What’s The Hype About Peg Perego Strollers

Peg Perego is a popular brand among folks who are willing to pay a bit more for the smart fabrics and European lineage. But other than the well-known name, what’s really all the fuss about Peg Perego Strollers? In recent years, they have been one of the most popular brands of strollers, according to Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields. The upside of this brand is that they make quality strollers in hip colors and fabrics and keep most parents satisfied. On the downside, their retail prices are a bit steep and they’re losing out to some more unique models like the Bugaboo. However, on whole, they continue to make a solid product that keeps their customers happy.

One Size Doesn't Fit All When Choosing A Travel Stroller

Contrary to the notion that you should pack light, Strollerqueen Janet McLaughlin, who runs a service recommending the best stroller for parents of babies and toddlers, recommends you throw out that idea and instead look at what you’ll be doing on the trip instead. According to Strollerqueen, it’s not always a good idea to pack light when you’re picking out the best stroller for travel. For instance, if you’re taking a road trip to San Francisco, you want stroller that can handle walks up and down the hills and streets of the city. On the flip side, if you’re taking a stroller to a foreign city, where the streets are unpaved or made of cobblestone, petite wheels and an umbrella stroller will not survive your trip. A stroll on the beach requires a stroller that can handle the gritty beach and not all strollers can do that. In a nutshell, there really is no one size fits all stroller for travel.

A little research goes a long way. If you’re in the market for a new stroller for your travels, you can do some investigation to find out which one would hold up best under rugged terrain or work fine for city streets. Baby Bargains by Denise & Alan Fields has a fairly extensive review on a number of different strollers, including which ones are better for jogging or which ones are better for navigating the urban sprawl. If you want personalized service, you can check out Strollerqueen’s Website at www.strollerqueen.com. She offers a consultation service for a $30 fee giving you the best stroller for your needs, including the best deal you can get for it.

How To Pick A Stroller For Travel

Keeping in mind that there is no one dream stroller out there that is best for every type of situation, we think you can still use some reasonable judgment and a set of good criteria to get the best stroller for your travel needs. Whether you’ve got one trip in mind or you’re planning for outings throughout the year, we think asking yourself this set of questions will help you figure out what’s best for you.

Question 1: What kind of trip are of trip are you planning? Are you going by car or traveling by plane?
Hint: This will tell you whether kind of restrictions you need on your stroller selection, such as size and weight.

Question 2. What will you be using your stroller for? Are you just getting from one place to another or will you be jogging?
Hint: You can hone in on different types of strollers, like lightweight strollers, all terrain strollers, or jogging strollers.

Question 3. What type of ground will you encounter? Will there be paved streets or will there be rough roads?
Hint: This will tell you whether you need to look for a solid stroller with suspension or whether you can get away with an umbrella stroller for travel.

Question 4. What will the weather be like? Will it be warm and humid or cold and rainy?
Hint: You can figure out whether you need a canopy and other protective covering for your infant.

Question 5. What’s the age and weight of your infant?
Hint: Certain strollers aren’t appropriate for younger infants. For instance, joggers are more appropriate for older infants with good neck muscle control. Check the weight restrictions of a particular model of stroller.

Question 6. How much are you willing to spend?
Hint: Your budget will be the ultimate determinant of what you can and can’t buy. Remember, not to get carried away with the lure of features you don’t need. But it’s important not to make a decision solely on cost savings.

Something to think about: A $700 pram stroller with an aluminum chassis, luxury foot muff, mosquito net, and diaper bag with changing bad might not be what you need for a trek through the airport. On the flip side, a $50 umbrella stroller doesn’t have the durability of one that costs $300. If you expect to use an inexpensive stroller on a week-long jaunt through bumpy sidewalks in on an urban road, re-think the inexpensive stroller purchase.

What Airline Travel Can Do To Your Stroller

Taking a stroller with you on plane travel can mean risky business for parents. Though we’d like to tell you that the airport baggage handlers treat all of your luggage with kid gloves – including your stroller – we hear it isn’t so. We caught up with Strollerqueen Janet McLaughlin, the guru of strollers, to find out the inside story.

According to Strollerqueen, there is an ongoing problem with airlines trashing strollers in the last few years. This is due in part to the fact that in recent years, airlines have experienced a significant drop in profits. In order to cut costs, one of the things they’ve done is contract out baggage handlers who aren’t necessarily as careful when they handle luggage. People who have complained haven’t necessarily found the airlines to be helpful in responding to a damaged stroller, either. If you read a typical airline baggage policy, fragile items are not covered. Many airlines consider a stroller a fragile item.

The lesson here? Parents beware if you’re planning to check your strollers at the gate. Think twice about packing your most expensive brand new stroller on the trip. Or at least take steps to protect it.

How To Protect Your Stroller During Plane Travel

Just because there’s the possibility that your stroller could get damaged doesn’t mean you have to shy away completely from bringing it with you on a flight. If you’re going to fly with a stroller and check it at the gate, there are steps you can do to help ensure its safety. And if you are going to bring a stroller, your best bet is to bring one that folds flat without much effort. The last thing you want to do is to be stuck struggling to collapse your stroller during the last call for boarding. With that in mind, here are a few words of wisdom we garnered from the Strollerqueen, Janet McLaughlin.

• Take a stroller with you to the airport that latches to stay shut. One way to ensure that your stroller stays folded is to use a luggage strap and wrap it around your stroller before you check it in at the gate.
• Although a stroller bag is one way to protect your stroller, parents should keep this in mind: some airlines don’t like the use of a bag because they don’t know what’s in it. Also, stroller bags that are made of canvas will protect from scratches, but not a drop from the cargo hold onto the tarmac.
• Some people have gotten around the problem of the stroller bag by wrapping their strollers in bubble wrap and adding “fragile” stickers throughout. You’ve got an instant affordable means of protection and airport personnel will feel more assured knowing what’s underneath the packaging. Plus, baggage handlers who know it’s indeed a stroller underneath the wrap may handle the item with more care.

Helpful Hint: One way around the stroller dilemma is to use a car seat attachment like the one by GoGo Babyz or the car seat stroller by Sit N Stroll by Triple Play Products.

The Beach Stroller

Headed out for the beach this summer and planning on bringing a stroller? If you are, it’s important to remember that most strollers aren’t made to withstand getting inundated with sand and salt water. If your wheels are made of steel, they’ll rust due to salt water. Even if they’re aluminum, the sand will tend to jam the wheels. If you’re going to take your stroller out to the beach, the best thing to do is stay on a clean pathway.

However, if you must go out to sandy terrain, there is one jogging stroller that will navigate the ground with ease. The Kool Stride Senior by has sealed bearings to keep the sand out. Get the alloy version and you’ll find the 20” rear wheels and 16” front wheel will cover sandy ground without damage to the stroller. If you’re taking this one for travel, pop off the wheels and fold up the canvas frame for maximum portability.

Stroller Wheel Maintenance

If you’re taking your stroller on a trip, likely you’ll encounter a lot of terrain with it from airport floor tiles to urban sidewalks. In most instances, you’ll find that your stroller won’t need any special care or maintenance. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your stroller in top shape, compliments of Strollerqueen, Janet McLaughlin.

• Every 6-8 weeks, lubricate the wheels of your stroller. Different manufacturers have different suggestions. Peg Perego recommends you use Pledge furniture polish.
• For general cleaning, if you have a stroller with quick release wheels, you can simply pop them off, scrub them with a brush, and rinse them in the sink.
• Every time your stroller goes in the sand, you should clean them off. All you have to do is hose the wheels and dry them off.

Five Tot Friendly Activities By Stroller

If you’re trying to decide where to take your toddler out around town, there’s no better way to go than a stroller – if you pick the right venues. Whether you’re visiting a new locale for a few days or looking for someplace to spend the afternoon, here are some ideas for parents looking for some stroller friendly places to go.

1. Go on a walking tour. With a young child in tow, you don’t necessarily want to join the crowd. Map out your own route or try one by cell phone. Talking Street is one company that offers cell phone tours in several cities throughout the U.S.
2. Join a fitness group. You can sign up for just the day to get a workout with child in tow. Stroller Strides (www.strollerstrides.com) and StrollerFit (www.strollerfit.com) have numerous locations to choose from.
3. Go on a hike. You’ll need a stroller that can handle the terrain and not every hiking trail can accommodate a stroller, but there are some that do. Check with the local Parks and Recreation department to find out which ones do. It’s a great way to enjoy the fresh air and scenic view.
4. Explore the local neighborhood. It’s easy to miss all the nuances of a community when you’re going by car. Whether you’re in your hometown or vacationing in a resort town, it’s a refreshing experience to take a walk on foot.
5. Go to a botanical garden. Tots and parents alike will enjoy the landscaped environments, colorful flowers, and serene environment that a lush botanical garden has to offer.
   

Eddie Bauer Strollers

Eddie Bauer Strollers are made by Cosco and tend to feature snazzy fabrics for parents who want to wheel around a fashion-conscious stroller. Eddie Bauer strollers include a travel system, tandem strollers, and a sport model. The Eddie Bauer Travel System comes as an infant car seat, infant stroller, and toddler carriage combination. The Eddie Bauer All-Terrain Tandem stroller has stadium seating, allowing both of your little ones to see. Euro-style shocks help to make for a smoother ride.