It’s hard to know what kind of stroller to use for a newborn. There are full-sized strollers, umbrella strollers, and travel systems. What do you need? The best choice is an infant car seat carrier or bassinet stroller. This way, if you’re walking around the mall or taking a trip across town, your baby will be safe and secure in their car seat or bassinet while you stroll through the store.
There are many different types of strollers available on the market, but the one that is best for a newborn will be dependent on your lifestyle. What kind of stroller to use for a newborn may differ depending on whether you plan to walk long distances with it or if you want an umbrella stroller for quick trips to the store.
Please note that this article provides general guidance only. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the stroller is suitable for your newborn.
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What Experts Say?
In order to fully understand the available options, we must first understand the expert opinion about newborns. Child safety experts recommend laying newborns on their backs on a flat surface. Baby’s spine grows optimally when they lie on their backs. Moreover, babies can freely move around and breathe without feeling any pressure on their throats.
Additionally, babies’ airways should be open. Parents should know these important points. As a newborn cannot support their necks, a little bend or curve in the neck can affect the oxygen supply. Therefore, lying flat is better for babies so they can get a better supply of oxygen.
Babies spend more time sleeping and napping. Place them on their backs in the safest sleeping position to reduce the chance of an incident of SIDS.
So based on the expert’s opinion, we can conclude some critical points while buying a baby stroller for the newborn;
- Baby can lay completely flat in the stroller.
- Proper airflow inside where the baby is laying.
- Areas of breathing should be open for the baby.
There may be some other points you can consider according to your particular need and situation. But these three points are essential for babies to give them a safe ride with peace of mind.
| Also Read: Baby’s stroller ride for the first time might be a challenge for some parents. Learn how to make your baby happy with stroller. |
Tips on Buying a Stroller for Infant
Suitability
What you need to decide when purchasing a stroller is whether it will suit both you and your newborn, especially if you are parents of an infant. What conditions should you take into account while strolling with your baby? For example, where you intend to use the stroller, for long walks or small outings etc.
Car seat compatibility
Look for a lightly structured stroller with a roomy canopy to block the sun and this will also protect from light rain. What is more, it should offer armrests that can be adjusted depending on your needs. If you’re carrying an infant car seat, ensure the stroller has an adapter to snip into the car seat so that you can attach it safely.
Stroller Strides
What kind of stroller to use for a newborn will be dependent on how long you plan on walking with your baby. If it’s just out around town you’ll want an umbrella style or maybe even just a carrier strapped onto your back, but if you’re going long distances then consider getting a complete travel system which offers stability and comfort. What is more, different brands offer varying degrees of suspension which can make a big difference on bumpy roads.
Lifestyle
It will also depend on your lifestyle and how you plan to travel with your baby as well as factors such as convenience, the age of your child, and what kinds of features you’ll want. Moreover, it will depend on where you live. Strollers with all terrain wheels will be useful if you’re taking off over gravel or grass.
What type of stroller is safe for Newborn?
For newborns you should use a straightforward stroller, such as the full-size strollers, a travel system or a bassinet stroller. The infant car seat fits through an adapter and is usually easy to install on any travel system. However, there are some limitations. You cannot use your infant stroller for jogging.
We have already seen what kind of stroller for newborns is safe to use, but there are also some disadvantages. First, you will have to buy the infant car seat adapter which is usually sold separately. Second, usually these are expensive in price.
So, let’s discuss the most popular types of strollers for newborns.
Most Popular Stroller For Infants
Usually, three options are available on the market for newborns;
- Fully Reclining Seat Stroller
- Travel System
- Bassinet Stroller
These options are good but don’t all of them are entirely suitable for infants. Let’s discuss all options with their merits and demerits.
Fully Reclining Seat Strollers
These strollers come with innovative options to fully recline the seat. Instead of reclining only back, the whole seat reclines back. Yes, it’s a great feature but extremely harmful for the newborn baby. When it reclines back, it gives a seating position of ‘V’ shape. Baby’s neck will get some bend when putting in this reclined seat. This position can cause a blockage to the oxygen supply. The infant can’t support his/her neck, so it’s harmful. This type of reclining seat is made for toddlers to take a nap during walks.
However, some strollers come with the option of reclining only the back of the stroller seat or bassinet convertible seat. The reclining seat converts the stroller to a bassinet stroller after inclining. It can work as a substitute for the bassinet but can not perform better than a bassinet.
Travel System
A travel system is an inventive newborn carrier. You can quickly move your baby everywhere in an infant car seat of the travel system. You can select any jogging stroller travel system or regular travel system based on your need. Various brands offer travel system ready strollers that allow the selected capsules to fit in with an adapter’s support. A car seat gives the luxury to move the sleeping baby from the car to straight on the stroller by clicking the car seat in the stroller’s adapter without disturbing the baby. These strollers are helpful for busy parents on their road trips.
Car seats are usually of a curved shape and don’t give a flat surface for the baby to lay down. A Baby’s head can get a curved position that reduces the amount of oxygen they get. It’s not an issue if the baby stays for a maximum of 2 hours in the car seat in a day.
So for more extended periods, an infant capsule is not suitable for newborns. These capsules are made for infants to travel with their parents and aren’t ideal for long time use during a day. If you want to buy a travel system, read out the complete guide on buying a stroller travel system.
Bassinet Strollers
The bassinet is a classic baby gear that has helped millions of parents to carry their newborn safely. Most probably, you would also have traveled in a bassinet when you’re an infant.
Bassinets have a newborn friendly design, which provides a flat, comfortable bed with an airway to breathe. Its little walls protect the baby inside. The bassinet is a complete safety package for infants.
What type of stroller is safe for Newborn?
For newborns you should use a straightforward stroller, such as the full-size bassinet stroller or a travel system. The infant car seat fits through an adapter and is usually easy to install on any travel system. However, there are some limitations. You cannot use your travel system for jogging.
We have already seen what kind of stroller for newborns is safe to use, but there are also some disadvantages. First, you will have to buy the infant car seat adapter which is usually sold separately. Second, usually these are expensive in price.
While looking at the other newborn options, a car seat stroller is used for a newborn to travel safely, but you can not use it for a long time in a day. However, for road travel, the car seat gives the best utility.
Parents often use a fully reclining seat stroller for the newborn. That can work in the short term but can’t perform well as compared to a bassinet. Usually, parents look for innovation and like modern gadgets. Stylish designs of modern strollers attract them, and they buy those for their infants. They think that they are giving the best to their babies. Yes, these modern infant capsules and reclining strollers are the best but not entirely fit for newborns. The safest and secure option for the newborn is the bassinet stroller. Below, I’ve explained the exclusive benefits of bassinet strollers to elaborate on why they are the best option for infants.
Final Words
What do you need? The best choice is an infant car seat carrier that attaches easily to your favorite stroller model. This way, if you’re walking around the mall or taking a trip across town, your baby will be safe and secure in their car seat while you stroll through the store with one hand free. Or the other option is a bassinet stroller that gives you a small secure bed for your infant to stroll around safely.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope that you have gained enough knowledge about what kind of stroller to use for a newborn.
Happy strolling!