Bringing home your first stroller feels a lot like bringing home your first car. It is not just another piece of gear; it is your baby’s first vehicle, your extra pair of arms, and your ticket to leaving the house with a little more confidence. As the Guardian of First Journeys, I hear the same anxious question over and over: “Is it too early—or too late—to buy our stroller?”
One first-time parent in an online community shared that she bought her stroller and car seat at around 10 weeks because there was a big sale and she could spread payments over time. Another parent on a different forum waited until almost 32 weeks, then rushed to buy a stroller after a hospital scare made them realize they owned only a car seat. Both wondered if they had done it “wrong.”
The truth is, there is no single perfect week to buy a stroller. But there are smarter windows and some clear safety, budget, and emotional reasons to have a plan. Let’s walk through them together.
Do You Actually Need a Stroller Before Birth?
You absolutely must have a safe, correctly installed car seat ready for the ride home from the hospital. A stroller is different. You technically could wait until after your baby arrives, especially if you do not expect to go on walks or outings right away.
In real life, though, most parents are relieved to have their main stroller or travel system assembled, adjusted, and test-driven before the baby is born. Several factors make pre-birth preparation helpful.
You will likely be recovering physically, adjusting emotionally, and caring for a newborn around the clock. That is not the ideal moment to be wrestling with cardboard boxes, tracking missing parts, or trying to decode a folding mechanism.
Chicco, a major car seat and stroller manufacturer, suggests using the first trimester for research and budgeting, then the second trimester for buying most baby gear, including strollers and car seats. Their guidance emphasizes that having big items in place by the third trimester reduces stress and leaves time for shipping, assembly, and installation practice before birth.
In other words, you do not need a stroller in the delivery room. But having one ready sometime in the second to early third trimester usually serves you and your baby best.
What Experts Recommend About Timing
Chicco’s “when to start buying baby stuff” guidance lays out a trimester-based rhythm that resonates with what I have seen in many families.
During the first trimester, the focus is on planning: researching safety ratings, comparing products, and creating a realistic budget. This is a good time to read stroller buying guides from places like Strolleria, Babies in Bloom, and Babylist, and to learn basic categories rather than making big purchases.
Between about 13 and 27 weeks (the second trimester), energy levels are often better and the pregnancy may feel more secure. Chicco calls this the ideal time to buy many essentials and explicitly includes clothing, strollers, and car seats. They highlight three reasons. First, you have time to compare prices instead of panic-buying. Second, you can coordinate with baby showers to avoid duplicate big-ticket gifts like strollers and travel systems. Third, online shipping and potential backorders for items such as furniture or travel systems can be unpredictable, so ordering ahead ensures everything arrives and can be assembled before birth.
In the third trimester, their advice shifts to filling gaps: wash baby clothes, assemble furniture and gear, and stock up on diapers and toiletries. At this stage, your stroller ideally should be ordered and on its way, leaving you to do final adjustments and practice folds rather than starting from scratch.
Chicco’s guidance aligns with what stroller specialists see as well. Strolleria notes that most families eventually own two or three strollers, according to data from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. That does not mean you need to buy multiple strollers before birth, but it is a good reminder not to rush a decision. Giving yourself that second-trimester window to test-drive and think can help you choose a stroller that serves you more than one season of life.
How Stroller Type Influences When You Should Buy
The best timing for your stroller purchase depends heavily on what kind of setup you plan to use from day one. Stroller experts across Babylist, Babies in Bloom, Doona, and Strolleria all emphasize that newborns need a flat or near-flat position and strong head and neck support, particularly in the first six months. That requirement drives both what you buy and when.
Travel Systems: Ready From Day One
A travel system is a bundled set that includes three integrated pieces: an infant car seat, a car seat base for your vehicle, and a compatible stroller frame. Baby gear reviewers like BabbyStrollers.com describe the main benefit clearly. You can move your baby from the car to the stroller and back without unbuckling them. That is especially precious when your newborn finally falls asleep.
Good travel systems are designed for infants from about 4 or 5 lb up to roughly 22 to 35 lb in the infant car seat. Many of the stroller seats then continue to work until around 40 to 50 lb, which is often close to preschool age. In other words, a well-chosen travel system can take you from the first ride home to the first day of preschool.
Because a travel system covers both “must-have” (car seat) and “highly recommended” (stroller) items, it makes sense to choose and purchase it before baby arrives. Chicco and Babylist both suggest that coordinating stroller and infant seat early simplifies compatibility. Strolleria even recommends picking your primary stroller first, then choosing a compatible infant seat.
BabbyStrollers.com also points out that buying a bundled travel system, especially on sale, is usually significantly cheaper than buying the car seat, base, and stroller separately. For example, they highlight a Chicco Bravo Trio bundle at about $417.36, saving $92.62 compared with buying each piece individually, and user anecdotes where bundles saved nearly $200 overall. If you plan on a travel system, watching for sales in your second trimester (more on those later) can justify buying months before your due date.
Full-Size Everyday Strollers
All-purpose or full-size strollers are the “workhorses” described by Babylist and Babies in Bloom. They are usually sturdy, feature-rich, and compatible with infant car seats or bassinets. Many parents use them from birth, provided they offer a fully reclining seat or are paired with an infant car seat or bassinet attachment that is rated safe for newborns.
If your full-size stroller will be your main newborn ride, you will want it purchased and assembled before delivery. You may choose to stagger the cost by buying the stroller in the second trimester and the infant car seat a bit later, but you will still need both pieces ready to go by the time you are nearing your third trimester.
If you plan to start with a simple car seat carrier frame or a travel system, you might postpone a larger “forever stroller” purchase until you see how you actually live with your baby. Strolleria and Babylist both acknowledge that many families start with one setup for the first year and then add or swap for something that better suits their toddler years or growing family.
Lightweight, Umbrella, and Travel Strollers
Lightweight or umbrella strollers shine for travel and quick errands. Babylist notes that some models fold so compactly they can fit in airplane overhead bins, and Babies in Bloom emphasizes their convenience for narrow spaces and public transportation. However, many of these strollers are not suitable from birth unless they recline nearly flat or are paired with an infant car seat.
Most families do not need a lightweight stroller before the baby is born. You can comfortably wait until you are planning your first trip or find that your full-size stroller is too heavy for daily errands. Babylist’s price guide shows that many travel strollers fall into the mid-range tier of about $200.00 to $600.00. That makes them strong candidates for later sale events, especially if you know you already have a newborn-safe option for the early months.
Jogging and Specialty Strollers
Jogging strollers, as described by Doona and Babies in Bloom, use three large wheels, suspension, and often hand brakes for running and rough terrain. Although some can hold infant car seats, experts consistently caution that running with your baby is not recommended until they have strong head and neck control, which many parents and resources place closer to later infancy.
Given that, jogging strollers are almost never a “pre-birth emergency” purchase. You can safely wait and either add one once your baby is several months old or consider a modular stroller that can accept larger wheels for rougher paths.
Double and Convertible Strollers
If you expect another baby within a few years or already have a toddler, Babylist and Doona both recommend thinking ahead to double or convertible strollers that can carry two children. Buying a single stroller that cannot grow with your family sometimes leads to regret and another expensive purchase later.
If you are eligible for a second-trimester baby shower, you might place a convertible or double-capable stroller on your registry and wait to see whether it is gifted. If not, aim to purchase it by early third trimester, especially if it also serves as your newborn setup.
Budget, Sales, and When Deals Make Sense
Knowing when to buy is not just about pregnancy timing. It is also about the sales calendar. Babylist’s commerce editors and What to Expect’s month-by-month sales guide both show that stroller and travel system deals follow predictable patterns throughout the year.
Instead of scrambling randomly, you can align your stroller purchase with these windows and save a meaningful amount.
Here is a high-level view based on those guides and Babylist’s deep dive on car seat deals, which often overlap with stroller and travel system discounts.
Time of year |
Key events mentioned in research |
How it can help with stroller or travel system purchases |
Late winter (February to March) |
Amazon’s Baby Sale, Walmart’s Baby Days, Gerber and Carter’s clothing events, and Target’s Circle promotions |
Amazon’s Baby Sale and Walmart’s Baby Days have included deals on car seats and strollers along with other baby gear, making this an early chance to buy your travel system or full-size stroller at a discount. |
Spring (April) |
Target Car Seat Trade‑In Event, Carter’s Baby Boom, Way Day for nursery furniture |
Target’s trade‑in allows you to swap any old or expired car seat and receive a twenty percent coupon toward select baby gear, including new car seats and strollers, which can be stacked with some in-store discounts. |
Summer (July to early August) |
Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week, Walmart July Deal Event, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Babylist Shop sales |
Babylist highlights Prime Day and Walmart’s deal days as strong moments for mid‑priced car seats, and What to Expect notes that Target Circle Week runs as a competitor with car seat and stroller deals. Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is one of the rare times premium brands such as Nuna, UPPAbaby, Cybex, Silver Cross, and similar strollers and travel systems go on sale. |
Fall and holiday (September to November) |
Second Target Car Seat Trade‑In, fall Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, additional Babylist and brand-specific sales |
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are described as the “Olympics” of baby sales, with Babylist pointing out that even high-end products like the Doona car seat and stroller combo saw about $100.00 off. Target’s fall trade‑in repeats the twenty percent coupon opportunity, and fall Prime Day and Target Circle Week again bring discounts on baby gear. |
On top of retailer events, BabbyStrollers.com shows that travel systems themselves often carry straightforward discounts ranging from about five percent to roughly thirty-six percent off regular prices. Examples include a Baby Trend system at $189.99 instead of $199.49 and a Graco modular travel system at $627.49 with a significant markdown. Their analysis makes a clear point. Buying the car seat, base, and stroller as a bundle, especially during one of the sale windows listed above, usually costs much less than purchasing each piece separately.
If your due date falls just after a major sale period, you might choose to buy a bit earlier in pregnancy to catch the discount. If your due date is far from those sale windows, you may prioritize timing that feels emotionally calmer, such as midway through your second trimester, even if it means paying closer to full price.
New, Used, or Open-Box: How Timing Changes
Once you decide roughly when to buy, the next question is what kind of purchase makes sense: new, used, or open-box.
GoodBuy Gear, a large secondhand baby gear platform, reports that about two-thirds of parents bought secondhand kids’ and baby products in the last year. They specifically call strollers “prime candidates” to buy used because they can be expensive and are often outgrown while still functional. On their platform, strollers typically range from about $110.00 to $699.00, depending on brand and features, giving many families mid-range performance at a lower price.
Mamazing’s stroller price guide adds that secondhand strollers can cost around fifty to seventy percent less than the original retail price. That discount can make a big difference if you want higher-end suspension, fabrics, or modular features but do not want to pay the full $600.00 to $1,200.00 or more that Babylist notes for premium new strollers.
REBEL, another marketplace, focuses on open-box and overstock baby gear. They promote stroller discounts up to seventy percent off, with items described as previously opened or excess stock rather than heavily used. The tradeoff is that details about condition, warranty, and return policies depend on each listing, so you need to check carefully before buying.
Safety timing matters most if you are shopping used or open-box. GoodBuy Gear and government regulators emphasize several key points.
They advise avoiding strollers manufactured before September 10, 2015, when stricter safety standards went into effect. You can usually find the manufacture date on the frame or seat. They also recommend checking for recalls via the Consumer Product Safety Commission and ensuring that all parts are present and functional, using the original manual or a copy downloaded online.
Because some of this research and inspection takes time, it is wise to start shopping for used or open-box strollers earlier rather than later. That way, if a chosen stroller turns out to be recalled, missing parts, or older than 2015, you still have time to look for another option.
Safety and Readiness Checks Before Baby Arrives
Whether you buy new or used, the stroller should meet a few key benchmarks before you consider it “ready for baby.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics, as summarized by The Bump, recommends that any stroller you choose have a secure five-point harness, a wide base to reduce tipping, and easy-to-operate brakes. Stroller buying guides from Babies in Bloom and Babylist reinforce those basics and add practical considerations like clearly stated height and weight limits and a stable frame.
BabbyStrollers.com, writing about travel systems, highlights safety features to expect in an infant car seat that is part of a stroller system. Seats should meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, include side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam, and use a five-point harness that secures your baby at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. Modern travel systems often add a well-engineered LATCH system for car installation, optional anti-rebound bars for extra stability, and audible “click” indicators so you know the seat is correctly attached to the base or stroller.
From Loopie’s stroller feature guide and other expert articles, several comfort and durability details also matter for newborns. A full recline or bassinet option, breathable fabrics, and ergonomic padding support early development. Strollers with sturdy frames, reinforced joints, and shock absorption provide smoother rides, and some models specify weight capacities of at least about forty-eight pounds, which helps them grow with your child.
Before your due date, take time to do the following, even if it means wheeling the stroller around your living room.
Practice attaching and detaching any infant car seat from the stroller frame until you can do it smoothly and hear or feel the locking click. Fold and unfold the stroller several times, making sure you understand where your hands go and where potential pinch points are, especially around the canopy, since The Bump notes that toddlers often rest their hands there. Adjust the harness and, if applicable, the handlebar to comfortable positions for you and any other regular caregiver. Finally, walk with it fully loaded, including your diaper bag in the basket, so you know how it steers under realistic weight.
Doing this before birth turns the stroller from a mysterious piece of gear into a familiar tool you can trust on your first walk.
Cost: How Much to Spend and How That Affects Timing
Babylist’s stroller cost guide shows just how wide the price range can be. Many stroller options start around $100.00 and can climb to $2,000.00 or more for high-end models. They group strollers roughly into three tiers. Lower-priced models sit at or under about $200.00, mid-range options often fall between $200.00 and $600.00, and premium strollers commonly cost $600.00 to $1,200.00 or higher.
Mamazing and Babies in Bloom echo similar ranges and note that full-size or travel-system strollers for infants from birth can run from around $150.00 up to $1,000.00 or more, depending on features and brand. Double strollers for two children typically cost between about $200.00 and $1,200.00, reflecting extra materials and engineering.
Crucially, Babylist emphasizes that all strollers sold in the United States must meet the same federal safety standards. Spending more generally buys nicer materials, smoother maneuverability, better suspension for rough terrain, and features such as one-handed fold, modular seating, larger storage baskets, and more flexible car seat compatibility. It does not buy a different safety baseline.
Practically, that means your timing can flex with your budget. If you are aiming for a premium stroller or travel system, planning ahead to catch a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, a major Amazon or Target event, or a Babylist Shop promotion can justify buying several months before your due date. If you are content with a simpler, lower-priced stroller, you may not need to watch sales as closely but might still spread purchases over several months, as the first-time mom who used layaway did, to smooth out the financial impact.
How Other Parents Time Their Stroller Purchase
Parents’ timelines vary widely, and knowing that can be reassuring.
In the social media example mentioned earlier, one first-time mom bought her stroller and car seat around 10 weeks because there was a strong in-store sale and she could pay in installments, then spread the rest of her purchases across the second trimester. On the other end of the spectrum, a pregnant parent on a forum waited until almost 32 weeks, then rushed to buy a stroller after a hospital visit made her worry she was unprepared.
Neither parent “broke a rule.” Instead, each responded to a mix of emotion, budget, and timing pressure.
If early shopping heightens your anxiety or feels emotionally hard, respect that and aim for a second-trimester window that feels more comfortable. If waiting makes you feel restless or you see a deeply discounted travel system that truly meets your needs, it is completely reasonable to buy earlier and store it until you are ready to assemble.
The key is to separate superstition from safety and planning. Expert timelines from Chicco, Babylist, and others show that buying in the second to early third trimester is common and practical. What matters most is that by the final weeks of pregnancy, your chosen stroller is safely assembled, and you know how to use it.
A Simple Way to Decide Your Own Timing
When I walk families through this decision, we usually look at three questions and let the answers shape the timing.
First, how will you move with your baby in the first three months? If you live in a walkable neighborhood, plan stroller walks for your own recovery, or will be in and out of the car often, having your primary stroller or travel system ready before birth is almost always worth it. If you expect to babywear most of the time and do not anticipate many outings, you could delay your stroller purchase slightly, as long as you still leave time to research and catch a sale that matters to you.
Second, what does your budget look like, and do you want to buy new, used, or open-box? If you are hunting for used strollers or high-end models at a steep discount, start earlier. You will need extra time for safety checks, recall research, and waiting for the right listing or sale. If you are choosing a widely available mid-range stroller under about $600.00 and buying new, you have more flexibility to buy later in the second trimester or even early in the third, especially if you are not aiming for a very specific sale window.
Third, how does this purchase interact with your baby shower and registry? Chicco advises considering big-ticket gifts such as strollers and travel systems when planning your registry so you do not end up with duplicates. If someone might gift you a stroller, you can list a model you love and wait to see what is purchased. If the stroller is not gifted, you still have time to buy it yourself in the third trimester.
Thinking through those questions in a calm moment—ideally in your second trimester—gives you a clear, personalized timeline instead of a vague sense that you “should” already be done.
Short FAQ
How early is too early to buy a stroller?
From a safety and gear perspective, there is no rule that says it is “too early” as long as you are comfortable with the timing. Some parents, especially those watching their budget, buy strollers and travel systems in the first trimester during strong sales, then store them until later. Chicco and other experts do, however, recommend using the first trimester mainly for research and focusing most big purchases, including strollers, in the second trimester. If early shopping raises anxiety for you, give yourself permission to wait until you feel ready, while still leaving space for shipping and assembly.
What trimester is best for buying a stroller?
Evidence-based guidance from Chicco suggests that the second trimester, roughly weeks 13 to 27, is an ideal time to buy big-ticket items such as strollers and car seats. You can compare products without the urgency of the final weeks, coordinate with registries and baby showers, and still have plenty of time to learn and practice using the stroller. Many parents aim to have their stroller and car seat assembled and tested by early in the third trimester so that late-pregnancy fatigue and unexpected events do not derail their plans.
Should I buy a travel system or stroller and car seat separately?
Travel systems—bundles that include an infant car seat, base, and stroller—offer strong value and convenience. BabbyStrollers.com shows that bundled systems often cost significantly less than buying each piece alone and highlight savings of around $90.00 to nearly $200.00 in some examples. They also simplify compatibility and make “click and go” transfers easy from day one. Buying separately gives you more flexibility to upgrade one piece later or choose a very specific car seat or stroller, but you may pay more overall. If you plan to use a travel system, it usually makes sense to buy before birth so you can practice using the integrated set.
Is it safe to buy a used stroller?
Buying used can be safe and smart if you follow the safety steps laid out by GoodBuy Gear and similar experts. They recommend avoiding strollers manufactured before September 10, 2015, because newer safety standards took effect after that date. You should always check for recalls through official channels, confirm that all parts and accessories are present and functional, and inspect brakes, wheels, and harnesses carefully. Secondhand retailers such as GoodBuy Gear perform some of these checks for you, and they report that strollers on their platform typically cost $110.00 to $699.00, often at fifty to seventy percent below original retail. If you are comfortable doing the safety homework, used and open-box strollers can be a budget-friendly way to access higher-quality gear.
A Final Word From Your Guardian of First Journeys
Your stroller is not just a product on a checklist; it is the frame around many of your baby’s first memories of the world. Buying it before your baby is born is less about superstition and more about giving yourself space to choose carefully, catch a fair price, and learn to use it with confidence.
If you aim to research in the first trimester, decide and buy in the second, and have everything assembled and practiced by the early third, you will be well ahead of the curve. And if your path looks a little different, remember: the best timing is the one that keeps your baby safe and your heart a bit more at ease as you step into this new journey.
References
- https://wilsonhand.com/?i=190462016
- https://babbystrollers.com/travel-system-strollers-on-sale/
- https://www.babies-in-bloom.com/stroller-101-guide-how-to-choose-the-best-baby-stroller/
- https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/car-seat-deals
- https://fromrebel.com/collections/all-strollers?srsltid=AfmBOoonq8AoW6gBN5rMu5aZHPWg5NdyZBHIQTeAxphy6UHI24-NI18N
- https://www.salehoo.com/trends/strollers-baby
- https://strolleria.com/pages/stroller-buying-guide
- https://www.thebump.com/a/age-by-age-guide-to-strollers
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/best-baby-sales-year
- https://www.babycenter.ca/thread/4350388/when-is-the-best-time-to-buy-stuff
Disclaimer
This article, 'Should I Buy a Stroller Before Baby Is Born? Timing Your Purchase' is intended to provide a helpful overview of available options. It is not a substitute for your own diligent research, professional advice, or careful judgment as a parent or guardian regarding the safety of your child.
Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. The author and publisher are not liable for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the assembly, use, or misuse of any products mentioned, or from any errors or omissions in the content of this article.
Never leave your child unattended in a stroller.
Ensure your child is properly secured with the provided safety harness at all times.
Read the manufacturer's instruction manual thoroughly before assembling and using any stroller.
Verify all product information, including dimensions, weight limits, and compliance with safety standards (such as JPMA, ASTM, or your country's equivalent), directly with the manufacturer before purchasing.
The views, opinions, and product recommendations expressed in this article are for informational and educational purposes only. They are based on the author's research and analysis but are not a guarantee of safety, performance, or fitness for your particular situation. We strongly recommend that you:
By reading this article and using any information contained herein, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for the safety, assembly, and operation of any baby stroller or related product.
