Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who frequently take public transport or travel via plane, a light and user-friendly pushchair is essential. Look for one that folds flat and compactly and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks and leaky nappy staining.

We love strollers that glide effortlessly on pavements and kerbs easily. Look for car seat attachments that seem like they are installed and a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all sizes.

Easy to Use

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are light and compact, making them easy to fold and carry, while others have a more substantial frame that's more robust for long walks or on rough terrain. Many come with a basket that can carry your shopping or a bag to change your clothes in so that you'll have everything that you require. Some are designed for use in urban areas, whereas others are designed for travel or for country living.

Strollers can be used as early as the moment of birth. They allow babies to lie flat, which is beneficial for developing the spine and lungs. Many strollers can be fitted with a carrycot or infant seat to make them travel systems. They are suitable for infants up to toddlers. Some models have extra design features, like a height-adjustable handbar for parents with different heights or a large basket or rain cover to ensure your baby is dry.

Three-wheeled pushchairs are more suited to city dwellers since they are light and agile. They are also easy to move. Four-wheel pushchairs are more durable, making them ideal for families that live in rural areas or plan to spend a lot of time in the open air. Check out reviews from other parents who have commented on how simple the pushchair is to use - such as the weight of the pushchair or how easy it will be to navigate. It's also important to consider how large the base and whether it feels solid enough for your child, particularly if you're planning to use the pushchair off-road or on difficult terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for strollers Pushchairs infants or toddlers in order to prevent the possibility of entrapment. Look for a wide base that doesn't easily tip and be sure to test the safety harness by placing weight on it or hanging bags from it to determine how stable it is. Also check the leg openings aren't large enough to stop a baby's legs from slipping through and that the handlebars are at waist-level or slightly lower for more comfortable use. Another essential feature is a brake that locks the back wheels and is easy to use. Find models that have brakes integrated into the wheels, rather than only on the frame, since this can help keep them away from choking and pinch point hazards.

Many strollers come with a seat that reclines into the position of a lie-flat, making them suitable for babies. It is recommended that babies lie down for the first few months to allow breathing and head control reasons. However, some pushchairs are advertised as having a reclining seat but don't actually provide this make sure you check.

Ensure the stroller has an adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch), much like those in car seats. This is crucial to prevent children from falling out of the stroller and also to protect them from being pulled over or out by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller is equipped with a parking brake that is easy to use and locks the front two wheels. This will stop the stroller from slipping away when you are loading or unloading a child, or stopping to rest.

Comfort

If you're pushing your child around or carrying a shopping bag filled with nappies and takeaway coffee, you want to feel comfortable when out and about. Selecting a stroller that has big sturdy, puncture-proof wheels that can glide across rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will help you have the ability to do that.

A pushchair that is compact and folds easily can be useful. It can be difficult to squeeze a large pushchair in the trunk of your car or to struggle up a flight of stairs, particularly if you have a toddler along with you. Think about what you intend to use it for and the conditions. A stroller that has an hood can shield your child from wind, rain and sunbeams.

The final aspect to consider is how easy the pushchair is to navigate and control. Look out for our reviewers' comments on maneuverability, which takes into account factors like the ease with which strollers pirouette across various surfaces and how easy it is to push it up hills.

Many pushchairs have handy accessories to keep your baby cool or warm - from footmuffs to fans. Some brands have their own nappy bags designed to aid in travel with baby.

For greater flexibility, opt for a travel system - the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or parent-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat off and on the chassis as required without disturbing your baby. This is the ideal solution for parents who are constantly in motion and require 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. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they're made to transport your child from A to B. Think about how you'll utilize it and pick features that suit your lifestyle.

For example, if you're going to spend lots of time on uneven surfaces like fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you might want an all-terrain stroller with big tough puncture proof wheels and suspension to make it more comfortable for your baby. If your baby gets hot after long walks, you may need to think about a shade that can shade them from the sunlight or a fan to help them stay cool.

Some pushchairs have adjustable seats so you can choose whether your baby is facing you to reassure them or faces the world to discover it. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that can be turned to face you, or away from you. Others offer a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some have an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that you can use from birth.

A twin pushchair enables you to carry both children at the same time. There are models that have two or one seat that are independent that are light compact and have plenty of storage, larger canopies, and more moveable wheels. Many of our test subjects liked the idea of a double pushchair, but they found that certain adjusters for the handlebars were difficult to operate using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point which caused some to put their hands into the frame. Some systems that permit parents to telescopically move into and out of the frame were easier to use for taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space available on a stroller or pushchair could influence your decision to purchase it. Examine the space available under the seat, the footwell, and the huge basket. This is a major factor if you're planning on buy additional newborn pushchair accessories such as the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.

A tray for parents can improve the ease of use by offering additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it could also add weight to the stroller as well as its folding dimensions, making it awkward and bulky. It is important to keep in mind that most parent trays feature shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall from the tray when traveling or strolling.

Consider buying a full-sized stroller that is bassinet-compatible if you plan to carry your baby's weight from birth. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopies that have full coverage and reclined seats. However, they usually come with prices that are substantially more expensive than a smaller or lighter stroller.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines the ease of steering when empty, and how well the stroller rolls over different surfaces such as pavements or grass. This quality will degrade as you and your baby grow and the weight of the pushchair grows.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, meaning they can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This makes the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child develops.