It isn’t as easy for us as it was for our parents when it comes to buying baby strollers and car seats.  When they were buying these items there wasn’t a large selection as only a few companies manufactured them and they pretty much all resembled each other.  There is such a wide variety these days that it can be very confusing on which models and makes to buy.  The point of this article is to give you some helpful tips to make the decision making a little clearer for you.

The most crucial thing that you need to consider when it comes to selecting hese items is safety.  This applies to baby strollers and car seats.  Above all else comes the safety of our children. When looking at strollers and car seats you need to make sure that the manufacturers have put them through the gambit and they have tested true.  Baby strollers need to have a locking mechanism that clicks into place automatically when it is opened so that it will not close up on the child when you place them in. Car seats need to meet all of the requirment that are set forth in the federal and state regulations for car seat and child safety.

Baby Strollers

For baby strollers there are a few things to consider. First you should see how easy it is to fold and unfold.  Some of the models on the market allow single handed operation, which is a real plus when you have a child in the other hand and do not wish to put him/her down.  Second, there should be brakes that engage easily.  There are models that have brakes on the back wheel that engage with a simple flick from your foot.  Third, you should think about the handle.  Lots of strollers made thse days have little tray that you can put your items in, like shopping bags, your cell phone, cup holders and a place to hold your purse.  You last point of concern needs to be what exactly the stroller is built out of. Is the stroller going to be strong enough to hold up under use or is it simply to flimsy for regular wear and tear.  Strollers that are made from stronger materials like steel and aluminum will fare much better than flimsier materials like plastic.

Car Seats

When it comes to car seats other than the safety of the child the main thing that you need to focus on is what is going to work for you and the child.  There are car seats that are specifically designed for each stage of your child’s growth.  Seats that are “rear facing”, are made for children that are 20 poounds or less and less than a year old.  For children of 1 year to 4 years your child needs to have a forward facing car seat. Booster-type car seats are for ages 4 to 8, up to four foot nine inches in height.  When your child outgrows that, they can sit in the car like older passengers and be buckled up in a regular seat belt.  Convertible car seats are designed to be a combination of car seats, with the exception of the booster seat, that will accommodate your child throughout the growing years.

The baby stroller and car seat that you finally choose should provide your child with comfort and safety while at the same time provide you with simplicity of functionality.  Making use of these items should not be a chore or a struggle to make get them to function properly.