What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is an infant chair with wheels designed for babies as young as 6 months. They often feature seats that recline and lie flat, and feature a five-point harness.

Some pushchairs can be used from birth by incorporating the appropriate carrycot or car seat to create an entire travel system. This lets your child move effortlessly from the car to the pushchair, without being distracted.

Safety

There are several safety features you need to consider when selecting a car seat for a pushchair. It's important that the pushchair you choose meets British standards and regulations, regardless of whether it's a new model or a second-hand one.

Make sure that your pushchair is in compliance with BS 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 prior to you purchase it. This will ensure that it's safe for infants and children to travel in. This includes making sure it has an locking device that is secure and the brakes are working properly.

When choosing a pushchair car seat, it's also worth looking for one that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is crucial for infants because research has shown that babies who spend a lot of time in an upright position can have breathing problems. This is due to the fact that their airways are impeded by the scrunched up design of the car seat, and they struggle to absorb oxygen.

You can also choose a travel system that comes with an infant car-seat that can fit seamlessly into the chassis of your stroller. This makes the transition between car and stroller a lot simpler, since you don't have to wake your baby up each time you need to switch between modes of transport.

Some of the best pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection as well. This is designed to decrease the force of a crash by supplying extra padding, energy-absorbing materials and also protecting your baby's shoulders, chest and head. This kind of protection could be particularly important in the case of a side-on collision which is more risky for babies in the earliest stages of development.

A top tether strap is an additional useful security feature to search for, as this prevents the car seat from swaying forward in an accident, and can reduce the chance of head injury. Make sure your pushchair is equipped with this feature, as it is a legal requirement for all car seats made by coaches.

Easy of Use

A pushchair car seat is one of the most used baby products so it's essential that it has good comfort and convenience features. It doesn't matter if it's a comfortable seat padding for baby or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are numerous accessories to pick from!

Some pushchairs travel systems come with a carrycot that is ideal for newborns. It allows them to rest in a flat position and is beneficial for their health and growth. When they are older the carrycot can be converted into a pushchair. Most can also be used with the base of a car seat.

Look for a pushchair that folds quickly and compactly, so that it fits into small spaces or in the boot of your vehicle. Some models fold with the seat tucked in making it much more convenient to use. There are a variety of brake options to choose from based on your needs. A foot brake is suitable for everyday use, while an active handbrake is beneficial if you are frequently stopping and starting in busy streets. There are also jogger-style pushchairs that have three wheels to keep you on track while moving upwards or downwards.

Most 'from birth' pushchairs will allow you to select which direction they face either facing the parent or world facing and can be changed by clicking the seat into the chassis. The Doona, however, is a game changer since it lets you choose both. You can plug the infant car seat into the Doona and then put it upright as double stroller or recline it to a full lie-flat mode for babies. This feature is amazing because it can be used with or without a base in your car. It can also be utilized on planes and trains!

If you plan on travelling frequently or using ride-share cars an easy and light to install seat is a must. It is important to ensure that the base can be easily pushed into and out. Also, consider an all-in-one travel system that includes everything you need.

Style

Style is a personal choice, and you can find something that will suit both parents and children. Depending on your budget and taste, you can choose a sleek and elegant appearance, or something that is more appealing. Top brands provide a wide selection of choices and you can pick from something modern and colourful or traditional and contemporary.

You'll also have to consider the amount you're willing to spend on your pushchair car seat as it's likely to be one of the biggest baby purchases. Many parents opt to purchase a travel system which includes both a car seat and a carrycot. This offers ultimate comfort and convenience from the moment of birth and is perfect for families with busy schedules who need to get out and often.

Many pushchairs have a seat that is lie-flat that allows newborns to sleep in a fully flat position, which is recommended by experts to help in the development of the lungs and spine. Some brands go the extra mile by including a premium one hand reclining system that allows you to press a button to recline the seat of your pushchair into an even more comfortable position.

Some models come with adjustable footrests, handlebars and other features to allow you to tailor them for your child's growing requirements. Some even have a reversible seating option so that your child can sit with you for reassurance, bonding or can face the world to explore their surroundings.

Certain brands also have accessories for pushchairs such as feetmuffs for colder weather or sun parasols that protect your child from the sun. A sunshade can prevent your baby from overheating.

The best pushchair car seats come with a 5-point harness that is designed to secure your child's hips and shoulders, which are the most rigid points on their body. This is the most secure and most secure way of securing your child in their pushchair and you should only ever use pushchair car seats that have this type of safety harness. There are new one-pull systems, such as the Cybex pram and travel system, that permit you to precisely fit your baby's seatbelt in just a single pull. This ensures a safe and secure fitting.

Stores

It's not a secret that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. As a result the best way to make sure you have enough space is to opt for one with large storage baskets, parent tray and cup holders for your child's seat. This will help keep all your essentials at hand when you're out and about.

You could also consider a model that has a built-in weather canopy to ensure your child's safety from the elements. Other handy features include locking swivel front wheels to give you more manoeuvrability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold, so it's easy to store when not in use.

Doona travel systems bundles provide the ultimate in convenience and security. You can easily move your baby from their car seat to their pushchair without disturbing him or her. The Doona ISOFIX Base is attached to the vehicle car seat belt buckle, and then clicks onto the frame of the pushchair. This innovative system allows you to be prepared from the moment you are born and save time for running pram errands.

Another option is the egg3 - an award-winning, attractive 3-in-1 travel system that allows you to place your baby in the car seat for your egg from birth and then swap the seat to a pushchair seat when they're large enough. This system is ideal for those without cars, since it comes with car seat adaptors that are compatible with all major brands.

If you are expanding your family or have twins, the egg3 comes with the ability to be converted into tandem using the egg2/3 tandem adaptors that are available. Equipped with intelligent SensorSafe technology the egg car seat will notify you via your smartphone in real-time if there are any of the following conditions - unexpected chest clip unbuckling temperatures that are too cold or hot in the car seat or your child being sitting for too long.

You should consider investing in a rejuvenation kit for your hood or a deep cleaning service to ensure your pushchair is in top condition for your next trip. Begin by vacuuming, and then wiping the hood down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilising fluid. Be sure to dry the fabric in the sun.