Best Stroller Alternatives

Are you trying to find the best stroller alternatives for your baby whilst on the go?

Then let us help you find a stroller alternative you’ll love!

Strollers are a great option for getting out and about with your little one, but they aren’t the issue is that strollers aren’t always the most convenient way to travel with your baby.

Many of them are only suitable for traveling over smooth surfaces, and they can be difficult to maneuver around tight corners, or through doorways. 

Thankfully, a stroller isn’t the only option when it comes to adventuring with your baby.

So, what alternatives to strollers are there?

In this handy guide, we’ve gathered some of the best stroller alternatives, along with their benefits, so you can find the option that’s right for you.

And if you love this guide on traveling without a stroller, then you’ll want to check out these wraps vs baby carrier, best sit and stand strollers, and best carriers for toddlers. Or even this guide on when can a baby go in a stroller.

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Best Stroller Alternatives

Let’s take a look at some alternatives to strollers that are available.

Baby Carriers

Baby carriers are one of the most well known and popular stroller alternatives out there.

They are like a backpack, except one designed to accommodate your child, so they are comfortable and always close.

With a baby carrier, you can walk wherever you want, and get some extra exercise as you carry your child with your arms free. 

Many parents use these handy devices while walking around their home, so they can complete a simple task, while holding their baby. 

However, not all baby carriers are created equal so you will need to consider a number of factors before choosing the right one for you. These include:

Weight limits

Carriers come with specific weight limits, which means that not all baby carriers will be suitable for your baby. For example, so carriers can only be used for newborns with an additional insert. Others may not be suitable for toddlers. However, it’s possible to use a single carrier from 7 to 45lbs; that’s several years. So, just check the weight/age range before purchasing.

Lightweight

Heavy carriers can put an unnecessary strain on your baby and won’t work for someone with chronic back pain. The materials shouldn’t weigh too much; you have enough weight from your baby.

Adjustability

When picking a baby carrier, make sure you adjust the straps and waistband adequately to fit your body. It would be best if the straps and belt had plenty of adjustability, allowing the right fit for your body.

Different Positions

Another thing to consider when picking a baby carrier as a stroller alternative is the ability to use different positions for your child. Position matters considerably especially if you want to use the carrier with multiple people or children.

Ergonomic Design

An ergonomic design is ideal for your baby and you. This means the carrier distributes your baby’s weight and keeps your baby supported in a healthy M-shaped position. This position promotes healthy hip and spine development.

If the seating position isn’t properly correct, then your baby’s legs will dangle, causing more strain on your shoulder and back.

Lumbar Supports

Some baby carriers, not all of them, offer lumbar support. These are part of the waist belt, located right on your lower back. A lumbar support will be shaped and pressed into your lower back, giving you support and extra cushioning.

Structure and Padding

A comfortable baby carrier will have padded straps with structure and coupling buckles to keep the straps together. Padded straps will distribute the weight evenly across your shoulders, and when combined with padded, wide waistbands, your baby’s weight won’t strain your back too badly. 

One of our favorites that ticks a ton of boxes is the Ergobaby Omni 360.

Pros:

• Allows you to keep your baby close
• Completely portable as it goes where you go
• Many baby carriers will give you the ability to breastfeed discreetly
• Works for wide age range
• Can be good for hip development
• Easy to use
• Hands free

Cons: 

• Some soft structured baby carriers are ideal for newborns
• Physically demanding, especially if your baby carrier is uncomfortable
• Can be expensive

Baby Wraps

Wraps are another form of baby wearing similar to baby carriers.

Baby wraps are quite literally a wrap. You get to wrap yourself and your baby like a burrito but with support for your baby.

Wraps are long; some measure around 18 feet of fabric. That feels intimidating for some, but most parents say they are easy to use once you get them figured out.

However, the reality is you will spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos and practicing them. Once you get the hang of it, these carriers are great choices. They keep your baby close to you, and they’re cozy.

Some of the best wraps for newborns are stretchy wraps, like the Moby Wrap or Solly Baby Wrap. These are made with stretchy material, perfect for little babies. Other wraps are made with woven cotton, and they offer more support for older infants.

Wraps have a long history; we know that many cultures have used baby wraps for centuries. They work, but you have to take the time to get used to using them and creating a secure seat for your baby.

Pros:

• Depending on the wrap material, you might be able to use wraps from birth to toddlerhood.
• Cozy and comfortable
• Many different wrapping methods available
• Tons of fabric choices
• Hands free

Cons:

• Large learning curve
• Harder for breastfeeding
• Doesn’t evenly distribute baby’s weight

You can learn more about the pros and cons of wraps in our wraps vs baby carriers guide.

Hip Seats

The issue with some baby carriers is that most of the weight is distributed over your shoulders and back.

As your baby gets older, this can become more uncomfortable, which is why some parents prefer hip seats. 

These are very similar to baby carriers, except they put most of the weight on your hips, so it is easier to handle.

They have a large foam seat that your baby can sit on, so you can keep your hands free and your child close.

These products will only be suitable for babies over 3 months old who can support the weight of their own head. 

Pros: 

• Helps evenly distribute your child’s weight around your lower torso
• Affordable
• Simple to use
• Can be used with multiple people
• Able to keep baby close

Cons: 

• Not suitable for newborns
• You need to hold your child with one hand to prevent your child falling

Wagons 

Once your baby has outgrown a hip seat or carrier, and is able to walk on their own you might want to consider buying a wagon.

Wagons are generally larger than most strollers, so they might not be an ideal stroller alternative for parents with only one child.

However, if you have multiple children around the same age, then a wagon can be a great way to cart them all around at the same time. 

Wagons are far more spacious than most strollers, which means they have more room for holding your shopping and other items.

Once one of your children is old enough, you can even get them to push the wagon for you, leaving you to walk with your hands completely free. 

Pros: 

• Suitable for multiple children
• Great storage room
• Many come with a canopy and even extras like a mosquito net to keep your children protected from the environment 
• Can be pushed or pulled

Cons: 

• Not suitable for newborns
• Quite heavy and difficult to maneuver
• Not hands free

Scooters

If you have an older child, then you may not want to keep pulling or pushing them around with them, and would rather let them roam around by themselves, within reason of course.

Scooters are a great way for your child to work out their legs, and keep up with the adults at the same time.

You may need to keep more of an eye on them to make sure they don’t go too far, but your hands will be free, and your toddler will be very happy. 

Most scooters built for toddlers will have at least three wheels, and in some cases four.

This is to provide extra stability that will help to prevent your child falling over.

It should go without saying that scooters are only recommended for children who are mature enough to roam around without being strapped into a stroller. 

Pros: 

• Great for active children
• Helps build muscle strength and balance
• Helps develop independence

Cons: 

• Not suitable for newborns or younger children
• Potential injuries if they fall off
• Harder to keep them close

Sit And Stand Strollers

Sit and stand strollers help you with a unique problem.

You have two children but their ages are different – one is a baby, and the other is too big to fit in a double stroller, but still too small to walk alongside you without trouble.

Finding something that suits two children of very different stages of development can be difficult.

That’s where bench seats or platforms come in! They’re a handy invention that transforms a regular stroller into something that can carry two children of different ages.

Your baby can be safe and secure in the main chair, and your toddler can ride along at the back on a platform.

Pros: 

• Great for multiple children at difference ages
• Suitable for newborns
• Allows for flexibility as the older child can sit/stand when tired of walking

Cons: 

• Bulky
• Harder to transport

Final Thoughts on Alternatives to Strollers 

Strollers are a great way to take your baby with you on long walks or shopping trips.

However, they can be quite heavy to push and cumbersome when you need to navigate obstacles like curbs or narrow doorways. 

Thankfully, a stroller isn’t the only option and there are plenty of alternatives that you choose from.

Carriers can help you to keep your little one close, and your hands free for other tasks, while wagons can allow you to cart around multiple toddlers at once.

Of course, once your child is ready to start moving around on their own, you can buy them a scooter, or tricycle, so they get moving with ease.

And if you’re looking for more great baby guides, then check out these guides on how long can you carry a baby in a carrier, best baby carriers for bad backs, and best crib alternatives.