Image via Wikipedia Full Featured Strollers are just that - full featured. The offer more storage space, have sturdier frames, better shock absorbers for smoother rides and are much roomier.Full featured strollers offer more padding in the seat, fully reclining seats - making them appropriate for your newborn. They usually have a very large canopy and most have adjustable heigth handles, which are a back saver for the taller parents.
The downside to a full featured stroller is that they are larger, heavier and don't fold into as small a package as the rest of the strollers available. These things can weight 25 to 35 pounds and even folded may not fit into a small car's trunk or even get into the back seat. They take up more space in the mall, in the store aisles and they are more expensive. As in most things you pay for the additional features.
Parents today don't want Grandma's huge, bulky stroller. Although they were easier to buy - one color (black,) 4 wheels, took up the entire sidewalk and were heavy and awkward. You did not need a jogging stroller back then, just pushing this thing gave you a good workout.
Parents today want a sleeker, more streamlined design, less weight, a better folding system and more storage space. Unfortunately most of the real progress on design and additional features has been made on the upper end of the price scale by companies like BOB and Bugaboo. Some of the mid priced companies such as Inglesina, Peg Perego and Zooper have introduced very stylish strollers that fold easier - some with a one handed folding feature. Some of the upper end strollers offer car seat adapters (very convenient) and most offer light-weight aluminum frames.
Some of the things to consider when buying a full featured stroller are:
Watch out for used strollers. These seem like a bargain however you can't always tell what parts are worn out, whether or not there have been recalls issued for that model and how durable it will be. Better known brands such as Maclaren, Kolcraft, Inglesina or Peg Perego have a proven track record for longevity and hold their worth.
If you are on a tight budget and MUST buy a used stroller please check it out and go to the Consumer Products Safety Commission to see if that stroller has any safety issues or has been recalled. This is very important, babies have had their finger amputated in the folding mechanism of some strollers.
Make sure that the stroller has a 5-point restraint. The 3-point are safe but the 5-point is better for energetic toddlers.
The best strollers have air filled or hard nylon tires instead of soft plastic. These resemble small bicycle tires. The larger the tire the smoother the ride.
Very good strollers should have shock absorbers at least on one set of tires.
The locking mechanism should hold the stroller on a fairly steep slope just to make sure that it works. (Think San Francisco.)
The folding system should have a very good locking system to keep the stroller from accidental collapse when in use.
Check to insure no sharp edges come in contact with the rider.
If your child is less than 6 months old or cannot yet hold the head up you need a full reclining seat.
Make sure the frame is well balanced and doesn't tip backwards easily with just a small amount of pressure on the handlebar.
Check to make sure the frame is upholstered or padded where it may contact your small rider.
You will want a large canopy to shield your child from the sun, wind and occasional wet weather.
If you live in an area where it gets cold look into a stroller with a cold weather boot to keep the child's feet protected.
Swiveling front tires are a blessing when maneuverability is a must (and when is it ever not?)
Check to make sure it has a large enough basket for all the things that baby needs and make sure it is accessible whether the seat is up or fully reclined.
Take if for a test stroll and really check that the handle height will work for you along with you not kicking anything using your normal stride.
Make sure the child's tray is easily removable and if there is just a bar check to see that it is well padded, and covered, and won't be bitten through easily. There is nothing more fun than trying to pick pieces of foam padding out of the mouth of a teething child.
