A Step-By Step Guide To Pushchairs
Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
For those who regularly take public transport or travel by plane, a light and easy-touse pushchair is crucial. Pick a model that can be folded flat and compact, and is machine washable to get rid of the stains of spilled drinks or leaky nappies.
We love strollers that glide easily across pavements and can mount kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachments that almost appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that adjusts to suit parents of all heights.
Easy to Use
There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are light and compact, and easy to fold and move and store, while others feature strong frames that are more durable for long walks and use on rough terrain. Many also feature a basket for shopping, or changing bags so that you can take everything you require with you. Some are made to be used in the city, while others are intended for traveling or country living.
Strollers can be used as early as the moment of birth. They allow the baby to lie flat, which is good for spinal and lung development. Some can also be connected to a carrycot that is compatible with a car seat which makes them transport systems that are suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some come with additional design features such as a height-adjustable handlebar for parents with different heights and a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to help keep baby dry.
Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are better for city dwellers, since they're generally light and nimble, making them easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, which makes them ideal for families that live in rural areas or who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Check out reviews from other parents who have commented on how easy the stroller is to operate, like how much it weighs or how easy it can be to navigate. It's also worth considering the size of the base and if it's solid enough for your child, especially if you plan to take the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.
Safety
Strollers must be safe for toddlers and infants to prevent entrapment or other injuries. Look for a base that is stable and large enough. You can test it by putting the weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller are small enough so that a child's legs aren't slipping through. Also, make sure the handlebars are placed at waist level or slightly below to allow for a more ergonomic use. A brake that is simple to operate and locks the back wheels is an important feature. You should search for a brake that is integrated into the wheels, instead of being on the frame. This will help to prevent pinch points and choking dangers.
Many strollers come with seats that recline to the position of a lie-flat, making them suitable for newborns. For head control and breathing, it is recommended that babies lie flat during their first few months. Some pushchairs are described as having a reclined seat however, they aren't. Check carefully.
The stroller should be equipped with a five-point adjustable harness (two straps for the shoulders and two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch), similar to those found in car seats. This is vital to protect a child from falling out of the pushchair and helps to prevent them from being pulled over or pushed away by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.
Check that the stroller comes with a parking brake that's easy to use and locks the front two wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving away when you are unloading or loading your child, or stopping to rest.
Comfort
If you're pushing your toddler around or carrying a shopping cart full of nappies and a takeaway coffee, you need to feel secure when you're out and out and about. Picking a stroller with large sturdy, wheels that are puncture-proof and can easily glide over rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will help you get the best results.
A pushchair that folds effortlessly and compactly will also help. It can be a pain trying to jam an enormous pushchair into and out of the car's boot or climb up a flight of stairs - especially with a growing toddler in tow. It's also worth considering what you'll use it for and what the weather will be like - so selecting a stroller with an hood that completely shields your child from rain, wind and sunbeams is a great idea.
The final comfort factor is how easy it is to control and steer the stroller. Check out our reviewers' opinions regarding maneuverability, taking into account things like how well a stroller pirouettes across different surfaces and how easy it is to push up hills.
Many pushchairs come with useful accessories to keep your baby cool or warm from fans to footmuffs. Some brands even come with their own nappy bags to make travelling with baby even easier.
For added flexibility, opt for a travel system - the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with an adjustable seat that can be parent-facing or front-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat off and on the chassis as needed without having to wake your baby. The ideal solution for parents who are on the go regularly and often have to alter your plan of travel.
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 point A to B. Consider how you'll be using it and look for features that are appropriate to your life style.
For example, if you're likely to spend a lot of time on uneven surfaces, such as sand or muddy fields you might consider an all-terrain pushchair with big, tough puncture-proof wheels and a suspension to make it more comfortable for your baby. If your baby gets hot during long walks, you might think about a parasol which will block the sunlight or a fan to help them stay cool.
Some pushchairs come with adjustable seat positions so you can decide if your baby faces you to give them a sense of security or the world to discover it. Some pushchairs have a carrycot that flips to face you, or away from you. Some also have a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some have a car seat adapter that is Isofix compatible, or are 3 in 1 systems that allow you to use them right from birth.
A twin pushchair lets you to transport both children at the same time. You can find models with one or two separate seat units, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. Some of our testers loved the idea of a dual pushchair, but found some adjustments to the handlebar difficult to control with just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around an axis, which caused many to push their hands closer to the frame. Some systems that permit parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were simpler to use for parents with larger hands.
Storage
The amount of storage space available in a stroller can influence your decision to purchase it. Check the space available under the seat, in the footwell, and the huge basket. If you are planning to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, for example a tray for parents or a travel changing bag, this will be an important factor.
A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. It can also make the stroller heavier and difficult to fold. It is important to keep in mind that the majority of tray for parents have shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall out of the tray while traveling or strolling.
You should consider purchasing a large, bassinet-compatible stroller If you are planning to carry your baby's weight from birth. These products have more spacious storage baskets, fully-covered canopy and reclined seats. They can be more expensive than a compact or a stroller that is lightweight.
Maneuverability is a critical feature of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty, and how well it can roll across different surfaces like pavements or grass. This quality will degrade over time as you and your baby grow, and the weight of the pushchair increases.
Some pushchairs can be transformed into a toddler pushchair making use of adapters. They are specifically designed to work with infant car seats. This can make the transition easier from stroller to pram as your child grows older and is particularly beneficial in the event that you're lacking storage space at home.