Expecting a child is a joyful moment for every family. Relatives begin to prepare for it in advance, trying to provide for all the little things. First of all, parents buy a baby stroller that will provide comfort and protection to the baby.
An important purchase for a newborn baby is the purchase of a stroller.
Tip one: don’t procrastinate
We often hear from expectant mothers going to the maternity hospital: “We haven’t bought anything yet. Buying things for a baby before birth is a bad omen.” Such statements are perceived rather strangely in the 21st century. Previously, in Tsarist Russia, our great-grandmothers prepared for each birth as if it were a mortal battle, because medical care was not available to the majority of the population. Hence various superstitions. But today there is no need to follow the signs - those who have a good doctor in mind and are not strapped for money have a much greater chance of successfully passing the ordeal of childbirth.
Go shopping, enjoy shopping: a positive attitude will greatly help during childbirth. Dream, put tiny socks and hats in dresser drawers. Be happy while you can sleep.
Don't let all the problems fall on you at the same time: motherhood, postpartum pain and lack of children's things. Try to buy in advance for your newborn the highest quality new stroller that will not cause problems in the first, most difficult days.
Choosing a stroller for a newborn autumn winter
If your baby is planned for the cold season, then you will probably be advised not to go outside with him in the first month. So there is no need to buy a stroller before giving birth: save your money in case of force majeure. Then, when everything is behind you, sitting under house arrest alone with the most incorruptible little watchman, you can entertain yourself with thoughts about how to choose a winter stroller for a newborn.
Even if you don’t have the opportunity to leave the baby carriage on the staircase, and the hallway is very small, you need to buy a spacious stroller for the winter:
- The baby will be dressed warmly, and some clothes will probably be bought or given as gifts for growing up;
- The stroller will be tightly closed in winter, which means there should be room for breathing.
It must have large wheels, as small ones will get stuck in the snow. As an option, you can buy a sleigh stroller (link). It’s good if there is a muff or mittens on its handle: this way you won’t have to take off your gloves every time to take care of the baby. The stroller must be insulated, waterproof, and have a protective awning.
These are the main criteria for choosing a stroller for a newborn in autumn and winter. In matters of color and design, be guided by your own taste.
Strollers: characteristics, types, types
— Walking block. A seating unit is a place for a child in which he sits (as opposed to a cradle - see below). Children are carried in a sitting position starting from 6-8 months - when the baby is no longer interested in just lying in the cradle and is able to sit without any problems. All types of strollers are equipped with walking blocks (see “Design”), except for classic and transformable ones: the first type, by definition, uses a cradle, the second uses a special device called a “transformer stroller cradle” (see below). - Cradle. A traditional baby cradle is a basket with high sides in which the baby lies down. Such baskets are intended for children in the first months of life - usually up to 8 months, no more; from an older age, it makes sense to use a walking block (see above). Cradles are used in all types of strollers, except for strollers and transformers (see “Design”) - the first type is equipped only with walking blocks, the second uses the so-called “transformable stroller cradles” (see below). A special variation of traditional bassinets are baby carriers (also described below).
— Carrycot. A type of cradle (see above), designed for ease of carrying separately from the stroller. For this purpose, the design provides at least an appropriate handle. At the same time, not every cradle that has a carrying handle (see above) belongs to this category of accessories: only those cradles that initially allow long-term carrying in the hands and have various design features that facilitate such transportation are called “carriers”. .
— Carrycot-walk transformer. In essence, it is a cradle, which, if necessary, can be turned into a walking block for a sitting child.
- Car seat. A special seat for transporting small children in cars. Such an accessory is clearly necessary from a safety point of view, and in many countries, transporting children without car seats is completely prohibited by traffic regulations. Strollers are usually supplied with car seats for the youngest children - up to 12 months, weighing up to 13 kg; A seat for an older child will still have to be purchased separately. At the same time, before purchasing, it would not hurt to clarify the characteristics of such an accessory - first of all, the way it is mounted in the car.
- Foot cover. A cape that covers the legs of a child in a stroller from wind, cold and bad weather. For the same purpose, you can use a blanket or other “handy tool”, but the supplied capes are more convenient - they are securely attached to the stroller and do not fall off while moving. And if necessary, you can place the same blanket inside the cape for additional insulation. Please note that many strollers that are not equipped with this accessory allow you to purchase it separately. It is also worth saying that such an accessory is used mainly with walking blocks (see above); in cradles, a similar function is performed by the canopy located in the area of the baby’s legs, but it is not considered a cape.
- Raincoat. A waterproof cape that protects the child in the stroller from rain, snow and strong wind. Typically, such a cape is made of transparent material or has transparent inserts - so that the baby can see the world around him, and the parent can monitor the baby himself. Raincoats for strollers are also sold separately, but if such an accessory is included in the kit, you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
- Mosquito net. A mesh with small cells that can be used to cover a child sitting in a stroller. The cells allow air to pass through, but trap mosquitoes, midges and other harmful insects, as well as small debris raised by the wind; such protection can be especially useful during evening walks in the warm season, as well as when traveling into nature.
— Bag for things. A separate bag that usually hangs on the handle of the stroller. In such a bag you can keep various useful little things that require quick access: food, toys and hygiene items for the baby, documents of the parent himself, etc. In most cases, the bag is removable, which provides additional convenience. Please note that for some models that were not initially equipped with a bag, such an accessory can be purchased separately.
- Shopping compartment. A device in the form of a basket or container installed at the bottom of the stroller, under the cradle or seat unit. This compartment is convenient for storing purchases and other things that do not require quick access while walking. At the same time, larger and heavier items are placed in the basket/container than in a bag for things (see above); and the low position also improves the stability of the stroller. The shopping compartment can be made of different materials - plastic, metal mesh, fabric, etc.; soft materials are generally lighter, but less durable, hard materials are reliable, but can interfere when overcoming curbs and other obstacles
— Built-in speakers. Speakers built right into the stroller near the baby's head - usually in the hood. Through such speakers you can play various music and sounds - lullabies, children's melodies, educational programs, etc. The role of the sound source is usually played by a smartphone or other gadget connected via a cable with which the stroller is equipped.
— Cup holder. A stand on the parent's handle that allows you to securely secure a glass or bottle with a drink - for example, milk for the baby or water for the parent himself.
- Hand muff. An accessory that can be useful when walking in the cold season. The coupling is attached to the handle of the stroller; If desired, you can hide your hands in it so that they do not freeze in the cold. At the same time, the design of the clutch is such that it does not interfere with fully holding the handle and steering the stroller.
— Cover for the stroller. A protective case for storing the stroller and transporting it during non-working hours. As a rule, it is made of soft materials and protects the structure mainly from dirt, direct sunlight, and also from moisture (in whole or in part). But protection from mechanical damage is purely symbolic - for this you would need a case made of hard materials. However, in practice, such protection is required extremely rarely, and soft cases are light in weight and, when folded, take up minimal space (unlike the same cases). That is why this option is the most popular in strollers. At the same time, a complete case, as a rule, is much more convenient, practical and reliable than an improvised package.
How to choose a stroller for a newborn in spring
Spring is a time of warming, but winter cold and slush can visit at any moment. That’s why it’s advisable to choose a warm stroller. At the same time, it should not be bulky, because you will have to maneuver it between puddles and piles of snow on narrow sidewalks.
A spring stroller should have:
- Covers for wheels - so as not to wash them every time after a walk;
- Deep hood, removable leg cape;
- Mittens are not required, but a convenient bag with compartments for a thermos, napkins and other small items is very necessary.
And one more thing: before choosing a winter-spring stroller for a newborn in the store, do not forget to check the brake - you will need it more than once on icy paths.
Strollers for twins
If young parents are expecting twins, choosing a stroller can become a little more complicated. To choose the right transport for twins, you should pay attention to the different ways of arranging the blocks. Let's highlight 3 types:
- "Locomotive". In this case, the modules are located one after another. The width of the stroller is standard, but the length is much longer than that of single strollers. Sometimes the height of the blocks changes: one cradle can be installed slightly higher than the other.
- "Side by side". In this case, the twins are located next to each other. You can see the kids and have full control of the situation, but due to the large width, it will be difficult to control such a design.
- Transformer. Such models differ in that different positions of the blocks can be combined on the same chassis. Future parents can choose the design themselves and customize it depending on the situation. The cost of such a stroller exceeds the price of less functional vehicles.
Summer options: how to choose a stroller for a newborn spring summer
Summer strollers are the lightest and most elegant. Most often, mothers prefer to buy orthopedic bassinets for children from 0 to 6 months.
How to choose a stroller cradle for a newborn
A cradle for a baby born from May to August should ideally be:
- As light and maneuverable as possible;
- Tall enough so that you don’t have to hunch over when rolling it;
- It is better to choose alloy wheels: they do not puncture on off-road conditions;
- For babies, strollers are recommended in which you can sleep in a horizontal position, without tilting. But not all babies can sleep like that. An interesting option could be a cradle with an adjustable tilt;
- Strollers with a removable cradle are convenient: it can be brought into the house separately or loaded onto the car seat.
Be prepared for the fact that this stroller will only last you a few months. Therefore, you should not choose the most expensive model of stroller for a newborn in the summer, and even more so, take it on credit.
Universal strollers
Not everyone can change the vehicle for their baby every few months. A transformable stroller would be an economical option: it will honestly serve your child for several years.
How to choose a transformable stroller for a newborn
The transformable stroller can be used both as a cradle and as a seat for older children.
To ensure that it fulfills its role from start to finish, read and remember a few tips on how to choose a transformable stroller for a newborn. Necessary and desirable qualities of a transformer:
- Removable cradle with comfortable handles. They can be hard or soft;
- Reversible handle;
- Removable hood;
- Possibly less weight – Transformers are often heavy;
- Convenient and functional mechanism. Be sure to ask the seller to teach you how to use it right in the store. Rate the difficulty of this task. If the levers move so hard that you have to push them with both hands, it is better to choose another baby stroller for your newborn: you will probably just break this one.
Modern transformers, in addition to various folding options for the convenience of the child, also have folding for the car. Models over 10 years old do not have this function - another reason to choose a new winter-summer stroller for a newborn.
Modular strollers
For your newborn baby, you can choose the most modern option - modular baby strollers. Removable cradles of different types will allow you to use the stroller in any season for several years.
Stroller for older children.
The most popular options for strollers include the “cane”, the distinctive features of which are light weight and compactness when folded. In addition, such strollers are equipped with a special sliding crossbar that protects the child from falling and allows him to sit in the stroller independently. In the absence of such a crossbar, seat belts protect the baby from falling. Strollers are optimally suited for children over one year old and are most practical in summer and spring. The disadvantages of a stroller are the handle, which is divided into several parts, and a small cloth basket. In addition, there are models of strollers with an arched handle. They are distinguished from “canes” by their smaller compactness, but more durable metal basket.
Buying a stroller for a baby is actually not difficult. The main thing to remember is that the comfort of walks, and, accordingly, the positive mood of the baby and mother will depend on the chosen model.
