hoices, choices. Here are some questions to ask yourself – and the store – when purchasing a stroller:

1. Does this stroller fit me?
Handle height is one thing people don't think about when purchasing a stroller. It's amazing how much they vary. And if you are short and your husband is tall, you might consider adjustable height handles. Many strollers have this feature now.

2. What kind of store policy does the retailer offer? What warranty does the manufacturer offer?
The range stretches from stellar to dismal. Things go wrong with strollers; it's a fact of life. But what is important is the extent to which companies stand behind the products they sell.

3. What colors and styles do you like?
Modern or traditional? Dark or light? Practical or fun? Think about your clothes, and how your home is decorated, and you will figure it out.

4. What is the absolute most you are willing to spend for a quality stroller?
Don't forget that higher-end strollers are also in higher demand – and can catch a pretty penny on the resale market.

5. What is the age and weight of your child (or children)?
Seat size is very important here, as is push resistance if your child is heavier. I strongly recommend bassinette and reverse-seating features for newborns and young babies.

6. Where do you plan to keep your stroller?
Closet, garage, hallway, car? Some strollers stand alone when folded, and some lie flat. Some are very compact when folded, and others are very bulky. Some are so hard to fold, that you just leave them set up all the time!

7. How do you want to use the stroller?
This is the question that always made me break into a sweat when I was consulting stroller buying guides. Um, I have never used a stroller, how the heck should I know? It’s easier to answer this question when you think about what you like to do. Here are some examples:

• Do you shop a lot?
  While shopping, a big basket is handy. Also, look for a very stable stroller. This is important because, even though manufacturers recommend that you don’t hang bags on the stroller handles, most of us do. There are some strollers that will fall over backwards with the tiniest little bag on them. Others can handle huge amounts of extra weight.
• Do you frequent crowded places?
  If you like to go to festivals or farmer’s markets – or if you’ll be navigating through store aisles – a narrow width and short wheel-base is best. Some strollers are so wide in the rear that you can get hung up in tight spots, or you may find yourself constantly running over people's feet and apologizing profusely.
• Are you always on the go?
  If you know you are in and out of the car a lot, the easiest folding and lightest weight possible is crucial. You might have a day in which your "Things to Do" list reads like a page in the phone book. You can imagine that with all those ins and outs, by the end of the day your arms and shoulders will ache like you've been pumping too much iron at the gym. Plus, there is nothing worse than having angry drivers honking their horns for your parking space while you struggle with a non-cooperative stroller and a screaming baby.
  
  Okay, sunburn is worse. So if your child is very fair, make sure you the stroller has a huge sun canopy, or comes with an add-on sun shade. Otherwise, you will have to purchase one as an after-market accessory, which is just one more thing to hassle with.
• Do you dine out often?
  If so, make sure the stroller seat is elevated. That way, you can use it as a high chair if the restaurant doesn't have one – or if the ones they do have are so grimy you need plastic gloves. 
  There are adorable covers for public highchairs. But you have to remember to bring them – something we forget to do quite often!

• Do you go to the beach much?
  If so, you may have noticed a pile of small-wheel strollers littered at the end of the boardwalk. That is because there is no way for small wheels to traverse the soft sand on the beach. Never, ever try this. And I don't care what the pictures show. You need 20" big air bicycle tires, period.

8. What accessories will you need?

• Will you be walking out in the cold? Then you need a "Cozy Toes," or "boot" (to keep your little one's feet warm).
• Will you walk in the wind or rain? Then you need a clear plastic wind/rain cover.
• Are there mosquitoes where you live? Then buy a bug cover.
• And the number one accessory we all need: a drink holder!

It's a lot to think about. And don't beat yourself up if you make the wrong choice. There are lots of situations that will arise that you can't foresee. Neither of my children liked to ride in infant car seats very much. So I found myself walking everywhere— even to the library and grocery store. The original stroller I had purchased wasn't up to the task, so I found one that was. Remember to be flexible. Your stroller needs will change as your child's needs develop.

And if you still feel lost in the stroller jungle out there, feel free to contact me for a personal consultation. We can go over the various options and find the stroller that will work best for you. You can also check out my reviews of many current models out there, which include how well they performed on my "Strollerqueen Obstacle Course".

Happy Strolling!