Stroller hacks to make your baby feel comfortable and safe

Taking care of your children is both a responsibility and an absolute joy. As we all know, the stroller is a vital accessory for every parent and child’s indoor and outdoor journey. A comfortable stroller is essential for keeping your baby settled and happy while traveling. Parents want to give their little one the care and protection s/he deserves. They want convenience for their babies. Safety is also a priority that everyone takes seriously to keep their child out of harm’s way. In this article, we’re giving the best stroller hacks to make your stroller more convenient and functional, as well as provide a safer and more comfortable ride for your little one.

young boy playing with his baby brother who is sitting comfortably in a stroller, surrounded by a warm blanket

Stay informed about stroller safety to avoid a preventable injury.

Did you know that, in 2016, there were 10,000 stroller-related injuries treated in the emergency room? Not every parent knows the potential dangers a baby could face while sitting in the stroller. It is worth noting that the best way to avoid a preventable injury is to be informed about stroller safety.

What features should you look for in a stroller?

We recommend you to consider checking for safety features, including:

Practical brakes

Choose a stroller that has brakes that are easy to operate. Keep in mind that the best brakes to go for are those consisting of locking mechanisms within the wheels rather than ones that use pressure. Some strollers have brakes that lock two wheels. We consider this to be a special safety feature as they provide extra security. You need to watch out where the brake lever sits. Bad-designed strollers may have one sitting in the front where an older child can reach. You need to make sure your baby can’t reach the brake release lever.

Don’t forget – when buying your stroller try the brakes out. Remember that they should be easy to operate, even while wearing flip-flops.

Go for a stroller with a wider base

Did you know that strollers that have wide bases are less likely to tip over? It’s true, that a sturdy stroller is imperative. Today you can find more “trendy” buggies that come with slim bases which decrease the stability. Remember, a broad base will ensure the optimal balance. As mentioned before, it will also reduce the chances of tipping the stroller.

A single footrest

If you’re looking for a side-by-side double stroller, avoid those with individual footrests. Instead, choose one with a single footrest that extends across both sitting areas. Small feet can get trapped between the gap of the separated footrests. This might cause an injury. Therefore, we recommend you go for a single footrest that spans the full width of the stroller.

Mother pushing a black, side by side double stroller along the beach

How can you keep your baby safe in his or her stroller?

Always stay close

You should never leave the stroller unattended with your baby inside. Accidents can happen anytime – the stroller can roll away, get too hot, or your little one could slip out and get trapped. Stay close enough to hear and see your baby – it’s a must.

Be careful with the toys

The toys hanging from the bumper bar are a good idea to make the baby love the stroller. Anyways, it’s very important to fasten them. This way they won’t get loosen and fall on your baby. We recommend you go for shorter-length fasteners in order to prevent accidental strangulation.

Buckle up

You should always use seat belts and harnesses. They are crucial features to have in your stroller. We all know that babies wiggle and move. Keep in mind that the best seat belt to use is a five-point harness that restrains your baby in crucial places including the shoulders, across the waist, and between the legs. Does your newborn require extra support? Try to roll up small baby blankets and use them as bumpers. As soon as your infant is able to roll from a back to belly position, you must remove the bumpers.

Use the stroller brakes

It’s highly recommended to engage them whenever you stop or are idle. Remember, never park the stroller on a slope.

Store belongings properly

We don’t recommend you hang a bag from the stroller’s handlebar. This can make a stroller tip over.

Respect the stroller weight limit

Infants of the same age can have completely different weights. Exceeding the limit is not a good idea. It will make the buggy unstable. Always verify the weight limit.

Take caution when folding and unfolding

It’s important to read the instructions on how to fold and unfold. You need to keep your baby at a distance when you open and fold the stroller. Their small fingers can get caught in stroller hinges. What’s more, it might happen that the stroller spontaneously collapses when not fully unfolded. Before placing your baby inside, give it a good shake to verify it won’t collapse.

Keep your baby out of the sun

During hot weather, you need to avoid direct sunlight. It’s not a good idea to let the stroller sit in the sun for long periods of time. This can cause plastic and metal pieces to become hot enough to potentially burn your baby. Instead, try to find some shade

If you leave the stroller in the sun, check the stroller’s surface temperature before placing your baby back in the stroller. It is also important to avoid placing a blanket over the sun canopy to cover your baby at the front. That’s because what you’re actually doing is that you’re preventing ventilation and increasing the chances of overheating.

Stroller Hack No.1

Prevent stroller tip-overs

Wrap the legs with ankle weights and say goodbye to stroller tip-overs. Doing this will help prevent “the accident” by giving you and your child a good balance as you go about your walk or shopping! Ankle weights are also one of the most popular stroller hacks. What’s more, they are an affordable way for you to prevent any stroller-related accidents along the way.

We hate to see how a lot of parents try to quickly catch a falling stroller. You can weigh down the front wheels of your stroller burdened with a jam-packed diaper bag hanging on the handles, by simply attaching ankle weights just above the wheels.

Have fun and create your own ankle weights

Of course, you can simply buy some Stroller Weights or even Ankle Weights, but that is not frugal. Are you able to sew? Then you can use an old pair of jeans you no longer wear, (or any other tightly woven cotton or woven nylon). Cut out a couple of rectangles of fabric – 13 inches by 5 inches. This one is a bit more work. There are a lot of tutorials on the internet that will make the process much easier.

If you can’t sew there’s no problem!

You can make ankle weights out of an old pair of tube socks (sew closed any holes first!). Try to tie a knot about one-fourth of the way up a long tube sock. Pour beans, rice, or sand into the sock. Then tie a second knot in the sock, about one-fourth the way down from the top of the sock. This way your weight is secured in the center of your sock. The ends of the sock are empty — so you can tie them around the front legs of your stroller. If it isn’t long enough to tie it easily, attach stick-on hook-and-loop fastener strips to the sock to fasten it. Simply wrap them on the front legs of your stroller, and off you go!

Stroller Hack No.2

Kids neck pillow

Did you know that having a really good kids’ travel pillow can make a real difference in how comfortable your children are on the plane, or during a long car journey? When choosing a travel pillow for your child, there are a few things to consider. First, don’t forget that kids’ necks aren’t as strong as adults. Therefore, while memory foam travel pillows may be popular with adults, they tend to be too dense for kids. That’s because their necks aren’t strong enough to push the memory foam back. We recommend you look for a microbead travel pillow. These small polystyrene beads are more malleable and therefore easier for small kids to move into the right position.

Other things you need to consider when choosing your kids travel pillow

Another feature to look for is that a children’s travel pillow needs to be easy to clean. This may sound obvious, but you will be surprised how many aren’t. If you’ve ever been on a flight with a small child, you probably know that kids spill things ALL THE TIME. Being stuck in a confined space for a period of time inevitably means that drinks, food, and bodily fluids will get spilled at some point. That’s why it is very important to make sure that your kid’s travel cushion is easy to clean.

Lastly, a feature we find very helpful in a children’s neck pillow is some kind of strap or ability to attach it to your kid’s stroller. This prevents it from being constantly dropped or dragged along the ground. You can also use your kid’s neck pillow for the car. In this case, it is very important to make sure that the pillow is not too thick so that it doesn’t push your child’s neck forward when they are seated in their car seat. Remember, it is important to ensure that your child’s back is aligned with the back of the seat and that the car seat straps are not loose.

baby laying in a stroller supported by a neck pillow

Air-filled pillow

Air-filled pillows for babies are affordable and easy to install. You can find them online or in certain stores. We must also note that they are an essential stroller hack for camping, traveling, and taking your baby along on holiday. What’s more, parents can use the air pillow as an extra booster seat for children with disabilities or autism. You are able to adjust it to fit your baby or toddler. Don’t forget to make sure that the pillow is inflated before your baby sits on it.

Stroller Hack No.3

The Mommy Hook stroller accessory

Everyone loves to shop hands-free. You can do that while your stroller acts as your butler or partner, carrying multiple bags for you. Use large, heavy duty climbing carabiners on your handlebar to hang your shopping bags. Parents can keep one of these on the handle to attach their smaller bags or groceries to. Or they can also throw 2 on there to be able to proportion the weight. The Mommy Hook is a quick and easy add-on to any stroller that makes it super simple to hold shopping bags, groceries, your diaper bag or anything else you may be schlepping around on any given day. We also love the heavy-duty aluminum and the foam grip that keeps it from sliding around.

Stroller Hack No.4

Stroller comfort blankets

Did you know that many babies have a comfort blanket with a favorite texture that they hold on to and rub to self-soothe? They are super-soft blankets for your stroller that will not only keep your kids warm in the winter months but, as mentioned, will naturally soothe them. Whether you’re heading out during cool weather or warm weather, a stroller blanket is the best stroller hack to make your child more comfortable. They are great for keeping your little one from catching a chill. Lastly, we must note that it doesn’t really matter whether it’s a comforter, comfort blanket, or any other fabric your baby loves – the key is familiarity to calm your baby.

Stroller blankets keep your little one warm and protected from the elements while out and about. They are always the perfect length. You find them big enough to fit over your little one and small enough to not hang off the stroller and cause you to wish so much ill upon an innocent blanket right there on the sidewalk. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that they’re great to use as a stroller cover during a supervised nap. Lastly, they can be used as a receiving blanket, for naps at home, tummy time, or just for cozy snuggle time.

What size should a stroller blanket be?

Baby stroller blankets are the most consistent in size. Typically, they are 30 inches by 40 inches and designed to fit conventional strollers. To put those dimensions into perspective, the average swaddle ranges between 40 and 48 inches. Stroller blankets are also super great at getting caught in wheels.

Stroller Hack No.5

Stroller Liners

A Pram Liner will help protect your stroller investment. Besides keeping the baby comfortable, the liner will also keep your pram clean, by protecting it from messes and spills. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and textures and keep your pram clean and protected as well as ensuring a comfortable ride for your little one. With so many choices out there, it may get confusing. Below we will mention some of the factors you need to look out for.

How to choose stroller liners?

Custom made or Universal Fit:

While both liners may serve the purpose of being comfortable and well-fitting, a custom-made one will cost about twice as much. Most of the Universal Pram Liners are cleverly designed to fit all prams and strollers. Therefore it is not worth paying that much more.

Comfort:

As mentioned before, this is the key consideration. We all know that comfort for a baby is the most important factor. You have to make sure the Pam Liner has adequate padding for the baby to sit on and will feel comfortable even when the road gets bumpy. Many liners are too thin or some may charge you extra for additional filling. We recommend you choose a liner that has at least a 300gsm density of padding to absorb the bump in the road.

Cotton Twill:

Remember that a Cotton Liner will be more comfortable for the baby. That’s because cotton is a breathable material and will be suitable for all seasons. This material will feel soft on baby’s gentle skin.

ESAY TO USE:

It is very important to make sure the liner you choose is easy and convenient to use. This way you will be able to get your baby in and out of the pram quickly. Remember that a Pram Liner with vertical slots allows for easy access to the harness straps. You can buckle up your bub quickly and be on your way in no time.

Durable:

Your pram is always out and about. This means that your Pram Liner needs to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use. Try to choose a liner that is made from durable material with reinforced stitching at the joints. Cotton twill for example, with its distinct diagonal lines, is an extremely durable material with a soft feel.

baby sitting in a stroller secured by stroller liners

Practical & Style:

Lastly, besides all the above a Pram Liner will also beautify your pram. This way you will be able to travel in style. Liners with vibrant print or exclusive design will brighten up an old pram or make your pram stands out. Keep in mind that it would be an added bonus if the liners could come with matching accessories such as Harness covers, Pram organizer, Head support, and Footmuff. This will let you customize your look and equip your pram for all seasons.

In conclusion

All of the stroller hacks mentioned above and equipment can help you use your stroller to its fullest potential. They are able to improve its functionality and comfort level. All of these items can be found online or through other sources, so they may not be as hard to find as you think. What’s more, they won’t put as big of a dent in your finances. That’s because you can find many of them at a decent price.

Before you go, take a look at the Kinderwagon stroller that would look great with any of these stroller accessories Click here!