You are a new parent.  There are many choices to make in front of you.  One of them is purchasing a brand new stroller.  If you are having your first child then the choice will be significantly harder because you have never done this before.  The sheer volume of choices can be headache inducing.  So many options available at your fingertips!

Here is some advice any new or existing parent can use in order to find that “perfect” stroller that will fit both their needs and their newborn baby.

What Will You Use It For

Before you go shopping for strollers you need to know what you will be using it for.  Is your family physically active?  If you (husband or wife) enjoy running, jogging, or hiking then you will need a stroller (like a sports or jogging one) that has different features than a stroller just for walking around stores, shopping, or simple trips to parks.

What Do You Want To Spend (Price Range)

When it comes to these items you have three options.  There are your bargain no thrills models, standard models, and premium models that come with everything.

You need to figure out in advance what you can afford.  Like buying a car you might want a Lexus but can only afford a Honda Civic.

Keep in mind that you need to think about the long term.  Many expensive models, like Maclaren for instance, cost more than others but will last a long time.  Other brands may be cheaper but will break and will have to be replaced sooner than you expect.

Travel strollers will cost a lot more than traditional ones.  But, when you consider that you can use them as a car seat as well and can last your child from when they are a newborn to when they are a toddler they do not seem so costly.

Think about your budget now but also what will save you money in the future.

Features

You need to write down which features are important to you and which ones are not.  The following are some of the ones you should consider for you and your newborn.

  • Safety- This is a very important aspect to any parent.  Some items that make a stroller safe are five point harnesses, one touch brakes, and sun visors.
  • Compatibility with a newborn- look for features that are conducive to newborn babies. Quite frankly there are some strollers that are excellent for toddlers but are not good for newborn babies.  Items you would look for are removable bassinet, way to enclose leg holes, a seat that reclines fully flat, or a model that you can easily turn into a car seat (know as travel systems).
  • Portable- Consider how easy it is to lug this stroller around.  You will have to fold it, unfold it, fit it into your trunk, travel with it on an airplane, etc  Pick a model that makes it easy to do all of these things.
  • Seating-If this is your first child then this particular point is a mute one.  But, if not, and your other children are still real young then you need a double stroller.  Why have two kids in two different prams when there are models out there which will fit both.
  • Storage- You will need to carry essential items in your stroller.  Some of these include diaper bags, bottles, and your purse.  Make sure the model you choose has enough storage room to carry the items you will commonly pack with you.

Thinking about these considerations will put you into a better position in choosing the right Maclaren stroller, or whatever other brand you choose.

I you need further assistance here is another great stroller resource for you to look at. This website outlines the different strollers you can buy including standard, jogging, umbrella, lightweight, double, travel, and Eco-friendly strollers.