Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who regularly take public transport or travel via plane, a light and comfortable pushchair is essential. Choose a model that folds into a compact and flat shape and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks or leaky nappy staining.

We enjoy strollers that glide easily on pavements and kerbs easily. Look for car seat attachments that almost appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that is adjustable to suit parents of all heights.

Easy to Use

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are light and compact, and easy to fold and transport and store, while others are built with solid frames that are more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. A lot of them also come with a basket for shopping, or changing bags so that you can carry everything you require with you. Some are designed for urban living, whereas others are made for country life or travelling abroad.

Strollers are typically suitable for babies from birth, allowing them to recline in a flat posture, which is recommended for their health lung and spinal development. Some can also be connected to an infant carrycot or car seat which makes them travel systems and suitable from birth until toddlerhood. 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 help keep your baby dry.

Three-wheeled pushchairs tend to be more suited to urban dwellers because they are light and agile. They are also easy to maneuver. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, making them perfect for families who live in rural areas or are planning to spend a lot of time in the outdoors. When you're choosing a new pushchair, read reviews from other parents that comment on the ease of use - for example, how heavy it is and how easy to navigate. It's also important to consider how big the base is and if it's sturdy enough for your child, particularly if you intend to use the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs must be safe for infants and toddlers to prevent getting trapped. Look for a wide base that isn't likely to tip and ensure you test the safety harness by placing weight on it or hanging bags from it to determine how stable it is. Also, make sure that the leg openings aren't large enough to keep the legs of a baby from sliding through and that the handlebars are at waist-level or a bit lower for ergonomic use. Another important feature is brakes that lock the back wheels and is easy to use. You should search for a brake that is built into the wheels rather than on the frame. This will help avoid pinch points and choking dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline into a flat, comfortable position, making them ideal for newborns. It is recommended that babies lie flat for the first few months for breathing and head control. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining chair, but do not actually have this feature be sure to check.

Ensure the stroller has a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs, and one for the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is essential to protect a child from falling out of the pushchair and also to protect them from being pulled over or pushed away by passing vehicles or other pedestrians.

Check that the stroller has an easy parking brake that's easy to use and locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving away when you are loading or unloading a child or stopping to rest.

Comfort

When you're pushing your child around or lugging a shopping bag filled with nappies and takeaway coffee, you want to feel secure when you're out and out and about. Picking a stroller with large, tough puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain and a super-smooth suspension will help you do just that.

A compact cabin pushchair and folds easily will also help. It can be a real hassle to squeeze the bulky stroller in and out of the car's boot, or climb a flight of stairs - especially with a toddler growing in the rear. It's also worth considering what you'll be using it for and what the weather forecast will be like. Hence, selecting a stroller with a hood that fully protects your child from rain, wind and sunbeams is an excellent idea.

The final factor of comfort is the ease to steer and control the stroller. Be sure to check out our reviewers' feedback on maneuverability, which take into account factors like how well a stroller pirouettes across various surfaces and how it is easy to push up hills.

Many pushchairs come with useful accessories to help keep your baby warm or cool - from footmuffs to fans. Some brands even have their own nappy changing bags to make traveling with your baby more convenient.

A travel system offers greater flexibility. It is comprised of a stroller chassis (called the chassis), a seat unit that can be placed forward or facing the parent, and a bassinet or carrycot. You can pop the car seat off and on the chassis as needed without waking your baby. This is a great solution if you're frequently on the move and often have to alter your journey plan.

Style

While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs (linked web page), prams and buggies can be confusing, there are a few things that all of them have in common. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they're designed to get your baby from A to B. Consider how you will use it and select features that suit your lifestyle.

If you intend to walk on uneven surfaces, like fields with muddy soil, you may need a pushchair with all-terrain wheels that are puncture-proof. They should also feature suspension to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your child gets hot during long walks, you might want to use a shade to shield them from the sun or a baby fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs allow you to select whether you would like your baby to face you to provide reassurance or to look outwards to explore the world. Some have a carrycot or seat that can flip to face you or away from you. Additionally, some come with the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for babies. Some also have a car seat adapter, are Isofix compatible or are three-in-one systems, which means you can use them from the time of birth.

A twin pushchair enables you to transport two children at once. There are models with two or one seat that are independent that are light, compact, and have plenty of storage, larger canopy sizes, and a maneuverable wheel. A few of our test participants loved the concept of a dual pushchair however, they found the handlebar adjustments difficult to operate with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point and this caused many to push their hands close to the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were easier to use for taller parents.

Stores

The amount of storage space in a stroller can influence your decision to purchase it. Check the space available under the seat, the footwell, and the huge basket. This will be a big factor if you're planning to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, such as the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.

A tray for the parent helps to make it easier to use the stroller by offering extra storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it can add weight to the stroller as well as its folding size can make it bulky and awkward. It's also important to note that most trays for parents have shallow cup holders, which could cause items to fall out of the tray during travel or when walking.

Think about purchasing a larger stroller that can be used with a bassinet for if you intend to carry your baby from birth. These models come with larger storage baskets, canopies that cover the entire area and reclining seats. They can be more expensive than a compact stroller or lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is a crucial characteristic of any stroller. It determines the ease of steering when empty, as well as how smoothly the stroller can be rolled over various surfaces, such as grass or pavements. It's important to note that this quality decreases with time as your child grows and you increase the weight of the pushchair shops.

Some pushchairs are designed as a complete travel system, meaning they can be paired with an infant car seat and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can make it easier to make the transition easier from stroller to pram as your child gets older, which is particularly helpful when you're running pushchair out of storage space at home.