroller toys keep the following in mind:

1. Soft- Toys with a soft surface, having a smooth finish, are what you should watch out for. Make sure there are no rough edges around or on the toys that can hurt the baby’s skin. It is generally suggested that even after you have bought the toys, you keep checking them regularly if they have the potential to develop, out of wear and tear, rough edges.

2. Large- You should select reasonably large toys, with large sub parts. This ensures that even if your baby takes the toy in his or her mouth, he is not able to swallow it down. However, do not opt for toys that are so large, which the baby cannot even take under his or her grip. Also, in spite of being large they should be as light weighted as possible, so that the bay can hold it up easily.

3. Strong-The baby stroller toy should be manufactured very well, so that the parts do not keep coming off. Chances that the baby would try to damage it are quite high, they might throw them away, kick the toys or simply try to pull its parts apart. Therefore the stronger and the more tough to break the toy, the better.

4. Washable- The toys should be easy to clean, and preferably also be such that they do not attract too much dirt and dust. The baby would tend to take the stroller toys in his or her mouth over and over again, and there is not much you can do about it. The best way to make sure that it does as little harm to the kid’s health as possible is by keeping it clean. Washable toys that do not get dirty easily are surely very important.

5. Fun without being risky- A baby stroller toy which is not fun is no use for the baby. Get toys in bright colors that look attractive. Toys that make sound, and are capable of keeping the baby occupied, are things that can really delight them. Do not go for complicated toys for the baby, since they are too small to understand them. The best toys are those that are simple to understand, such as toys that the baby can play with by juggling with it. Also the toy should not be risky. For example a long colorful rope might look amusing but does not make a good toy, since it might entangle the baby.

Keep these basic precautions in mind and buy safe toys!

Baby jogging strollers have gained worldwide popularity among parents. They are the best way to take your children along while you exercise. In this way, you would feel secure about your kids.

There are various aspects that need to be kept in mind before purchasing a well suited baby jogging stroller for your baby. The first thing that should be looked for in a stroller is the wheels. Strollers come in two types of wheels; fixed and swivel. Fixed wheels are useful in regions where you have to go straight or pass through a lot of hills. For serious runners, fixed wheels are recommended. Swivel wheels are easy to maneuver through busy streets. They are very handy for walking, exercise or light jogging.

The infant seat is another important decision to make. It often happens that parents adore an infant seat but can’t find appropriate adapter to enable their stroller to be converted to a “travel system”. Most manufacturers make adapters to fit the top sellers Peg Perego and Graco. The recently popular infant seats come under Maxi Cosi and Chicco.

You should always keep in mind the age your infant has when he needs to be put in a stroller. It is advisable not to take less than twelve months old infant. If your stroller has a car seat adapter then your new born baby can easily enjoy the ride. Stroller manufacturers often recommend that you should wait till your infant is six to eight weeks old for walking and 6 months old for any sort of running exercises. A good pediatrician needs to be consulted in this regard who would provide you with valuable information regarding your child’s safety and security.

Generally, I wasn’t too happy with the variety of models in Canada. When it comes to family cars, the choices are quite simple – you go for a mini van or, as of lately, for an SUV. No big deal. But I thought that mini van is a waste of money if you have only two kids and don’t run a repair business. SUV has a fun, all-terrain drift to it, but it too is a waste if you don’t use it. What I was looking for is a smaller multi-purpose, single-volume vehicle, and there aren’t many of them here. Domestic makes are better in that respect than imports. I almost got to think that the selection is such that it forces you to either buy a big car or two cars.

I’m mostly saying this because I’ve seen plenty of such versatile models in Europe. For example, you can find a new Civic in 5 door trim — diesel!

Or a highly unusual, but apparently very versatile and practical Fiat Doblo (a wide spacious crossover) that looks somewhat like Honda Element, only it’s a bit smaller and proportionally wider.

Wagons and generally single volume vehicles are very popular in Europe. Half of Fiat’s fleet are such cars. And of course, the diesel option — everybody has it. I was really sorry I did not find a suitable one here.

Anyhow, that is what it is. This is my overview of different models I’ve looked at:

Honda Accord

I drove Accord ’89 for years, and I can testify to its quality. The engine was just great, even with 230,000 km on it. Every year when I need to perform Air-Care, all I’m thinking is: “Is it going to be slightly better or slightly worse than last year?” In the first couple of years I used to drive a bit before the air-care to warm up the engine, but later abandoned that practice — it was simply unnecessary. Anyhow, Accord was my first thought, and always a backup plan: “if I don’t find anything I like, I’ll just buy Accord”.

And the latest Accord (model 2003) was in all aspects a very good choice. Good space, good quality, safety, fuel economy, pretty much everything. It wasn’t that sleek and pretty as I would hope, but that’s really not big a deal. Also, it did not have the perfect safety scores (in couple of tests it had 4 out of 5) — and I was kind of expecting perfection from my favourite make. In the end, the current model was just about to be replaced, the 2008 is completely redesigned, and I was expecting major improvements with the new model. So the current model seemed somewhat an outdated choice.

Honda Civic

Haven’t really thought of Civic before — to me it was a city car for singles or a first family car that you replace quickly. However, the new Civic (model from 2006) made a strong impression on me.

Pros: A lot of new features, some quite advanced. Top safety: impact-absorbing body, all 6 airbags, ABS, sensors, and all of that in the base version. Excellent fuel economy — just slightly worse than Corolla (which is top in that respect). Although a smaller car, it grew over time. The passenger space is very good even for a taller person. I even tried moving the driver seat all the way back and then sitting behind it, and it was ok. It’s quite wide inside — it’s no minivan, so don’t expect wonders, but perfectly acceptable.

Also, the options are created reasonably, so all I had to add was AC — it had everything else. The design is sleek, the interior very pleasant, and very enjoyable for a driver. Driving a Civic (manual transmission) is just a beautiful experience.

Cons: The only flaw I found was small trunk space. Trunk is smaller than most of the cars I’ve looked at. Corolla has 40L bigger trunk which is not negligible especially in smaller cars. The shape of the trunk is good which means you can put in different robust pieces, but the total volume is simply small.

Honda CR-V

A completely new model (2007), bigger than before, and very nicely designed. I generally did not shoot for SUVs, but if I decided to get one, CRV would have been a serious candidate. The only flaw for me was that it doesn’t come with manual transmission.

Honda Hybrid

I have also considered hybrid cars, but gave up generally for one reason: the batteries occupy a good part of the trunk space, and that was already an issue with non-hybrid models. And with the price, I decided to pass on those nice modern things this time.

Toyota Corolla

Towards Corolla, I had similar feeling as to the pre-2006 Civic — seems as a city, young/small family car, only even more than Civic. For my current situation, I was seriously considering it. What I didn’t like was the way it was sold: the base model did not have ABS, only front airbags, and generally some other nice safety features were missing. Now the options are managed in such a way that if you add those things, you also get plenty of those that you don’t need (e.g. sunroof), and it’s not that affordable anymore.

On the other hand it had a lot to offer: good space for a smaller car, the best fuel economy, proven quality.

But I gave up on it mainly because of the lack of safety features.

Toyota Matrix

Similar to Corolla, with very similar and annoying option structure. I mean, it goes up to $28,000 if I add features I want (ABS, Airbags, AC, …) That is because you also get leather seats, sunroof, and some other options.

Now Matrix was conceptually exactly what I wanted — a single-volume, not too big, but practical, multipurpose car. But it has been built on Corolla chassis, and to me it had a certain “incomplete” feeling to it. And almost some cheapness as well.

Toyota Camry

I did not like it very much. I mean, it seems to be a great car — it’s big, spacious, amazingly soft and comfortable. It’s a bit heavy which you can feel on acceleration, but again, it’s a bigger car, so it’s no surprise. Generally, Camry is starting to look and feel as a regular 6 cylinder large American car, which is perhaps exactly what they are trying to do. I did not like that much — I like cars such as Accord better; it’s sleeker, more dynamic, a bit harder on the road, more sporty.

Anyhow, except for the fact that I did not need a big limousine-like car, I have nothing really against it.

Nissan

Nissan is an excellent car that simply did not flare any particular interest with me. This is of course just a personal taste. Altima is in particular very nice, well made and affordable car. Sentra is less so — I found it below similar sized cars. Maxima is a great full sized car — but similar to Toyota Camry it was a bit larger sedan that I’d go for.

Hyundai

Now this is a puzzle. Sonata has a beautiful and very elegant style. It looks fairly high-end by appearance. And it has excellent features and plenty of them. For example, a latest trend — Shiftronic transmission or CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) that pairs the best attributes of manual and automatic mechanisms. I’ve heard that the fuel economy with CVT is almost as good as in the manual one; actually Volvo claims that in one of their models, on a highway, CVT performs even better than manual. But to me, driving a car with CVT was not that impressive experience.

Hyundai obviously has a lot of latest features for a highly affordable price. And although it does look good, you can still tell that it’s an affordable car. When Hyundai entered the American market it was known as the worst car — people say it would last you for about a year. But in the past 5 years they have made such a good progress, that in some independent ratings (Such as Consumer Report’s) they rate better in some aspects than Honda or Toyota.

All in all, I did not spend much time on it, although I’ve considered both Sonata and their SUV Tucson as an option.

Mazda

I was looking mainly at Mazda 3 Sport. By the way, the name is completely misleading — for a long time I did not even consider it because I simply thought it’s a sport edition not suitable for a family. But when I did looked at it, I was surprised to learn that it actually isn’t — the term “sport” apparently came up only because “hatchback” was too “boring”. Silly — I don’t think they really thought this one through well.

Anyhow, I learned it has almost all I needed, and on test drive it felt really good. The dealer told me they sell mostly manual versions because it’s a performance car. I doubt this is really true, but it is true that the car is pretty sporty — very responsive, fairly strong, and in general a pleasure to drive. Nevertheless, it has good space inside, and generally is suitable for a family.

But the trunk was small, i.e. narrow. The width of the trunk is virtually the same as the width of the trunk door. This I simply don’t understand — seems as if they purposely did not use all the available space.

In addition, its crash ratings (from the tests) were not the best. And as a smaller flaw the seat covers felt a bit unpleasant.

But it is generally a very good car and I was considering it very seriously

Mazda 5 also caught my attention because it was a bigger family car, yet not a mini van. I was comparing it to Matrix. However, it looked to me that the goal with an unusual “crossover” design was not really achieved (or completed), at least to my personal taste. The third row is too small for anyone except kids to use for any longer drive. With the third row up, the trunk is too small. Although not a mini van it is still fairly heavy and “lazy” on the road.

It’s generally a very interesting vehicle, worth looking at.

Subaru

Ah, Subaru…

Subaru was the most pleasant discovery for me. I didn’t know much at all about this make, only a few vague facts. But after I learned a bit about it I figured that this make is simply excellent. And they have recently been gaining more and more popularity. Then I went to US for a weekend and saw that there are as many Subarus (mostly Outbacks) on the road there as there are Honda Civics in Canada. Every other person owns it!

So I explored the models a bit and figured that Forester and Outback are most appealing. Forester as a smaller and cheaper option and Outback as a bigger and more expensive. Impreza was too small and a bit too much sporty — it’s a performance car used for racing. Legacy, built on the same chassis as Outback and very similar as well was ok, but Outback simply looks better.

I took Forester on a test drive — although it has older look, and is boxier, jeep-like, I liked it somewhat better than Outback. Actually this comparison is a bit like comparing apples and oranges — both look very nice and are conceptually different in exterior design. Perhaps I liked Forester a bit better exactly because it looks like a small SUV. It drives just beautifully. It’s not really an SUV, because it’s smaller and lower than, say CR-V, but it does feel like one because you sit higher above the road than, say, in a sedan. This gives you an excellent visibility of the road in front of you. The space was good, but not too good — in particular the shoulder and hip room is comparable to even Corolla and Civic. So two car seats and an adult can fit in the back, but it wouldn’t be too comfortable on a longer, hours long trip. Other dimensions including the trunk size are just fine.

An interesting little side feature of the Boxer engine (horizontally opposed pistons): When you turn the ignition on, Forester “shakes” just a wee bit, just as if you were sitting in a truck. This is not too noticeable, but it gives you a bit of a nice feeling of strength.

Security with Subaru vehicles is the one of the strongest points. Their cars have straight 5 on all tests (front impact, side impact and rear impact). This is not accidental — they have systematically developed this quality. They’ve been known in the past to put a lot of effort in security, so much that even they admitted they did it on account of the style. Thus even the Forester that does not have the curtain airbags at all, protects rear passenger better than some vehicles that have the curtain airbags. However, I found that lack of those airbags was too serious flaw for me — as I mentioned, my first priority was safety and I did not want to compromise in that respect even a bit. Outback on the other hand has all 6 airbags, but it’s also considerably more expensive.

Another security feature resulting from the engine design, i.e. the Boxer style, is that it has very low center of gravity, lower than ordinary engines. For this reason, the risk of rollover with Forester is comparable to a sedan, rather than any SUV.

Subaru vehicles are not true gas-savers. Specifications claim they spend 10.7L/100km. I drove Outback for 24 hours, and it spent 12L/100km. This is understandable; you’ll never get the fuel economy from the spec, especially with brand new car. However, compared to Corolla’s 7.1 or Civic 7.8, it is almost 50% more.

I didn’t choose Subaru for a couple of reasons, although I was so close to buying one. Forester does not have curtain airbags, and new Forester model is planned for 2009. Outback is not cheap — with taxes and PDI and the rest of the fees it comes up to $38,000. Buying Outback in US would cost me somewhat above $30,000. Forester would be somewhat below $30,000. So, I’d have to pay good money, and wouldn’t be happy with either lack of airbags or not the best fuel economy. But I think my next car might easily be a Subaru.

Volvo

No need to say it’s a great make, and one of my personal favourites. However, affordable or close to affordable Volvo’s (such as S40, V50) are small, and larger ones (S70, XC70) are expensive. If it wasn’t for the price I think I wouldn’t even analyze it — I’d just go and buy it.

Volkswagen

I know VW was always a good car — when I was a kid half of my hometown was driving VW. I know features of Golf models from Golf I to Golf IV. And I drove it a bit too. But my main interest in VW was that I was looking for a diesel car. I was disappointed to find that VW dealers in Canada do not sell plenty of diesel models. There is TDI (here and now it means Jetta TDI) — that’s it.

Then I also discovered that City Golf and City Jetta are amazingly affordable — they are cheaper than Civic and Corolla. And they are good cars! I almost decided to go for one of them!!

But Golf is small for a Canadian family, in particular, the trunk is too narrow — I can’t even put the kid’s stroller in straight, but have to incline it a bit. I started wondering how did the half of my hometown raise kids with a Golf? (And the other half of the town drove smaller cars.) But those were different times…

City Jetta is better in that respect, but not too much. It is an old Jetta model, first designed several years ago. It’s still the same with all the small improvements made over the years, but nothing major.

Major redesign of Jetta went into the Jetta model (without “City”) that is some 8 grand more expensive and looks more like a Passsat (actually so much so that on the road I have trouble telling Jetta from Passat). Jetta is an excellent car, has excellent security features, lots of space (very, very comfortable inside). And there is diesel (TDI) option.

Generally, an excellent option — only a summary of all features and price decided against it, and not by far at all.

—————————————————————————–

Read the rest on following pages:

Part One: Why and What?

Part Two: How?

Part Four: The Dealers

For those fitness minded parents who have two children, double baby jogging strollers are a must have baby accessory. Not only are you able to jog through your neighborhood or through a country lane, but you can also take your children with you. Here are the 3 tips to purchasing tandem jogging strollers and what factors to consider to get you started.

1. Be mindful of where you intend to jog

There are certain kinds of strollers that are built for specific roads so where you intend to jog matters a great deal. Front wheels that swivel are best suited for urban environments as they allow for greater maneuverability and fixed front wheels are best for bumpy terrains for better stability. These factors are important as you want to ensure that your baby is comfortable.

2. Take the size into consideration

There are two types of double jogging strollers. Perhaps the most common are the ones where the seats are side by side but this present a problem as it may be difficult to go through grocery store aisle. Another style is the one that have seats in front of one another which may cause a tantrum where the child in the backseat can easily kick or make a fuss for the child in front.

3. Safety features are a must

Once you’ve decided on the style and type of stroller that you will get, you then need to ensure that it has safety features. Strollers with safety harnesses are a must in order to keep the baby firmly in place and padded seats are essential to provide extra comfort. Be sure that the hand brake is in a location for easy access should you need to make quick stops.

Prior to jogging strollers, many parents often found it difficult to get outside of their homes without worrying about their child. Fortunately, these must have baby accessories allow for greater independence and mobility for parents needing their daily exercise.

Having a new baby can be a walk in the park-with the right stroller, of course. In fact, a stroller is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you’ll buy. And as your baby grows, you may end up with more than one. Many parents buy a traditional stroller for every day and a lighter-weight one for traveling. You may even want a more rugged stroller for jogging or simply negotiating uneven sidewalks and curbs. City streets are deceptively hard on strollers.

There are dozens of choices on the market, everything from the lightest-weight umbrella strollers to heavy-duty, midsized strollers, carriages, jogging strollers, and models designed to carry two or more children. For a newborn, you can find a basic frame with no stroller seat of its own that can support almost any infant car seat. Or, consider a fully reclining stroller with leg holes you can close, so your baby doesn’t slip and get trapped.

Another option is a travel system, which consists of an infant car seat, a car-seat base for your car, and a stroller. Some jogging strollers, such as the Graco LeisureSport ($200), are sold as travel systems, and some strollers also function as travel systems by allowing you to attach an infant car seat. All Peg-Pérego strollers–the Pliko P3 Classico, GT3 Completo, Centro Completo, and Aria OH Classico–are designed to anchor a matching Peg-Pérego car seat, which is sold separately. Those strollers include a strap to attach other manufacturers’ car seats to the stroller. When babies reach 6 months old or can sit up and control their head and neck movements, you can use the stroller alone, without the infant seat snapped in. The downside? Until then, you have to push your baby in both a stroller and a car seat, which can be unwieldy, depending on the circumstances, such as the terrain you’re navigating.

A final option is a combo stroller–such as the Bugaboo Frog, Gecko, or Cameleon–which functions as both a carriage and a stroller. This stroller is a hybrid that consists of a stroller chassis with wheels that can be used with various manufacturers’ car seats. It includes a removable bassinet, which converts it into a carriage, so your newborn baby can fully recline, and a removable stroller seat to use when your baby is ready to sit up. Your stroller options are dizzying. Here’s what you need to know to buy the right wheels for you and your baby.

SHOPPING SECRETS

Select it yourself. Strollers are popular baby gifts and shower presents. Still, you should shop for a stroller yourself because you’re the best judge of how you intend to use it–then register for it at a department or baby store if you want to receive it as a gift. If you receive a stroller you didn’t select yourself, make sure you want to keep it. Strollers, like cars, are highly personal items. You’ll probably use your stroller often, and your baby will spend a lot of time in it. You should love the one you end up with.

Let your lifestyle be your guide. City dwellers who rely on subways, buses, and cabs will need a lightweight but sturdy stroller that folds quickly and compactly. A travel system, for example, probably isn’t your best bet. A stroller with sizeable, air-filled tires is recommended if you’ll be going for long walks with your baby and your vehicle is big enough to accommodate it. Besides being more shock-absorbing, these strollers typically have cushier, more supportive seating. If you’ll be strolling through snow, on unpaved roads, or on the beach or taking your baby to soccer games in the park, a stroller with large wheels is the way to go. Under those conditions, a stroller with small wheels may be difficult or impossible to push. If you’re athletic, you might want an all-terrain or jogging stroller for walking or jogging workouts.

Don’t go by price alone. As you’ll find out when you’re shopping, there’s a wide price range among types and brands. What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $750? Several things drive up the price tag. Higher-end strollers are made of high-grade, lighter-weight aluminum, and are easier to lift in and out of a car. The seat is cushier, with more back support, and is likely to be made of high-quality fabric. And because they often feature large, shock-absorbing, swivel wheels, higher-end strollers are easier to push, especially over rough terrain, which includes anything from uneven sidewalks to sand and snow, so babies get a smoother ride.

Bigger-ticket strollers have such comfy amenities as adjustable handles, which can save your back if you’re tall, and a reversible seat so your baby can face toward or away from you. They tend to be more durable, lasting from child to child. But that doesn’t mean a lower-end stroller won’t serve you well. A lot depends on where and how much you’ll use the stroller. For infrequent travel or trips to the mall, a lower-end umbrella stroller (less than $100) may be all you need. But if you’re going to be strolling more often and through all kinds of weather and conditions, consider spending more. Good-quality traditional strollers start at around $250.

That said, a higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality. Consumer Reports’ tests have shown that some economical strollers can perform as well as or better than models costing hundreds of dollars more. Even the most sophisticated models can have typical stroller flaws: malfunctioning wheels, frames that bend out of shape, locking mechanisms that fail, safety belts that come loose, or buckles that break.

Consider your baby’s age. Newborns can’t sit up, so they need a stroller that lets them lie on their backs for the first few months, or one that can hold an infant car seat. Don’t use a traditional stroller that doesn’t fully recline–including an umbrella-style stroller–until your child can sit up, usually at about 6 months of age.

If you buy a stroller that fully reclines for an infant, make sure it has a wall surrounding all sides above the retention space. In addition, you can use the cover or stroller boot the manufacturer sometimes supplies for the foot area/leg holes so your baby can’t possibly slip through, or use the bassinet that may come with the stroller.

Size up the storage. A stroller with a large shopping basket makes life easier for parents who get around town mostly on foot. If you opt for a model that reclines, make sure you can reach the basket if the seat back is fully reclined, or, if it’s a travel system, when the infant car seat is in place.

Evaluate warranties and return policies. Most stroller manufacturers and retailers have warranties that cover poor workmanship and inherent flaws, but they won’t necessarily take the unit back if it malfunctions. Manufacturers may refer you to the store for a replacement or insist that you ship the stroller back for repair–at your expense–leaving you stranded without baby wheels. Your best bet is to purchase the stroller from a store, catalog, or Web site that offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Keep the packaging the stroller comes in until you’re sure you want to keep the stroller and ask about a store’s return policy (usually 30 days). It’s not uncommon to buy a stroller many months in advance. If you’re shopping that far ahead, you’ll want to buy from a store with a flexible or long-term return policy.

Check certification. Somewhere on a stroller’s frame or carton there should be a certification sticker showing that the stroller meets the minimum requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standard and that its manufacturer participates in the certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The key tests are for restraint system, brakes, leg openings, and locking mechanisms that prevent accidental folding, as well as for stability and the absence of sharp edges. The program is voluntary, and models from uncertified companies may be as safe as those from certified ones. But all things being equal, choose a certified model. Companies that are certified are: Baby Trend, Britax, Bugaboo, Delta Enterprise, Dorel Juvenile Group, Evenflo, Go-Go Babyz, Graco, Hauck Fun for Kids, J. Mason, Joovy, Kolcraft, Maclaren, Mia Moda, and Peg-Pérego.