Black Friday Baby gear: The Department Guide

For baby gear, fit and safety come before features. Match car seats to your child’s size and your vehicle, read the manual, and check labels and expiry dates. For strollers, check the fold, weight and storage. Avoid any safety item with an unknown history.

What the department covers

Baby gear is a broad category, but this department focuses on two big purchases: car seats and strollers. Both are used daily, both come in many versions, and both are worth researching carefully because they affect safety and convenience.

The checklist on car seats covers seat stages, labels, expiry dates and fit, while the page on strollers covers full-size, travel and jogging styles, folds and car seat compatibility.

Safety items need extra care

Car seats are safety equipment. Follow the maker’s manual for your exact model, and choose a seat that suits your child’s current size and your vehicle. Look for the date label, which tells you how long the seat is intended to be used, and register the seat with the maker so you hear about any recalls. Do not buy a seat if you cannot find out where it has been, and never use one that has been in a crash.

Fit to the child and the family

Children grow quickly, and a seat or stroller that suits a newborn may not suit a toddler. Check the stated size and weight range in the listing. Think about your own needs too: how often you fold the stroller, whether you lift it into a trunk, and whether more than one adult will use it.

What is in the box

Look for the manual, rain cover, harness pads, cup holder, adapters and any bases. Missing parts are a particular concern on safety gear, so confirm the listing includes everything shown in the photos.

Buying new, used or open-box

New items come with a warranty and a full history. For other conditions, read the description closely, view each photo, check the seller’s feedback and confirm the return policy. If anything about a safety item seems unclear, choose a different listing.