Six tips to choose the right travel stroller
Covid has exhausted us like never before! This exhaustion cannot be categorized simply into physical or mental, but overall. Working from home every day with no social life, raising kids simultaneously has not only drained us, but also dampened our spirits. Therefore, as soon as the restrictions are lifted, many of us will want to revive our lives and head for holidays. And with babies and infants, you would want to make it as easy as possible, because a vacation should not exhaust you, but refresh you.
So when you make a list of all the baby essentials that you will need to carry along, let me recommend (strongly!) a travel stroller; this is based on my own experience. When you are moving around and exploring places, you do not want to tire yourself out carrying your baby all the time. A travel stroller is a boon for parents on a vacation, especially as it comes with many features that a traditional or umbrella stroller have, but is also sleek, compact and foldable.
If you are parents of a newborn, then you may have to purchase the infant carrier to attach to the travel stroller. Parentingnmore.com has listed down best travel strollers available in the market along with pro and cons of each brand. I am sure it will help you in selecting the right one.
If you do decide to buy a travel stroller for your next vacation, then let me give a few pointers on how to select the best one for your child.
How to select the right travel stroller?
Before you go looking at travel strollers, you need to know where and how exactly do you intend to use it. Do you want to buy one for all-terrain, for long strolls, walking through amusement parks, to fit into small places, etc.? And of course, what kind of budget do you have to buy a travel stroller? Once you have clarity on these, pick out your choice based on the following basic points.
Weight
First and foremost, the travel stroller must not be a burden to carry, as it will defeat the purpose of carrying it. One of the main purpose of a travel stroller is to ease your travel with your baby and remain hassle-free. Therefore, it has to be lightweight.
You will not only have to push it around, but also fold it and carry it occasionally and a heavyweight travel stroller would be nothing by inconvenience. A lightweight travel stroller will need minimum effort, without draining all your energy, so that you continue to enjoy your vacation.
Size of Canopy
This will depend on what kind of a vacation you intend to take; if you are going to explore places in the sun, then it is suggested that you get a travel stroller with a larger canopy to protect your baby from the sun. On the other hand, if you are the type who will visit museums, malls, spas, then you may not really need a canopy at all.
However, I would suggest that you have a travel stroller with an adjustable or removable canopy for all times. You can also have the option of getting an attachable canopy for the days you plan to go in the sun.
Compact & easily foldable
This is necessary because during your travel, you may have to fold the travel stroller and store in places, which may or may not be big enough. Therefore, ‘compact’ and ‘easily foldable’ should definitely be the points to consider.
Adjustable seats
Your baby has to be comfortable in the stroller, therefore adjustable seats are a must! Most babies fall asleep in a moving stroller and therefore seats should be adjustable accordingly; you don’t want a cranky baby while you explore places.
You also get travel strollers whose seats can go completely flat to help changing diapers when outside.
Built-in straps or carry case
There will be times when u need to carry the travel stroller around for brief periods of time, therefore it is important that it comes with built-in straps or a carry case for your convenience.
It is extremely necessary that the travel stroller is comfortable for the baby and for you as well, else it can end up being an investment you will regret.
Safety Harness
I may have list this as the last pointer, but it is one of the main things you need to check for because our child needs to be safe in the travel stroller. Do check if the safety harnesses provided are enough for security of your baby, but also gives liberty of movement to your baby.
Final views
A travel stroller can make your vacations so much easier, not making your baby a burden while you wish to unwind. And getting the right travel stroller can facilitate it further. I would also suggest you to consider buying a portable crib if you have smaller kids; you will be glad you did, trust me!
Trust me, I know as a mother of four kids, a travel stroller is an absolute boon! If you choose the right one, it is an investment that will bring you peace of mind.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
