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Baby Strollers and Carriers - Know What To Look For When Buy

by: Angela Constantine

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