Parents find their strollers indispensible. And more and more families are using multiple strollers. Many families have a basic stroller or travel system. The travel system is pure genius, especially with infants. You no longer have to wake baby to transfer him from stroller to car. You just move him seat and all!

Active parents appreciate jogging strollers and bike trailers. There are even stroller combos that can be morphed into cross country ski strollers and hiking strollers. My favorite new specialty stroller is one designed for the beach. It rolls on sand! Kinda like a baby dune buggy don't you think?

Umbrella strollers or other lightweight type strollers are a must for quick trips in and out of the car with older babies and tots. And if you have more than one tot at home or are blessed with a multiple birth, you no longer have to grow four arms to stroll your babies.

Tandem baby strollers are all the rage. One baby rides behind the other versus the older style side by side strollers. Your fellow shoppers in the mall really appreciate the new tandems that don't block the aisles. Your biggest problem with a tandem stroller is deciding who rides in front. As they get older you will have to have a system to choose who goes first today.

In our catalog, we have tried to bring you a wide selection of the best strollers online. Feel free to browse our catalog and please read our various posts. We love comments too!

To begin with, a bike trailer/stroller is not intended for use with infants.  Generally, the child should be at least one year old.  As always, users should read and follow manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.  Practice runs with weight to substitute for baby are a must for the bicycler to get used to having the attachment.

Some bike trailers convert to strollers which double their use and free you from having to bring along additional baby conveyances if you want to walk and ride.  Some products are even designed to have multiple uses based on kits you add on.  For example, you can buy a child carrier that converts to a stroller, jogger, bike trailer, cross country skier and hiker.

Most bike trailers are going to be able to handle a bit of variable terrain but I wouldn’t advise biking far off road with them.  You and baby will have a much more enjoyable time on smoother terrain.

Obviously, you will want to ride your bike using the utmost care.  Remember as with regular strollers, when crossing an intersection, your bike trailer may not be readily expected or seen no matter how many reflectors and lights you put on it.  I personally would recommend only using a bike trailer during clear weather with 100% visibility.

Also like regular strollers, most bike trailers will have good cargo room incorporated into their design.  With some planning you should be able to pack your baby gear and a lunch.

If you were very active before baby came, you are probably going to want a stroller with multiple options as I mentioned above.  Activity is a good habit.  If you were not active before baby came and you want to shape up a post baby body or just provide your new child with a healthier parent, a bike trailer is a great way for the whole family to get moving outdoors.

*  Safety Harness - 3 or 5 point.
*  Fully reclining seat for infants.
*  Wide wheel base for stability
*  Rear facing option especially for infants to face mom or the back of a car seat.
*  Thoughtfully designed cargo systems, low and to the rear.
*  Locking moving parts to guard against collapse
*  Wheel brakes that lock.

Extra Considerations If Buying a Pre-owned Stroller

Ask about the condition of the stroller if it is not apparent, especially with an online auction.  Avoid saggy seats, missing parts and excessive wear.  Make sure all components of the stroller can be cleaned.  If I can’t hose something down or throw it in the washer, I am not buying it used for my baby.

As I have said in a previous post, there is no reason to settle for junk if you are buying used.  There are simply too many mint condition strollers out there ready for the buying.  Why?  Well some strollers simply do not get enough use.  Mom found something that better fit her needs and the cast off sat in a corner some where.  Doesn’t mean there is a single thing wrong with it.  Just wasn’t right for that particular family.  Their buying gaffe can be your buying bargain.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association “is dedicated to promoting the industry and the safe use of juvenile products”.  Visit JPMA.org for brand names of strollers and other products that pass the association’s rigorous testing and wear their certification seal.

As always, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the individual manufacture will be your best source of info regarding recalls.

Safety starts with the manufacturer but ends with you.  If you do not use a product properly, the safety results cannot be accurately predicted.

Using Your Baby Stroller Safely

Read the manufacturer’s instructions.  If these are not available in the case of a used purchase, try contacting the manufacturer’s website.  If that doesn’t work, ask for help on one of the million baby oriented online forums.  Undoubtedly someone will have the information you seek.

Watch where you are going.  Keep in mind baby is traveling ahead of you.  You must allow for that extra distance when gauging motion, especially crossing streets.

Never take your eye off baby when he is in the stroller.

Keep hands and feet inside the ride at all times.  How many times have you heard this at the amusement park?  Aim for that same level of safety with baby in a stroller.  Obviously baby is going to reach and lean.  Account for that distance when moving.

When moving from car to stroller and back, secure baby in the car while opening and closing the stroller.  If you are already walking with both baby and stroller in hand, try to find a place to safely place baby while you set up the stroller.

Keep an eye on the stroller condition during every use.  One small lose string or broken dangly toy can be a big problem in the making.

The stroller is not a toy.  Older children will want to push it.  As baby toddles, she too will want to push it.  Only allow this under your most careful and close observation.  Think about it.  A toddler is pushing but is also depending on wheels for balance.  We don’t want a slip in the wrong direction.

Never use the stroller as a shopping cart adjunct.  Buy proper storage accessories if needed.  Your stroller will likely be designed to stow a bag beneath it.  Don’t try to overload it no matter how tempting.

Give your stroller a once over frequently.  Check for possible hazards, signs of excessive wear and lose or missing parts.

Safely used, a stroller can be a great tool for parents.  Happy rolling!

*  Stroller liners made to snuggly cuddle and support infant’s heads and bodies.  Some are adjustable with an inner liner to remove as baby grows.

*  Umbrella stroller tote bags and airline gate check stroller bags free your hands, keep strollers clean and protected from minor damages and easy to stow in an overhead or with the flight attendant.

*  Handle extensions for taller persons.  Indispensable if your stroller does not come with adjustable handles built in.

*  Cargo attachable side sling.  Attach to either side of a stroller to keep must haves easily accessible.  Will fold with the stroller.  Keeps the space behind the stroller clear for your legs.

*  Mesh netting or insect netting is an absolute must, especially in warmer climates and off road settings.

*  Snap on trays for serving snacks and beverages.  Also double as play trays for crayons and small toys.

*  Clip on stroller mobiles and dangling toys.  Babies love the jiggling.

*  Clamp on adjustable fan.  Battery operated.  Can be used on crib, playpen or pretty much any place you can clamp it.

*  Nifty organizers that attach to the upper handles.  Some have zippered pockets, cup holders and phone holders.

*  Nifty organizers that attach to the lower portion of the handles, designed to handle heavier objects.

*  Shades with UV protection and clamp on parasols shield baby from the sun.

*  Peak in mirrors let mom see baby without disturbing or attracting baby’s attention.

*  Plastic rain covers and hoods.  Some are simple protection.  More sophisticated “stroller coats” are insulated for warmth in cooler climates.

These are a pretty representative sampling of accessories you will find available.  Some you know you will want right away.  Others you will find the need as baby grows.  If you find the perfect stroller except it is missing a feature you really want, check first if that feature can be bought as an add on or accessory before resigning yourself to having less than you need.

1. Lightweight Strollers - These include the immensely popular and easy to use umbrella strollers and newer, light, easy to use standard styles.

2. Standard Strollers - Designed for you to push one seated child.  Features vary.

3. Stroller Travel Systems - A stroller with a detachable infant car seat.

4. Universal Car Seat Carrier - A stroller frame onto which you can attach most infant car seats.

5. Multi-Child Strollers - Transport more than one child.  Good for multiple births and spaced siblings alike.

6. Active Strollers - Specially outfitted strollers that allow baby to easily go along on hikes, jogs, bikes, cross-country skiing and other off road adventures.

7. Classic Baby Carriage/Pram - A bassinet on wheels with baby facing the person pushing.  Some new designs start as a pram and convert to a stroller as baby grows.