Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
A lightweight and comfortable pushchair is essential for people who often use public transportation or hop on and off flights. Find models that fold into a compact and flat shape and is machine-washable so that you can clean spilt drinks or leaky diaper stains.
We enjoy strollers that glide easily on pavements and kerbs effortlessly. Find car seat attachments that are self-installing, and a handlebar which can be adjusted to fit parents of all heights.
Simple to Use
There are various types of pushchairs for all budgets and lifestyles. Some are light and compact, making them easy to fold and carry, while others have a more substantial frame that’s more sturdy for long walks or on rough terrain. Some also have a basket for shopping, or changing bags so you can carry everything you need with you. Some are made for city living, while others are designed for country life or travelling abroad.
Strollers are suitable from the time of birth. They allow the baby to lie flat, which is great for lung and spinal development. Many strollers can be fitted with a carrycot or infant seat to make them travel systems. They are suitable for babies up to toddlers. Some models have extra design features, such as the ability to adjust the height of the handbar for parents with different heights or a large basket, or rain cover to keep your baby dry.
Three-wheeled pushchairs are more suitable for urban dwellers because they are light, agile, and easy to move around. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and perfect for families living in rural areas, or who plan to spend most of their time outdoors. When choosing a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents who review the ease of using it such as the weight of the pushchair and how easy it is to navigate. You should also take into consideration the dimensions of the base and whether your child is comfortable in it, especially when you intend to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.
Safety
Strollers and pushchairs need to be safe for infants or toddlers to prevent the possibility of entrapment. Make sure the base is sturdy and large enough. You can test it by putting the weight on it or hanging bags to check how it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller are small enough that children’s legs aren’t slipping through. Also, make sure the handlebars are at waist level or a little below for an ergonomic use. Another crucial feature is brakes that lock the back wheels and is simple to use. Find one that has brakes built into the wheels rather than just on the frame, as this can help to keep them free from choking and pinch point dangers.
Many strollers have seats that recline into a lie-flat position which makes them suitable for babies. For better control of the head and breathing it is recommended that babies lay flat for the first few months. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat but don’t actually provide this make sure you check.
Make sure that the stroller is fitted with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and one for the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is important to protect the child from falling out and being pulled away by vehicles or pedestrians.
Make sure the stroller comes with an easy parking brake to use and locks the two wheels in front. This will stop the stroller from slipping away when you are unloading or loading children, or stopping to rest.
Comfort
If you’re pushing your child around or carrying a shopping cart packed with nappies and a takeaway coffee, you want to feel at ease when out and out and about. You can achieve this by selecting a stroller with has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.
A pushchair that is small and folds up easily can be useful. It can be difficult to fit a big pushchair into the boot of your car, or to climb up a flight stairs, especially if you have a child with you. Be aware of what you will use it for, and the conditions. A stroller that has a hood can protect your child from wind, rain, and sunbeams.
The last aspect of comfort is how easy it is to control and steer. Look out for our reviewers’ opinions on maneuverability, which take into account things like how well a stroller pirouettes across various surfaces and how easy it is to egg push chair it up hills.
Many pushchairs come with accessories that can aid in keeping your baby cool or warm – such as fans and footmuffs. Some brands have their own nappy bags that make travelling easier with baby.
For added flexibility, opt for a travel set-up – the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be parent-facing or front-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat off and put it back on the chassis as needed without having to wake your baby. The ideal solution for parents who are on the go regularly and frequently need to change your plan of travel.
Style
There are some commonalities among all the different kinds of strollers, buggies, pushchairs and prams. The most important thing to remember is that they’re designed to transport your child from A to B. Consider how you will use it and select features that fit your needs.
If you plan to walk on uneven surfaces, like sand and muddy fields, you may need a stroller with all-terrain tires that are puncture resistant. They should also have suspension to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby gets hot on long walks you might want to use a shade to protect them from the sun, or a baby fan to keep them cool.
Some pushchairs come with adjustable seat positions so you can choose whether your baby is forward facing pushchair you to reassure them or faces the world to discover it. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that flips to face you, or away from you. Others have the option of a lie-flat recline for infants. Some come with an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that you can use from the time of birth.
Another alternative is a twin pushchair that lets you transport two children at the same simultaneously. You can find models with one or two independent seat units, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, larger canopies, and more maneuverable wheels. Our testers liked the concept of a dual pushchair however, they found the handlebar adjustments difficult to operate with one hand. Some adjust by rotating on a pivot point and this caused many to push their hands towards the frame. Some systems that permit parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were more convenient to use by taller parents.
Storage
The amount of storage available on a stroller or a pushchair will affect the choice of buying it. Look at the space under the seat, in the footwell and in the basket to see how much you can fit. This will be a big factor if you’re planning on buy additional pushchair accessories like the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.
A parent tray helps to make it easier to use the stroller by offering additional storage for snacks and other essentials. It can also make the stroller heavier and difficult to fold. It’s important to keep it in mind that most parent trays have shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall from the tray while traveling or strolling.
If you are planning to carry your baby from birth, consider purchasing a full-sized stroller that can accommodate bassinets. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopy with complete coverage and reclining seats. However, they usually come with the price of a stroller that is substantially more expensive than a lightweight or compact stroller.
Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty and how well it rolls over different surfaces, like grass or pavements. This quality will decrease over time as you and your baby grow and the weight of the pushchair grows.
Some pushchairs can be transformed to a toddler pushchair using adapters. They are designed to fit infant car seats. This can make the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child grows.