10 Myths Your Boss Has About Pushchairs
Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
If you frequently take public transport or travel by plane, a light and easy-touse pushchair is essential. Select a model that is able to be folded flat and compact, and machine washable to clean staining from spilled drinks or leaking nappies.
We enjoy strollers that glide easily across pavements and mount kerbs effortlessly. Look for car seat attachments that seem like they are installed and a handlebar that adjusts to suit parents of all sizes.
Easy to Use
There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are very lightweight and compact which makes them easy to fold and carry, while others have an extra sturdy frame that's more sturdy for long walks or use on rough terrain. A lot of them come with a basket that can carry your shopping, or a bag for changing clothes so you can have everything you require. Some are designed for use in the city, while others are for travelling or for country living.
Strollers are typically suitable from birth, allowing babies to recline in a flat posture that is recommended for healthy lung and spinal development. Many can also attach a carrycot that is compatible with a car seat, making them travel systems and suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some offer extra design elements like a handlebar that can be adjusted in height to accommodate parents of different heights and a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to keep baby dry.
Three-wheeled pushchairs are more suitable for city dwellers as they are lightweight and agile. They are also easy to move. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, which is why they are perfect for families who live in rural areas or who plan on spending a lot of time in the outdoors. When choosing a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents that discuss the ease of use - for example, how heavy it is and how easy to control. It's also worth noticing how big the base is and whether it feels solid enough for your child, especially if you plan to take the stroller off-road or on rough terrain.
Safety
Strollers and pushchairs need to be safe for infants and toddlers to prevent getting trapped. Look for a base that is stable and large enough. You can test it by placing weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller are small enough so that a child's legs don't slide through. Also, ensure that the handlebars are at waist level or a little below for ergonomic use. Another crucial feature is a brake that locks the back wheels and is easy to use. You should search for a brake that is built into the wheels instead of being on the frame. This will help prevent pinch points and choking dangers.
Many strollers have a seat that can recline into a flat, comfortable position which is ideal for babies. For better control of the head and breathing, it is recommended that babies lay flat during the first few months. Some pushchairs are described as having a reclined seat, however, they aren't. Make sure you check.
Make sure that the stroller is fitted with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one around the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is crucial to protect the child from falling out and being pulled out by pedestrians or vehicles.
Make sure that the stroller comes with a convenient parking brake that is easy to turn on and locks the two front wheels. This will stop the stroller from slipping away when you are loading or unloading your child, or stopping to rest.
Comfort
You want to be comfortable, whether you're pushing a toddler, or carrying a bag of nappies and takeaway coffee. You can do this by choosing a stroller that has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.
Having a pushchair that folds up easily and compactly will also help. It can be a hassle to cram a large pushchair into the boot of your car or to climb up a flight stairs, especially if you have a toddler with you. Consider what you will use it for and the weather conditions. A stroller with an hood can shield your child from the elements of wind, rain, and sunbeams.
The last factor that affects comfort is the ease to steer and control the stroller. Keep an eye out for our reviewers’ comments regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how the stroller glides across different surfaces and how it is able to be easily pushed up hills.
Many pushchairs come with accessories that can aid in keeping your baby warm or cool like footmuffs and fans. Some brands even come with their own nappy changing bags to make travelling with baby even easier.
For added flexibility, opt for a travel system that includes an infant stroller frame (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or parent-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can easily remove and put the car seat back on the chassis without disturbing your baby. This is the ideal solution for those who are constantly on the move and need to change their plans for travel.
Style
While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs buggies, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are some things that all have in common. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they're designed to take your baby from A to B. Consider how you'll be using it and search 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 stroller with large, sturdy puncture proof wheels and a suspension to make it more comfortable for your infant. If your baby gets hot on long walks you might want a parasol to shield them from the sun or a baby fan to keep them cool.
Some pushchairs allow you to choose whether you want your baby to face you to provide reassurance or if they want to go out and explore the world. Some pushchairs have a carrycot that flips to face you or away from you. Others offer a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some come with an adapter for cars, Isofix compatibility or 3 in 1 systems that can be used as early as.
Another option is a twin pushchair that lets you transport two children at the same time. You can find models with one or two separate seat units, which are light and compact with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the idea of a dual pushchair but found some adjustments to the handlebar difficult to control with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around the pivot point, which resulted in many pushing their hands towards the frame. Other systems that allow telescopically moving in and out of frames' sides were more convenient to use, even for taller parents.
Stores
The amount of storage space available in a stroller can influence the decision to purchase it. Take a look at the space under the seat or in the footwell, and in the large basket to see how much you can fit. If you are planning to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, such as the tray for parents or a travel changing pouch, this will be an important factor.
A tray for the parent helps to make it easier to use the stroller by offering additional storage for snacks and other essentials. However, it can also add weight to the stroller and its folding size, making it bulky and awkward. It's also important to keep in mind that the majority of tray for parents come with shallow cup holders which can cause things to fall out of the tray during travel or while strolling.
If you are planning to carry your baby until birth, consider purchasing a stroller that is large enough to accommodate a bassinet. These strollers come with larger storage baskets, canopies with full coverage and reclined seats. They tend to be more expensive than a compact stroller or a lightweight stroller.
The ability to maneuver is a crucial feature of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty, and how smoothly it moves across different surfaces, like grass or pavements. It's important to note that this quality diminishes with time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.
Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, meaning they can be paired with an infant car seat, and converted to a toddler pushchair using adapters. This can ease the transition from pram to stroller as your child ages, which is particularly helpful if you're short on storage space at home.