6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Strollers for Newborns

New mums often expect buying a stroller to be easy, but reality hits fast. You’re sleep-deprived, juggling baby gear lists, and every stroller looks perfect online, yet they all feel different in real life. You worry about safety, whether your baby will even like it, and if you’re wasting money on something heavy or uncomfortable that you’ll hardly use. 

So many parents end up overwhelmed, confused, or stuck with strollers for newborns that don't work for daily life. This guide shows the six key mistakes to avoid so you can choose a stroller that truly fits your needs. 

Things Most Parents Overlook When Buying Baby Strollers

When buying baby strollers, there’s one thing you need to keep in mind: strollers are not just moving seats. For your newborn, it’s a space where they can sleep peacefully. 

Since it’s a daily-use product, there are a few things you need to pay heed to: recline angle, harness design, and suspension. Sometimes, parents often go for looks and ignore these small details. 

Mistake 1: Buying a stroller that does not fully recline

Newborns can’t sit upright, as their spine and neck are still developing. So they need a near-flat position while resting or sleeping. Though some strollers are labelled as “newborn-friendly”, they can only recline partially. 

The right stroller for your newborn is the one that reclines to almost 180 degrees. Even better if it comes with a bassinet attachment; if you choose strollers with angled seats, chances are your baby’s head can slump forward, affecting breathing. 

What to do instead:

• Always check the recline angle in person or verify it in the product specifications.
• Choose a stroller with a full recline or a compatible carrycot designed for newborns.

Mistake 2: Ignoring suspension and wheel quality

Smooth rides are critical for newborns to prevent any disturbance or injuries. As you know, footpaths are not always even, and many neighbourhoods have cracked pavements, sloped kerbs, gravel walkways, and older concrete surfaces. In case you’re living somewhere in the suburbs, you have to deal with steep driveways and frequent curb transitions. 

Lightweight strollers often lack suspension, and this is especially true of cheaper models. If you’re not choosing a model with shock absorption, then that could disturb your baby.

What to do instead:

• Buy strollers with suspension on at least the rear wheels.
• Before buying, ensure you test its performance on uneven surfaces.

Mistake 3: Choosing a stroller that is too heavy or bulky

Another mistake most parents make is assuming heavier strollers are sturdier. But the reality is different. Buying too-heavy strollers can be a daily challenge, especially for single parents. Lifting it into a car boot, carrying it upstairs, or folding it repeatedly can quickly cause fatigue.

Furthermore, the bulkier the design, the more storage space it consumes, not just at home but also in public spaces. 

What to do instead:

• Establish a balance between stability and weight.
• Try folding, unfolding, or lifting the stroller yourself before buying.

Mistake 4: Overlooking harness design and padding

Your newborn’s safety largely relies on the harness system, especially when you are walking on uneven paths. Some strollers are designed more for older babies than for infant use, while others use stiff straps, awkward buckles, and poorly padded straps that can rub against sensitive skin.

What to do instead: 

• Pick a stroller with soft, well-padded straps and simple, adjustable harnesses.
• Make sure you check if the buckle sits flat when reclined and does not press against the baby’s chest or neck.

Mistake 5: Falling for features that do not matter

Sometimes new parents fall for looks and features that don’t really support the newborns. This could include trendy designs or colours, flashy fabrics, and cup holders. These features cannot support your infant in any way, but they often inflate the price.

Sometimes parents give too much priority to brand reputation or looks over functional basics like recline, stability, and ease of use. Often, they regret it when the stroller fails during daily routines.

What to do instead:

• Focus on safety, comfort, and usability first. 
• Extra features should only come after the essentials are covered. 

Mistake 6: Not planning for growth in the first year

A stroller suitable for a newborn might not be ideal for a baby at 6 months. Strollers often have weight capacity limitations or unaccommodating seating transitions as the child develops. Moreover, some fail to provide adjustable footrests or seat depth.

It is neither economical nor sensible to discard a stroller every few months. Planning for growth helps you get long-term value and consistent comfort.

What to do instead:

• Opt for a stroller that has adjustable seating, has higher weight limits, and offers flexible configurations that will support your newborn

Conclusion

Trends or hasty choices do not influence the decision to purchase a stroller. It is primarily concerned with safety and ease of use. The biggest mistakes happen when they overlook technicalities or rely on brands without verifying the specs. If you carefully consider these pitfalls, you can choose a stroller that correctly supports your baby and facilitates daily walks and trips. So, slow down a bit, try out the essentials, and choose with the baby’s first year in mind.