Mom and baby product reviews on The Mommy Insider

Watch my 'Picking out the right stroller' segment on Fox 5!

Thanks to Jeff Hill and Jennifer and the Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta team, I had a great time in the Fox 5 Atlanta studio today. I featured 6 strollers in the segment, one for just about any budget and lifestyle. Watch the segment video below. Then take a look at my complete five part "Stroller Buying Guide" series below.

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Articles in our Stroller Buying Guide series

• Part 1: Stroller Buying Guide: What to look for when shopping for a stroller
• Part 2: Stroller Buying Guide: Stroller Brands
• Part 3: Stroller Buying Guide: A few of my favorite strollers
• Part 4: Stroller Buying Guide: Stroller Accessories
• Part 5: Stroller Buying Guide: Comparison chart of different types of strollers

The Shoulder Stroller: the stroller in a purse

A stroller that fits in your purse.  It's true. This little mommy gadget is a back saver to say the least.  The Shoulder Strollers attaches to your baby's infant seat and then you place the perfect sized shoulder pad on the opposite shoulder which counterbalances the weight freeing you from back, neck and shoulder pain.  They key is that the shoulder strap redistributes the weight of the infant seat to use your larger muscles rather than just your arm muscles.  Using all of the muscles in just one arm and shoulder causes your entire back to be unbalanced which speaking from experience can case back pain and cramping.

Three easy steps and you're ready to go!

Three reasons you should use The Shoulder Stroller:

1. It fits in your diaper bag or purse
2. There's no reason to get the stroller out when running short errands.
3. Saves you from back pain

The patent pending twin-lock safety system makes The Shoulder Stroller the safest hands-free carrier available. 

You can buy or learn moare about The Shoulder Stroller here.

Mutsy 4Rider stroller: a review + coupon code

With more higher end strollers entering the consumer market almost monthly, it can be difficult to know which are really good and which are merely boosting the price because they can.  Mutsy, I can assure you, makes good strollers. 

Some might ask 'how special can a stroller be'?  A parents answer: very special.  All strollers are not equal. Think about it.. strollers have many different components.  Wheels, seat, restraints, cushioning, cup holders, storage, handle bars, and more are what makes up a stroller. Wheels come in many sizes, seats can be like a Mercedes' leather seat or comparable to old dodge upholstery, and drink holders can either be there or not.  While some components are necessary, some are not such as raising handle bars and a uber plush seat.  When did being un-necessary stop parents who desire the best for their baby and can afford it?   Never, that I know of.

A diagram of the Mutsy 4Rider

I received the Mutsy 4Rider to review in December and have used it in many different situations, on varying surfaces, and in several cars and to summarize my experience with the 4Rider would be difficult.  The Mutsy 4Rider is very easy to steer, folds easily, fits in most medium to large trunks, and there are accessories available for the 4Rider that are really neat! 

I am able to steer the 4Rider with only a couple of fingers instead of one or both hands.  When we were in Boston recently, I was trying to steer the stroller through the train's narrow walk-way while keeping my diaper bag from falling off my shoulder so I had only one hand to steer with.  Lucky for me, the Mutsy 4Rider's fully swiveling front wheels make the stroller easy to steer on both city and rugged streets as well as on narrow train walk-ways.

Besides the fact that the Mutsy 4Rider is a super sleek yet sporty stroller, one of my favorite features of the 4Rider is the clickable mechanism which enables parents to switch the seat from a front to rear facing position in less than 10 seconds and by one person.  I found this feature to be very useful during our strolls through Boston.  It was about 2 degrees (ok, maybe more like 39 degrees) outside and windy for a couple of days.   I didn't want Madelyn to be bombarded by the wind so I turned the seat around, with her in it so she no longer faced the wind... just the boys and I were frozen by the arctic Boston winds.

I could go on and on about the Mutsy 4Rider but I'm sure you don't want to read an essay.  A few features  and available components (marked with *) that make the Mutsy 4Rider exceptional are:

• 3-position leg rest
• the seat depth can be adjusted for the maximum comfort of smaller and larger babies
• the ability to switch from the bassinet to toddler seat to the Mutsy Fun Seat easily
• bassinet*
• ultra-comfortable seat with a 5-point safety harness
• removable front bar
• dinner tray*
• fun seat*
• easy to store air pump
• adjustable height handle bar

WEBSITE: Mutsy 4Rider stroller at Bare Babies (learn more or buy)

COUPON CODE: The Mommy Insiders get 10% off of any Mutsy purchase at Bare Babies with coupon code mi10offmutsy.

More photos of the Mutsy 4Rider

   
       

Stroller Snuggle Bag

Keeping baby warm while out and about in the winter and on cool spring days can be a challenge.  Silly Billyz Stroller Snuggle Bag is a great solution for those times when you need to get out but it's too cold for baby.  The Stroller Snuggle Bag gives you the motivation you might need to get your outdoor exercise in on those chilly mornings.

This wind and water resistant stroller Snuggle Bag will keep your little one cozy, warm and dry while out. It has a fully removable zip front cover and a nylon front and fleece or sherpa inside. The stroller Snuggle Bag works with most 3 and 5 point harness systems and is generously sized for babies and toddlers up to age 3.  The snuggle bag is machine washable and can be tumbled dried so there is no need to worry about messes.

The stroller snuggle bag is available in pink, blue and cinnamon to accommodate both boys and girls and those who prefer a gender neutral color will appreciate the cinnamon snuggle bag.  This makes a great baby shower or new baby gift. 

When not on her stroller, Madelyn often uses her stroller snuggle bag like a sleeping bag.  She slips inside and then places the zipper cover over herself and gets comfy.  Very cute!

Silly Billyz also sells play blankets that look super comfy, long sleeve bibs, biblets, and more.

We have two Silly Billyz Stroller Snuggle Bags to give away!
To enter:
- Email alicia @ themommyinsider.com
- Attach a photograph of your adorable 0-3 year old
- Tell us the name and child of the child in the photograph (first name only)
- Put "silly billyz stroller snuggle bag" in the subject line of the email
- I will choose a winner at random April 5th. 
- The winner will be notified by email so be sure to use an email address that you check often. 
- We are collecting photographs of our readers super cute children to be featured on The Mommy Insider so enter only if you are OK with your child's photograph, first name and age being shown on the site.

Silly Billyz Stroller Snuggle Bag

Joovy - Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller

Deedra, one of my neighbors that has three kids once told me that once you have two kids, why not have three or more? It's all the same.. she said. I'm not sure if I agree. It's amazing to me that a mom can stay sane while raising three kids, and working from home and sometimes in an office like she does.

Moms like Deedra, and kids like hers deserve a comfortable ride. The Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller accommodates three children ranging in age from new born to about age five depending on weight.

When I received the Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller to review on The Mommy Insider, I never thought that I wouldn't be able to put it in my own car, a Nissan Quest.   However, as luck would have it, I loaned my car to my sister in law just in time for the review of the stroller.  I had her Toyota Corolla for a few days. At first I thought I wasn't even going to try to get the stroller in the car. But, I really needed to try it out for the review and I happened to have two children on my testing panel available while I was borrowing her car, so I had to get the stroller in the car and get over to their house no matter what. Much to my surprise, the stroller fit well in her car. I had to fold down part of the back seat but the stroller slid right in. I have a feeling that most parents with three kids don't drive a Toyota Corolla but instead drive an SUV or mini-van in which case the stroller fits with ease. The weight is a little hefty at about 37 pounds, but I didn't have a problem loading and unloading myself.

I am very impressed with the durability and handling of the Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller. I took my three testing panel children to Kohl's to test the stroller out because I knew there would be plenty of obstacles and tight spaces there.  The two younger children, seven months and nine months, sat in the front seats. The front seats accommodate car seats or the child can sit in the two position seat comfortably. Both seats have five point harnesses so baby is secure.  You should have seen the looks I got from passers by at Kohl's. People actually thought I had three children!  Right!

While in Kohl's I took some very smooth sharp turns, and was able to navigate most of the isles just fine. The only time I had a problem was when there was something large in the main isle which made it difficult for me to get out. I would simply back up and find another isle to go down though, so it was not a big deal.  Pushing the stroller was a lot easier than I expected.  I was pushing three kids weighing a total of seventy pounds and never struggled to push or turn the stroller.

The stroller comes with two car seat adapters, two snack and drink trays, and two full size canopies all of which are easy to remove and replace.

The third child can either sit or stand. There is a comfortable platform the child can sit on complete with a safety buckle to keep the child secure. When sitting, the child will be facing mom. If the child chooses to stand, he can lean on the strap across the back of the stroller and face away from you.

The huge storage basket fit my diaper bag, a handbag, snacks, toys, and assorted other things and is easy to access which is very important to me.

The Joovy Big Caboose Stand-On Triple Stroller folds and unfolds very easily. It literally took me about 15 seconds to fold the stroller and get it in the car and vice versa. It was not a strain at all.

I think any parent with three children will love this stroller. It's easy to use, a smooth push, a comfortable ride, and fits well in a family SUV or mini van. This is a stroller that will last for years. The  Deluxe Rip Stop Nylon Fabric makes for an easy to clean stoller that can be used and passed on for years.

Where to buy: Joovy

Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller

I absolute love the Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller. I initially reviewed it in November but the review seemed to have gotten 'lost' so I am reviewing it again and am happy to tell you all about it..again!

This tandem stroller is perfect for families with 2 kids that are still 'stroller age'. The younger child rides up front either in a car seat or sitting in the seat (see photo below) and the older child sites or stands on the rear platform. The older child is facing you when sitting on the platform and facing away from you when standing. There is plenty of back support when standing or sitting which was one of my concerns when I first got the Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller.   When Sebastian 'rides' on the rear platform he holds on to the foam covered handles. 

The Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller has so many features that I love that I am going to list them for you:

• Older child can stand or sit
• Padded back support for older child when sitting
• Foam covered handles make for comfortable pushing
• Huge storage basket can hold my diaper bag, toy, and snacks.
• Universal car seat attachment. Almost every infant car seat will fit.
• Super smooth ride for both me when pushing and the kids when riding.
• Folds almost flat for storage.
• Folds easily and quickly.
• Comes in 4 colors
• Removable canopy for the front rider. This is great when Madelyn is asleep. I put her car seat canopy up as well as the removable canopy and she is in her own little 'pod'.
• Replacing the universal car seat holder with a tray and cup holder is simple.
• The front seat has two comfortable positions.

I recommend the Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller because it is easy to fold and store, simple to use and 'very comfy' according to Sebastian (7 years old and about 45 lbs.) which is the max for the back rider.

Learn more about the Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller here.

Stokke Xplory Stroller

This is the most unique stroller I've ever seen.  From what I hear, one of the favorite features of this stroller is the fact that the child is higher up than in other strollers.

Features: Stokke™ Xplory® is ideal to take into a restaurant or coffee shop. The diagonal frame makes it easy to place the stroller close to the table, so it’s not obtrusive in anyway. What’s more, you won’t need a highchair. The seat is adjustable so your child can sit up to the table height.

Where to buy: BabyStyle
Cost: $749.00