STANDARD STROLLERS

BASIC FEATURES
folding and stowing

Collapsing in your arms: Nowadays, most stroller manufacturers employ innovative folding mechanisms to make the stroller remarkably compact when collapsed. That said, many parents still find the stroller folding process counter-intuitive at the beginning. So save yourself some time and frustration and carefully read the instructions and be patient: these things tend to have a learning curve! If you're not one of the patient types, make sure you've got an easy one-handed folding mechanism BEFORE you buy.

There are instances where a stroller's folding mechanism has actually compromised the chassis, so look for reinforced components that snap or lock into place when opened to prevent spontaneous folding while your child is in the stroller. A nice additional feature: locking devices to secure the stroller once it's folded down.

Packing it in: Even if the stroller does fold down easily, that doesn't guarantee it will be as compact as you'd like-especially if you have a compact car or small apartment. Many baby strollers are somewhat compact, but still too bulky for the back of a Geo Metro. Whatever your situation, you'll want to ensure you have enough space to stow your stroller and the groceries. A word to the wise: if you tend to spend a lot of time in your car/truck/SUV, you're going to want a lighter standard baby stroller (under 20 lbs preferably) or you're going to be straining and cursing the stroller every time you lift it in and out of your vehicle.