Can parents manage with just one stroller (or they really need many): Pros and Cons

While most parents would love to own just one stroller that does it all, usually they end up owning multiple strollers. Let’s see why that happens and if parents can really manage with one stroller for their child from Newborn to Toddlerhood and Beyond.

Introduction

So, does a parent need a stroller? Of course yes! But how many strollers does one need to buy?

Ideally one!

But the problem is that it doesn’t work that way for most parents.

And here’s why!

There are many city-dwelling parents who already own a collection of strollers, suited for various occasions. You will find them placed at some corner, piled on top of each other.

Many stroller users park their strollers in the small ground floor space so they don’t have to lug them up to the top floors.

Multiple strollers resulting in apartment wars, causing tension among neighbors.

While there are several good strollers available on the market that are promoted as the ‘one stroller’ that you will ever need, the fact is that most parents usually end up buying multiple strollers, over a period of time.

And this is how the sequence usually goes.

• Someone in the family will gift a nice (pricey and luxurious) stroller before the child is born. Such strollers look great, have several features, are a joy to use in the beginning, but soon (as the bay starts growing) you realize that its too big and not suitable for most practical applications.

• Then you buy a cheap lightweight umbrella stroller for your frequent commute – to drop your child at daycare, or for quick walk to the grocery store. These strollers are very light, folds up easily, tucks away nicely on a crowded bus, and can be easily carried in one hand while the other hand holds the child.

• Some parents also buy an economical bucket travel stroller (travel system) that they use for cross-country trips; these easily accommodate a car seat, roller bags, and more, as you dash through airports.

• What if you decide to work on your fitness and wish to start jogging? Most of the strollers above may not be suited for jogging. So some parents go and buy a running stroller as well, specifically for running.

Related: Baby stroller buying guide.

Pros and Cons of Using Multiple Strollers

So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using multiple strollers.

Pros

• You have the perfect stroller for every occasion. You can peacefully go about doing things that you intended to do.

Cons

• It takes too much storage space.
• It can turn out to be expensive

Read: Hang your stroller on wall or door to save storage space.

So How Many Do You Really Need?

It depends on your requirements, but here are some suggestions.

For most parents, a good travel system that comes with a car seat and a jogging stroller can work as a good option.

You can use it right from birth, and later you can use it for jogging as well, in case you decide to get more serious about your fitness.

In addition, you should consider buying an inexpensive lightweight umbrella stroller, for quick runs to nearby places.

Recommendations for the One Ultimate Stroller

So what if you wanted one, versatile stroller? What are the options?

There are some really versatile strollers that allow a lot of customizations and can be used from birth till your child outgrows it.

Checkout the best strollers for various requirements and budget

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StrollerBoards is a family managed website with me (Ben) and my wife doing most of the work. We are proud parents of two wonderful kids and love reviewing baby travel gear. We have a firm but friendly “democratic parenting” style and offer several practical solutions backed by extensive research. Our own experience with raising two children prompted us to share our knowledge. Read more.