I'm a Baby-Stroller Shopper, and I want to ask anything...

[Table 5]

Well crap, I didn't think I'd have to make this thread for a few years yet, but life goes on and here we are. I need some advice/feedback on what stroller and car seats to get. If someone has some particular models that they like (or dislike), please share your thoughts.

What are the good brands to consider? Would like to keep the price range from $500-700 for stroller and car seat....is that reasonable? Names I keep hearing are Baby Jogger, Graco, BOB, Uppa....any of these particular a good value for the price?

What are the features that we really need in a stroller? Do you need a bassinet attachment? Is it better to get the 4 wheeled ones or the 3 wheeled ones? Do you need all the doodad attachments or are they just a waste? I like the look of the ones with single big tire at the front as it seems like it would be good for maneuverability. Also it looks kinda cool. But maybe they are less stable?

From the sounds of it some seats don't fit some strollers, and you need different seats for different ages? The more I look into this, the more confused I get.

My wife will be the one mostly using this thing, so it probably has to be fairly easy to fold and maneuver around. My guess is it will be mostly urban use. Which ones are the easiest to fold?

I don't want to buy a car seat used, but is it ok to consider a used stroller on Kijiji? Or do they get beat the hell up after a few years? The used prices don't seem like too much of a steal to be honest.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Congrats!

[Table 5]

Ha, thanks, but I really didn't do much.

[Baxter Renegade]

I like that you used a Canucks logo for a baby stroller thread.

[Table 5]

Seemed appropriate for a thread about a bunch of whiny criers who crap their pants.

[Canada 02]

I see you are in the USA; buy online, not at Babys R Us

this is the website we used recently to get our car seat for about 40% of the price seen elsewhere

http://www.albeebaby.com/carseats2.h...Fce8KgodoGIA4Q

amazon.com is also a great place to find deals. Register there and get an additional 10% off everything baby-related

get a car seat that's easy to adjust all the straps; the little buggers grow so fast, you will be constantly adjusting the belts, so you don't want to be taking the seat apart each time.

also, if you are interested in a Bob jogging stroller, apparently they go on sale once a year in August/September when the new model year comes out

[prarieboy]

Get a good quality umbrella stroller. They are light, pack up small and are way easier to maneuver than those big bulky ones.

A newborn probably needs something bigger to begin with but the sooner you can ditch the big one the better off you'll be.

As far as baby stuff goes buy used where safety considerations don't come into play.

[4X4]

I second fotze's video monitor comment. It's a must.

[Table 5]

Yeah, those umbrella strollers look nice and light, but they probably don't have enough room to carry crap.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

HA ha! Your life is ruined. I'm kidding. Actually it really is ruined.

The only thing I'm deathly afraid of is not being able to travel as much. I'm a total bore, so I don't really go out to bars anymore anyway, but I definitely love to travel.

We bought a Valco. Has made it through two kids and barely works anymore. You will want the thing that the car seat will attach too. The nicer the thing is the bulkier and annoying it is to transport.

Also, get the video monitor. The most important purchase you will make. Don't cheap out on the voice one.

Why is a good one so important?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Yeah, those umbrella strollers look nice and light, but they probably don't have enough room to carry crap.

But ask yourself where you're really going that you need much crap? The maximum amount of time your newborn is going to be away from home is 2-3 diapers, a half a thermos of formula, and a thing of wipes. It's not like you need to pack a sleeping bag in the stroller. Maybe an extra sleeper.

[IGGYRULES]

Originally Posted by fotze

Also, get the video monitor. The most important purchase you will make. Don't cheap out on the voice one.

Disagree completely! Get a voice one. Your kid does not need to be monitored 24/7 by cctv and you have a life to live after he/she goes to bed. It's getting ridiculous these days with the pads you put under them to tell you if they've stopped moving and hi def video cams in the rooms. This is coming from someone who has lived the experience twice (3.5 and 1.5 yr olds). One last word of unsolicited advice; don't let the baby sleep in your bed!!! Crib from day 1 at home. It's a bit of an inconvenience for eating but it's 100% worth the effort. I know some kids that are almost 1 and still sleeping in Mom and Dads bed because they aren't accustomed to their crib and Mom & Dad won't put their foot down.

Back on topic. Peg Perego also makes high quality stuff for childrens car seats and strollers. Go with the infant seat that has a base in the vehicle so you can take the seat out with minimal hassle and transfer to stroller etc...

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by 4X4

But ask yourself where you're really going that you need much crap? The maximum amount of time your newborn is going to be away from home is 2-3 diapers, a half a thermos of formula, and a thing of wipes. It's not like you need to pack a sleeping bag in the stroller. Maybe an extra sleeper.

Parents, especially new parents, use a stroller as a mobile command unit.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by 4X4

But ask yourself where you're really going that you need much crap? The maximum amount of time your newborn is going to be away from home is 2-3 diapers, a half a thermos of formula, and a thing of wipes. It's not like you need to pack a sleeping bag in the stroller. Maybe an extra sleeper.

Yeah, you're probably right, I just have no idea what the hell we will need. I like the idea of light and mobile though. The more efficient we can make this the better.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Parents, especially new parents, use a stroller as a mobile command unit.

And it's bloody ridiculous, unless they're both olympic athletes that are going on a marathon with the stroller. 9/10 excursions with a newborn are two hours or less. And you can fit everything you need for two hours into pretty much any stroller, or a nice, compact diaper bag. And so for that one other time that you're going to maybe need a bit more space, a backpack or your wife's purse is way easier to use than hauling a monstrosity of a stroller around 10/10 times.

[Table 5]

What's better, the 3 wheeled or 4 wheeled ones? Which one is more fun to wheel around and make sweet screeching tire noises.

[Regulator75]

The City Select by Baby Jogger rocks.
Nimble, turns on a dime, light weight, folds quick and can hold a tonne of weight.

4 wheels are better, 3 are too long and feel like they are gonna roll over.

The wife and I highly recommend them, our has taken a bunch of abuse and is still perfect.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Table 5

What's better, the 3 wheeled or 4 wheeled ones? Which one is more fun to wheel around and make sweet screeching tire noises.

We have one of each and I can't say I notice a difference. We use the 3 wheeler more often because the car seat is lighter to carry by hand.

[Ryan Coke]

I guess I don't know what I am missing--I didn't get a video monitor and have been fine with the audio one.

For strollers, I now have 3. I thought I was only ever going to need 1. Who knew. As prairieboy says, for now get a bigger one that fits the bucket car seat, or one that a smaller baby can lie directly in. But they are big units and awkward. Get an umbrella as they get bigger (6 months or so) that is more portable and easier to travel with. Try and get one that is taller...most of them are made for someone 5'6", so the taller one we got is nice.

I hope you enjoyed travelling. Don't worry, it'll only be a couple of years and you can travel again.....to disneyland.

[kermitology]

I just bought a Valco three wheel stroller from KTrain. There are all sorts of attachments for that thing I can buy. He gave me a great deal on it. So maybe try looking on kijiji or something?