Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential for those who often use public transport or take flights that are frequently hopping on and off. Find one that folds into a compact and flat shape and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks or leaky diaper stains.
We love strollers that glide smoothly on pavements and kerbs easily. Look for car seat attachments that can be installed by themselves, as well as a handlebar which can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all heights.
Easy of Use
There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are light and compact which makes them easy to fold and carry, while others have larger frames that are more sturdy for long walks or on rough terrain. Many come with a basket for your shopping items or bags to change your clothes in so that you’ll have everything you require. Some are made for urban living, whereas others are made for country life or travelling across the globe.
Strollers are typically suitable from birth, allowing baby to recline flat, which is recommended for their health lung and spinal development. Many can also attach a compatible carrycot or infant car seat and are therefore transport systems that are suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some offer extra design elements, like a height-adjustable handlebar for parents of varying heights, as well as a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to keep baby dry.
Generally, three-wheel pushchairs are ideal for urban dwellers, since they’re generally light and agile, making them easy to maneuver. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and ideal for families who live in rural areas, or who plan to spend much of their time outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, you should look for reviews from parents who comment on the ease of use for instance, the weight of the pushchair and how easy to control. It’s also important to consider how big the base is and whether it feels solid enough for your child, particularly if you intend to take the pushchair off-road or on difficult terrain.
Safety
Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid entrapment and other injuries. Look for a base that is stable and large enough. You can test it by putting the weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller are narrow enough that children’s legs won’t slip through. Also, ensure that the handlebars sit at waist level or a little below for an ergonomic use. A brake that is simple to operate and secures the back wheels is another essential feature. It is recommended to look for a model that has brakes integrated into the wheels, instead of being on the frame. This will help avoid pinch points and choking dangers.
Many strollers come with seats that can recline to a flat position which is ideal for infants. To control breathing and head movement it is recommended that infants lie flat during their first few months. However, some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat, but do not actually have this feature 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), much like those in car seats. This is essential to prevent the child from falling out or being pulled out by pedestrians or vehicles.
Make sure that the stroller comes with a convenient parking brake that is easy to activate and that locks the two front wheels. This will help to stop the stroller rolling away while you’re unloading or loading your child or when you’re taking a break to rest.
Comfort
You’ll want to feel comfortable regardless of whether you’re pushing a toddler, or carrying a backpack full of nappies and coffee to take home. You can achieve this by choosing a stroller that is large, sturdy, puncture-proof tires that can glide across rough terrain. It must also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.
A pushchair that folds up easily and compactly will help. It can be difficult to squeeze a large pushchair in the trunk of your car, or to struggle up a flight of stairs, especially when you have a toddler along with you. Consider what you will use it for, as well as the weather conditions. A stroller that has a hood will protect your child from the elements of wind, rain and sunbeams.
The final comfort factor is how easy it is to control and steer the stroller. Look out for our reviewers’ comments regarding maneuverability, taking into account factors like the ease with which strollers pirouette across different surfaces and how it is easy to push up hills.
Many pushchairs have accessories that can aid in keeping your baby cool or warm – such as fans and footmuffs. Some brands even have their own nappy changing bags that make traveling with your baby more convenient.
To increase your flexibility, go for a travel set-up – an infant stroller frame (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or parent-facing and a carrycot or bassinet. You can pop the car seat off and put it back on the chassis as necessary without having to wake your baby. This is the ideal solution for those who are constantly moving and have to change their travel plans.
Style
While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are some things that all of them have in common. Keep in mind that they’re designed to get your baby from one point to B. Consider how you’ll be using it and then look for features that will suit your lifestyle.
If you plan to walk on uneven surfaces, like sand and muddy fields You may require a stroller with all-terrain tires that are puncture resistant. They should also feature a suspension system to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby is 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 let you choose whether you want your baby to face you for safety or to look outwards to explore the world. Some have a carrycot or seat unit that can flip to face you or away from you and some come with a full lie-flat recline suitable for babies. Some come with an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that can be used from birth.
Another alternative is a twin pushchair which allows you to carry two children at the same time. You can find models with two or more independent seat units, which are light and compact with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. Several of our testers liked the idea of a double pushchair but discovered that some adjusters for the handlebars were difficult to use with just one hand. Some adjust by rotating on an axis, which resulted in many pushing their hands close to the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically move into or out of the frame were easier to use for parents with larger hands.
Storage
The amount of storage space on a pushchair buggy or stroller could influence the choice of buying it. Examine the space underneath the seat as well as in the footwell and in the basket to see how much you can fit in. If you are planning to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, like a parent’s tray or a travel changing bag, this is a crucial aspect to consider.
A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing extra storage for snacks and other essentials. However, it can add weight to the stroller and its folding dimensions, making it heavy and awkward. It’s important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents have small cup holders. This could cause items to fall from the tray while traveling or strolling.
If you are planning to carry your baby until birth, you should consider buying a full-sized stroller that can accommodate bassinets. These strollers come with more space for storage baskets, canopies that cover the entire area and reclined seats. They can be more expensive than a compact or a lightweight stroller.
The ability to maneuver is an important aspect of a stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer even when empty and how smoothly it moves across different surfaces, like grass or pavements. It is important to note that this quality decreases over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.
Some pushchairs can be transformed into a toddler pushchair using adapters. They are designed to fit car seats for infants. This can make it easier to ease the transition from stroller to pram as your child ages, which is particularly helpful if you’re short on storage space at home.
