If you are adding a new baby to your family you might be in the market for a new stroller. If this is your first baby, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve shopped for newborn accessories, the number of options out there can get confusing. Here is a step-by-step guide to picking out the perfect stroller.

Step One: Determine the use

One of the first things that you will need to decide on will be the uses you will have for your newborn stroller. If you are an active family and want to go jogging or hiking soon after your little one arrives, you will need a much different stroller than a family that plans on walking laps around the mall or just using the stroller for occasional trips to the park.

Step Two: Determine a price range

Purchasing a newborn stroller is a lot like purchasing a new car – you have your clunkers and your Cadillacs. Knowing how much you are willing to spend will help narrow your search. However, you need to consider more than just the bottom line. Some strollers may cost more upfront but are more economical in the long run. Travel systems, for example, can be pricier. However, they often have the car seat included and can be used from birth through toddlerhood. An umbrella stroller or car seat frame stroller is less of an upfront investment, but will only work for a limited time frame and could require you to purchase a second stroller to meet your needs at other times.

Step Three: Consider your features

Once you have determined the type of stroller that you are looking for and a price range you are willing to spend, you will want to consider the features that you need for a newborn. Here are some things to consider:

• Newborn compatibility – in order to use a stroller with a newborn you will need to look for a model that either allows for use with an infant car seat, has a removable bassinet, or has a seat that reclines fully flat and has a way to enclose the leg holes. You may look for a travel system that includes a car seat or a stroller frame that allows you to snap your favorite car seat into it and go.

• Safety – you want your newborn to be safe on the go, so looking for safety features is a must. Consider strollers that offer one-touch brakes, five-point harnesses, and similar safety features for your little one.

• Portability – do you want a stroller that folds up small to fit in your trunk or is a heavier, sturdier stroller an option for you?

• Storage – with a newborn you will likely be carrying a diaper bag as a minimum. You will want a stroller that has enough storage space for the gear you will commonly take with you.

• Seating – if your newborn is not your first, or if you are having more than one bundle of joy, then a double stroller may be a consideration for you. Tandem, side-by-side, and sit-and-stand strollers allow you to accommodate multiple riders.