Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential to those who regularly take public transport or take flights that are frequently hopping on and off. Pick a model that can be folded flat and compactly and machine washable to remove staining from spilled drinks or leaky nappies.

We love strollers that glide smoothly across pavements and mount kerbs easily. Look for car seat attachments that almost appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that is adjustable to fit parents of all sizes.

Easy of Use

There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit all budgets and lifestyles. Some are extremely light and compact and easy to fold and carry while others feature larger frames that are more sturdy for long walks or on rough terrain. Some also have a basket for shopping, or changing bags so you can carry everything you need with you. Some are designed for use in cities, whereas others are intended for traveling or for country living.

Strollers can be used as early as birth. They allow the infant to lie flat, which is great for developing the spine and lungs. Many can also attach an infant carrycot or car seat, making them portable systems that can be used from birth until toddlerhood. Some of them have additional design elements, like a height-adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights and a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs work better for city dwellers, since they’re generally light, agile and easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and perfect for families who live in rural areas or who plan to spend most of their time in the outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents who review the ease of using it such as how much it weighs and how easy to control. It’s also important to consider how big the base is and whether it’s stable enough for your child, especially if you plan to use the pushchair off-road or on difficult terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for toddlers and infants to avoid entrapment and other injuries. Look for a wide base that isn’t likely to tip and ensure you test the safety harness by putting weight on it, or hanging bags over it, to determine how stable it is. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller aren’t enough to ensure that a child’s legs don’t slide through. Also, ensure that the handlebars sit at waist level or slightly below for an ergonomic use. A brake that’s easy to operate and locks the back wheels is an important feature. You should search for a brake that is built into the wheels rather than on the frame. This will help to avoid pinch points and choking dangers.

Many strollers come with a seat that can recline into a flat position which is ideal for newborns. To control breathing and head movement it is recommended that newborns lie flat during their first few months. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat but they don’t actually offer this make sure you check.

Make sure the stroller is equipped with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one around the crotch), much like those in car seats. This is vital to protect a child from falling out of the stroller and also to protect them from being pushed over or pushed out by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.

Make sure the stroller has a convenient parking brake that’s simple to activate and that locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving away when you are loading or unloading your child or stopping to rest.

Comfort

You’ll want to feel at ease regardless of whether you’re pushing your toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and coffee for takeaway. This can be achieved by selecting a stroller that is sturdy, large and puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a smooth and smooth suspension.

A pushchair that folds easily and compactly can also aid. It can be a hassle to squeeze a bulky pushchair in and out of the car boot or climb a flight of stairs – especially with a growing toddler in the back. It’s also important to consider what you’ll be using it for and what the weather forecast will be like. So selecting a stroller with a hood that fully protects your child from wind, rain and sunbeams is a great idea.

The last aspect of comfort is how easy the stroller is to navigate and control. Be sure to check out our reviewers’ feedback 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 aid in keeping your baby warm or cool like fans and footmuffs. Some brands have their own nappy bags to aid in travel with baby.

A travel pushchair system provides greater flexibility. It comprises 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 take the car seat off and put it on the chassis when necessary without having to wake your baby. This is the ideal solution for parents who are constantly moving and have to change their plans for travel.

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 point A to point B. Consider how you will utilize it and pick features that suit your lifestyle.

If you are planning to walk on uneven surfaces, like fields with muddy soil, you may need a pushchair with all-terrain wheels that are puncture resistant. They should also come with suspension to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby gets hot during long walks, you may want to consider a parasol that will shade them from the sun or a fan to help them stay cool.

Some pushchairs allow you to choose whether you want your baby to face you for reassurance or if they want to go out and explore the world. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that flips to face you, or away from you. Some also have the option of a lie-flat recline for infants. Some have an adapter for car seats that is Isofix compatible, or are 3 in 1 systems so you can use them right from birth.

Another option is a twin pushchair that allows you to transport two children at the at the same time. There are models that have two or more independent seat units, are lightweight 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 they found that certain handlebar adjustment systems were difficult to use with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point which caused many to egg push chair their hands up against the frame. Other systems that telescopically move in and out of the frame’s sides were simpler to use even for parents with larger hands.

Stores

The amount of storage space in a stroller could affect your decision to buy it. Examine the space underneath the seat or in the footwell, and in the basket to see how much you can fit. If you are planning to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, like a tray for parents or a travel changing bag it is a crucial aspect to consider.

A tray for parents can improve user comfort by providing extra storage for snacks and other necessities. However, it can also add weight to the stroller and increase its folding size can make it heavy and awkward. It’s also important to note that the majority of tray for parents come with shallow cup holders which can cause items to fall out of the tray during travel or when strolling.

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 larger storage baskets, full-coverage canopies and reclined seats. However, they usually come with a price tag that’s substantially higher than a compact or lightweight stroller.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty and how well it can roll over different surfaces, like grass or pavements. This quality will diminish over time as you and your child grow and the weight of the pushchair grows.

Some pushchairs are designed as an entire travel system that is, they can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat, and changed to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can help make it easier to transition from pram to stroller as your child gets older and more independent, which is especially beneficial when you’re running out of storage space at home.