Purchasing a baby stroller is probably one of the biggest decisions that you will need to make when your new baby arrives. First thing to consider is safety. Choose a stroller that durable and safe and that will not tilt over easily. The next biggest question will be style? With our gear pattern collections you can coordinate all of baby's favorite things--strollers, highchairs, and more. Or choose a Travel system which is a stroller and car seat combination.

Types and Key Features
Here's a look at the basic types of baby strollers to help you make a comparion.

Full Size

The full-size strollers offer numerous convenience and comfort options. Although heavier than other styles, there are some full-size models designed with aluminum frames for easier maneuvering as well as rust-resistance. The full-size stroller is a great all-purpose pick. Most are typically convertible--that is, they can be used as a carriage or a stroller, so they grow with your baby. Full-size strollers are appropriate for newborns because they have a full-recline feature, shock-absorbing suspension system, and oversize wheels to keep baby comfortable while strolling over varying terrain, and they remain suitable for use until your child reaches approximately 3 or 4 years of age.

Some of the features may include: Multiple-position seat recline and strong back support, removable weather boot, extra seat padding, removable front tray, large storage basket, European-style canopy, reversible handle for conversion to carriage, dual wheel brakes, and adjustable footrest.

Appropriate age range: If the stroller reclines fully, it is appropriate for a newborn. It can be used with children up to 3 to 4 years of age.

Mid Size

Midsize strollers are designed to be portable and fold easily and compactly for storing. The Midsize stroller is perhaps the most popular because of it's durability. If you want a stroller that you can use as your family grows, this would be a good choice. You will most likely find the greatest range of prices ($40 to $500) and features in this category. Made of aluminum, the frames are relatively lightweight (typically just over 15 pounds), durable, and easy to maintain. Because of these features, they offer a smooth ride for city dwellers or those who enjoy longer walks. Because they are a bit heavier than a lightweight, they are sometimes not the best baby stroller choice for travel. Although the convenient midsize strollers will offer your infant a safe and comfortable ride indoors and outdoors, only those models that offer a full-reclining seat feature are appropriate for use with newborns.

Features may include: Easy-to-use folding mechanism, midweight body (typically just over 15 pounds), canopy, and roomy storage basket. Deluxe models may include features like a fully reclining seat, extendable handle, and larger, all-terrain wheels.

Appropriate age range: If a midsize stroller fully reclines (and most do), it is safe for your newborn.

Light Weight

Light as a feather and easy to fold, lightweight strollers generally offer the most basic features and are made to store easily in an overhead bin, trunk, or closet. While these lightweight models are unbeatable for quick jaunts to the store, many parents find that they aren't as comfortable for children on longer stints as their midsize or full-size counterparts. Still, many parents feel a lightweight stroller is great to have when a buggy, pram, or travel system is too unwieldy (while traveling, for example). Ultralightweight models, dubbed "umbrella" because of their hooked handles, are best when used as a second stroller. If you are looking for a lightweight, affordable stroller that's easy to take along for the ride (or toss in the trunk of your car), this would be the perfect choice. Do keep in mind, however, that umbrella strollers are not recommended for use with newborns or infants who require a fully reclining seat and head and neck support. Featuring aluminum frames and weighing as little as 5 pounds, most umbrella models offer a safety device that prevents accidental closing. Umbrella strollers are available in a wide range of prices according to the features offered, and will last you well into the early preschool years (3 to 4).

Features may include: Aluminum frames, semireclining seat (some fully recline), canopy, one-step fold, locking swivel wheels, and superlight weight.

Appropriate age range: If the lightweight stroller reclines fully, it is safe for a newborn; however, most umbrella strollers do not fully recline or have suspension features, so it is best to wait until your baby is at least 4 to 6 months old.

Travel Systems

One of the most convenient innovations in the stroller industry in recent years has been the travel system--a convenience stroller and infant car seat in one. The infant car seat provides head, back, and neck support for your newborn, while keeping baby in a comfortable, reclined position, just like a carriage. With the stay-in-car base feature, the infant car seat can also be used as an infant carrier. This allows you to take the infant car seat from the car to stroller and vice versa without ever disturbing your baby. Many travel system manufacturers have designed these strollers so that the car seat inserts with baby facing you. However, there are styles that allow you to insert the car seat so that baby can either face toward you or away from you. Either style will offer your baby a comfortable and secure ride. Once baby outgrows the infant car seat, it can be removed, converting the system into a convenience stroller. The stroller's own seating and restraint system is used until your child is approximately 4 years old. These strollers are designed to fold quickly, easily, and compactly for storage, and offer many features that will make it a comfortable ride... for both of you.

Stroller features may include: Child play tray; parent cup holder; 3-point or 5-point harness system (not overhead); removable, washable pad; all-terrain, swivel wheels; brakes that set with a lever or foot pedal; seat recline; and storage basket.

Infant car seat features may include: Canopy, level indicator, ergonomically designed handle, head cushion, stay-in-car base.

Appropriate age range: Newborn (for car seat) to toddler (stroller).

Joggers

If you are an active jogger or want to bring baby along for the workout or for an adventure in the great outdoors, a Jogging Stroller is in order. You'll recognize a jogger stroller by its unique design. Many are three-wheeled vehicles, complete with comfortable seating, a parking brake, a storage basket, and all-terrain wheels. Most are made to fold quickly, easily, and compactly and are great for travel. Because jogger strollers don't offer a fully reclining seat, most pediatricians recommend not using them until your child's 6-month mark. Most joggers can hold up to 75 pounds, but truth be told, your child will probably outgrow the seat before then. Also keep in mind (with young babies in particular) that while most jogger models are designed for some bumps along the trail, if you are planning on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or are traveling over very rough and rocky terrain, it's probably best to leave baby safely at home or try a backpack instead.

If you are the parents of twins or triplets then you will certainly want to check out the double strollers and the tripe strollers. Double And Triple

There are two types of double baby strollers:

Front-to-Back (Tandem) Style Front-to-back style: infants face forward, one in back of the other. These double baby strollers fold easily and compactly for storage or travel. For maneuverability, this is a good choice; however, there is that "front seat" issue. Some models, however, do give the back seat a "boost" so that both babies can enjoy the view. The front-to-back style is best if you have an older child and a newborn. Features may include: a single canopy hood, separate canopies, individually reclining seats, rear wheel brakes, fully retractable rear seat for a sleeping infant, removable/washable pads, separate footrests, and restraining straps with safety buckle.
Side-by-Side Style Infants sit next to each other. These strollers are lightweight and fold quickly and compactly. Most will fit through normal-size doorways, although due to their sheer width it can be difficult to maneuver this "minivan" of sorts through grocery stores, crowded events, or if your children vary greatly in size or weight. The side-by-side style is most commonly used by parents of twins (or two or more children of comparable weight). Features may include: European styling, thick padding, removable/washable pads, individually reclining seats, single shared canopy, storage basket, footrest, and restraining straps with safety buckle.

You can purchase many accessories for your baby stroller or car seat. Add a play tray or a cup holder and toys that will keep baby amused. you may find that adding some accessories, such as a toy bar, a canopy, or an infant headrest, can make your four-wheeled wonder a better place for baby. Check out our selection of stroller toys, weather shields and umbrellas, stroller covers, and infant headrests. Accessories