Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential for people who frequently use public transportation or take a flight and hop off and on. Look for a model that folds flat and compactly and is machine-washable to deal with spilled drinks and leaky nappy staining.

We love strollers which can easily glide across pavements and can be mounted on kerbs ease. Look for car seat attachments that almost appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that is adjustable to suit parents of all heights.

Easy of Use

There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are light and compact, and easy to fold and transport, while others have solid frames that are more robust for long walks and use on uneven 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 for use in urban areas, whereas others are designed for travel or for country living.

Strollers can be used from the moment of birth. They allow the infant to lie flat, which is good for developing the spine and lungs. They can also be attached to an infant carrycot or car seat which makes them travel systems and suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some come with additional design features, like a height-adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to help keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs are ideal for urban dwellers, since they're generally light, agile and easy to maneuver. Four-wheel pushchairs tend to be more durable, which makes them ideal for families that live in rural areas or plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Check out reviews from other parents who have commented on how simple the pushchair is to use - such as how much it weighs or how easy it can be to navigate. It's also worth noticing the size of the base and if it's solid enough for your child to use, particularly if you're planning to use the pushchair off-road or on rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid entrapment or other injuries. Check for a base that is sturdy and wide. You can test it by putting weight on it or hanging bags to check how it feels. Also check the leg openings are small enough to keep the legs of a baby from sliding through and that the handlebars are at waist level or slightly lower to allow for a more ergonomic use. Another essential feature is brakes that lock the back wheels and is simple to use. Find models that have brakes built into the wheels instead of only on the frame since this can help keep them safe from pinch points and strollers pushchairs choke hazards.

Many strollers have a seat that reclines into the position of a lie-flat, making them suitable for newborns. It is recommended that babies lie flat for their first few months to allow breathing and head control. Some pushchairs can be described as having a reclined seating position, however, they aren't. Make sure you check.

Make sure that the stroller is fitted with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps that go over shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch), much like those in car seats. This is vital to protect children from falling out of the pushchair and helps to prevent them from being pushed over or out by passing vehicles or other pedestrians.

Check that the stroller has an easy parking brake that is easy to turn on and locks the two front wheels. This will stop the stroller from slipping away when you are unloading or loading a child, or stopping to rest.

Comfort

Whether you're pushing your toddler around, or carrying a shopping bag full of nappies and a takeaway coffee, you need to feel at ease when out and about. Choosing a stroller with big, tough puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain and have a super-smooth suspension will help you get the best results.

A compact pushchair and folds easily can be helpful. It can be a hassle to squeeze a large pushchair in the trunk of your car, or to climb up a flight stairs, particularly if you have a toddler with you. It's also worth considering what you'll use it for and what the weather is likely to be like. So selecting a stroller with a hood that fully protects your child from rain, wind and sunbeams is a good idea.

The final comfort factor is the ease to control and steer the pushchair. Look out for our reviewers' comments regarding maneuverability, taking into account factors like how well strollers pirouette across different surfaces and how easy it is to push up hills.

Many pushchairs have accessories that can aid in keeping your baby warm or cool like fans and footmuffs. Some brands have their own nappy bags designed to help you travel with your baby.

A travel system offers greater flexibility. It consists of a stroller pushchair chassis (called the chassis) and a seat unit that can be set up parent-facing or forward-facing, and a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat off and on the chassis as required without having to wake your baby. The perfect solution if you're on the go regularly and frequently need to change your plan of travel.

Style

Although the jargon surrounding strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are some things that they all have in common. Remember that they are designed to take your baby from point A to B. Think about how you will use it and select features that suit your lifestyle.

If you plan to walk on uneven surfaces, such as fields with muddy soil it is possible to require a stroller with all-terrain tires that are puncture-proof. They should also have a suspension system to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby gets hot on long walks you may want to consider a parasol to shade them from the sun or a baby fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs let you choose to have your baby to face you to provide reassurance or if they want to go out and explore the world. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that can be flipped to face you, or away from you. Others offer the option of a lie-flat recline for infants. Some also come with an adapter for car seats and are compatible with Isofix or are three-in-one systems, which means you can use them right from birth.

Another option is a twin pushchair which allows you to carry two children at the same simultaneously. There are models that have one or two independent seats that are light compact and have plenty of storage, larger canopy sizes, and a moveable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the idea of a dual-pushchair, but found some handbar adjustments difficult to use with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point which caused some to put their hands against the frame. Some systems that permit parents to telescopically move into or out of the frame were simpler to use by taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space available in a stroller could affect your decision to purchase it. Examine the space underneath the seat or in the footwell, and in the large basket to determine how much you can fit. If you plan to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, like a tray for parents or a travel changing pouch, this will be a major consideration.

A parent tray makes it easier to use the stroller by providing additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. It can also make the stroller bulky and difficult to fold. It is important to keep in mind that most parent trays have shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall out of the tray while traveling or walking.

If you are planning to carry your baby until birth, consider purchasing a full-sized stroller that can accommodate a bassinet. These products feature larger storage baskets, canopies that have full coverage, and reclining seats. They are often more expensive than a compact or lightweight stroller.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty and how well it rolls across different surfaces, like pavements or grass. This quality will degrade as you and your baby grow, and the weight of the pushchair increases.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, that is, they can be paired with an infant car seat and changed to a toddler pushchair with adapters. This can ease the transition from stroller to pram as your child gets older and more independent, which is especially beneficial if you're short on storage space at home.