And the wheels on the stroller go round and round

We recently had occasion to buy a new stroller because Joe grew out of his infant seat and our only car stroller was a frame that depended on the infant seat. Without the infant seat, we had no stroller. Thus, a quest was born. Since I don’t do anything without extremely thorough research, I though I’d share my findings with other soon-to-be and new parents, since a few of you read this blog.

The reason we chose the infant seat/frame option in the first place was based on the advice of the Baby Bargains book (which I highly recommend, except for this one issue). It seemed a prudent choice at the time (rushing to the hospital and stopping at a Target in Kansas just before closing). But if I could do it over again with the research in my back pocket, here’s what I would recommend:

Go ahead and buy an infant seat (and plan ahead for the possibility of a convertible car seat**) because the infant seats are just darned handy with carrying handles, snap-in features for strollers and car seat bases. But there’s only one stroller out there worth your time — that won’t break the bank — in my not-so-humble opinion: Peg Perego Pliko P3. Note: if you’re dying to fork over big bucks for a fancy schmancy pram (completely unnecessary and often too bulky to haul around), either buy the Pliko P3 “Pramette” or buy your fancy one used. Despite their popularity, most prams and high-priced strollers are often so inconvenient that you can get them for a fraction of retail on your local Craiglist, usually in mint condition. We did that for the all-terrain Zooper Buddy we keep on the porch for local walks on our rough urban sidewalks ($75 for a $300+ stroller, not bad; and the rain cover, mosquito net, and winter footwarmer were all untouched in original packaging — the previous owner found it too difficult and heavy to schlep around in the car).

The Pliko P3, on the other hand, is a dream. It’s listed for about $329.99 (and up) retail, but can be found much cheaper online, especially if you’re willing to get an older model. We bought a new 2007 model at Livingincomfort for $189 with a coupon and free shipping. (These things are so popular that it was difficult to find a used one on Craigslist for under $150, so we opted to spend a few extra bucks and get a brand-spanking new one.)

The Pliko P3 has many features of the travel systems without the bulk or heft, weighing in at only 16 lbs (though I’d swear that mine weighs less). It will accept Peg Perego infant seats (not sure of the brands, check with the manufacturer). It offers height-adjustable handles (essential for anyone over 5′6″) and a one-hand close. It folds down like an umbrella stroller (lengthwise) to easily fit in most trunks without taking up a lot of space. Best of all, it’s comfortable for your little one, with plenty of adjustments and a near flat recline for infants. My favorite feature is the unique harness that unhitches at the top of the back, allowing your little one to lean forward and see the world around him while still remaining safely buckled in. And, if you’re a fashion-conscious mom, these Italian-made strollers have fun color/design options that are the sure to please the pickiest diva.

Other must-haves for baby (if you’re not a parent-to-be, consider these for shower gifts):

• BabyBjorn Soft Bib (can’t live without at least one of these once he’s on solids; two is better because you can keep one in his diaper bag for eating out. You’ll toss all the rest!)
• Podee Hands-Free Baby Bottles (originally developed for multiples, it’s a way to feed a baby who can’t hold his own bottle. GREAT for long car trips or even just shopping trips.)
• Basic Comfort Ultimate Crib Sheet (quick change sheet, mattress pad, super absorbent pad, and waterproof pad in one product). We actually bought one crib sheet and four of these. They’re awesome, easy to change (no lifting up the mattress) and they’ll hold up to four cups of liquid. I wouldn’t even consider a regular sheet after using one of these.
• Halo Sleepsacks. A great wearable blanket to keep little ones safe and warm. Get these in all sizes and materials (fleece, microfleece, thin cotton) appropriate to the season. They even make footed versions for early walkers.
• Born Free bottles and sippy cups made from bisphenol-A-free plastic (or glass).

**When your under-one-year-old grows out of his infant seat, you’ll have to buy a more expensive “convertible” carseat (because he’s too young for a front-facing seat). We chose the Britax Decathlon for safety and features. The same online-shopping strategies apply, though we ended up finding the best deal on ebay. By planning ahead, you could probably find a great deal.