4 Tips on How to Choose the Right Stroller for Your Baby

Expecting a new addition to the family? You’re probably scrambling to get all of the gear ready in advance… and one of the most important items to prepare is the stroller. 

This piece of hardware is vital but choosing it can be a challenge, what with the crazy range of options today. From lightweight joggers to the heavy-duty ones with big storage features, you can get lost in the specs.

So, let’s help you out! Here are tips on how to choose the best baby stroller Singapore option.

Start with Your Lifestyle and Daily Needs

Every decent stroller buying guide should start with this. You don’t know what’ll fit best if you don’t even know what you need!

Consider points like these:

1. Where the Stroller Will Be Used Most 

Think about your environment and where your routine takes you. Different places will require different strollers.

If you rely heavily on the MRT, you need something lightweight. If you do a lot of nature walks, you need superior suspension so your newborn isn’t disturbed by uneven terrain.

In the same way, you should consider things like frequent transitions between air-conditioned malls and the outdoors. Imported strollers designed to keep the baby warm at all times may not be the best fit for our tropical climate.

2. What’s Your Storage Situation?

Strollers need to be put away when not in use, and they can take up a lot of space. If you’re in a small HDB flat, that’s a concern. Look for strollers that stand upright when folded to save floor space.

3. If Your Time Is Split Equally between Use-cases

Some families find that they’re in two different situations often enough to merit buying two strollers. Usually, this means a sturdy one for long days out and a foldable or lightweight version for errands.

4. What Your Budget Is 

This will be an item you and your newborn will use just about daily, so don’t undershoot this so much that you end up in jeopardy. Convenience and durability matter when trying to figure out how to get true value for your money.

Key Features to Look for in a Newborn Stroller

The first thing to remember about newborn stroller tips for buyers is that your requirements should be stricter than when shopping for an older toddler. Newborns are more fragile and lack the muscular strength to even support their own heads.

This tells you that there are a number of key considerations to have on your list, regardless of what your preferences are for stroller weight and aesthetics.

Feature 1: Seat Design and Recline

Every stroller buying guide should mention this. True newborn strollers need to offer a “lie-flat” position, which is the main difference between traditional prams and standard strollers.

Prams are often designed mainly for newborns to lie flat. Most strollers only offer a partial recline suitable for older babies.

If you do end up choosing a standard stroller, ensure it’s specifically rated for “birth onwards” with a 180-degree recline. This ensures your newborn’s spine gets the proper support it needs in those crucial six months of growth after birth.

Feature 2: Weight and Portability

This is a big consideration we’ve already touched on lightly earlier, but since most of us rely on public transport, it bears mentioning here. Look for something you can lift easily!

You’ll inevitably find yourself lifting the stroller over kerbs, onto buses, or into the car. The heavier it is, the harder you’ll make life for yourself. 

Choose something you and any other primary caregiver can manage solo. Heavier ones are often around 10 kg, while the lightweight strollers are often around 6 kg.

Feature 3: Folding Mechanism

The easier the folding mechanism, the better. One-handed fold designs are winners here, as they allow you to collapse the unit even when you have to hold the baby with the other hand.

Don’t forget to check the folded size as well. Some strollers fold smaller than others, and depending on your needs, this may matter.

Feature 4: Travel System Compatibility

The stroller should be compatible with a detachable infant car seat if you need to move the baby from the car to the stroller frame regularly (without waking them up, obviously!).

If you use private vehicles a lot, this will be a godsend and save you from having to strap the baby in and out of different harnesses multiple times during a single trip.

Feature 5: Storage and Practicality

Never underestimate the importance of the under-seat basket for storage! You’ll need it for nappies, bottles, formula, or your own groceries. It can replace the need for a heavy backpack in some cases too.

As far as practicality goes, look for strollers with removable and washable fabrics. You’ll thank yourself for that later.

Useful Add-ons and Enhancements

Beyond the main unit, certain accessories may be worth considering for usage here:

• A high-quality rain cover. Great for Singapore’s unpredictable wet weather, it can keep your baby comfy and dry even with sudden showers.

• Clip-on fans or UV-resistant sunshades. Useful for protecting the baby from the unpleasantness of the other side of our climate coin!

• Cup holders. If you like to bring a drink or coffee for yourself when out with the little one, consider this. The more hands you have free when out with your baby, the better.

• Stroller or glider boards. A consideration if you have older children or plan to have more children in the future. They let the older sibling stand or ride along with the stroller, which extends the long-term use of the item.

Making a Final Selection for Your Stroller

It's important to consider the main functions of a stroller while making your selection. And of course, talk to other parents in your social circle or even on our forums! It can help you figure out which brands have stood the test of time, or which ones are most recommended by other parents.

And for more tips on navigating life in Singapore with a little one, check out our blog, where we share articles and guides for parents.