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.)