A close friend of mine is expecting her first baby—at age 40!—and is going through the baby buying binge stage. When she asked me for some advice on strollers, I was glad to help because looking at those can be an incredibly confusing task. With so many options on the market, it’s not easy to know which features you actually need and which ones are just extras. Because a stroller is a big purchase, it’s important to research your options. You’ll be using it for a few years and possibly for many years, if you plan on having multiple children.

1. Buy a stroller for your lifestyle

Do you jog constantly? No? Then you don’t need a jogging model! Have only 1 child? Then you don’t need a double version. Travel often? Nope? Then you don’t need a travel stroller. Seriously, the right model is one that best serves your needs, not every need.

2. Consider storage

Most moms will need a space to put baby, purse, diaper bag and shopping bags! If you travel light, you can get away with a stroller with just a little mesh spot underneath it. If you’re going mall shopping, though, I recommend pulling out a bigger model that has ample storage space, cup holders, and other cool features like umbrellas.

3. Assembly

Some strollers can be almost impossible to easily assemble. Look for ones with very basic instructions that can be put together with only one hand needed (There’s never an extra hand free with babies!). Yes, some super high tech strollers pop up by remote, but factor in the cost, too.

4. Price

Don’t always assume the most expensive brand is the best. I’ve seen quality options at all different prices. Because strollers aren’t cheap to begin with, look for them on sale and they also make great requests for registries and baby showers.

Do you have a favorite stroller? Please share and I’ll pass the info along. Links would be great!