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Overwhelming – it’s a word that seems to pop up a lot when you’re expecting a baby. Even the simplest of decisions feel monumental as the weeks pass quickly, and your due date becomes more than just a circle on a calendar.
For example: choosing a stroller. Easy, right? Well, maybe five years ago when there were only three or so to choose from, but today? The choices. Oh the wonderful choices! But where to start?
We say, go to the experts, so we sent our The-State-of-the-Mom correspondent, Jessica Bern, to the world-famous, celebrity baby hot spot, Juvenile Shop located on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Check out our video for an entertaining look at the state of the modern stroller.)
Juvenile Shop prides itself in providing fine products and impeccable service to their customers since 1938. Current owner, Lauren Logan, and her extremely knowledgeable staff treat celebrities, such as Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and Nicole Richie, like regular moms and regular moms like celebrities.
“Our customers are average moms to us, no matter how famous,” said Lauren. “Our goal is make every parent’s shopping experience as enjoyable and as easy as possible.”
One main team player in achieving this goal is 15+-year Juvenile Shop veteran and go-to stroller guy, Roger Hicks. Dealing with “challenging” customers like our correspondent, Jessica Bern, comes with the territory. His smooth-talking stroller-ese calms mom’s harried nerves as the due date rapidly approaches.
“It’s great that there are so many stroller styles to choose from. It allows moms to pick just the perfect one for their family, but it can get overwhelming,” (there’s that word again) said Roger. “I’m here to point them in the right direction.”
Since most of us aren’t lucky enough to hop a flight and visit Roger personally, he offered a breakdown of his favorites:
Best Overall:
This coveted title goes to the Bugaboo brand – pick one, any one – it’s an investment for some for sure, but it’s “money well spent.” Features vary depending upon the model, but all push beautifully, boast incredible suspension and handling, and are worth your time weighing the pros and cons of purchasing this brand.
Retail Price: Bugaboo Bee $529 / Bugaboo Frog $759 / Bugaboo Cameleon $880
Best Value:
For those not quite prepared to go the Bugaboo route, there is the City Mini by Baby Jogger. With its gigantic canopy, excellent maneuverability, roomy and well-ventilated seat, high handle and accessories galore (including a liquid holster that sways with the movement of the stroller – brilliant), this is the stroller that came up in conversation over and over again as a great product. And with a weight capacity of 50 lbs., this is one stroller that is made for the long haul. Retail Price: $230.
The Baby Jogger City Mini also lands in first for Easiest to Fold (huge!), and Best for Two Kids – City Mini Double. Price for City Mini Double: $400.
Best Jogging Stroller:
It’s time to get moving with the BOB Revolution. This stroller features a 12-inch front wheel that casters for improved maneuverability and handling, or it can be locked out for safer running or off-road use. It also has excellent suspension with rear-wheel brakes for easy locking and reliability, quick and compact folding, and roomy seat and storage space. Price: $390.
Lightest:
Let’s face it, lots of features are incredible, but if you’re running through an airport or hoisting a stroller into an SUV, sometimes size is the number one concern. Roger’s answer: the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. At 11 lbs. it’s the lightest full-size umbrella stroller with an infinitely adjustable recline that ranges from upright to 120 degrees. It also offers an extended SPF 50 pop-out sun canopy for extra protection against UV rays, and a hand-level folding trigger – no foot action required – an absolute necessity for flip-flop loving moms. Price: $160
Roger also recommends the Maclaren Quest Sport – with its adjustable 5-point safety harness, 4-position reclining seat and ability to carry your child up to 45 lbs., the umbrella stroller has definitely come a long way for your baby. Price: $245.
Best Carseat Combo for Infants:
Graco Travel Systems have evolved immensely since their advent in the ’90s – new styles, new colors, more accesories, you name it. The Juvenile Shop currently features the “tried and true” Graco Metro-Lite Stroller Platinum which securely holds the Graco SnugRide car seat (sold separately, price: $89-159). One huge benefit of the Graco car seat – it’s the only one to universally fit into most other manufacturer’s stroller systems. Price: $160.
For a unique choice, Roger recommends the Orbit Baby System. It includes everything you need the day your baby leaves the hospital: the infant car seat, stroller frame and car base. But wait, the stroller can be transformed by adding the bassinet (sold separately), and as your child gets bigger, the toddler stroller seat (sold separately) can replace the infant car seat. Finally, the toddler car seat (sold separately), which utilizes your original car base, also has the bonus convenience of docking onto your stroller. Serious mileage for your investment. Price: $900.
Another favorite is the Peg Perego Si. This lightweight, practical, Italian-made stroller is ideal for travel and quick trips with its adjustable handles, large hood featuring a sun visor and large basket. It also folds compactly and stands alone. Pair it with the Primo Viaggio SIP car seat (sold separately) that attaches easily to chassis, and you have a complete system that any parent would love. Price: $250.
Some other excellent stroller options Roger recommends (see video) are:
Stokke Xplory Complete – company-touted as “like a high chair on wheels,” your baby has the option of facing you or the world, has a reclining seat and a smooth ride. It offers ease of movement in small spaces, ease of folding, and the fact that the stroller is an attention grabber, makes this somewhat extravagant purchase an option for thoroughly modern moms. Price: $1,200
The UPPAbaby Vista – this “quality” stroller offers such features as a reversible seat and 4-position seat angle adjustment including new upright position, and one button telescopic handle-height adjustment. The initial purchase includes both bassinet and seat, completely interchangeable and requires no fabric swapping, as well as a convenient zip-in weather shield and mesh bug shield. Another excellent feature, both the bassinet pop-out ventilated sun shade and seat sun shade offer SPF 50 sun coverage. Price: $670
Phil and Teds Dash – a great option for on-the-go parents, the Dash features an intelligent handle with a hand brake and seamless folding mechanism. This ultra adaptable Inline Buggy also grows as your family’s needs do, from lie-flat newborn to up right 5-year-old. Price: $550 single / $650 double
And one last piece of advice for those of you with more than one kiddo or more than one on the way – you might want to check out the Combi Tag-Along brand new this Spring. This innovative design brings you two single strollers that can be linked together as a double. Attach the front of one stroller, to the back of the other, and the two strollers become one. And with a quick release, the two separate, giving you individual strollers, each with 45 lb capacity. Price: $350.
Once relegated to almost an afterthought, strollers have now evolved into a modern motherhood fashion statement with fabric and color combos to fit every mom’s style. While the choices can be dizzying, keep in mind the utility aspect of your stroller, as in how much it weighs, how it handles and how easily it folds, can greatly impact your daily happiness.
No matter where you shop, remember this – take time to really figure out your individual needs and budget before you hit the stores. Each brand of stroller is as unique as that new little bundle you’re anxiously expecting.
(The products listed can be found at most local large retail and high-end stores, as well as at Juvenile Shop’s online store, where they offer top-quality items at competitive prices.)
love the video!!
Jessica was hilarious! Not only did I watch the video (twice) but read through the entire list of strollers. My baby #3 is not 7 months and I have only used a double stroller with her – It is time to find a new single, lightweight stroller. Thanks for all the information – it’s fantastic!!
LOVE this stroller! It would be an awesome stroller for my baby girl!
Found you at savvysassymoms.com They’re giving away a Bugaboo Bee and I NEED one. I need a Bugaboo because we’ve got one toddler and we’re in the process of adopting two more! We’re going to have enough on our minds (and in our hands) to drive us to insanity. A Bugaboo Bee would be a way to add a little refinement, a little ease and a little style to our otherwise crazy life. I’ll be sporting this little Bee while my husband maneuvers our semi-truck sized double stroller. We’ll have three toddlers on our hands, but the Bee will add some buzz to this mommy’s life.
Love this video! Shopping for all baby gear seems to be like this.
I love it – I love it – I love it!
I think you need to make more videos I love them!
This stroller would be perfect for my son!
Found out about you at SavvySassyMoms.Com. I could really use the new 2010 Bugaboo Bee Stroller. There are so many wonderful features from the lightness, narrowness, adjustable seat, extendable seat length, etc.
sweetpeonies07 at gmail
Love this stroller and loved the video!
love the video- hilarious.
too funny- I loved the line about the stripes making her look heavy. I would love a new Bee for our new baby.
I found you thru SavvySassyMoms!! I LOVE your review of the strollers…VERY informative!! Thanks!!
funny
[...] with Savvy Sassy Moms, for her “Bump Month” featuring all things baby. To promote the stroller video I produced, we are giving away a Bugaboo Bee! To the tune of $700! So if you need a stroller or know someone [...]
Fun video – I like the baby that got pulled from your purse!
I also think that the additional info provided in the text is fabulous.
Did anything work out with the single friends of the stroller expert?
I thought this video was funny and helpful at the same time!
So very funny and cute! Thanks so much for the entertainment- loving the bugaboo!!
Funny video!!!!!! :]
Your video was clever and informational! Thanks! Grammie
I loved the stroller video and I want to win a Bugaboo Bee Stroller! I want to give it to my daughter who is a single mom.
This was just too funny!!! Thanks for such an entertaining yet informative video!
anamlgrl@yahoo.com
This video is funny and interesting! I couldn’t believe there were so many kinds of strollers!
That was hilarious! I want to know if Jessica ever got to meet some of Roger’s single friends.
oh. my. gosh!!!!
that is THE funniest stroller video i have ever seen.
and i’m not even a mom.
seriously though that is hilarious! and that stroller salesman is hot!
Thanks for this article! My three year old stroller is too worn out for my fresh newborn (due in October). Things have changed so much since the last time I researched these things!
So, you may be getting comments with flowery language, tear jerking stories, funny, tongue-in-cheek , sassy, sarcastic comments or sheer mumbo jumbo. Now, I do not want to ‘Bug’ you with such trite or ‘Bee’ a pest, so, I’ll just simply, humbly say, please, please, please give it to me!
Thanks!
The video is pretty funny- love the baby and how she asks him to father her next child. The list of strollers is great too- I’m gonna bookmark it for future reference
Loved the video! Hoping there is a need for the stroller in your near future!
I absolutely LOVED this video!!! I have a 10 month old daughter and watching the video was like deja vu! I was so confused when we tried to find a stroller for our daughter and I was completely exhausted from just looking online.
Jessica is hilarious (not to mention she has a great name, same as me!). I really enjoyed this video.. THANKS!
This stroller made me drool! i also had a mini day dream… so need this in my life (DeepSigh)
What an entertaining vid, very funny yet very informative!
After visiting “SavvySassyMoms.Com” I have my heart set on winning a Bugaboo bee. With a 5 year old, a 3 year old & a baby on the way I really have my hands full and not to mention a whole lot of expenses!
This stroller will be light on my back for the lifting in & out of the car, the simple maneuverability of the one-handed steering operation & effortless one handed one-piece fold, will mean I will have my other hand free to gather up the kids & everything else in my full & busy life…& it would mean that even my 5 year old could push it around if I needed her help!
Hope to win the new 2010 Bugaboo Bee! Buzz buzz!!
Single Stroller that Converts to a Double??
Help!! I have a 3 year old and a baby on the way. I would like a single stroller that can convert to a double. I like the City Select by Baby Jogger, however my 3 year old already appears too big for the seat. Suggestions?
Hi Trudie! The Bugaboo Bee contest happened a few months ago! Sorry you missed it! Thanks for watching the video!
Hi Jill! Lauren from The Juvenile Shop has weighed in on your question and she has a few suggestions: The Pear by ICandy but she said it’s on the pricey side. Or the Ultralight by Joovy. Or a side by side stroller like the City Mini Double. Good luck and I hope these suggestions help!
Hey!
You forgot on iCandy strollers!
Visit http://www.icandyuk.com….
BTW your blog post was shared by Themelis Cuiper, search engine result advertising wizard – so you must be doing a wonderful job!
Funny video – looks great.
Seriously! This is certainly such a in-depth write-up and it seems that you just really did the homework. I appreciate your time you’ve offered to the post. I will be looking forward for the upcoming posting. Regards