If you do not want to carry your baby in a sling, a collapsible stroller is ideal for a small baby, who will fit comfortably and snugly into its shape. Babies are interested in their surroundings from an early age, so as soon as your baby can sit up, angle the stroller so he can see what is going on around him.
You must become adept at collapsing and opening the stroller within a few seconds without any problems, so practice at home before your first outing. If you cannot fold up the stroller efficiently, you will find people jostling to get in front of you when you are in a line, which will only add to your frustration. At the very least, you should be able to open it with only one hand, kick it shut with your feet, and know how to operate the breaks- and don’t forget you will have to do all these things while holding your baby. Here are a few safety tips:
- When you open your stroller, always make sure it is in the fully extended position with the brakes fully locked.
- Never put your baby in the stroller without a safety harness.
- Never, ever leave your baby in a stroller unattended.
- Should your baby fall asleep in the stroller, adjust it to the lie-back position so he can sleep comfortably.
- Don’t put shopping bags on the handles of the stroller; they can tip the stroller and your baby may be injured.
- When you stop, always put on the brakes because you could inadvertently take your hands off the stroller and it could roll away.
- Check your stroller regularly to make sure the brakes and catches work well and the wheels are in good conditions.
