How to choose a stroller for a newborn baby

Is replenishment expected in your family? So, it's time to think about buying a stroller for a newborn. Even if you adhere to national signs not to acquire anything before the appearance of the baby, you should look after the convenient and high-quality model in the store. After all, with the birth of a child, so much more will have to be bought, and there will definitely be no time left for a careful study of the first vehicle. And young fathers, on whose shoulders these efforts will fall down, are inclined to be guided by the choice of perhaps with a steep appearance and price. And if you do not want to find an expensive children's “monster truck” after returning from the maternity hospital, it is better to leave your spouse clear instructions on where and which carriage should be purchased.

The best manufacturers of wheelchairs - which company to choose

On the market of children's products are many models of wheelchairs for newborns.

The products of the following companies are deservedly popular:

• Aprika
• Hauck
• Tfk
• Geoby

Any model is a model of ergonomics, reliability, quality and safety. We recommend to read more about best baby strollers. But before that, we still advise you to sort out the wisdom of choosing baby transport.

Device baby strollers

A baby carriage is just a vehicle for a small child. It allows parents to walk with the baby in the open air for a long time, and at the same time serves as a crib for the young passenger. However, today there are many interesting models, equipped with removable car seats and rocking chairs.

The device of the wheelchairs may differ, depending on their affiliation to one or another type, but the main components are approximately the same for everyone:

1. Body (cradle), securely mounted on the frame;

2. Chassis - wheels, axles, shock absorbers and other elements;

3. Movement control knob;

4. Additional accessories like a visor, blankets for legs, etc.

Types of strollers for newborns

Not every type of transport is suitable for children under six months. A kid who still does not know how to sit is too early to ride in a stroller - he needs other models.

Traditional baby carriage

Its design is extremely simple and consists of a solid recumbent body and a wheeled chassis. This is ideal for tiny passengers who, because of their age, mostly sleep during the walk. But such a restriction is also a disadvantage of such a model - for a one-year-old child it is already necessary to acquire a new stroller.

Pros:

• High lying position;
• The spacious cradle does not hinder the movements even of a warmly dressed baby;
• It is easier to sleep on a flat surface for a newborn;
• High sides protect the child from the wind and do not allow him to fall out;
• Big wheels provide excellent passability on our roads;
• There is enough space under the cradle to attach the “trunk” for shopping;
• Good shock absorption system and smooth running;
• Most models have a folding frame.

Minuses:

• A maximum of a year later, the baby finally outgrows the stroller;
• A model that is too wide may not enter the elevator.

Transformer

Such transport easily turns from a cradle into a stroller, so the baby can serve from birth to 3 years. Most models, transformers have a small weight and size, as well as compactly folded for transportation and storage.Alas, their back is usually not revealed at the position of 180 °, and the newborn has to buy a hard mattress separately for a comfortable sleep.

Pros:

• Versatility - you can not spend money on a stroller;
• Reversible handle allows you to carry the baby both face and back to himself;
• Adjustable backrest;
• When folded, it does not take up much space;
• Already has seat belts.

Minuses:

• Relatively low fit child;
• There is no strictly horizontal position;
• The cradle is usually a little cramped.

Universal Strollers with Removable Modules

Represent a design based on the classic frame with wheels. If necessary, you can install suitable modules on it: a cradle, a walking block and even a car seat. This solution makes the stroller versatile and allows you to use it to transport babies over 6 months old.

Pros:

• A 2-in-1 or even 3-in-1 design is cheaper than buying individual vehicles;
• Low weight;
• The child can be transferred without pulling out of his “nest”;
• The anatomical design of the cradle is deep and spacious, with a solid back;
• Good cross wheels.

Minuses:

• The cost is above average;
• The whole set of modules takes up a lot of space in the apartment.

Options for the selection of strollers for newborns

In the wheelchair, little passengers spend a lot of time. Therefore, it is important to consider the ergonomics, safety and reliability of children's transport. Yes, and parents should be comfortable with it.

To make the right choice, you should think about the following questions: How often will you walk with a pram? Which roads? Where can I store it? Having decided on your requirements, you will only understand small nuances.

Seasonality

Baby carriages are summer and winter. The first ones are lighter and more compact, often have mesh inserts that ensure good air exchange in the cradle. The second ones are maximally insulated, must be completed with a thick protective cover for legs and a windproof hood. Accordingly, you need to choose a model for that season, which accounts for the birth of a baby and the first months of his life.

Weight and dimensions

This moment is especially important for parents living in high-rise buildings and forced every day several times to lower and lift the toddler carriage on the elevator or the stairs.

For example, a transformer weighs 13–20 kg. The wheelbase of the modular design will pull on 8 kg, plus a cradle up to 6 kg in weight or a pleasure seat (up to 4 kg). The difference seems to be small, but the wagon can be transferred in parts, and the transformer and the child will have to be dragged together. However, too light a model is also not worth taking - there is a risk that the grown-up baby will be able to turn it over.

Another thing, if the elevator works in your house, and the wheelchair is placed in its cabin in length and width. Here you can not think about weight, the main thing is that the design should not be too cumbersome. With this, problems usually do not arise: the standard box of the cradle 80x40 cm with the width of the wheelbase of up to 50 cm completely passes into the passenger elevator.

Design features

First of all, it is necessary to determine how convenient the folding mechanism of the frame is. Classic and modular strollers understand simply: they removed the upper part, folded the chassis. The frame with a wheelbase in this form fits into the trunk of a car, but the basket will have to be taken to the salon.

Those who travel with the child on public transport, it is better to immediately look at the model of the transformer. It folds easily and compactly by pressing a few buttons and takes up very little space. In any case, the stroller should have additional locks to prevent its unfolding. Do not interfere and covers for the wheels.

The handle device is a trifle that little attention is paid to when buying. And only during the operation it becomes clear that it is not very convenient. You need a model where the height of the handle can be adjusted to the height of the parents.

Also there will be a useful cross over mechanism - then you will be able to turn the child, hiding from a strong wind or just to see him in a wheelchair. Generalists usually do not have such an option - the box itself turns over in them.

Running gear

Strollers for newborns can have 3 or 4 wheels. The first ones turn out to be more maneuverable, since the swivel wheels (like on trolleys in a supermarket) are installed ahead of them. The latter are considered more sustainable.

The wheels themselves can be rigid plastic or inflatable with rubber tires. Large internal chambers provide high throughput to children's transport, but they need to be pumped up periodically, and the risk of puncturing the tire is great. Plastic is much stronger and more reliable, but it does not have that soft stroke and ease of operation.

The size and material of the wheels determines the stroller’s permeability on uneven roads, curbs and steps. And to make the kid's journey comfortable and the shock absorbers will help smooth out the shocks.

There are three types of shock absorbers for baby strollers:

1. Spring - reliable and relatively durable, but their creak is sometimes very annoying.

2. Torsion - have adjustable stiffness, but they are expensive and do not hold shock loads.

3. Belts - provide the maximum stroke length, but are short-lived, although easily replaceable.

It is better if the shock absorbers are installed on all wheels, and not just on one pair.

Also pay attention to the foot brakes - they should be easily pressed and completely block the wheels. The handbrake is also convenient in its own way - with its help, even a fragile mother can instantly stop the stroller. Alas, this solution is rare.

Materials

High-quality children's products are made from safe, strong and natural materials. The box should ideally be made of impact-resistant and non-toxic plastic, but fiberboard is more commonly used in budget models. And this is not the best option, since formaldehydes and other harmful substances can be contained in pressed plates.

However, if a sheet of fiberboard is laminated or painted, it is not dangerous, but under the stretched fabric it is hardly possible to clarify this point.

Outside, the stroller is sheathed with a waterproof, dirt-repellent fabric. It is very good if there are reflective stripes on it that will allow drivers to visualize children's transport even at dusk.

The interior upholstery in high-quality models is made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen) - they are hypoallergenic and freely breathable. But make sure that all fabric covers are removable and well tolerated machine or at least hand wash.

Optional accessories

Standard equipment wheelchairs include:

• visor;
• food basket;
• insect screen and / or rain cover;
• foot blanket for the baby.

Sometimes, along with a stroller, there is a bag for children's things, a pump for pumping wheels, an anti-theft lock, a winter muff on the handle and other amenities. Each of these accessories makes the stroller more convenient for parents, but at the same time increases its cost.

Which baby stroller is better to choose

1. If you want to buy the most convenient and anatomically correct children's transport for your child, but you are not going to use it for a long time, it’s enough to take a classic cradle with shock absorbers.

2. When the toddler turns 6-8 months old, replant it in a lightweight walking variant.

3. Residents of high-rise buildings, who have to carry the stroller daily in an elevator or lower the stairs in their hands, will be able to use a transformer or a station wagon on large inflatable wheels and torsion or spring shock absorbers. This unit will easily pass through the snowdrifts, gravel and easily overcome all the pits and curbs.

4. Lovers of automobile travel will be more convenient to use a 3-in-1 model with a child car seat.

5. Parents who prefer to walk on good and even sidewalks will have enough compact two-module wagon on three small plastic wheels.

How much is a stroller for a newborn

1. Strollers, cradles budget class can be purchased at a price of 6600 rubles, for a branded item will have to pay at least 30,000.

2. The simplest transformer will empty the family budget by at least 5–7 thousand, the steep branded model will draw already 30–50 thousand rubles.

3. Prices for 2-in-1 station wagons start at 8,000 and are lost abroad at 100 thousand rubles. Modular strollers 3-in-1 start with 12,000 rubles.