Choosing a Jogging Pushchair

A jogging newborn pushchair helps you keep active with your child, get outside to feel the endorphins, and set an example of healthy living. It's important to pick the right stroller for your family.

The majority of experts recommend waiting until your baby has good control of their head and neck approximately 6-8 months -- before introducing a Jogger. However, some models can be used from day one using an infant car seat.

Safety

A jogging walk with suspension helps reduce vibrations and impacts, resulting in a smoother ride and less fatigue for the child and the parent. Choose front-wheel or all-wheel suspensions with coils or shock absorbers to lessen jolts, and offer a smooth ride on rough terrain. Adjustable tracking is another important safety feature that you should consider. This will ensure that the front wheel is in the right direction when running on flat surfaces. A stroller that does not have this feature can veer in one direction or the other, making it more difficult to maintain your running pace and increasing the amount of manual correction you need to perform when pushing the stroller. To ensure your safety, you should refrain from listening to music on headphones while you run with a toddler or a baby in tow.

Comfort

Strollers that are designed for jogging or running are usually more comfortable for babies. This is largely due to the fact that the seat is padded and suspended from the frame, rather than being bolted down in a way that causes every bump and jump to be felt by the child. Some of the joggers in our tests also have seats which are slightly reclined which makes them more comfortable for infants at speedy jogging speeds.

Many joggers also have deep and wide storage compartments for snacks, diaper bags and clothes. Some also come with a drink holder that is far more convenient than the shallow and narrow cups that are standard on most strollers. Joggers with a safety tether you can slip around your wrist can help prevent accidents. They stop the stroller from rolling when you fall, or lose your grip, particularly near bodies of water.

If there are multiple people using the jogger, select one that has adjustable handlebars that allow each user can adjust them to his or her height. If you don't, the handlebars will always be at a 90-degree angle to your body. This can make you hunch forward while pushing, and fatigue your arms with time. The joggers we tested all included this feature, which was simple to use and made a huge difference in the comfort of us and our test babies. Other important comfort features include adjustable tracking on the front wheel which can be used to keep the stroller running straight on flat surfaces without the need for constant manual adjustments when you're running.

Stability

Many strollers for jogging have front wheel tracking, which is a mechanism for adjustment that allows the stroller to keep its course. Strollers that lack this feature may veer in any direction, making it difficult to control when running. This can also require frequent manual adjustments, which contributes to fatigue. The most efficient jogging strollers come with suspension systems that absorb shocks and make the experience for your baby more comfortable.

It is best to use a baby jogger once your child is six to eight months old and has developed the neck control needed to lift their head independently. Always consult your pediatrician if are not sure.

A safety tether is a great feature to look for. This is a strap you can slide around your wrist when you lose your grip like in the case of a fall, or near an extensive body of water. This feature is a lifesaver that must not be overlooked. This vital safety feature is included in all jogging walkers that we have examined.

Weight

One of the most important features to consider is how much weight a jogging pushchair will carry. The lighter it is, the better since your body will not be as stressed. It also allows you to move more quickly and efficiently. Another feature to look out for is adjustable tracking. Strollers without this feature often veer in one direction or another and can be tiresome and require constant manual adjustment while running. Lastly, most joggers have an front wheel that is designed to bounce off road bumps. This helps reduce the force to your baby's brain. It is recommended to consult with your pediatrician prior to starting jogging. This will ensure their neck is strong enough to withstand the bouncing.