Stroller for your baby is a great way to keep the baby comfortable outside the home. You might see your baby fitting well inside the stroller, but what age is appropriate for an umbrella stroller? When should you stop using a stroller?
Hi, this is Olivia Brown a former corporate officer and a full-time mother of 2 kids. In this article, I’ll share all the necessary info and common confusions with proper solutions. Stay tuned.
Browse this Post
Why Use an Umbrella Stroller?
So, what is an umbrella stroller? Does it come with an umbrella or just a resemblance? what is the difference between an umbrella stroller and a regular stroller?
It’s a type of regular baby stroller with curved handles resembling an umbrella shape when in use. With this, you can easily keep your baby safe from the sun’s rays and raindrops along with easy maneuvering.
If you’re a continuously outgoing person with your baby or a caregiver, then a stroller is your buddy. I still remember that sunny day on a beach when a stranger walking with a stroller came to help my constantly crying girl with her umbrella stroller.
Speaking of an umbrella stroller, have you ever considered stroller fans safety? Well, there’re 5 things you can sneak in shortly.
Common Features of Umbrella Stroller
- Light-Weight: These strollers are designed to be light in weight which allows you to maneuver easily on all kinds of surfaces.
- Simple Design: Most people love simple design ideas for all kinds of solutions. Following this, umbrella strollers hardly offer you some extra facilities such as ample storage, an advanced suspension system, etc.
- Compact Foldability: They come with a brilliantly compact design that allows you to fold down. If you have an umbrella stroller, you can effortlessly fold it up and transport it without worrying about the items left outside.
- Better Shade: Yes, they often come with a basic sun canopy to provide your baby with a nice shade from the hot sun. It also makes them good looking than others.
- Budget-Friendly: If you need an umbrella stroller but stepping back for the price? Just go for it because you can buy the best-in-budget umbrella stroller available on the market for a hundred bucks.
What Age Is Appropriate for Umbrella Stroller?
There’s no standard guideline by the health ministry or the WHO, but it’s preferred to use a stroller for at least 6 months older. Why? Cause at that age the baby gets better control over the neck and head.
Surely, there’s a lack of reclinations needed for a newborn, that’s why it’s better to hold the baby in your lap until age 6 months. It’s believed that, at this age kids start sitting on their own. So putting your baby in that before 6, means risking their body structure for the rest of their life.
Have you ever thought about entertainment and education both on a stroller walk? Master these 10 best ways for a bright future for your baby.
Till now, we got to know, the minimum age to sit your baby on an umbrella stroller. But what’s the maximum age to use a stroller? Well, pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend using a stroller below 3 years old. You can read another blog of mine about when to stop using a stroller
If you use the stroller for a long time then, it can reduce your baby’s cognitive and muscle development drastically. This can cause your baby to attain sharper motor neuron skills late resulting in a less active & playful baby.
Though the experts recommend not to use a stroller at 3 or older. But the scenario with your baby can be a little different which can require you to use a stroller at 4. It’s not that harmful to your baby if you maintain a balanced timing between a stroller ride and a playful activity period.
Activities at that age boost your child’s growth and overall potential in life, so you can use a stroller at 3 or more but don’t let it harm your kid’s activities. But always follow the weight limitation of your umbrella stroller, or else it’ll get wrecked soon.
How to Choose an Umbrella Stroller for Your Baby?
Now that you know the appropriate age for your baby to fit in an umbrella stroller, you must be looking for a master way to select the best one. So here, I’ll share some of my experiences from the past few years. I hope you’ll find them handy.
Weight of the Child
In the case of transportation or mobility, the weight of the package is always crucial. The same goes for your umbrella stroller too. Umbrella strollers can carry your child comfortably until he/she is around 45-55 pounds.
I know you’re sensitive about every aspect of your baby but this is something you must watch for unless you want to damage the stroller. They’re designed to be light and easily maneuverable so If your baby weighs more than 55 lbs then you mustn’t buy it.
Safety Features
Safety is important in all aspects of our life, but the safety of my child comes first. In the case of umbrella strollers, there’re some safety measures such as
- Five-point harness: It is a safety measurement for your child. There’ll be straps over the shoulders, around the waistline, and between the legs. Yes, you’ve seen them in racing cars that work the same for your baby.
- Braking system: Some strollers come with a braking system that helps to halt in emergency conditions such as rolling away to the road and others. These rear-wheel brakes allow locking when stopped and also help climb down steep roads.
- Sturdy frame: You need to make sure that the stroller you’re planning to purchase, comes with a strong at the same time lightweight body frame. This allows it to endure regular use along with some irregular bumps.
- Reclining and locking: Though a secure and adjustable reclining mechanism is not always available, still you should prefer it first. In the same way, the locking mechanism helps in holding the stroller folded and prevents accidents.
- Certification: There are some certifications to make sure, your baby is safe on the stroller. The ASTM International and Juvenile products manufacturers association arrange to certify the stroller so you can freely use it.
Type of Terrains
Strollers are for making your movements easy along with your baby. So when choosing an umbrella stroller, you need to confirm that it can ride most surfaces. Surfaces such as pavement, shopping malls, smooth grass, public transport, parks, etc.
Have you thought, what does all terrain mean for a stroller? It means such type of strollers that you can ride through any type o surface. 3 tires on the stroller filled with a large amount of pressured air and you are good to go.
Sometimes you may need to move with your baby through indoor functions, so check if it can survive all these kinds of surfaces. Besides you can also use an umbrella stroller to check if it can survive rough surfaces such as cobblestones or light gravel.
Weather
Umbrella strollers are normally suitable for sunny and monsoon seasons, but to what extent? To figure out the answer you have to imagine your baby in the stroller and see how much shade he gets. Mostly, they cover mild raindrops but are not equipped for more.
Moreover, wind and extreme cold or heat can make your walk with a baby difficult. Weather is not always predictable and so you should expect your stroller to absorb that type of emergency condition with no harm to your child.
Budget & Product Reviews
Before deciding on a product I always pay attention to my budget and consumer remarks from the past. The budget prevents me from buying something not suitable as there’re lots of options available on the market, you just need to find the best.
And the customer review helps me to choose better solutions. Though there’s a good chance for paid reviews, still you need to dig through them and decide. Here’s a thing you must know, most of the reviews are legit, so all you need is to analyze and decide.
As Jhon is a tall person (6.9 feet) I had to look for the best umbrella stroller for tall parents for both Max & Lily. So here’s a list that I came up with, you may find it helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the maximum age an umbrella stroller can handle?
As long as your baby weighs less than 55 lbs he/she is allowed to use the seat. As well, you can follow my basic guideline for detailed information.
2. Can I carry a stroller without a baby?
Yes, you can carry a stroller without your baby in it. All you have to do is fold it properly and move out.
3. What age is called a toddler?
Typically the toddler age starts when your baby is 1 year old. Between 1-3 years of age, one can call thy baby a toddler.
4. Do they make strollers for bigger kids?
There’re lots of strollers suitable for different types of kids. Among them, strollers for bigger kids are also included. So, yes they make strollers for older kids. Speaking of which, have you thought that why are strollers so big?
Conclusion
Umbrella strollers are a nice transport with comfort, safety, and a few features for your baby. With this kind of stroller, your baby can have shade from the sunlight and also a little bit of cover from mild raindrops along with the wind.
If your baby is around 6 months or older and weighs less than 55 lbs then he/she can jump in. Or else both of you will suffer in the long run, such as hard maneuvering, physical troubles, structural damage, and more.
Though growth rates differ from others. Before purchasing check for weight limitation, safety features, terrain, weather condition, product review, warranty, and more. It will prevent you from buying an unsuitable stroller.
You May Also Be Interested In
- Are Stroller Walks Good For Baby?
- How To Push A Stroller And Walk A Dog
- How to Shop With a Stroller
- 10 Best Stroller For Beach Sand
- When Can You Jog With Your Baby
My name is Olivia Brown, and I’m a New York-based blogger and stay-at-home parent. Former business executive enjoying retirement and time with kids Lily and Max. On my blog, I review things for kids and offer my honest thoughts and insights to other parents who may be having the same or similar experiences.
