Baby Freebies

Buying baby strollers and car seats for our children is not as easy as it was for our parents.  Our parents did not have the wide selection of these items that we do to choose from as there were only a few makers.  There is such a wide variety these days that it can be very confusing on which models and makes to buy.  The point of this article is to give you some helpful tips to make the decision making a little clearer for you.

One of the first things that you need to consider is safety.  This holds true whether it is a car seat or a stroller.  There is no doubt that you agree, the safety of your child comes first above everything else. When looking at strollers and car seats you need to make sure that the manufacturers have put them through the gambit and they have tested true.  Baby strollers need to have a locking mechanism that clicks into place automatically when it is opened so that it will not close up on the child when you place them in. The car seat needs to meet or exceed they safety standards that the govenrment has set forth for these items.

Baby Strollers

You should consider these few things when it comes to strollers. Check the stroller to find out how easy it is fold and unfold.  Some of the models on the market allow single handed operation, which is a real plus when you have a child in the other hand and do not wish to put him/her down.  The stroller must have brakes and make sure that they engage easily.  There are a good number of models that have lever brakes on the back wheel that are simple to engage with a flip of your foot.  The handle is the third thing that you should consider.  Lots of strollers made thse days have little tray that you can put your items in, like shopping bags, your cell phone, cup holders and a place to hold your purse.  You last point of concern needs to be what exactly the stroller is built out of. Is it going to be strong and durable, or does it seem too flimsy?  Strollers that are made from stronger materials like steel and aluminum will fare much better than flimsier materials like plastic.

Car Seats

Choosing the car seat for your child is more about what will work best for you and your child, other than the initial safety requirements.  There are car seats that are specifically designed for each stage of your child’s growth.  If your child is at the age of birth to the one year and around 20 pounds than the child needs a rear facing car seat.  Forward-facing car seats are for ages one year to four and 20 to 40 pounds. Booster-type car seats are for ages 4 to 8, up to four foot nine inches in height.  When your child outgrows that, they can sit in the car like older passengers and be buckled up in a regular seat belt.  A car seat that is meant for all of the developmental stages (besides the booster seat) is the convertible car seat.

Ultimately, the baby strollers and car seats that you select should be more about what is easy for you to use and what is comfortable, yet safe, for your child.  You should not have to struggle with baby strollers and car seats.