Stroller

{{Short description|Wheeled device for transporting infants}} {{Use Canadian English|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} right|thumb|upright|A man pushing a baby in a stroller while jogging. A '''stroller''', also known as a '''pushchair''' or '''buggy''' (British English), is a wheeled device used for transporting infants and young children. Strollers can have a variety of features such as cup holders,<ref name="Baker">{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |title=What Do Our Strollers Say About Us? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/what-do-our-strollers-say-about-us |website=The New Yorker |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=October 25, 2022}}</ref> a storage basket,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Corsillo |first1=Liza |title=The Very Best Stroller |url=https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-strollers.html |website=The Strategist |access-date=17 March 2026 |archive-date=4 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304094934/https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-strollers.html |url-status=live}}</ref> or the ability to carry multiple children.

Contemporary strollers replace the function of historical prams and may be used as an alternative to a baby sling.<ref name="Baker" /> Some people make a distinction between strollers used for transporting infants, referring to these devices as a ''pram''<ref name="Australia">{{cite web|title=Guide to prams and strollers|url=https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/prams-and-strollers|publisher=Government of Australia|access-date=March 24, 2026}}</ref> or a ''baby carriage''.<ref>{{cite website|title=Baby carriage|website=Collin's Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/baby-carriage|access-date=March 24, 2026}}</ref> Strollers used for older children that are capable of sitting may be referred to as a ''buggy''<ref>{{cite web|title=Buggy|website=Collin's Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/buggy|access-date=March 24, 2026}}</ref> or ''pushchair''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pushchair|website=Collin's Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/pushchair|access-date=March 26, 2026}}</ref>

== History == {{Main|Baby transport}}

The earliest known stroller was developed in 1733 by English architect William Kent.<ref>{{cite book|title= On foot: a history of walking|isbn= 9780814705025|url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/On_Foot/tAKaV3EwIJQC?hl=en&gbpv=0|page= 311|access-date= 2009-03-24|last1= Amato|first1= Joseph|date= November 2004|publisher= NYU Press}}</ref> Originally clam-shaped and made with wood, wicker and brass, Kent intended for the stroller to be driven by a small animal, such as a goat.{{sfn|Sehat|Nirmal|2017|p=2}} In 1889, William Richardson designed the first reversible baby stroller, allowing the parent to face themselves towards or away from the baby while still pushing forward.{{sfn|Sehat|Nirmal|2017|p=3}}<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=405600|inventor=William Richardson|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US405600A/en?oq=US405600|invent=Child's carriage}}</ref>

The popularization of curb cuts in the 1970s was originally intended to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, but this feature also helped parents using strollers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Glover Blackwell |first1=Angela |title=The Curb-Cut Effect |url=https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_curb_cut_effect |website=Stanford Social Innovation Review |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> Collapsible strollers were invented by Owen Finlay Maclaren and his company was producing six thousand annually by 1976.<ref name="Baker" /> Stroller components are typically a mixture of aluminum framing, plastic, and synthetic fabric.<ref>{{cite book |title=Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely |date=2008 |publisher=National Geographic Society |isbn=9781426203398 |page=251}}</ref>

Stroller pricing can vary dramatically between different models.<ref name="Baker" />

== Practical considerations == thumb|right|A KinderVan stroller can carry up to six children and is often used in daycares.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buckley |first1=Erin |title=In Praise Of A Kindervan Being Pushed Down A City Sidewalk |url=https://www.jesuits.org/stories/in-praise-of-a-kindervan-being-pushed-down-a-city-sidewalk/ |website=Jesuits |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> thumb|Tandem model Reasons parents may choose to use a stroller for older children include the storage space for items like diaper bags, to prevent their child from becoming fatigued from walking long distances, or to have a place where their child can nap. Disadvantages to stroller use can include difficulty navigating cramped spaces such as elevators and restaurants, as well as a lack of storage space.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leiva |first1=Courtney |title=When To Travel With A Stroller And When To Leave It Behind |url=https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/traveling-with-kids-stroller-decisions |website=Today's Parent |access-date=21 March 2026 |date=July 22, 2025}}</ref>

=== Types === *'''Full-size strollers''' are sturdier than other stroller types and usually have additional storage space, but also tend to be heavier and more expensive.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Murkoff |first1=Heidi |title=What to Expect the First Year|date=2014 |publisher=Workman Publishing Company |isbn=9780761183174 |page=49}}</ref> * '''Double strollers''' have two seats for twins,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gritters |first1=Jenni |last2=Pearson |first2=Erica |title=The Best Double Strollers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-double-strollers/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=February 24, 2026 |archive-date=28 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128081938/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-double-strollers/ |url-status=live}}</ref> or for carrying both an older and younger sibling together.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hartshorn |first1=Jessica |title=7 Best Double Strollers for Travel and Everyday Use |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/childrens-products/baby-stroller-reviews/g32147958/best-double-strollers/ |website=Good Housekeeping |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=January 29, 2026}}</ref> * '''Jogging strollers''' are lightweight and suitable for parents who like running.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gritters |first1=Jenni |last2=Gammon |first2=Katherine |title=The Best Jogging Strollers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-jogging-strollers/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=February 23, 2026}}</ref> These strollers were invented by an American father in the 1980s and were initially a specialized item at sports stores before becoming a mainstream product.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dad’s Workout Leads to Successful Business : Some Joggers Take the Baby Along |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-05-fi-18965-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=20 March 2026 |date=November 5, 1987}}</ref> * '''Umbrella strollers''' can fold more easily compared to other stroller types, which is useful for transportation and storage.<ref name="Parents">{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Olivia |title=We Tested the Best Umbrella Strollers to Find the 5 Most Durable, Convenient Options |url=https://www.parents.com/best-umbrella-stroller-7975077 |website=Parents |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> * '''Travel strollers''' are designed to be lightweight and easily movable.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Czajkowski |first1=Elise |title=The Best Travel Strollers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-strollers/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=January 21, 2026}}</ref> They are typically more expensive than umbrella strollers.<ref name="Parents" />

== Testing and regulation == In Canada, strollers need to complete a set of tests – conducted by Transport Canada and Health Canada – before being sold, a process which can cost the manufacturer up to CA$100,000.<ref name="CBCRecall">{{cite news |title=Maclaren stroller recall extended to Canada |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/maclaren-stroller-recall-extended-to-canada-1.801173 |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=CBC News |date=13 November 2009}}</ref> In 2009, several models of stroller by Maclaren was recalled in the US and Canada after several reports of children cutting their hands on the stroller's folding mechanism, as well as amputations of children's finger tips.<ref name="CBCRecall" /><ref>{{cite news |title=US reissues 2009 Maclaren stroller recall |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna43013961 |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=NBC News |date=12 May 2011}}</ref>

In 2025, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) reported that an average of 140 child injuries were recorded due to various products including strollers in the previous three years. The CCS tests 22 such products and found that 17 of them did not meet the required safety standards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andres |first1=Gabrielle |title=Some baby products, kids' jewellery sold online found to be unsafe: S'pore consumer safety watchdog |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ccs-warns-about-safety-issues-in-baby-cots-strollers-and-childrens-jewellery-purchased-online |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=The Straits Times |date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

== Community == [[File:Aarhus 114.jpg|thumb|right|A parked stroller outside a building in Aarhus, Denmark.]] While childcare has historically been perceived as women's work, it has become more commonplace for men to use strollers over time.<ref name="Baker" /> Some parents form stroller clubs with other families for socializing. One organization encourages the creation of such groups across the United States for men specifically so that they can have an environment that is similar to Mom groups to talk about the challenges of fatherhood.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Rebecca |title=New social club helps Seattle dads build community |url=https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/new-day-northwest/social-club-seattle-dads-build-community/281-8e2584f1-26bf-4d1f-bc57-3cc8be05c772 |website=King5 |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> These fathers talk to each other on walks while pushing their children in strollers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rolling With Their Babies|last1=Benvieste|first1=Alexis|website=The New York Times|date=April 12, 2025|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/style/brooklyn-stroll-club-fathers-new-york.html|access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>

In Denmark, it is socially acceptable to leave babies outside in parked strollers due to the perceived health benefits of naps in fresh air.<ref name="Kallick">{{cite web|title=The Danes Call It Fresh Air|last1=Kallick Dyssegaard|first1=Elisabeth|website=The New York Times|date=May 17, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/17/opinion/the-danes-call-it-fresh-air.html|access-date=March 23, 2026}}</ref> It is common to see multiple strollers lined together while parents are inside cafes or other buildings.<ref name="Anweri"/> In 1997, a Danish mother living in New York City was arrested for leaving her 14 month old child outside in their stroller, who was then temporarily put into foster care.<ref name="Kallick"/> In 2022, a TikTok video depicting strollers outside in Denmark went viral as the practice is considered extremely unusual in the United States.<ref name="Anweri">{{cite web |last1=Anweri |first1=Diva |title=Viral TikTok shows how Danish babies sleep outside year-round—and I'm jealous we can't do it here |url=https://www.mother.ly/news/viral-trending/viral-tiktok-babies-sleeping-outside |website=Motherly |access-date=22 March 2026 |date=December 15, 2023}}</ref>

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== See also == * Cradleboard * Curb cut effect * Momfluencer * Soccer mom * Gate check bag

== References == {{reflist}}

===Citations=== * {{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/23311916.2017.1333273|doi=10.1080/23311916.2017.1333273|title=State of the art baby strollers: Design review andthe innovations of an ergonomic baby stroller|first1=A. R.|last1=Sehat|first2=Umar|last2=Nirmal|journal=Cogent Engineering|date=22 May 2017|editor=Zhongmin Jin|doi-access=free}}

== Further reading == * {{cite web |last1=Parrish Morgan |first1=Amanda |title=Sweet Yet Sinister: How the Stroller Embodies Parental Hopes and Fears |url=https://lithub.com/sweet-yet-sinister-how-the-stroller-embodies-parental-hopes-and-fears/ |website=Literary Hub |access-date=17 March 2026 |date=October 24, 2022}}

== External links == * {{Commons category inline}}

{{Human-powered vehicles|state=collapsed}} {{Infants and their care}}

{{authority control}} Category:Parenting Category:Baby products Category:1730s introductions Category:1733 beginnings Category:Human-powered vehicles Category:Child transport