Are you preparing to go shopping for all your baby gear? Are you starting to feel overwhelmed by all the baby gear options on the market? This is to be expected! Preparing to bring a baby into your world is overwhelming enough, but when you factor in all the baby gear you must have, you be start feeling anxious.
What gear do you have to have? Can you buy some of the gear used? For example, do strollers expire? I’m here to help you sort through all the do’s and do nots regarding essential baby gear for transporting your little one here and there.
Do You Have to Have a Stroller?
First things first: do you have to have a stroller? The short answer is no. You do not have to have a stroller. However, a stroller may make your life extremely easier. Strollers are great ways to transport your baby around town. You can safely put your baby in a stroller as you take walks or go shopping. Ultimately, it depends on your lifestyle. If you are on the go, a stroller is a necessity.
Plus, strollers have many benefits. Some babies find strollers very soothing. For instance, many babies can easily sleep in strollers. There is space to hold your diaper bag and other necessity items. You get a break from holding your baby. However, there are some negatives such as them taking up space.
Different Types of Strollers
When it comes to purchasing a stroller, you must first figure out the type of stroller that you need. There are several different types of strollers. Let’s take a look.
Full size stroller – This is the most common basic stroller.
- Travel system stroller – This stroller is a part of a travel system with a stroller base designed to fit your baby’s car seat.
- Jogging stroller – This stroller is designed specifically to be used for jogging.
- Umbrella stroller – This is a lightweight stroller that folds up into a compact size. They even make umbrella strollers for tall parents.
- Car seat holding stroller – This is simply a base stroller that is designed to fit most infant car seats.
- Double stroller – This stroller has more than one seat making it an option for parents with more than one child.
Safety Tips for Strollers
When shopping for strollers, you should make sure they are safe. New strollers have to meet the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. But, if you choose to purchase a used stroller, you need to pay attention to potential safety issues. While strollers do not have expiration dates, car seats do. You should never buy a used car seat. Therefore, if the stroller includes a car seat, you should pass.
Additionally, SafeBee offers these suggestions: “Strollers get a lot of hard use, so if you are considering a used one, check carefully that it is in good working order. Make sure the brakes, restraining harness and the folding mechanisms work properly. If the seat back reclines fully to a flat position, make sure that the leg openings are adjustable so an infant can’t slip through. And make sure the stroller is wide enough so your baby can’t tip it if she or he leans over.”
Finally, you should also check to make sure there have not been any safety recalls on the stroller you are considering purchasing. You can check the Consumer Safety Product Commission recall list.
What Can You Use Instead?
If you make the decision to not use a stroller, there are other ways of transporting your baby. Many moms simply carry their infants around in their infant car seats in the beginning. Unfortunately, this is not a long term option. Your baby will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. Additionally, carrying a car seat becomes heavier and heavier.
It is becoming more popular to wear your baby. Baby wearing involves using a sling, wrap, or carrier to wear your baby close to you rather than using a stroller. There are a variety of baby carriers on the product, so you can choose the one you are most comfortable using.
Keep in mind, until your baby is walking (and for some time after), you will be responsible for getting your baby in and out. Therefore, choose the option that works best for your family. In many cases, mothers have a variety of transport options. I actually owned a car seat, more than one stroller, and a baby carrier! I found reasons and places to use each.
To Wrap Up…
When searching for a way to transport your baby, you may choose to buy a stroller. You will need to decide which type of stroller is the best pick for your lifestyle. You can save money by purchasing a used stroller, but you must check it for safety issues or safety recalls.
