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Functionality at its Finest: The Mountain Buggy Urban

November 3rd, 2009 admin No comments

The Mountain Buggy Urban has taken New Zealand by storm, and the rest of the world with it. Coming in a variety of styles and colors, the stroller is professed by Mountain Buggy to be practical, safe, and stylish, which the reviews of moms and dads, alike, confirm.

Available in single-, double-, or even triple-seat models, the Mountain Buggy Urban will comfortably seat however many little ones you need to protect. The seat itself is hammock-like, allowing easy lateral movement and promoting healthy posture. The seatback is padded and reclines almost horizontally, so that an afternoon outing and a nap may happen at the same time. The Urban can also convert from an all-purpose stroller into a pram and even an infant car-seat carrier, with the simple addition of either Mountain Buggy’s Single Carrycot, or a multi-car seat adapter, respectively. Last, the soft woven straps that harness your child into her seat adjust as your child grows into toddler hood.

Your child will not be the only one enjoying the ergonomic design of the Mountain Buggy Urban. The soft-grip handle adjusts to different heights, accommodating various caregivers. You will even find a water-bottle holder, and under the seat, a large-capacity storage compartment, which can hold a diaper bag and other essentials. If you chose the Urban Elite, your Mountain Buggy will even come fully equipped with its own diaper bag.

For the city-dweller and off-roader, the Urban is designed with maneuverability in mind. The air-filled 12″ tires are essentially shock absorbers. The stroller’s materials also help make the Urban multi-terrain and multi-weather, as the fabric is UV and water resistant, and the frame is made of lightweight, rust-resistant aluminum tubing. A removable storm cover protects your child from the elements, while a small window in the sun hood allows you to check on her without leaving your spot.

Storing, transporting, and even shipping the Mountain Buggy Urban is also made simple and safe. It is easily collapsible and even has a contractible axel, so that you may use space efficiently. You will find that it unlocks and unfolds with a single lever locking mechanism, which is a feature common to and popular in all Mountain Buggies. The front wheels swivel 360-degrees, making rounding a corner as simple as moving forward. However, you can adjust the rotation on the front wheel or wheels, so that the stroller is safe and in control at all times. The foot-operated brake is located near the back right wheel, allowing you safely to come to a halt on any incline. A safety strap will give you that extra assurance that your loved one is safely connected to you.

Deemed a Mumsnet “best,” the Mountain Buggy Urban is a consumer favorite and an industry pick. Designed to adjust as a child grows form infancy to toddler hood, the Urban may be the first and last stroller you ever need to purchase. Who could pass up such simplicity?

How To Compare Different Double Jogger Stroller Models

October 24th, 2009 admin No comments

Many people are familiar with jogger strollers. They are great if you want to stay in shape after having children. But if you have more than one baby, a double jogger stroller may be something you need to consider. Here are a few different ways that you can compare the different models and a few things that you should think about when you are making your selection.

The weight of the stroller is one of the biggest factors that you need to consider. Remember that even if the stroller seems fine empty, you will have two children in it. And over time, those children will get heavier. If you are going to be transporting gear as well, that can also add to the weight. It can add up quickly and the last thing you want to end up with is a stroller that is too heavy to push.

Frame strength and functionality are also important. Aluminum is a popular choice for the frame. It is strong and lightweight. Anything that can reduce the weight of the stroller while keeping it functional is important. The way the frame folds and how small it folds down is important to think about. If you are going to be transporting the folded stroller you want to make sure it collapses down as small as possible. You also want to make sure that you can operate the folding and unfolding mechanism with one hand. It may take a bit of practice but with two small children there will be very few times you will have both hands free at the same time.

Seat positioning should be something you look at. Whether you want two seats side by side or in a row is an important consideration. You should consider how well the seating will work if you have two children who are different in weight. If they are too different weight-wise, you may find that a side by side will unbalance and this can be frustrating, especially if the stroller has three wheels as many jogger strollers do. Remember though, that seats where the children are in a row may be a problem if the children seated in the back run out of leg room.

Where you will be taking your stroller is a good point of comparison as well. If you are planning on doing a lot of off road traveling or you will be taking the stroller to a beach, you will want a stroller with larger wheels. Three wheeled strollers are often better for off road use than four wheeled strollers. The only problem with a three wheeled stroller is that it may be harder to steer if you need to move through crowds or negotiate store aisles. Thinking about how you will use the stroller and taking models you are interested in for a test drive can be a good way to compare them.

Are there particular features that you want? Many of the new jogger strollers come with cup holders and large storage compartments. Do you need a place for everything and everything in its place? Consider models that have an organizer. Many may even have a key compartment or detachable portable storage like a diaper bag or knapsack.

Keep in mind that while the stroller is beautiful and pristine now, once children have been in the stroller for some time it is likely to get dirty. Therefore, any stroller you pick should be easy to clean. Look for features such as removable seat liners and patterned fabric that is treated to resist stains. You also want to make sure that you can wipe down the fabric so that it can be kept neat and tidy.

You can find excellent deals on strollers online. There are many sites which sell baby goods and often for quite a bit less than you would pay in a store. The only problem is that nothing beats a test drive. A good way to find a stroller you are comfortable with is to take one for a test drive in a store, and then consider purchasing it or a similar model from a website. Once you have your stroller, the sky (and the weather) is the limit.

The Benefits of a Tandem Stroller

October 24th, 2009 admin No comments

Your baby will spend a considerable amount of time in the stroller so it is important to get this major purchase right before spending a major chunk of cash on one of the most expensive baby items.

The primary requirement is strength and durability. A well made stroller should be easily capable of lasting the child’s first few years without falling apart. This applies even more so to the tandem stroller since if this fails catastrophically then you have two children to transport instead of one and this means double trouble. The better tandem strollers also hold two car seats so that you have a true method of total infant transportation.

The most obvious requirement for a tandem stroller is when you have twins but they can also be very useful for infants who are close in age. They are an excellent method of keeping your children safe and sound as well as providing comfort and warmth for the babies.

Another important consideration is the weight of the stroller – two babies are a significant weight and when added to the weight of a tandem stroller then it’s a very significant weight to negotiate around malls and parks.

Other features to look out for are the type of frame – choose metallic frames rather than plastic, which tends to look cheap and can lack in strength when compared to metal. A wide wheelbase is also an important feature since this gives the stroller much needed stability. The wide wheelbase should be accompanied by sturdy suspension and good padded seating. If the seating area also has a cover that can be removed for cleaning then so much the better since babies tend to be very messy at the most inopportune moments.

One feature of the best tandem strollers is the ability to recline each seat individually to allow one baby to be reclined without the other. It’s a rare moment if both want to sleep at exactly the same time and therefore if one can recline and sleep whilst the other remains awake, then peace is likely to result.

Other features to look out for are adjustable footrests, storage baskets and seatbelts. All these items will make your life easier.

Consider carefully the type of tandem stroller to purchase. These are generally divided into three types; front and rear facing models, side by side models and the sit and stand variety.  The front and rear facing have stadium style seating and can normally accommodate detachable car seats. They can sometimes be facing each other which works well for some children and not for others. The side by side design are a good method of eliminating arguments from children about who sits in front but consider the width and therefore the reduced manoeuvrability and access this can give.  The sit and stand style are great for toddlers and provide a different method of transportation than the other styles.

Whatever style you choose always buy the best you can afford and make sure it meets the relevant safety standards. Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time in a stroller and you need to be happy that they will always remain safe.

Tips on Finding The Right Baby Prams

October 11th, 2009 admin No comments

A lot of research goes into finding the perfect pram. The choice and styles of baby prams available are vast and a lot of parents don’t take enough time to look into it properly. Articles comparing different prams are helpful when deciding as they normally have a comparison of features and prices.

The pram you choose has to fit in with how you live and the space you have. At the top of your list of things to consider should be how safe and comfortable the pram is. Also how much room you have in your car for the different types of prams available. And the ease with which you can put it up and take it down.

There are some features to look out for that are essential when choosing a pram.

The overall stability of the pram is important. The pram can easily become unbalanced through uneven weight distribution which will cause the pram to overbalance which needs to be avoided.

On the same point it is worth thinking about the brakes on the pram. If the pram is loaded down with shopping and the brakes are not adequate for the weight and design of the pram, it will cause the pram to roll if on an incline. Some prams have brakes you stamp on at the back or side and others are done by clicking a hand brake by the handles.

Five point harnesses are a must for a newborn baby particularly. Babies can easily fall out if going over bumpy terrain or you have encountered steps or a steep hill. They are five points as they secure between the babies legs, over the waist, then across each of the shoulders. It is always good practice to strap your child in at the start of the walk as you would if you were going by car.

There is also a vast difference in the types of wheels on each pram. Large rubber wheels on three wheelers will handle any surface you push it across, even sand and gravel. Whereas smaller harder plastic type wheels are designed for strolling on pavements and do not get punctures, unlike the aforementioned rubber wheels. But with the smaller wheeled prams they are prone to getting stuck when on uneven surfaces.

Just as wheel sizes vary, the size of prams when open and closed vary enormously. Bulky three wheelers can be surprisingly lightweight, yet are cumbersome to store and won’t fit easily in the back of a small car, if at all. Stroller type prams will usually collapse to what is called an umbrella fold. This is where they fold upon themselves and become very narrow and flat and generally fit in any type or size of car. Some fold even smaller and are designed for this purpose.

Large all-terrain prams usually have the front wheel a swivel wheel which makes cornering and abrupt turns more gentle for the baby. Yet swivel wheels on prams with small hard wheels have a tendency over time to not steer straight and makes pushing the pram a constant battle.