Do you have or knoe of a small, inexpensive, safe stroller?

Question

Our daughter is 5 months old; able to sit up with help (almost without!) We have a Graco Metrolite stroller, which we love, but its awful big. Its perfect for here in our hometown and we have gotten a ton of use out of it. However, we are planning on visiting my parents out of state next month and I really don't want the big Metrolite stroller to take up so much valuable room in the car.

This is what we have:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2909900

This is the TYPE I think I would like to buy for the trip (I know nothing about this one in particular, I just picked one quickly)

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2878663

If anyone has had any experience (good or bad) with a stroller like this, I would appreciate any comments or recommendations. We are preferably looking for something under $30, but safety is a big issue. We don't want some cheapie that could collapse and hurt her. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Laurie,

I am a Reference Librarian.  It will take me a few minutes to research your question.

According to the Consumer Reports Magazine, the last time they reviewed strollers was July 2005.

For a small stroller, they're best picks were the:

Silver Cross Micro at $110 (not cheap)

Combi Strolee Streak Universal Stoller at $55 (looks like the strollers you see in the airport and Disney).

Good luck on your trip.

K

Answer 2

Umbrella strollers are hard to use if you're tall.  My husband won't push them, which leaves me doing all the pushing.  

Answer 3

Cheap umbrella strollers are fine.  I have the cheap one from walmart in grey (it doesn't even have a name on it).  Its held up for a very long time.  Hubby finds the handles too low, but I'm short.

However I hear really, really great things about this stroller jeep stroller that I can't find.  Hold on let me have my coffee maybe my brain will kick in.  Lots of people on here like it.  I wish I had one but ow I really need a sit and stand.

Otherwise there are lost of nice reclining umbrella strollers for $30 and I think those are a better investment than a plain umbrella stroller because my kids basically only sleep in strollers.  The only "brand" I know is "avalon" they have one with or without a 5 point harness.  At this point you don't need the 5 point harness (probably).  Zellers has the best selection on them here... do you have Zellers in the US?

Answer 4

I have the Graco Tango in the Tongo lightweight stroller, which is available at places like Target and BRU for $59.99.  I know that's more expensive than you mention, but for the price, it's a very good stroller.  It easily fits into the trunk of my mid-size sedan, and it's easily collapsed or set up with one hand.  It is also very sturdy, and has a cute peek-a-boo window in its sunshade.  I have no problems steering it with one hand if I have to.  Its coloring and pattern is neutral (brown with colorful safari animals).  Hope this helps!

Answer 5

With a child as young as yours, you are going to want a stroller that reclines. Remember--when you finish with it, you can pass it along to someone else, sell it, and reuse it with your next child. The Wendy Bellisimo stroller is really nice--it reclines and it has a really high weight limit--55 lbs. It's triple your price range, though. The  Graco Ipo is similar to the one you posted, but it reclines. It's 70 or 80 dollars, though, and it has a low weight limit. The particular stroller you chose to post is not very comfy to push, and it's really not all that safe. It doesn't have a 5 pt harness, and is very uncomfortable for kids before 1 year of age--they're all hunched over and scrunched up, plus there's no sun canopy. I have a Maclaren Volo and I love it. Their higher end strollers are really nice and recline--the Volo does not. However, it's really lightweight and comes with a carry strap--perfect for trips to the beach and at the airport. I was between that stroller and the Wendy Bellisimo one. I left it up to the little boy I nanny for to choose which one he liked better. He chose the Volo.

The Mia Moda Facile Umbrella stroller is nice--it has 4 recline positions and it has a great safety harness. It's only 60 dollars.

Answer 6

we have an 'umbrella stroller' like that...20 dollars at target....we've stopped using our big stroller entirely since getting one...as long as baby is able to sit up it should be fine. Our son loves it bc he can see everything all around him. Just be sure to make sure the lap strap is tight bc our little guy likes to try and turn completely around so he can 'talk' to whoever is pushing him...also...when shopping be careful...since it's not as bulky little hands can reach out on isles a lot easier!! It's so much easier to fold up and toss in the trunk or back seat..lightweight and great for  traveling. Best of luck!

*edit* as far as safety goes...as long as you're sure to lock the bottom bar in place you should be fine.

Answer 7

hi i don't know if you can get these where you live but an o'baby stroller is good i bought one of these for on holiday as so light and easy to fold plus they small

they come in all different colours hope this helps