11 Things Every New Mom Needs to Look for in a Stroller

According to Consumer Reports, there are a few stroller must-have features that ensure the safety of your baby. In addition to a five-point harness, a crotch strap is often essential to keep your little one from slipping. A stroller designed for a newborn or young infant should recline to alleviate any risk of them falling out of the stroller. All strollers should have an efficient parking brake as well as wheel locks for stability when parked.

When choosing a stroller, one of the most important factors is that whichever style you choose, make sure it fits your lifestyle. Take into consideration where you live – whether you're in the city and utilize public transportation or live in the suburbs and drive your car everywhere. Another factor to consider is whether you travel often. If so, in addition to an everyday stroller, you may want to consider a lightweight option that can be checked alongside your luggage. If you know you'll be in and out of the car regularly, a travel system stroller lets you snap the car seat into the stroller without having to move a sleeping newborn. Take careful stock of your actual lifestyle and day-to-day activities to determine how you will authentically use the stroller rather than choosing one based on trending styles.

There are so many variables to consider when choosing a stroller that you couldn't possibly think over every potential issue or circumstance. When choosing a stroller, be sure to check out the consumer reports websites, read reviews, and consult Facebook groups and online forums for first-hand experience. Parents who have used the strollers or travel systems you're interested in will offer pros and cons related to the product that you may not have even considered before. Reviews and word-of-mouth accounts can offer important information and insight to help you make an informed decision about which stroller to choose as a new mom.

The key is to choose the safest and most effective stroller for your lifestyle that fits within your price range. There's no sense going into debt over this purchase when it's not necessary to have a top-of-the-line luxury version. As long as your stroller adheres to standards set for by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, choose the one that fits your budget and works best for your lifestyle and needs. No matter the price point, a stroller shouldn't be a popularity contest and you shouldn't feel guilty or experience FOMO if you're unable to purchase the newest, hottest option on the market.

It may seem like too much, too fast to consider your future family plans when purchasing your first stroller as a new parent, but if you're planning on growing your family within a few years, it may be worth taking that into consideration. Purchase a single stroller if you're completely sure you're a one-and-done family or will be waiting several years to get pregnant again. But if you think you may want to have another baby soon, perhaps a modular stroller is the way to go. Modular strollers allow you to purchase a second seat that you can click on to your existing single stroller, making it a double. Similarly, there are stroller accessories like ride-along boards and seats that attach to your existing stroller to accommodate an older child who's walking but still wants to take breaks on the stroller – think theme park vacations.

There are countless options when it comes to accessories for your stroller, though often they need to be purchased separately. However, there are a few strollers that have common built-in accessories, like the Baby Trend Expedition GLX Travel System. This rugged option includes dual cup holders for parents, a snack and drink tray for baby, as well as MP3 speaker plug-ins. Don't worry though if your favorite stroller doesn't have the exact accessory you need – you can easily purchase universal attachments to customize your favorite stroller into the perfect system for you.

Since you likely won't be leaving the house without at least a few diapers, wipes, and other random diaper bag items, having a convenient place to stow away these baby essentials is imperative. If you have a go-to diaper bag that you love, be sure it will fit in the stroller basket or can easily and comfortably hang on stroller handle hooks. When shopping for your stroller, bring the bag with you and try it out to make sure it sits and fits within the stroller in a way that is comfortable and easy to access.

One thing is certain: Having a new baby can be messy. Whether it's spit-up, spills, or diaper blow-outs, there seems to always be a load of laundry going at any given moment. A stroller with a removable seat is the easiest when it comes to keeping everything fresh and clean. Spot treatments with mild soap and water are great for on-the-go, but every once in a while you're going to need to do a deep clean, so removable cushions and pieces will make the process go much more smoothly.

Again, related to lifestyle, the weight of your stroller is important. If you're going to be lugging it in and out of the car or up and down flights of stairs, you'll want to choose a lightweight stroller that's easy to maneuver. Try not to equate stroller weight with durability — there are many quality lightweight umbrella strollers that hold their own against the heavier-duty prams weighing in at over 30 pounds. Make sure you (carefully) practice lifting it while folded to make sure it's feasible to do.

Much like the weight of your baby's stroller, portability and ease of use are key. If your stroller is too clunky and cumbersome, you'll find yourself frustrated after a few uses and it'll quickly become stashed in the back of a closet, unused. Save yourself time, money, and aggravation by looking for a stroller that's easy to maneuver. With the trend toward smaller energy-efficient vehicles, over larger SUVs, size can also be an important factor to consider as a new mom buying a stroller. Though, be warned: Even the most seemingly spacious minivans have odd-shaped cargo space options that can make fitting a stroller into the back challenging, so always make sure you try it before you add it to your registry.

Most — if not all — larger baby gear items come with a limited-time warranty, which is important, especially when parts and features undergo a recall. Be sure to research warranty information on your stroller of choice, and when you do finally purchase one, register your product online or by completing accompanying paperwork to ensure the manufacturer can contact you directly in the event of a problem or recall. Convenience, style, and functionality are important characteristics to consider, but the overall safety of the stroller should be your top concern, and registering your product is a quick and easy way to ensure safety.