choosing a stroller

Hello everybody!
I know this question has been discussed million times already. But these are my first babies, I do not have any experience choosing a stroller at all. Maybe my questions seem silly, but I do not have anybody else to ask them. Thanks God, I found this forum.
So,
1) do strollers differ for different age of babies?
2) i am starting with a stroller for the newborns. I need infant car seats also. Are carseats and strollers from different brands compatible ? Or I need to stay within one brand? What are the safest carseats now?
3) Is it possible to buy ONE stroller and use it for 1 months old to 3 years old children? Or is there a variety of types for different ages?

I 'd prefer to buy ONE and use it for a long time (hopefully, it wont break). Could you recommend me one?

4) where do they sell them? online? in what stores? any recommendations are welcome. If I can save some money on that, using a coupon or sale promotion, that would be great.

I also do not know anything about types of strollers. It seems to me that face-to face is more comfortable to use, but I may be wrong. So I am open to either face-to-face or side-by-side stroller.

Could you recommend me a reliable one for my purposes? Thanks!

 

Since i don't live in the U.s. I can give you different advice..

-- must fit through a normal doorway

--- must fit easily in your car

--- light and easy to fold.

-- when they are young they need to lie back

--- sun protection and winter protection if you live in colder areas.

--- YOU WILL GET LOTS OF ATTENTION WITH TWINS more than you'd like most times. People like to get their heads in there and touch them.... when the kids are facing away from you it makes it more difficult than if they face you. I know some strollers you can turn the seats around. A good overall cover or you can buy one that looks like netting keeps alot of people out. A side-by side is easy but also I wonder if you get more attention than a tandem.

-- I find many people end up hating their strollers by a year no matter what you buy. I got one for 250.00 and it has been fine I also have a joggling stroller that would buy a used car...

-- nice to have a large easy to access basket for items you buy.

Heather

 

QUOTE(heathertwins @ Oct 30 2008, 07:16 PM) [snapback]1049448[/snapback]
Since i don't live in the U.s. I can give you different advice..

-
Heather


Thanks a lot!

 

one more question:
is there any statistics on safety of carseats?

 

Strollers are really personal preference. I think most of us started with a Double Snap-N-Go which is just a frame that holds 2 carseats back to back or the Graco Duoglider which is double stroller that can hold 2 carseats back to back and then becomes a stroller with seats back to back.

For me, I am a stroller collector. I started with the Duoglider and my kids hated riding back to back so I went to the Combi Twin Savvy side by side. I love it. Its very lightweight, has snack trays (very much a necessity when trying to shop with kids), and a nice rain cover for when we go to the Disney parks.

But then I also had a toddler that needed a stroller too so when I wanted to take all 3 out by myself, I had to have her walk. It wasnt working so then I found the Valco Twin Trimode with toddler seat attachment (www.valcobaby.com) and I am absolutely in love with my stroller. It is expensive and heavy but it steers like a dream, has a nice cupholder for my Starbucks , snack trays, and my kids are very comfortable and even still fall asleep in it. A great stroller!!

We had the Graco Snugride infants seats and safe seats and they both fit right into the Graco Duoglider. I know the Graco's also fit in the Snap and Go. I dont know about compatibility of other strollers with carseats, but a Customer Service Rep on the phone should be able to answer any questions about that for you.

Best of luck on your search!!

QUOTE(aqua @ Oct 30 2008, 11:38 PM) [snapback]1049463[/snapback]
one more question:
is there any statistics on safety of carseats?


Are you asking about the safety rating on certain carseats or just the safety of carseats in general?

 

Do the research before you buy a stroller. There are too many that have gone through multiple strollers before they found the one they liked

If possible buy the double decker or snap n go stroller for the first few months - a frame stroller that most types of carseats will snap into, no need to take babies our of car seats to put in stroller.

The most important features of any stroller are easy to use and the kids like it. Go to a store that carries a lot of strollers in store and play with them see what you like and dislike.

It took me over a month to finally decide on a stroller and it is the last stroller I plan to buy.

Personally I have the baby jogger city mini and love it

Good luck in your search

 

This is what we did and it worked great!
We got the Chicco Keyfit Carseats and they were great and safe and we could keep them in there until they were 30lbs, which is more then most. We also started with the Snap N Go stroller. LOVED this stroller and wanted to cry when we were done. SO easy to just take them out of the car and snap right into the stroller. So easy! We used this stroller and these seats until they were 11 months. Sad day when we retired them.
We also have the BOB Revolution Duallie for outside walks/jogs. It's a great stroller but a bit big, in my opinion for everyday errands, etc.
We HAD the Peg Perego Aria but sold it becasue it was the WORST thing ever to steer! YUCK.
We now have the tandem Kolcraft Contours stroller which is great for stores and errands, I love it!
I would test drive some strollers at the store and see how they fold up, etc.

 

My advice is:

- Snap-n-go + infant seats is a must for the first 8-12 months

- Big walking/jogging strollers (like the Valco mentioned above) are fantastic for walks around the neighborhood and major outings (to the zoo, etc.), but are a pain to haul around due to their weight. Buy one for 1 year+ after you've gotten rid of the Snap-n-Go (if you can afford it?), but then keep a lighter weight, umbrella-like double stroller in the car for errands, etc. A fantastic one is the Maclaren Twin Triumph, though there are many varieties in various pricepoints that others adore.

A gorgeous stroller to check out for the "major purchase stroller" is the Baby Jogger City Mini. People love it, and you may like it well enough that you're willing to haul it around instead of the lighter-weight double umbrella stroller.

Best of luck!

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Oct 30 2008, 08:03 PM) [snapback]1049490[/snapback]
Are you asking about the safety rating on certain carseats or just the safety of carseats in general?


Yes, of course, I am asking about the safety rating on carseats.

Thanks everybody for sharing your experience with me!

 

Get the double snap and go for the first few months.
Then, get the Valco. YOU WILL LOVE IT!

 

...... or Phil and Teds Sport - its fantastic - so easy - only single width - love it.

 

I'm a BIG fan of the double snap'n'go!!! It makes life so much easier. We use a jogging stroller w/seats reclined and head support for walks though b/c the wheels on the snap n go aren't the best for long walks outside! We also love our Baby Trend Flex Loc car seats they are easy easy easy to install and get in and out of the car!

 

Thanks everybody!

 

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't love the snap and go. We have only used it a couple of times. I personally don't feel like it is as sturdy as our other stroller and I hate the wheels since we have a gravel driveway it is a pain for us. I use my Graco Quattro Duo which we picked because it was smaller than the duo-glider. I used it just about everyday until I went back to work a month ago. I snap our car seats into it and go. Yes it is heavy and yes it takes up more room in my car than the snap and go, but I love it. It steers well (even one handed), folds super easily and it is very easy to get the boys in and out. They *should* be able to ride in this stroller until they are toddlers.
We also have a Baby Trend Jogging stroller that we ordered from one step ahead, the boys LOVE it. This is what we use for walks and it is perfect because we end up on gravel a lot. It is easy, has a large basket and the straps are super easy to adjust.
Then we have a Jeep side by side that I got at my baby shower. I think this will get used more once they are older, but it folds up pretty small and will probably be easier to travel with.
The most important things in my opinion are, comfort (for babies and you), ease of use (and this will depend on how you think you will use the stroller) and making sure it fits in your vehicle (I was amazed when our stroller didn't fit in my SIL's van!).

 

QUOTE(ChelleBadger @ Oct 30 2008, 11:51 PM) [snapback]1049749[/snapback]
My advice is:

- Snap-n-go + infant seats is a must for the first 8-12 months

- Big walking/jogging strollers (like the Valco mentioned above) are fantastic for walks around the neighborhood and major outings (to the zoo, etc.), but are a pain to haul around due to their weight. Buy one for 1 year+ after you've gotten rid of the Snap-n-Go (if you can afford it?), but then keep a lighter weight, umbrella-like double stroller in the car for errands, etc. A fantastic one is the Maclaren Twin Triumph, though there are many varieties in various pricepoints that others adore.

A gorgeous stroller to check out for the "major purchase stroller" is the Baby Jogger City Mini. People love it, and you may like it well enough that you're willing to haul it around instead of the lighter-weight double umbrella stroller.

Best of luck!


Double snap and go is very handy, esp. for quick trips with sleeping infants.

I also have the Baby Jogger Citi Mini. I think it's a good alternative that is inbetween a big, bulky and often heavy full sized stroller (like the Gracos and Kolcraft) and the double umbrellas. It's very lightweight and very easy to fold. It fits easily in the trunk of my sedan. But it's more rugged than the double umbrella for walks around the block or an uneven surfaces. We really like it.

 

http://www.healthycar.org/home.php

That is a good website that rates the chemical toxins found both in car interiors and car seats. They use a lot of fire retardants and stain resistants that are very toxic.

http://www.car-safety.org/guide.html

That site has some good information and other links.

Consumer reports rated the chico keyfit the highest .

I love the snap and go with my infant car seat. I have the snug rider by Graco. The Mountain Buggy has not been that great so far because the babies dont seem to like it. Also, it is so heavy to get in and out of the car, etc.. I am not sure what I will do next for a good portable stroller. I might get to single strollers. Maybe an umbrella and another choice. For traveling in the airport it sounds like this is the best option. I think i will get a cheap Mclaren and then a nicer single stroller.