Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
A lightweight and user-friendly buggy pushchair is essential to those who often use public transportation or take a flight and hop off and on. Find a model that folds into a compact and flat shape and is machine-washable to deal with spilled drinks and leaky nappy staining.
We enjoy strollers that glide easily on pavements and kerbs effortlessly. Look for car seat attachments that feel like they install themselves and a handlebar that is adjustable to accommodate parents of all heights.
Easy to Use
There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are lightweight and compact and easy to fold and move, while others feature strong frames that are more durable for long walks and use on uneven terrain. Some also have shopping baskets or a changing bag so you can carry everything you need with you. Some are made to be used in urban areas, whereas others are for travelling or country living.
Strollers are usually suitable from birth, allowing baby to recline in a flat posture that is recommended for healthy 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 come with additional design features such as a height-adjustable handlebar for parents of varying heights, as well as a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to help keep baby dry.
Three-wheeled pushchairs are better suited for city dwellers since they are lightweight and agile, making them easy to move around. Four-wheel pushchairs are more durable, which is why they are ideal for families that live in rural areas or plan on spending a lot of time in the outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents who discuss the ease of use – for example, how much it weighs and how easy it is to steer. It’s also worth noticing the size of the base and whether it’s sturdy enough for your child, particularly if you intend to take the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.
Safety
Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for toddlers and infants to prevent entrapment or other injuries. Find a base that doesn’t easily tip and ensure you test the safety harness by putting weight on it or hanging bags from it, to see how stable it feels. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller aren’t enough that children’s legs won’t slip through. Also, ensure that the handlebars are placed at waist level or just below for an ergonomic use. A brake that’s easy to operate and locks the back wheels is another important feature. Find models that have brakes built into the wheels rather than only on the frame, because this will help keep them away from pinch points and choke hazards.
Many strollers come with a seat that reclines into the position of a lie-flat, making them suitable for babies. It is recommended that babies lie flat during the first few months for breathing and head control reasons. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat, but don’t actually provide this be sure to check.
The stroller should come with a five-point adjustable harness (two straps for the shoulders and two straps for the thighs and one around the crotch) Similar to the straps used in car seats. This is essential to prevent the child from falling out and being pulled out by vehicles or pedestrians.
Check that the stroller has a convenient parking brake that is easy to use and locks the two front wheels. This will stop the stroller from rolling away when you are loading or unloading a child or stopping to rest.
Comfort
When you’re pushing your child around or carrying a shopping cart filled with nappies and takeaway coffee, you’ll want to feel at ease when out and about. This can be achieved by choosing a stroller that is sturdy, large and puncture-proof tires that can glide across rough terrain. It must also have a smooth and smooth suspension.
A compact pushchair and folds easily can be useful. It can be a hassle to cram a large pushchair in the trunk of your car or struggle up a flight of stairs, particularly if you have a child with you. Be aware of what you will use it for, as well as the weather conditions. A stroller with an hood can shield your child from rain, wind and sunbeams.
The last aspect of comfort is how easy the stroller is to steer and control. Check out our reviewers’ comments on maneuverability, which take into account things like how well strollers pirouette across various surfaces and how it is easy to push it up hills.
Many pushchairs come with handy accessories that can help keep your baby warm or cool from fans to footmuffs. Some brands have their own nappy bags that help you travel with your baby.
For greater flexibility, opt for a travel system – a stroller frame (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or rear-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. You can easily remove and put the car seat back on the chassis without disturbing your baby. The perfect solution if you’re constantly on the move and often have to alter your travel plan.
Style
While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that they all have in common. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they’re designed to transport your child from A to B. Think about how you’ll utilize it and pick features that fit your needs.
For example, if you’re going to spend lots of time on uneven surfaces like sandy fields or muddy fields, you may want an all-terrain pushchair that has big, tough puncture-proof wheels and suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your infant. If your baby is hot on long walks, you may want to consider a parasol to protect them from the sun, or a baby fan to keep them cool.
Some pushchairs allow you to choose to have your baby facing you for safety or to look outwards to explore the world. Some have a carrycot or seat that can flip to face you or away from you and some come with the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for babies. Some have an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility, or 3 in 1 systems that can be used from birth.
A twin pushchair lets the transport of both children at once. There are models that have two or more independent seat units, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, bigger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the concept of a dual pushchair however, they found the handbar adjustments difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which caused some to put their hands against the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were simpler to use for parents with larger hands.
Stores
The amount of storage space on a pushchair or stroller could influence your decision to purchase it. Take note of the space under the seat, the footwell, as well as the large basket. This is a major aspect if you plan to buy additional pushchair accessories like the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.
A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing additional storage space for snacks as well as other necessities. However, it could also add weight to the stroller and its folding dimensions, making it heavy and awkward. It is important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents feature small cup holders. This can cause things to fall off the tray while traveling or walking.
Consider buying a full-sized stroller that can be used with a bassinet If you are planning to carry your baby’s stroller from birth. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopies that have full coverage and reclining seats. However, they often have prices that are much more expensive than a compact or lightweight stroller.
The ability to maneuver is an important characteristic of a stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer even when empty and how smoothly it moves over different surfaces, like grass or pavements. It is important to note that this quality degrades over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.
Some pushchairs are able to be converted into a toddler cabin pushchair using adapters. They are specifically designed to work with an infant car seats. This can make the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child develops.
