By Valerie Baldowski

If you have twins or two little ones of different ages, then you’ll really appreciate the Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect Stroller, which has a great value at $154.99. The tandem stroller holds two children up to 40 pounds each. It accepts Graco Classic Connect car seats, so you can use it from a child’s birth well into toddlerhood. We liked that the rear seat is raised so the child can still get a good view; when he is tired, though, you can lie the seat completely flat so he can take a nap. Our only complaint is that the rear seat’s upright position leans forward slightly, so the baby has to be strapped in securely, and there is no semi-reclined position for the rear seat.

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By Valerie Baldowski

A high-quality twin stroller from Chicco, this stroller has side-by-side seats that recline independently and feature umbrella shades with rear flaps that can unzip. We were happy with how the seats recline with one hand to four positions, including a nearly flat position. Even though the stroller holds toddlers comfortably, it also fits through standard doorways. It folds up relatively compactly for a twin stroller, and its handles make it easy to grip and lift. Just be aware that this stroller is heavy—but that’s to be expected with a durable twin model. Furthermore, the price is affordable given the quality it offers—just $189.99.

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By Valerie Baldowski

This high-end Italian stroller has some nifty perks. The Peg Perego Vela Easy Drive Stroller, designed to make traveling with the baby easier, is compatible with the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat as well as some other manufacturer’s car seats. To slide it easily into the trunk, this stroller can be folded up with just one hand, and stands up alone when folded. It has an adjustable handle, large wheels for maneuverability, and an expanding cup holder. We wish it had a parent tray, but this is a minor complaint; the stroller has a generously sized basket and easily reclining seat so your child can lie flat for naps on the go.

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By Valerie Baldowski

A great, compact single stroller available for as low as $57.88, the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller weighs just under 12 pounds. This stroller folds up very easily—with just one hand—and stays standing unassisted. Even better, the kid’s food tray and seat don’t come close to the dirty ground when the stroller folds up, so you don’t have to worry about wiping away germs. We liked the storage basket underneath, which is roomier than many other models’. Plus, the stroller has a sturdy, durable design that belies its light weight. We expect that families on a budget will be more than pleased with this stroller, which holds children up to 50 pounds.

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By Valerie Baldowski

A high-quality jogging stroller from Baby Trend, the Expedition LX Travel System is perfect for parents who like to keep up with their exercise with the baby in tow. The large, rubber front wheel swivels for regular travel, and locks in place for safe jogging. The travel system includes a car seat for babies up to 30 pounds; it locks in place in the stroller or in the car seat base. The stroller also includes a lot of convenient features, such as a food tray; beverage holders than can also hold your cell phone, chapstick, lotion, etc.; and a capacious storage basket for storing diaper bags, purses, or shopping bags. Ultimately, this is a great system that knocks out your stroller and car seat needs in one convenient package, available for around $182.

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By Valerie Baldowski

The Schwinn Arrow Single Stroller has two wheels in back and one in front. Billed as a great stroller for everyday use as well as jogging, it has 16-inch wheels with aluminum frames. Selling points of this upscale stroller include its maneuverability. The Schwinn Arrow’s large wheels make it easy to push on the sidewalk, the street or on the grass. The cost for all these bells and whistles varies with the retailer, but hovers around $169.99. The options you get with this include a parent tray with two, not just one, cup holders and a handle brake for extra stopping power. The fleece seat pad comes out for machine washing, and the baby can use the built-in MP3 speaker in the canopy to listen to music.

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By Valerie Baldowski

A lightweight, affordable single stroller, the Cosco Umbria comes in a snazzy zigzag pink or blue design. The three-point harness is easy to snap in place, and the seat reclines to two positions so even babies who are still learning to sit up can be comfortable. We were pleased with the simple, durable design and quality; this may not be as fancy or high-quality as the high-end strollers on the market, but it’s suitable for shopping trips or even airplane trips when a big, heavy stroller would be a hassle to pack. While the wheels sometimes have a mind of their own and don’t handle bumpy terrain well, the Cosco Umbria is still a valid choice at $35 to $39.99.

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By Valerie Baldowski

A sturdy single stroller for the parent on the go, this Baby Jogger 2014 City Mini GT is ideal. We fell in love with the lightweight yet quality design, especially the easy fold system that requires only one hand. The stroller is so lightweight, in fact, that we can comfortably hold it with one hand. Other convenient design features include an adjustable handlebar that accommodates parents of all heights, and all-terrain wheels that glide over even bumpy ground with ease. This model comes in a sleek, unisex black. It’s not cheap – it can run as much $349.99, although the price can vary depending on the retailer. For that kind of money you get a sporty looking stroller with an adjustable canopy.

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One upon a time parenting was simpler, but recently moms and dads have more reason to be extra vigilant. The upswing in the number of baby product recalls forces parents and caregivers to be more cautious about what their young children sleep or ride in. The recall of strollers, crib bumpers and drop-side cribs are reminders that keeping your children safe can sometimes feel like balancing on a high wire.

In early 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of about 1.5 million Graco strollers and travel systems. At issue were the hinges on the stroller canopy, which posed a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard when the canopy was being opened or closed. The manufacturer received seven reports of injuries. Later that year the CPSC announced a recall of about 2 million more Graco strollers because of the risk of young children becoming trapped between the stroller tray and seat bottom and strangling. The CPSC reported six such instances, and four deaths were reported. Other recalls involved Bugaboo, BOB, Baby Jogger, UPPA and Britax strollers.

Alarming reports about cribs have also made the news.

In October 2011, Yu-Wei recalled about 8,000 of its drop-side cribs because the drop rails could malfunction, detach or fall down without warning. The CPSC reported nine instances involving the rails, and one child suffered minor arm abrasions. In September, Shermag issued a recall of about 2,300 cribs in the U.S. and 800 in Canada for the same problem. This time 21 instances were reported, but fortunately no injuries resulted. In April, ducduc recalled more than 300 of its cribs. The problem was that the cribs’ bottom rails could separate from the sides, when the mattress was in the lowest position, causing the mattress to fall. Five instances of this were reported, but again there were no injuries.

Up until recently, bumpers have been a basic component to infant bedding, ensuring little arms or legs would not get caught and pinched between the slats of the crib. No parent thought twice about lining the crib with a colorful bumper, along with baby blankets and soft stuffed animals. But in October the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines cautioning against their use. The reasoning is that infants can roll over face-first into the bumpers and suffocate, or get their neck caught in the ties, resulting in strangulation. The recommendation set off widespread debate over whether or not the bumpers should be banned outright.

All the excitement about the recalls leaves one to wonder how today’s parents find the right balance for them and their children. Many families are now wrestling with the question of whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking into account the vast number of strollers and cribs bought each year and used without incident, sometimes the negative publicity generated by an occasional accident seems like an overreaction.

For many years, parents have put their young children to bed at night in a drop-side crib with no worries about its safety. Now that style of crib is no longer sold, and leaning over to tuck the little one into a high-railed bed is a little more complicated. Buying a safe stroller is almost like playing Russian roulette, in hopes it won’t be targeted for the next recall. And with the backlash against crib bumpers, new parents wonder if there is anything remaining they can safely leave in their child’s crib. With that in mind, parents today are forced to make decisions not even dreamed of a few years ago.

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Baby Strollers

Parents faced with picking just one stroller out of the hundreds of brands and styles on the marketplace have a daunting task. Whether it’s a lightweight, umbrella, standard, jogging or double stroller, the factors to consider include price range, features and options, and … [more]

By Valerie Baldowski

For parents of twins the Skylar Double Jogger gives them another choice when they want to take their kids along on a run. The built-in flaw with jogging strollers is that pushing one or two kids in a stroller adds that much more weight for the runner to push. The built-in advantage is that parents can take their kids along with them. This stroller has a front swivel wheel that can lock in the straight position for jogging and pneumatic wheels similar to a bicycle tire for easy maneuverability. It holds 50 pounds per child and is designed for children as young as 6 months and under 42 inches tall.

The Skylar Double Jogger is JPMA certified and comes with a two-year warranty. It has a five-point safety harness, a multi-position reclining seat and an extra large canopy for protection from the sun. The storage basket underneath the stroller measures 20 by 18 by 5 inches. For traveling, the stroller folds up and the quick-release tires can be removed. Depending on retailer, the price is in the $159 to $240 range.

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By Valerie Baldowski

Compared to heavier strollers, this stroller holds up to 50 pounds. This 17.5-pound stroller has a one-handed folding feature for parents on the go, and its lightweight design makes it easier to lift and slide into the trunk to travel. It has a three-point or a five point harness, lockable front swivel wheels and adjustable leg rests for baby’s comfort. There’s even a carry handle on the side of the stroller for when the toddler wants to get out and walk.

The cost is less than some strollers but more than others. Depending on where it’s bought in-store or online, it can run between $82 and $160. As strollers go this is dependable. Some Graco strollers have had recalls in the past, but this isn’t one of them. To make it easier for parents when something breaks or wears out, Graco sells replacement parts on its website.

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