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Baby
Strollers and Carriers - Know What To Look For
When You Buy
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by:
Angela Constantine
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Baby Strollers and Carriers for New Parents
Just about to have your first baby? Congratulations!!! You are about to
embark
on one of the greatest moments in Life. I remember having our first
child. What
a fantastic experience. The fun of the anticipation leading up to the
birth was
like Christmas eve for a four year old!
The part of having you baby that can be a bit overwhelming is the
preparation
period. Especially for first time parents. You have the nursery to
decorate, a
crib to buy, clothes, formula, bottles, bottle sterilizers, bibs,
diapers, a
diaper Genie, bouncers, toys, blankets, and of course a carrier and
stroller so
you can actually leave home again! Whew!!!!
I'm just going to focus on strollers
and carriers because without them, you are just
about stuck at home for 3 years.
An Array of Products Available For Today's Baby
With out first child, we wanted everything to be
perfect. (Since then, I
have discovered that we were not alone). So when shopping for that
first
stroller, we had little experience at what was a good choice. Our
shopping
methods revolved around safety and comfort for the baby (which is
important). We
looked at a lot of strollers and eventually purchased the "Cadillac"
stroller
that had a long sturdy frame, extra soft wheels (for added comfort) and
a seat
that looked like a miniature Lazy Boy recliner!
It had a ton of extras! unfortunately for us, we didn't think past the
stroller
itself.Things like... one of us would actually have to lift this heavy
thing out
of the trunk and unfold it and its many components EVERY time we went
out with
the baby! The thing must have weighted sixty pounds!
The other half of the formula we missed was the fact that every time we
went
some where, we had to unbuckle junior from the car seat (a five point
harness
mind you) and carefully and gently lift him from car seat firmly
fastened in the
back seat and place him gingerly in the stroller seat, then buckle him
in there.
Only to return from a fifteen minute stroll through the drug store to
go through
this routine once again! Let's hope it wasn't raining!!!
After about four months of this self inflicted, back straining, time
consuming
regimen, we both agreed that we needed a more practical, but still
comfortable
stroller.
We Discovered the Experienced Parents Secret
Weapon for Easy Travel
After four months of being the new parents with
the "we'll do it our way,
thank you" attitude, we talked with some friends that had kids. We
watched
parents that had figured out the secret weapon for quick and easy
travel with a
newborn. Travel systems! I wish I could meet the person that invented
these gems
- I would thank them for their fine contribution in life.
The baby carrier/stroller combination has to be the most ingenious
invention
since the automobile! Don't believe me? Try the routine I described
above for
just two weeks and you'll agree.
These strollers have a baby carrier that attaches to the frame with the
baby
facing you, the more practical way - especially in the first six
months. The
carrier detaches with a simple tug on a latch handle that locks the
carrier to
the stroller.
A car seat base that comes with the travel system is securely attached
to the
back seat in the car by the seatbelt. You simple "snap" the carrier
into the
base with one click and you are ready to go! This is especially great
when your
little one is sound asleep and you don't want to have to wake her up as
you move
her back and forth from the car seat to the stroller.
Safety Is Always an Issue
These travel systems are built with strict
standards to insure that your
baby is safe and secure, while giving you a lightweight and fast way to
move
from the house to the car, the car to the store and back again. Always
be sure
that your carrier is securely fastened and be certain that you only buy
a rear
facing carrier/car seat for an infant. Many new designs are reversible
to let
your newborn "grow into" your new investment.
Design is Another Important Area
Of course as you decide on your travel
accessories, you want to look closely
at how easily the stroller folds up and unfolds. Pick it up a few times
to be
sure it isn't going to be too heavy for you to pull out of a trunk. And
you'll
want to choose one that looks cool too. But definitely choose
portability and
convenience over looks. Trust me on this one ;)
The Cost Factor
As a first time parent myself, I know that money
can be tight. One thing you
will want to think hard about is the safety of your most prized
possession.
There are things in life that you cannot put a price on. Your child's
safety is
one of them.
I'm not suggesting that you overspend, but definitely don't cut corners
on
equipment that you will use for transporting you child on a daily
basis. The
aggravation of cheap equipment isn't worth the few dollars saved.
Look No Further - Online Shopping For Your Baby
Needs
Keep in mind as you start to look for baby
strollers and carriers, you now have the ability to
shop the planet for the best items for your baby! As
ecommerce gains speed, literally millions of items are purchased and
shipped to
buyers front doors every day! Hey, you don't even need to get out of
your
pajamas to research and shop for the best baby products available.
Best of luck with your new family member and be sure to get the travel
system
that makes sense for you!
About the Author
Angela Constantine is a stay at home mom with an
online information website
www.baby-strollers-and-carriers.com
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