Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly buggy pushchair is essential for those who regularly take public transport or hop on and off flights. Find models that fold flat and compactly, and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks and leaky nappies staining.

We love strollers that glide easily across pavements and can be mounted on kerbs with ease. Find car seat attachments that are self-installing, and a handlebar which can be adjusted to suit parents of any height.

Simple 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 transport and store, while others have a sturdy frame that is more durable for long walks and use on rough terrain. A lot of them come with a basket that can carry your shopping, or bags for changing clothes so you'll have everything you require. Some are designed to be used in urban areas, while others are designed for rural living or traveling to other countries.

Strollers are typically suitable from birth, allowing baby to recline flat, which is recommended for healthy lung and spinal development. Some can also be connected to an infant carrycot or car seat and are therefore travel systems and suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some of them have additional design elements such as a height-adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to help you keep baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs are more suitable for urban dwellers as they're usually lightweight and agile, making them easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheeled pushchairs and buggies are more durable and ideal for families who live in rural areas or those who intend to spend most of their time outdoors. When choosing a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents that comment on the ease of using it such as the weight of the egg pushchair and how easy to control. Also, consider the dimensions of the base and whether your child is comfortable in it, particularly in the event that you plan to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers in order to prevent getting trapped. Look for a base that is stable and wide. You can test it by putting weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller are narrow enough to ensure that a child's legs aren't slipping through. Also, ensure the handlebars are placed at waist level or a little below for an ergonomic use. A brake that is easy to operate and locks the back wheels is an essential feature. It is recommended to look for a model with brakes that are integrated into the wheels rather than on the frame. This will help to stop pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers come with seats that recline into an upright position, which makes them suitable for newborns. It is recommended that babies lie down for the first few months to allow head control and breathing reasons. Some pushchairs can be described as having a reclined seat, however, they aren't. Be sure to check.

The stroller should come with 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 those found in car seats. This is important to protect 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 help to stop the stroller from rolling away while you're loading or unloading your child or taking a break to take a break.

Comfort

You'll want to feel at ease, whether you're pushing your toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and coffee to take home. This can be achieved by choosing a stroller that has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a smooth and smooth suspension.

Having a pushchair that folds up easily and compactly will also help. It can be a real struggle to fit the bulky stroller in and out of the car's boot, or climb up a flight of stairs, especially with a toddler growing in tow. Think about what you intend to use it for, and the weather conditions. A stroller that has a hood will protect your child from wind, rain, and sunbeams.

The final comfort factor is how easy it is to steer and control the pushchair. Watch out for our reviewers' comments on maneuverability. This includes things like how the stroller turns on different surfaces, and how it is able to be easily pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs include accessories that can help keep your baby warm or cool - such as footmuffs and fans. Certain brands even have their own nappy bags to aid in travel with baby.

A travel system offers greater flexibility. It comprises a stroller chassis (called the chassis) and a seat unit that can be set up forward or facing the parent as well as a bassinet or carrycot. It is easy to remove and put the car seat back on the chassis 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, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are a few things that all of them have in common. The most important thing to remember is that they're designed to take your baby from A to B. Think about how you will utilize it and pick features that suit your lifestyle.

For example, if you're going to spend lots of time walking on uneven surfaces, such as sand or muddy fields you might consider an all-terrain pushchair with big tough puncture proof wheels and suspension to make it more comfortable for your infant. If your baby becomes hot during long walks, you might think about a parasol that can shade them from the sunlight or a fan to help them stay cool.

Some pushchairs allow you to choose whether you want your baby rear facing pushchair you to provide reassurance, or outwards to explore the world. Some carrycots have a seat that can flip to face you or away from you. Additionally, some offer an all-flat recline that is suitable for newborns. Some also come with an adapter for car seats that is Isofix compatible, or are three-in-one systems so you can use them from the time of birth.

A twin pushchair lets you to transport two children at once. There are models with two or more seats, which are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage, larger canopy sizes, and a maneuverable wheel. Our testers liked the idea of a dual pushchair but found some handbar adjustments difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which led some to push their hands into the frame. Other systems that telescopically move into and out of the frames' sides were more convenient to use even for parents who are taller.

Stores

The amount of storage space in a stroller can influence your decision to buy it. Take a look at the space under the seat as well as in the footwell and in the large basket to determine how much you can fit in. If you intend to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, such as the tray for parents or a travel changing bag This will be an important factor.

A tray for the parent can enhance the ease of use by offering additional storage space for snacks and other essentials. It can also make the stroller heavier and difficult to fold. It's also important to note that most parent trays come with shallow cup holders which can cause items to fall out of the tray during transport or when strolling.

If you plan to carry your baby until birth, you should consider buying a stroller that is large enough to accommodate a bassinet. These models come with larger storage baskets, canopies that cover the entire area and reclining seats. They are often more expensive than a compact stroller or a lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is an essential feature of a stroller. It determines the ease of steering when empty, and how easily the stroller rolls over different surfaces like grass or pavements. It's important to note that this quality degrades over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are made to function as a complete travel system, meaning they can be used with an infant car seat and changed to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can make the transition easier from stroller to pram as your child ages and is particularly beneficial when you're running out of storage space at home.