The Advanced Guide To Pushchairs

Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who regularly take public transport or travel via plane, a light and user-friendly pushchair is essential. Look for a model that folds flat and compactly and is machine-washable to deal with spilt drinks or leaky nappy stains.

We love strollers that glide effortlessly across pavements and mount kerbs easily. Look for car seat attachements that are self-installing, and the handlebar that can be adjusted to suit parents of any height.

User-Friendliness

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are lightweight and compact and easy to fold and carry, while others have solid frames that are more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket to carry your shopping or bags to change your clothes in so that you'll have everything you require. Some are made to be used in urban areas, while others are made for the country or abroad.

Strollers can be used from the time of birth. They allow the infant to lie flat, which is good for spinal and lung development. Many strollers can be paired with a carrycot or infant seat to make them travel systems. They are suitable for infants to toddlers. Some of them have additional design elements like a handlebar that can be adjusted in height for parents of varying heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to help you keep baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs are ideal for urban dwellers, as they're usually lightweight, agile and easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, which is why they are ideal for families living in rural areas or are planning on spending a lot of time in the outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, look for reviews from parents who review the ease of using it - for example, how much it weighs and how easy to navigate. It's also important to consider how big the base is and if it's solid enough for your child, especially if you plan to use the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers must be safe for toddlers and infants to prevent entrapment or other injuries. Find a base that doesn't easily tip and ensure you test the safety harness by placing weight on it, or hanging bags over it, to see how stable it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough so that a child's legs won't slip through. Also, ensure the handlebars are placed at waist level or a little below to allow for a more ergonomic use. Another crucial feature is a brake that locks the rear wheels and is easy to use. You should look for a model that has brakes built into the wheels instead of being on the frame. This will help to stop pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline to a lie-flat position which makes them suitable for newborns. To control breathing and head movement, it is recommended that newborns lay flat during the first few months. However, some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat but they don't actually offer this, so check carefully.

Make sure the stroller is equipped with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps for the shoulders, two for the thighs, and one for the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is crucial to prevent children from falling out of the pushchair and helps to prevent them from being pulled over or out by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller is equipped with an easy parking brake to use and locks the two wheels in front. This will stop the stroller from moving while you're loading or unloading your child or stopping to rest.

Comfort

You'll want to feel at ease, whether you're pushing a toddler, or carrying a diaper bag and coffee for takeaway. Choosing a stroller with big, tough puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain and a super-smooth suspension will ensure you get the best results.

A compact pushchair and folds easily can help. It can be a hassle to fit a big pushchair in the trunk of your car, or to climb a flight of stairs, especially when you have a child with you. Be aware of what you will use it for, as well as the conditions. A stroller with a hood can protect your child from rain, wind and sunbeams.

The final factor of comfort is how easy it is to steer and control the stroller. Keep an eye out for our reviewers' comments on maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller glides across various surfaces and how it is easy to push up hills.

Many pushchairs come with handy accessories that can help keep your baby warm or cool including footmuffs, fans and even footmuffs. Some brands even come with their own nappy changing bags to make travelling with baby even simpler.

A travel system offers greater flexibility. It comprises a stroller chassis (called the chassis) as well as a seat that can be placed forward or facing the parent as well as a bassinet or carrycot. It is easy to remove and put the car seat back on the chassis without waking your baby. This is the perfect solution for those who are always on the move and need to alter their journey plans.

Style

While the jargon around strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that they all have in common. Keep in mind that they're made to transport your child from one point to B. Think about how you'll use it and search for features that will suit your lifestyle.

For example, if you're likely to spend a lot of time walking on uneven surfaces such as fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you may want an all-terrain pushchair with big, tough puncture-proof wheels and a suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your baby becomes hot after long walks, you may need to think about a shade that will shade them from the sun or a fan for them to stay cool.

Some pushchairs come with adjustable seats so you can decide if your baby faces you to give them a sense of security or the world to discover it. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that can be flipped to face you, or away from you. Others offer an infant recline that is lie-flat. Some have an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that you can use from the time of birth.

A twin pushchair enables you to transport both children at the same time. There are models with one or two separate seat units, are lightweight and compact with plenty of storage space, larger canopies, and more maneuverable wheels. A few of our test participants liked the idea of a double pushchair up to 25kg however they found that certain adjustable handlebars were difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around an axis, which caused many to push their hands towards the frame. Other systems that allow telescopically moving in and out of the frame's sides were simpler to use, even for taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space in a stroller will affect the decision to purchase it. Take note of the space under the seat, in the footwell, and the large basket. If you intend to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, like a tray for parents or a travel changing pouch This will be an important factor.

A tray for parents makes it easier to use the stroller, as it provides additional storage for snacks and other necessities. However, it could also add weight to the stroller and its folding size, making it heavy and awkward. It's also important to keep in mind that most trays for parents come with shallow cup holders which could cause items to fall out of the tray during transport or when walking.

If you intend to carry a baby from birth, you should consider buying a full-sized stroller that can accommodate bassinets. These strollers come with larger storage baskets, canopies with complete coverage and reclining seats. However, they typically come with the price of a stroller that is substantially higher than a compact or lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is a crucial aspect of a stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer even when empty and how well it rolls over various surfaces, such as grass or pavements. It is important to note that this quality diminishes over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, that is, they can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat and converted to a toddler pushchair with adapters. This makes the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child develops.