News Moms Need

Before you get back out on the paths in the park to jog with your little one, note that a recall of jogging strollers has been issued.  Be sure to check your wheels before heading out.

B.O.B. Trailers, Inc. has recalled about 337,000 B.O.B.® single and double strollers. A drawstring on the stroller can get wrapped around a child’s neck, posing a strangulation hazard. The recall involves eleven different models. They were sold at REI, buy buy Baby and other stores nationwide and on the Web at Babiesrus.com, Target.com and Amazon.com between April 2002 and February 2011. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and remove the drawstring. If using a separately purchased Weather Shield or Sun Shield accessory with the recalled stroller, contact B.O.B. Trailers for a free canopy retrofit kit. Click on this link for model numbers and further information.

Some folks are avid runners and can’t imagine a day without zipping around for a few miles in a pair of great sneaks.  Some women, if health and doc permit, run through most of their pregnancy and can’t wait to get back at it post delivery.  If you’re one of these fleet-footed moms or dads, here are a few things to consider before hitting the jogging paths with Junior (thanks to an interesting recent article in the New York Times) .

- Running with a stroller is very different from running solo. The mechanics of running change as does the required utilization of certain muscles.  And not being able to swing your arms can be a real challenge.  It’s not as easy as you might think.

- Go slowly – Too much too soon can set you up for an injury or surprise exhaution.

- Use a stroller with a single front wheel that can swivel or be locked straight.

- Practice.  Start by walking, then mix with periods of jogging, eventually building up to uninterrupted running.

- Take a few test runs with an empty stroller before you take Junior along. You might try a practice run with a 15 pound pumpkin strapped into your stroller!

- Keep at least one hand on the stroller handle at all times.

- Don’t overdo it.  Pushing a stroller taxes your system far more than running alone.  Take breaks and drink plenty of water.

And have fun!