New Mom’s Guide To Baby Strollers

Getting your baby from point A to point B has never been safer and easier due to the wide variety of strollers on the store – and online – shelves. Long gone are the ugly, metal contraptions that barely looked sturdy enough for a puppy much less a newborn or toddler. In their place are sophisticated alternatives that offer as much convenience as safety and durability. The challenge is choosing a model that suits your lifestyle.

In this article, we’ll explore the different types of strollers currently available on the market. We’ll take a look at safety considerations, convenience, and features that are specifically designed for parents on the go.

Safety Considerations And Ease Of Use

The most important safety aspect concerns the unit’s stability. Make sure that it won’t collapse upon itself while your little one is sitting in it. Also, make sure that excess weight will not cause it to flip backward. For example, you should be able to hang a diaper bag on one of the handles without worrying whether the wheels will leave the ground.

Another important safety feature is the harness. Make sure the model you’re thinking about buying comes with a 5-point harness that comfortably secures your baby in her seat.

The stroller should also be comfortable for you to push and maneuver. If you’re tall, look for a unit that offers height-adjustable handles. “Test drive” the model by walking through the store before buying it. Make sure your feet don’t make contact with the rear wheels. Try taking turns to determine how easy it is to guide.

Convenience Counts

A lot of models today come equipped with undercarriage baskets for storing food, cupholders, hoods, and trays for snacks, drinks, and miscellaneous items. It’s possible to go too far when it comes to convenience. Identify the features that are truly important to you and ignore everything else.

When You’re On The Go

If you plan to frequently load and unload your baby’s stroller, consider buying a lightweight model that won’t strain your back. Many of the units sold today weigh under twenty pounds and still offer many of the amenities of heavier alternatives. Most of them can be broken down for storage, which is valuable if your vehicle has limited space.

If you enjoy jogging and want to take your baby with you, consider buying a jogging stroller. They come with durable frames, wheels that can withstand the pavement, and suspension systems to provide a comfortable ride for your little one. That said, a jogging model is usually unsuitable for day-to-day commuting with your baby; but, it makes an ideal backup for an outdoorsy lifestyle.

Safety issues aside, the right stroller depends largely on your preferences. Since you’re the one who will be pushing it throughout the day, it should be comfortable, sturdy, and easy to maneuver. Choose the model that best complements your lifestyle while offering a few extra features for convenience.

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3 Factors That Can Disrupt Your Baby’s Schedule

Most babies enjoy a predictable routine. They respond well to an established timetable for naps, meals, playtime, baths, and more. The parent who can identify their little one’s internal clock, create a routine that dovetails with it, and stick to that schedule will find parenting easier.

Having said that, not all infants follow the same agenda. And some are more consistent than others. What’s more, a number of factors can potentially disrupt the hard-won schedule you have created. Here are three that can throw off your baby’s internal clock:

#1 – Different Time Zones

While even adults struggle to cope with time zone changes, your baby will likely have a more difficult time adjusting than you. If you live in California and your little one normally goes to bed at 8:00 p.m., traveling to New York will disrupt her bedtime by three hours. It is a rare infant who can adjust quickly to a change of that magnitude.

You can help your infant recalibrate her clock by gradually moving activities forward or backward. Try ten minutes each day. It may take a few weeks to get her back on schedule, but she’ll have a much easier time getting there.

#2 – Vacationing

Even if you’re taking a vacation in the same time zone, the new surroundings and activities can disturb your little one’s routine. For example, if you take her sightseeing during the day, her lack of familiarity with the new locale can wear her out. It can potentially cause a rift in her normal napping, playing, and eating schedule.

Give her a week to grow accustomed to her new surroundings. She’ll probably be a bit fussy in the beginning, but will eventually adjust.

#3 – Occasional Disruptions

Parents will occasionally be forced to disrupt their babies’ normal routine. For example, an emergency may occur; addressing it might require interrupting their infants’ slumber, eating, or playtime. While interruptions to your little one’s schedule should be avoided whenever possible, many are inevitable. The problem is that babies are far more susceptible to such disruptions than adults. An adult can skip a meal or miss a nap, and adjust quickly. An infant will have a much harder time doing so.

All babies form different patterns as they develop. Some will prefer to nap at certain times of the day. Others will want to be fed at certain times. You’ll even notice your baby is more awake and alert during specific hours (hopefully, not during the middle of the night). All of these are signs that your little one’s internal clock is developing. Once it does, it’s important to prevent interruptions from throwing it off. The fewer disruptions to your baby’s schedule, the easier your life will be.

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