Why are strollers so big nowadays?

[susannah14]

Hi all, hope you don't mind me crashing the baby forum. I don't quite have a baby yet

Anyways I've been looking into strollers and got to wondering...

When I was growing up, everyone had strollers like this:



And now they all look like this:



Why are they so big and clunky now? Is it for storage? Safety? Manufacturers make more money this way?

Do any of you actually have the small version?

Thanks

 

[AP]

I've been wondering this too

I imagine these days buggies are made to support babies better

 

[seoj]

I do have a "full size" stroller- but TBH, I wouldn't want a little one- they just don't hold up as well or have all the features I wanted. BUT- I've seen some, that are smaller and they are the spendier ones! LOL- not the umbrella strollers like in your picture, but like ones that hold baby up higher and have NO basket OR drink holder?! Say wha?! LOL.

Personally, I have a Guzzie & Guess 102- and I LOVE it... it's the best of both worlds! However, I do have a Jogger (that we bought but didn't fit in the car I used to have- lovely) but worked great for walks around the neighborhood- plus those snap and go strollers- great for around town... PLUS (yup! lol) a smaller umbrella type stroller- but still bigger and with a basket that my MIL uses when she has LO...

Um yea... I never knew what "stroller envy" was till my daughter was born... try to avoid it at all costs! Or it will COST ya LOL

 

[XKatX]

I used a big buggy until he was toddling, then used the smaller one. I'll be doing the same with Tabitha x

 

[LeeLouClare]

you can still get strollers like that - but i think its more about having not to buy a second stroller - because you (the ones you described) need a pram and then you need a stroller but sometimes the stroller cant handle it if the baby can't sit up on its own without support - i think anyway - my LO was very "sit me up sit me up" and my pram that converts into a pushchair was needed in push chair mode very quickly

 

[xxxjessxxx]

No idea
I think it's the whole fashion thing, and also how convenient they are.
My friends mental - she's buying a 400.00 one for nice walks, 450.00 one for going shopping with, and a 200.00 for when people want to take it out... She doesn't want a 'plain simple one' she said, and wants a buggy that best for each thing xx

 

[AP]

I imagine the little one would be a PITA shopping/pushing one handed with an older toddler holding ur hand. Then there's the rainy days/snowy days, posture.
I can kinda see why people choose the larger the more I think about it.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Also little strollers are useless off road.

 

[lozzy21]

The smaller ones would be no good for a newborn where as the newer ones go from birth to toddler.

 

[alaskagrown]

I have a stroller frame that an infant car seat snaps into. It's pretty basic, I spent $30 on it. Next summer when LO is too big for her infant car seat I'm investing in a good old $15 umbrella stroller. I rarely see people with bulky fancy strollers where I live.

 

[minties]

I've got a huuuge one, and a little umbrella stroller.

The umbrella one is awesome for quick trips around shops, but:

It provides no shielding from weather
My toddler cant sleep in it because it doesn't recline
It has nowhere to stick anything so I have to carry a bag of stuff on my person
I cant adjust the handles and they are too high for me and hurt my wrists

 

[seoj]

BTW- IF I'd known what I'd really use, I would never have bought the jogger/infant seat set we did... it was a great deal, and I thought it would be ALL we needed. But when we found out the jogger didn't fit in the trunk of my car ... that is why we bought the snap-n-go stroller frame for her infant seat... TBH, that is ALL I would get the first several months. It's small, compact, great for around town, has a little basket, plus you can just grab baby in the infant seat and snap it in and GO! I used it all the time and it was perfect

Then when LO is older... you've had time to figure out what they really need So you don't end up with 4 strollers like we have! LOL

I would ONLY have the Guzzie & Guss once LO outgrows her snap-n-go... it's been perfect

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Pram culture facinates me! I never knew there were so many types until I moved to the UK

 

[AP]

that is why we bought the snap-n-go stroller frame for her infant seat... TBH, that is ALL I would get the first several months. It's small, compact, great for around town, has a little basket, plus you can just grab baby in the infant seat and snap it in and GO! I used it all the time and it was perfect

It's a little known fact for some that (i'm assuming you meant the car seat if not, nevermind ) car seats dont just affect posture but saturations too. Its been a fact that scared me ever since the community NICU nurse discussed it with us. The trend of full-time use of car seats in frames worries me. I suppose this is one of the main reasons why larger strollers are more popular - they tick all the boxes, including recline. Most recline and are practical for newborns, and for new mothers too.
All in one travel systems are great for those on a budget and want something that lasts the years.

 

[lozzy21]

WSS, keeping baby's in their car seat for too long is bad for their poisture, their oxygen levels and for causing baby to have a flat head.

 

[Ozzieshunni]

I don't think the car seat thing (less than two hours) is widely preached in the USA. I certainly had never heard of it.

 

[AP]

I don't think it is here either Ozzieshunni. Without B&B and that nurse I would never have known. None of my friends knew either. Definately something that should be mentioned by HVs etc

 

[bigbetty]

I didn't want a cheap flimsy stroller because they tip over when you have even the smallest amount of weight on the back - and most of them don't recline! We have the m+p ziko frankie and I love it because it's easy to use but also very sturdy, comes with a raincover and has 3 recline positions. It's not the lightest umbrella fold on the market but I didn't want it to be. As long as the seat is fully upright I can have a change bag and a couple of fairly lightweight shopping bags on and it won't tip over when I take Fran out!

 

[susannah14]

Thanks everyone, this really helped! I feel like I have no idea where to start with all this baby stuff (it's like a foreign country to me), so I'm glad to know you ladies are so willing to help.