Stroller Canopies: When, Where, and How to Use Safely

When it comes to stroller shopping, the options are pretty much limitless. From double strollers to lightweight singles to jogging strollers, depending on what kind of lifestyle you live, your stroller is going to vary accordingly. No matter what type of stroller you lean toward getting, chances are that you might need both a larger stroller with a canopy and more robust tires as well as a smaller umbrella stroller for the trunk of the car or airplane travel.

One main issue to consider about which you need and when to use it is whether or not the umbrella stroller you pick has a canopy, which protects from the sun and other elements.

So how important is it that your stroller has a canopy? It’s a fair question, especially considering that the best umbrella strollers will sometimes not come with one. However, they are lightweight and easy to store and bring along even in smaller cars and for air travel. Here’s everything to consider:

What Are Umbrella Strollers?

Umbrella strollers earn their name from their foldability, but they don't always have the canopy coverings that fold open over your child’s head as larger strollers often do. While traditionally umbrella strollers have been lightweight devices with fabric seats and curved handles for pushing, the term umbrella has come to apply to many types of strollers that are easy to collapse and bring with you anywhere you need to go.

Unlike actual umbrellas, which take on a circular shape, umbrella strollers fold down with multiple hinges, but the concept of collapsing down into a much more compact item is the same.

The Benefits of Having an Umbrella Stroller

There are quite a few reasons why having an umbrella stroller is important. For starters, stroller umbrellas offer your baby a place to ride that you can easily lift, stash, and store after it's collapsed down. Some do also include coverings that give instant covering from the sun, which older models didn't always offer. This is a useful feature considering that babies’ skin is much more sensitive to the sun than ours is. Even if you’re out for a walk on a hot and sunny day, you can still provide your baby with shade by utilizing a stroller canopy.

Should it start to drizzle, a canopy will help protect your baby from getting wet. There are some strollers that come with a zipper portion to fully enclose your baby in the stroller should the rain become too heavy. If your stroller doesn’t automatically come with this as a feature, you can also buy a portable stroller cover to help protect your child from the rain. Similarly, if a light snowfall begins, and you’re caught out and about with your stroller, an umbrella will keep your little one dry.

Along with protection from the elements, many parents also consider draping a blanket over and providing their little one with a dark, warm, and quiet space for napping. In a bustling and loud environment, this technique can help your baby catch some shuteye while you go about your day.

While having a canopy on your stroller is not necessary, it is a huge convenience and can provide your little one with better protection and a more comfortable stroller ride. Luckily, even lightweight and portable umbrella strollers and travel strollers now often offer this feature.

Other Features to Look for When Purchasing a Stroller

Along with a collapsible umbrella, here are some other features to look for when shopping for a stroller.

Always investigate to see how many storage compartments your stroller offers. Parents often have their hands full of things (diaper bags, personal items, etc.), and having extra areas on the stroller to store these items is a must. Many strollers will come with hanging surfaces beneath the baby’s seat to offer an additional storage section.

While cup holders might not seem like an essential for your stroller, they can be a huge convenience. It’s difficult to push a stroller with a beverage in your hand, and many parents enjoy sipping on a warm coffee, water bottle, or fizzy soda during their daily walks.

As we've mentioned, collapsibility is another important feature for strollers, especially if you plan on traveling with yours. Many strollers offer one or two-step collapse options that help make your stroller smaller so that you can store it without taking up as much space.

Finally, if you spend a lot of time moving between your car and your stroller, you’ll want to find a stroller that has an adaptor for car seats. This will allow you to move your baby between car and stroller and vice versa without having to take him or her out of the portable seat.

Resources— Child Safety Experts, Lucie’s List, Ergobaby

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