What to Look For in Pushchairs
A pushchair is a secure way to transport your child. They are also comfortable and provide an easy ride.
Consider buying a sun shade for your child to shield them from the sun. Most pushchairs include one but if they don’t, the majority of manufacturers sell them as an accessory.
Think about a pushchair that could be transformed into a double when you plan to have another child. Some travel systems include the option of a carry cot or a seat unit.
Safety
It is essential that your pushchair is safe because it’s your baby’s safe place when they travel. All prams, strollers and buggies should be in compliance with British standard BS7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003. A reputable brand should have this certification on their product information.
A five-point harness is essential for the safety of your baby. It should fit comfortably over their shoulders, around their waist and between their legs. Check that the buckles and straps are easily clipped together and undone.
Make sure the brakes on your pushchair are accessible and function as intended. It’s also worth investing in an reflective strip for your pushchair to aid other road users to see your child and you during the winter’s dark and gloomy days.
If your pushchair was designed to hold two children, make sure that it has one footrest that runs along the length of both seats. This will stop children from getting their feet caught between the individual footrests and slipping out of the pushchair.
All pushchairs, prams and buggys have a weight limit. This limit is important to know before you use the buggy pushchair. A child with a heavy weight can cause the pushchair to become unstable.
A quality pushchair must be able to stand up to being pushed over a wide range of surfaces, so choose one that has large, sturdy wheels. The tyres must be made of durable materials that be resistant to puncturing and provide good traction to help you continue on slippery roads. Some pushchairs are designed for off-road usage and feature a special suspension to provide an enjoyable ride.
Comfort
It’s important to find a stroller that is comfortable for your baby. It could be as easy as ensuring that it has plenty of padding to ensure they’re secure and supported or a footmuff to keep them warm and cosy during the colder winter months. A lot of pushchairs pushchairs come with reversible seats, which allow you to decide if they face your child to bond or reassuring them, or away from them to explore the world.
It’s a good idea for parents who are new to the area to look for a baby stroller that has a seat that can be placed on its side. Experts advise that babies sleep flat for the first few months of their lives to aid in breathing and lung development. Many pushchairs boast that they are able to recline completely, but it is essential to ensure that the seat provides an upright position for infants.
Some pushchairs can be easily carried into and out of a car, and can even fit through narrow doors. They might also be able to fit inside overhead luggage racks on trains and planes. These pushchairs are often equipped with a simple and fast fold mechanism that allows the user to fold it down by using only one hand. They can also be used to accommodate a carrycot and car seat for infants making them suitable for use right from birth.
Other pushchairs like the Silver Cross Adorra2 offer a luxurious and high-end design that will turn heads. They are also able to be fitted with a range of accessories for your child like car seat covers and rain covers. They are designed to be versatile enough to cope with real family life and include a quick and easy to adjust five point safety harness, as well as large puncture proof wheels.
Style
A pushchair is probably the baby product that you will use most regularly, so it’s important to find one that both you and your baby will love. It’s worthwhile to consider the finer things like how comfortable the seat padding is and whether the handlebar features the ability to adjust the height. There are a myriad of other aspects that can make a significant difference, like a basket to store things or a front wheel lock.
A pram is a vehicle that can carry two children at the same time, typically a toddler and baby. It’s smaller than a single pushchair, so it’s easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces and on public transport. It can be a tandem, or a single-seater where the child sits behind their parent.
Pushchairs and prams can be used from birth, although most are designed for older babies because they are more spacious than buggies and have a reclined seat that can be positioned to face toward or away from you. There is often the option of adding an infant car seat, carry cot or stroller so that they can be used from birth up until your child becomes a toddler. This is a fantastic value travel system.
Some pushchairs only have one brake pedal. Some have both one foot brake and hand brake. The brakes work in tandem to stop safely and effectively your pushchair. The foot pedal is usually located on the back axle of the pushchair and the hand brake is situated on the top of the frame, next to the rear wheels. The foot brake is ideal for parents who live on a steep hill or in the countryside as it prevents the parent from losing control of the pushchair.
Size
There are a number of different pushchair sizes. Some pushchairs can be used from the moment of the time of birth, since they include a lie-flat seat and an attachment for a bassinet or carrycot. Some are able to be utilized as soon as the child is able to sit up without assistance and is typically around 6 months. The seat can be placed in a way that the parents face each other to encourage bonding and reassure the child or away from them to allow them to explore the surroundings.
The size of the wheels is another an important factor. Some have larger wheels to improve their ability to maneuver on rough surfaces. Some have smaller wheels that permit a lighter frame and are easier to push chair for sale across pavements.
Some pushchairs feature one brake pedal that locks both rear wheels. This is great when you are stopping for coffee or for shopping. Some models have two brake pedals to improve control and safety. It is vital that your pushchair has good brakes since it is going to be used on uneven terrains, so you must test the brakes regularly.
There are many features that will help you to find the perfect pushchair for your baby and your family. Simple to use features such as one hand compact fold, simple to adjust the safety harness, or adjustable handlebars can make life with a newborn and young children a lot easier.
The right pushchair will ensure the security and comfort of your child. It’s likely to be the product you’ll use for the longest period of time, so it’s important to take the time to consider what features are important to you and your family.
A pushchair to buy
Consider carefully what features you’d like to see in your pushchair. It will be with you and your baby for a long time, so you should choose wisely. It’s important to think about how it will fit in with your lifestyle. For instance, an all-terrain pushchair is great for a stroll in the country, but it isn’t ideal for polished shop floors! If you’re planning on using it with your grandparents it is possible that you want a model that is easy for them to control and steer without feeling like they require an academic degree to operate.
You’ll need the pushchair that comes with an infant car seat, or a reclining seat unit. Newborns should be able to lie flat. Some models have an reversible seat, which means you can place your baby facing either you or the world as they grow older.
When you are choosing a pushchair, you may also wish to look at accessories like shopping trays and baskets or pram changing bags that can make it easier to run errands with your baby in tow. Some pushchairs come with hoods that offer extra sun protection, and others come with rain covers to ensure that your baby is kept dry even when it begins to drizzle.
Some pushchairs can be converted, so they can be used as a double or a single and grow with your family, usually by adding an additional seat unit or carrycot. This is an option to consider if you’re planning to have a child soon after your first, or if you’re not sure about your future plans.