Stroller Question - APO,AE

Hey J.,
Where are you a member of PWOC? I'm a member in Baumholder and am getting ready to move to Heidelberg and get in PWOC there too.
J. L

Hi J.! I'll never forget visiting the baby store near Ramstein and being told about the importance of the stroller's shock absorbers... because of the bumpy sidewalks. They said it's important "for the bones"! The funniest part is when they said it in their German voices though... The European styles are definitely made for these bumpy conditions. Thanks to the internet you can search for help on this too. Check your thrift store on base for sure! I'm a member of PWOC too in the Netherlands. Any chance you'll go to Worship & Study in November?

Hi J.,

I am German and I used only a Graco (typical American stroller) here in Europe but I didn't do much walking then and did not live here but visited only often from Italy. I think if you walk a lot the German strollers will serve you better and they will carry a lot more stuff beneath the seat of the child. Another point why if you walk a lot and you will have to deal with the ramps you "need" a German stroller. My Graco did not work on the ramps at all because the width of the wheels did not compare to the width of the ramps.

Another thought is to carry your child. I used the combination of stroller (cheap Graco) and carrying. I have used cloth (didymos) at the beginning until I stumbled upon the ergo carrier (http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/) It's so easy to use, they now have an insert that you can start carrying your child early on versus 5 months. But it's easy to use for front and back and husbands tend to like it a lot better, too than slings or other cloth carrying devices. I wish I'd had it from the start on.

I used/use the AlpahOmega car seat (3 in 1 size) for both of my kids. And yes in a smaller car it's kind of difficult when they ride backwards (we used to have a Ford Escort Station Wagon and my husband could not sit behind the car seat). Pls. only buy car seats brand new as most the time you don't know if they had been in an accident before.

The Thrift store is great for the American type strollers for little money. The Germans have what is called a "Kleidermarkt." It's generally on one day for just a few hours. There you can get the strollers usually for a fraction of the cost of a new one. But you need to be among the first ones there. The German Kindergarten my son goes to open 1/2 hour earlier for pregnant people so they don't have to fight the crowds as much. Make sure you bring proof of pregnancy if it is not obvious yet, otherwise they will not let you in--at least that's how it is handled at ours.

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to contact me. Congratulations on your second one!

If you have a small or an European Car you need to get an European Brand Car Seat as well as be sure that the stroller you get fits in the trunk!
You will have a terrible time getting your Monster American Brand stroller in and out of a small trunk, if you can even get it in there to begin with.
And good luck manuvering the American Monster Stroller through the elevator doors and doorways to buildings!
The Next point I want to reiterate is that an European Brand Car seat is smaller and will fit better in the backseat of a small/European Car.
Depending on the European car you may not be able to get an American Brand Car seat in it backwards and be able to occupy the front seat at all.
As American Brand car seats are longer in the head and foot area as well as being wider.
Lastly, be sure to get a stroller that has a tire as big as your hand span. You don't need a bicycle size tire, but the bigger the tire the smoother the baby's
ride through the marktplatz. DO NOT get an umbrella stroller, you will not be able to manuver this small wheeled item through half of where you are going to want to go!
Oh and get a tire that is made from rubber, not some crappy plastic thing that is going to break apart!

Go to XXX Lutz for a large selection of car seat systems! I didn't find a better selection anywhere else. I don't know the stats on European Car seat safety.

The hardest thing about buying a stroller here is the selection - there are so many! Our first stroller was a Teutonia - it goes from flat for a newborn to sitting up for a toddler. They are very expensive new, but so much sturdier than american strollers. We also bought a Quinny Zapp for our 'umbrella' or smaller stroller that we keep in the car. We have a Maxi-Cosi carseat, which snaps into the Zapp as well as most of the other german stroller brands.

The bigger baby stores are excellent places to shop - the sales people generally speak English well and have lots of info to share. Good luck!

Hi, J.. I'm also in Germany at this time, and a member of Protestant Women of the Chapel in Schweinfurt. I have a 4 yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old. I have been using a Graco Duoglider stroller for them, and I love it. I believe Graco also makes a single stroller with an attachment for an infant carrier, as I see many moms walking around with them. My Graco does very well on bumpy surfaces, and I bought it right at my PX.

Hope this helps! C. G.

I have loved the Chico brand travel system that my in-laws got me. It has already lasted three years and has been great. It is easy to push, has a base to put in your car, a window on the top to see your baby, and can fold up using one hand. Some others in my family also have it and sing its praise. As far as traveling goes, though, you might want to get a MacClaren (sp?) as well because they are so light weight and more durable. (You could get this instead of a traditional umbrella stroller once your baby grows a little and no longer needs head support). Still, for the travel system, I definitely recommend Chico.