The Stokke Xplory stroller is unique in that it brings your child up to parental eye-level, and away from dirty streets. Some say that the added eye contact between baby and parent increases bonding. It must provide a much better view for baby, to say the least. The Stokke Xplory also makes it easier for parents to tend to baby while in the stroller, without bending over. With an adjustable footrest and two-way seating, the Stokke Xplory is designed to be used from birth to 40 lbs/4 years old. It can also be used with certain car seats, including the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio or the Graco Snugride, with adapters (sold separately). It does carry a hefty price tag, however: for the Stokke Xplory Complete, which includes bassinet, seat, sun canopy, mosquito net, rain cover, under seat basket, and bassinet liners, costs a whopping $1399.99 CAD (about $1236.68 USD). Without the bassinet, it’s a bit less, at $1199.00 CAD ($1059.18 USD). However, if you purchase before July 15 and register the warranty online, Stokke will give you a free diaper bag, worth $120 ($106 USD). Visit CrocodileBaby.com for details.

I really like my Maclaren double stroller, but after pushing around my friend’s new BOB Duallie stroller, I began to realize the benefits of having a jogging stroller. Although her stroller is heavier than mine, weighing in at about 33 pounds, it was a breeze pushing her twins around. The stroller basically pushes itself, making it that much easier to walk or jog with your duo and start working off some of that leftover baby fat. The stroller boasts many of the same features of other double strollers–seats that recline independently, five-point seat harnesses that keep your kids secure, a multi-position sunshade, and pockets for various baby items you may need on your excursion. It also features a rotating front wheel that that not only gives you more control but also makes turning around much easier. The tires are extra-wide and ready for any kind of road be it smooth and paved or bumpy and rugged. In addition to a safety strap that you can loop onto your wrist, there’s even a rear wheel braking system you can activate with your foot to ensure your stroller doesn’t go anymore that you’re not.

But I have to say my favorite part of all is the fact that the stroller is engineered in a way to really make two babies feel lighter than they should be. While I can’t rationalize spending money on another pricey stroller right now, I am definitely thinking about trading in my beloved Maclaren at some point when my twins just feel too heavy to push around and upgrading to one of these bad boys. You don’t have to be a jogger to take advantage of this one in my opinion. This particular BOB stroller, available in either Navy or Orange, can be found at REI.com for $569. Have it sent to an REI store for pickup, and avoid paying extra for shipping.

The Natural Seat Topper by Innobaby is designed especially for babies with sensitive skin and/or eczema. Made of eco-friendly ramie, known for its breathability, the Natural Seat Topper fits over car seats, strollers, swings, and more, to keep baby comfortable. It also helps to reduce any discomfort from perspiration, and as it’s absorbent and breathable, it helps to keep baby from perspiring in the first place. You can view the Natural Seat Topper at InnoBaby.com, where it sells for $29.99 to $34.99.

This is a great way of updating your current stroller, or protecting a brand new one. If you have had the same stroller for a while and just want to change the look of it, then My Monkey Moo Stroller pads are perfect, not to mention much cheaper than buying a new stroller! I think I might have to get one of these just to hide all the stains that my son has managed to accumulate with all the snacking he seems to do on our walks. These stroller pads are also reversible so you can have a great variety of looks, as well as being machine washable for when you run out of sides to use and have to clean it. They are 100% cotton and come in some really great styles and patterns.

I particularly like this urban looking one that has a plush side on reverse. These also can be used as changing pads for when you’re out and about and need to do a quick diaper change. They adapt to most strollers and look really comfortable and padded as well. They are priced at $69.00 on mymonkeymoo.com.

I cannot say enough great things about this Maclaren. Although we don’t have the 2009 version, which is probably even better, it has proven to be one of the most useful items that we ever purchased.  I got it last year when my son was traveling with me to Europe and I needed something light that I could easily put up and down and carry through airports – it has a handy carry strap. The 2009 version is only 8.5 lbs and folds and unfolds incredibly easily, with just one hand – I didn’t think it was possible but it really is! It isn’t our main stroller but we keep it in the back of the car for those times where we might need it. I love that it has a breathable mesh seat as well as a sun hood and rain canopy. It also has a great mesh basket too that seems to hold a huge amount of things. What amazes me is that it is so incredibly light and yet when you unfold it you can feel how really sturdy it is with its strong aluminum frame.

This can hold a child from 6 months up to when they reach 55lbs, which means we’ll get more use from this one than our main stroller. I also love this bright and happy yellow color too. You can purchase one from giggle.com for $130.00.

Learning Curve is having a sale on some of its most popular toys and other baby/children’s items, such as this “Getting Started” Thomas the Tank Engine for just $4.99 (regularly $10.99). Other items on sale include the Bob the Builder Build Along Electronic Tool Bench for $9.99 (regularly $19.99) and the Magna Light Travel System, including stroller and carseat, for $169.99 (was $269.99). Visit LearningCurve.com to see all of the steals and deals available.

Parents know that strollers can be bulky and hard to store when not in use. Even the most compact stroller that folds up can occupy too much space in a closet. That’s what inspired mom Mary Ann Schwanwede to design Stroll Away, the over-the-door stroller storage system. Made of heavy duty steel, Stroll Away is like a gigantic “hook” designed to slide over the door easily, and it folds flat when not in use. Marketed by Metro Tots, Stroll Away is adjustable to 9 different positions and said to fit most, if not all, stroller models. The company is currently working on creating a multi-stroller rack and a wall mount for the garage. You can purchase Stroll Away for $49.99 at MetroTots.com.

 
The fourth item on my list of necessities for baby is a stroller. If you’re not into pushing your baby around in a buggy and you travel by foot as often as I do, I think a carrier of some sort is in order. You’ve got to have your hands free (and save your back and arms) at some point in time and for that, I have a Mei Tai. However, I also have Evenflo Congo Journey Travel System. We have dragged this thing through mud, muck, rain, snow, gravel and whatever else dares to cross our paths for over 3 years and it is still in good shape. The front tires had to be reinforced but otherwise, nothing is awry.

My favorite features are the bug net, relatively simple folding system, and smooth steering. It is rather bulky but great for long treks and durable (we’re on our second son.) The front piece lifts, making getting your child in and out simpler, and there’s even a detachable piece that stores away underneath to keep legs and feet protected until they’re too big to be kept in. The car seat attaches to the top and is a handy carrier and travel rocking chair for baby. It comes with a canopy and head cushions to keep baby’s head steady. We paid much more than the $129.99 price tag on Amazon.com but, happily, it was worth it.  

I’m a huge Peg Perego fan. We have their infant car seat, a large carriage system, a double stroller, and the Pliko/P3 Stroller. The Pliko has been our all purpose singleton stroller. It holds the car seat, folds easily, and fits nicely in the back of my minivan. Though we’ve had to move on to the company’s Twin Tender double stroller, I have nothing but good things to say about our Pliko.

Now the company has upgraded the stroller for 2009. The Pliko Switch offers users the option of switching the handle so that your child can either be facing out (the traditonal way), or facing you. This is a great feature that we have on another stroller, and I love it. Especially when your baby is small, you want to be able to see him or her at all times.  Once he or she starts to grow more interested in the world, it is fun to face the world as you travel.

This Switch still has all the other great features that made the Pliko a favorite, including a five point harness for safety, a snack tray, an easy-fold mechanism, and an under-stroller basket. This stroller retails for $599.99, but I found one for $499.99 at ebeanstalk.com. I always love the red, but brown and grey models are also available.

BOB makes some of the hottest jogging strollers on the market. My sister and several friends swear by them. Currently, the company is holding a contest that will award a free stroller to one lucky winner. For a chance to win, upload a picture of your pregnant belly at BobGear.com/neighborhood. The winner will be chosen at the end of January. Even if you aren’t currently pregnant, or in the market for a new stroller, it is fun to check out the gallery of entries. I can’t wait to see the winner.

It isn’t easy getting out of the house with twins, but having the right equipment helps. There are two basic choices for double strollers: side-by-side or front-back. After hearing stories from friends about what the twin sitting in the back does to the one in front, like pulling hair, for example, we decided we definitely wanted a side-by-side. And the reality is that the Maclaren is the best one out there.

While there are lighter twin strollers on the market, the Twin Techno is still relatively lightweight for all its features. For just under 26 pounds, you get a sturdy stroller that offers things like individual head rests and seats that independently recline, extendable leg rests, and storage both below and behind the seats.

The stroller even comes with its own rain/wind cover, which has become a life-saver because it allows me to take my twins outside even when the weather is not ideal. The only downside to the stroller in my opinion is that the canopy of the stroller doesn’t completely block the sun.

The viewing window at the top makes it easy to see your twins below, but it also makes it easy for the sun to get into their little eyes. My solution: either put some hats on those babies or throw a small blanket on top of the stroller to block out those rays. Regardless of this small flaw, this stroller is still a must buy for parents of twins.

Listed at $379.99 at buybuybaby.com, it is a worthwhile investment and a great item to put on your registry to have a group of friends or relatives get together and buy.

I definitely enjoy decking my children out in the latest in upscale baby clothes (that’s our newest addition in the photo, wearing a Baby Lulu favorite).  I am glad to say, however, that I have been able to get great deals on many of these items.  Here are a few of my favorite tips for getting good prices on upscale goods:

1)Don’t be afraid of thrift stores! I know a lot of people who refuse to shop at stores such as Goodwill.  People mistakenly believe that they are full of dirty and unusable goods.  I have found that this isn’t the case at all.  For example, where I live, Goodwill receives tons of new items from local Target stores.  Last year, when a friend of mine was pregnant with her first child, I stumbled upon a brand new, still in the box, Peg Perego stroller that retails for over $200 for $30.  I found a new Bundle Me for another friend for less than $10. I’ve also found high-end boutique clothes that are new with tags. A few of my favorite finds include a new Baby Lulu dress and a new Catimini one piece baby outfit.  Sure you have to look a bit, but that is half of the fun!

2)Shop ebay, but shop carefully.  Too many people assume that if it is on ebay, it is a good deal.  I have often found, when shopping ebay for kids clothes, that favorite brands such as Baby Lulu are selling for higher prices on ebay than they are in online stores.  Add in often inflated shipping costs, and you may find that you are actually losing money by buying on ebay.  Especially if the item is new, I recommend doing a google search before buying to make sure there aren’t better prices out there.  Also, while most ebay sellers are good and honest people, there are scammers out there.  I once paid for a rather expensive boutique dress for my daughter and never received it.  The seller dragged things out just long enough that I no longer had any recourse through ebay.  I definitely learned a lesson from that transaction! You can quickly find all of a user’s negative and neutral feedback by visiting toolhaus.org and typing in the user ID–it saves you from wading through pages and pages of feedback to find what you really need to know.

3)Search for discount/coupon codes when shopping online.  Have you ever noticed the “enter coupon code” box while checking out online and wished you had one?  It is easy to skip over, but stores put them there for a reason–in other words, they do issue such codes.  Although they aren’t always easy to find, and don’t always work, I have found it is always wise to do a quick google search with the store’s name and “coupon (or discount) code” before you finalize your purchase. Another site which offers coupons and discount codes for many online stores is RetailMeNot.com. You will sometimes be able to save a percentage off or receive free shipping, etc.

4)Make friends with Craigslist.  Craigslist.com is a great way to find great deals on items for sale in your community.  You don’t have the added trouble of waiting for an auction to end, and you don’t have to worry that you won’t receive and item you have paid for when you deal in person. I bought a gently-used Peg Perego twin stroller for $200 (retail is roughly $600) this summer, and we absolutely love it.  You often find many new items on craigslist as well.  People want to get rid of them and often sell them at substantial discounts.  As long as you know an item’s worth and have done your research, you can’t go wrong.

5)Know the best sources for your favorite brands.  I like a lot of Ralph Lauren’s line for infants, but the retail prices are a bit steep.  I have found that one of the best sources for these clothes is T.J. Maxx (or Marshalls).  I once bought an adorable plaid skirt for my oldest daughter for back to school at T.J. Maxx for $20.  The very next day I saw it at the Polo Outlet where it was selling for almost twice as much.  While you might assume that an outlet price would be the best one, in this case, it wasn’t even close.

I’m not sure how you’d attach and use these Blanket Bungees but it sounds like a good idea worth trying. Now is a good time to try this item from  Z Daisy while it’s on sale for just $8 (down from $20) at BarefootBella.net. It comes in a set of two. They keep your baby’s blanket from falling on the ground out of the stroller. Just a little item to make your life a little easier - it’s the small things that seem to make a big difference. They make a good basket-stuffer for a baby-shower gift.

Although they are much more expensive than basic strollers, I have always loved the style and look of the pram. If you’re looking for a luxurious pram and cost is not an option, you might want to consider this Classica Oro Pram with Balestrino Cromato Panna Chassis. With a wood body, real lace curtains, and an inner lining made of fine piquet cotton, your baby will travel in style and comfort. The bassinet portion of the pram can be used until baby is 6 months old. After that, you’ll need the optional Stroller Seat and Hood, available for $249 extra.

As I mentioned, this is not the everyday stroller that most parents will want or need, but if you like to dream, this is the perfect pram to fantasize about. You can view more information about it at WellAppointedHouse.com, where you can also purchase this pram for $998.

This Strollometer Computer/Speedometer attaches easily to your child’s stroller and measures speed,  trip time, has a clock and provides the temperature reading. If you spend a lot of time during the day out for a stroll with your child, this Speedometer may be an added incentive for you to really get the most out of those little “strolls.” By the time you’ve gone the whole distance around the park or around the neighborhood, you’d be surprised at the distance you’ve covered. Having this Computer Speedometer attached to the stroller would be a great motivator for exercising and getting in (or staying in) shape.

Visit inchbug.com where you can purchase this item for $47.95.