What to Look For in Pushchairs

A pushchair provides a safe way to carry your baby. They are also comfortable and offer a smooth ride.

Consider purchasing a parasol to protect your child from the sun. Most pushchairs have 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 a carry cot or seat unit.

Safety

The pushchair is your baby's home on the road therefore it's crucial to ensure it's secure. All coach-built prams, strollers and buggies should be in compliance with British standard BS7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003. This certification should be displayed on the product information of a reputable brand.

A five-point harness will ensure your baby's safety. It should be securely positioned over their shoulders and around their waists and also between their legs. Make sure that the straps and buckles are easily clipped together and undone.

It is also important to ensure that the brake on your pushchair is easy to access and works as intended. It is also recommended to invest in reflective strips to help other motorists spot your child and you during the dark winter months.

If your pushchair is able to hold two children, make sure that the footrests run across both seats. This will prevent the child from falling into the foot rests of each and slipping out of the stroller.

All pushchairs, prams, and buggys are able to carry a maximum weight limit. This limit is important to know prior to using the pushchair. A child who is overweight could cause the collapsible pushchair to become unstable.

A great pushchair should be able to withstand being pushed across a wide range of surfaces. So make sure you choose a model with large, solid wheels. The tyres must be made from durable material that will be resistant to puncturing and have excellent traction to help you continue on slippery roads. Some pushchairs are designed for use off-road and have special suspensions to ensure an easy ride.

Comfort

It is crucial to choose the best pushchair for your child. It could be as easy as ensuring that it has enough padding to keep them safe and secure, or a footmuff to keep them warm and cosy in the colder months. A lot of pushchairs come with reversible seats that let you decide if they face your child for bonding or reassuring, or from them to explore the world.

For new parents it's also worth looking for a pushchair with a seat that can lie flat. Experts recommend that newborns sleep in a flat position during the first few months to help in their lung development and breathing. Many pushchairs boast that they can recline completely, however it is important to ensure that the seat provides an upright position for infants.

Some pushchairs are light which makes them easy to lift into and out of cars and fit through narrow doorways. They might also be able to fit into overhead luggage racks on trains and planes. These kinds of pushchairs typically come with a simple and quick fold mechanism that allows you to collapse the frame with just one hand. They can accommodate the infant car seats and can be used from birth.

Other pushchairs, such as the Silver Cross Adorra2, offer a more luxurious and high-end experience, with a stunning design that is sure to turn heads. They are also able to be fitted with a variety of accessories for your baby, such as car seat covers and rain covers. They are designed to be adaptable enough to handle the demands of family life. They come with the quick and simple to adjust five-point safety harness as well as large puncture proof wheels.

Style

You will probably use your pushchair the most, so you should choose one that you and your child both enjoy. It's worth taking the time to consider the finer details such as how comfortable the seat padding is and whether the handlebar has a height adjustment. There are a myriad of other aspects that can make a huge difference, such as the basket that can be used to store things or a front wheel lock.

A pram is designed to carry two children simultaneously, usually two children, a baby and a toddler. It's more compact than a pushchair, and it's easier to navigate in tight spaces or on public transport. It may be a single-seater, where the baby is seated behind the parent, or a tandem one, where one child is seated behind the other.

Both prams and pushchairs are suitable from the moment of birth. However, the majority of them are made for older children due to their larger and more spacious seat than buggies. They can also be tilted to face you or away from it. There is often the option to add an infant car seat, carry cot, or stroller so that they can be used from birth up until your child is a toddler. This is a fantastic value travel system.

Some Pushchairs Pushchairs have one brake pedal, while others have a foot brake and hand brake that work together to stop your pushchair in a safe and controlled way. The foot pedal is generally located on the rear axle of the pushchair, while the hand brake is placed on the top of the frame, next to the rear wheels. The foot brake is great for parents who are in a hill or in the countryside as it helps prevent the parent from losing control of the pushchair.

Size

There are a number of different sizes of pushchairs. Some pushchairs can be used as early as birth, as they have a lie-flat seating and an attachment to a bassinet or carrycot. Some can be used as soon as a child is able sit up unaided typically around 6 months. They can sit facing towards the parents for bonding and comfort or away from them, allowing the child to explore the world around them.

The size of the wheel is important. Some have bigger wheels to allow for better maneuverability on rougher surfaces. Some have smaller wheels to enable a lighter framework and are easier push over paved surfaces.

Some pushchairs have a single brake pedal that locks both rear wheels. This is useful when you stop for a coffee or shopping. Some models have two brake pedals to improve control and safety. It is crucial that your pushchair has good brakes as it will be used on uneven terrains so make sure you check the brakes regularly.

There are numerous features that can help you to find the perfect pushchair for your baby and family. Features that are easy to use like a compact fold that can be done using just one hand, safety harnesses that are easy to adjust or with adjustable handlebars will make life easier for parents of children who are young and infants.

Choosing the right pushchair is an investment in the safety and comfort of your child or toddler. You will likely use this product for a long time so consider taking the time to think about the features that are important to your family.

A pushchair to buy

Think carefully about the features you would like to have in your pushchair. It will be with you and your baby for a long time, so you should pick wisely. It's important to think about the way it will integrate with your lifestyle - an all-terrain running pushchair is ideal for walks in the countryside, but it will not be ideal on shiny floors in shops! If you're planning to use it with your grandparents, you may require something that is easy for them to control and steer without feeling like they need a PhD.

Newborn babies must lie flat so you'll need an infant car seat with a carrycot or infant car seat (travel system) or a reclining seat that can be used from birth. Some models come with an reversible seat, which means you can place your baby facing you or the world as they grow older.

When you are choosing a pushchair, you might want to look at accessories like shopping trays and baskets or pram changing bags which can make it easier for you to do errands while you have your baby in the car. Some pushchairs are equipped with hoods that provide additional sun protection and others come with rain covers that ensure your child is dry even when it begins to rain.

Some pushchairs are convertible, meaning they can be used as a double or single and expand with your family by adding an additional seat unit or carrycot. This is a good choice when you're thinking to have another child soon after baby number one, or in case you're not sure of what your goals are for the coming years at this point.