If there's any chance of a second kid within three or four years, go with a single-to-double convertible like the UPPAbaby Vista V3 or Nuna Demi Next. You pay a little more up front, but adding a second seat later is cheaper than buying a whole new stroller. If you're having twins or already have a toddler plus a newborn, a dedicated double is often the better choice from day one. Side-by-side doubles tend to be more stable. Inline (front-to-back) doubles fit through standard doorways better.

There's no single answer. Some kids are done by age 2 or 3. Others still benefit from a ride at 4 or 5, especially for long days at zoos, airports, or downtown trips. Think less about age and more about stage. Does your kid still nap on the go? Do you walk distances they can't handle yet? Are you in crowded spaces where you need them contained? If yes, keep it. A lot of families also shift from stroller to wagon around age 3 for the flexibility of hauling a kid, a snack bag, and a scooter all at once.

Look for a telescoping or height-adjustable handlebar. The Nuna MIXX Next has one of the tallest handlebars on the market. The UPPAbaby Vista V3 and Cruz V3 also adjust well for parents six feet and up. On the compact side, the UPPAbaby Minu V3 has an adjustable handle too. If you can come test-push in our Middleton store, that's the fastest way to tell if a stroller feels right for your stride.

Strollers go through TSA separately. You fold it, put it on the belt, and it gets screened like any other item. From there, you can push your baby right up to the gate and hand off the stroller at the jet bridge for gate-checking, which is free on most airlines. A small number of compact strollers are officially overhead-bin approved, but even those depend on the specific aircraft and the gate agent that day. If your travel stroller has a proper travel bag, use it. It protects the frame from baggage handlers and usually extends the warranty.

For most families, yes, eventually. A travel stroller lives in the trunk for quick errands, airports, and weekend trips. Some, like the UPPAbaby Minu V3, are IATA-compatible, meaning they fit in the overhead bin on most flights. A lot of parents start with just a full-size stroller, then add a travel stroller around 9 to 12 months once the baby can sit up and they're tired of wrestling the big one in and out of the car for five-minute stops. If you fly more than twice a year, it's worth starting with both.

Both are full-size Nuna strollers with tall handlebars and tall seat positions, which parents love. The Demi Next is the flexible one. It goes from single to double with a sibling seat or a ride-along board, it comes in three colors, and it's slightly lighter. The Demi Icon is single-only, has a bigger basket (30 lbs vs. 22 lbs), and currently comes in one all-black look. The Icon also runs about $100 less than the Next. If you need double capability or want a travel system bundle right now, pick the Next. If you're strictly a one-kid family and want maximum cargo space with a sleek black finish, the Icon makes sense. Both are available at our Nuna collection.

Neither wins across the board. They win at different things. The Vista V3 is the top pick if you think you might add a second kid, because the frame was built to carry a second seat, a bassinet, or a ride-along board without buying a whole new stroller. UPPAbaby's ecosystem also plays nicely together without extra adapters. The MIXX Next has one of the tallest handlebars on the market (great for taller parents), a slightly softer push feel, and a cleaner look. Both fold well, both have real suspension, and both handle daily use. If you're set on one kid and love the Nuna design, go MIXX. If you're open to expanding or want the most flexible long-term frame, go Vista. We carry both at Satara Home and Baby.

Start with where you'll push it most. City sidewalks with curb drops and crowded elevators need something different than a suburban yard and gravel trails. If you're in the car a lot, look for a quick one-hand fold and a weight you can actually lift into the trunk. If you walk a ton, bigger wheels and real suspension matter more than compact size. Think honestly about storage too: a stroller that fits two grocery bags is a different animal than one that barely fits a diaper bag. We tell parents to picture three typical trips they'll take in the first six months and work backward from there. Browse our full stroller collection to compare models side by side.