1. Standard Strollers
As the name tells you, this is the basic stroller that carries one child and comes with various features depending on the model and price. Standard strollers are for shopping, traveling, and walks in the parks or paved sidewalks. Some can be turned into travel systems to fit in your car.
Standard strollers are good because they have:
- Stable frames – makes them sturdy and there is less chance of tipping over when taking a sharp turn
- Durability – not the flimsy type!
- Various features for your comfort and convenience
They are not suitable when:
- Going on walks on rougher terrain
- Jogging
2. Stroller Travel Systems/Universal Car Seat Carriers
Both Travel Systems and Universal Car Seat Carriers are designed for your convenience to go travelling in a car, but they differ a little bit.
Travel systems are standard strollers attached to infant car seat that clips onto car seat base for your vehicle, all of which are included unless you want to buy them separately, which I would not recommend because some car seats and strollers are not compatible to be attached together.
Universal car seat carriers are infant car seats that can be fastened to a stroller frame to become a lightweight stroller.
Pros of travel systems and universal car seat carriers:
- Convenient for traveling
- Available in multi-child versions
- Usually has one-hand fold system
Cons:
- Not suitable for jogging
- Not suitable for rough terrain unless they have all-terrain wheels
If we compare travel systems to universal car seat carriers:
Travel systems
- have the advantages of a standard stroller (stable, durable, and has many features)
- are good for children from birth till toddlerhood
Universal Car Seat Carriers
- are more lightweight and compact
- are less expensive
- will eventually be unsuitable for babies who’ve outgrown the car seat
3. Multi-Child Strollers – Double Strollers, Twin Strollers and Triple Strollers
You will need a multi-child stroller when you have twins, triplets, or children who are very close in age.
Nowadays many types of strollers come in the multi-child version. These strollers either use the tandem design (one seat behind another) or the side-by-side design. It is difficult to say which design is better, as it all depends on which kind you think is easier to steer. The tandem design is more convenient to go through narrow aisles, but some people think it’s too long to manage when crossing the road.
For twins and triplets, twin strollers and triple strollers are suitable. If your children are of different age – maybe one year apart – it is advisable to get a double stroller (which is slightly different from a twin stroller) or a sit-n-stand stroller. Read my review of the Baby Trend Silverado Sit N’ Stand Plus.
4. Active Stroller/Jogging Stroller
If you think that you can’t go jogging anymore because of your baby, you’re wrong! Jogging strollers are specially designed for the active parents. They have 3 all-terrain wheels, shock absorbers, and built for smooth running.
Be sure to check for good safety features before you buy. It is best to have
- Adjustable 5-point harness
- deep child seat
- lightweight frame
- large tires and wheel fender
- shock absorbers
- adjustable handle
- safety wrist strap
- brakes
- storage basket
- sun canopy
- washable fabric
- lifetime warranty on frame
Beware though, that jogging strollers are not suitable for newborns up to 6 months, as recommended by the American Pediatric Society. If you need to get some fresh air, go for walks until your baby is able to sit up unassisted.
Jogging strollers are also not usually suitable for shopping or walks because of their design. Using strollers with disregard of their main function will only lead you to much frustration.
5. Lightweight Strollers/Umbrella Strollers
Umbrella strollers are named for their easy folding up and curved handles just like umbrellas. Lightweight or umbrella strollers are a lot lighter than the standard ones, made simple and compact for quick and easy handling. They are particularly useful when running quick errands and traveling on public transport.
I like it that most umbrella strollers are so light that you can pick it up with one hand. The one-hand fold system is also very useful for these strollers because you can do the folding while carrying baby in the other hand. Imagine storing it away in seconds! Find one that is easy to steer with one hand too, and you can practically call it a one-hand stroller.
Lightweight strollers are definitely not for walks on rough terrain or jogging. They’re not that great for long shopping trips too. You probably can’t use them for newborns because the seat either doesn’t recline at all or doesn’t fully recline.
6. Baby Carriages or Prams
This is totally a different line of stroller. Remember what baby carriages look like in the old days? They have the elegant-looking bassinet on a four-wheel frame. The baby carriage is solid and inflexible but comfortable for newborns. Baby carriages can only be used from birth until a few months old when the baby has outgrown the bassinet. They are not practical for fast-paced modern living, yet they’re more expensive than other kinds of strollers.
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