Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential for those who often use public transport or take flights that are frequently hopping on and off. Choose a model which can be folded flat and compactly and is machine washable to remove the stains of spilled drinks or leaky nappies.

We enjoy strollers that glide easily over pavements and can be mounted effortlessly. Look for car seat attachments that seem like they are installed and a handlebar that can be adjusted to fit parents of all heights.

Easy of Use

There are a variety of pushchairs to suit all budgets and lifestyles. Some are lightweight and compact, making them easy to fold and carry and store, while others have a sturdy frame that is more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket that can carry your shopping items or bags to change your clothes in so that you'll have everything you need. Some are made to be used in urban areas, while others are made for the country or across the globe.

Strollers are suitable from birth. They allow the infant to lie flat, which is good for spinal and lung development. A lot of strollers can be equipped with an infant seat or carrycot to create travel systems. They are suitable for babies up to toddlers. Some offer extra design elements such as a height-adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to help you keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs are more suitable for urban dwellers as they're usually lightweight and nimble, making them easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, which makes them perfect for families who live in rural areas or are planning on spending a lot of time in the outdoors. Look for reviews by other parents who have commented on how easy the pushchair is to use - like how heavy it is or how easy it could be to navigate. It's also worth considering the size of the base and whether it feels solid enough for your child to use, particularly if you're planning to take the pushchair off-road or on difficult terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid the possibility of entrapment. Find a base that won't tip easily and make sure you can test the safety harness by placing weight on it, or hanging bags from it to test how stable it is. Verify that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough that children's legs don't slide through. Also, make sure the handlebars are placed at waist level or a little below for ergonomic use. Another essential feature is a brake that locks the back wheels and is easy to use. Find one that has brakes integrated into the wheels rather than only on the frame, as this can help to keep them away from choking and pinch point dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline to a lie-flat position which makes them suitable for babies. For better control of the head and breathing, it is recommended that babies lie flat during their first few months. Some pushchairs are advertised as having a reclining chair, but do not actually have this feature, so check carefully.

The stroller should come with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch) Similar to the straps found in car seats. This is essential to prevent the child from falling out and being pulled out by vehicles or pedestrians.

Check that the stroller has a parking brake that's simple to use and locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from rolling away when you are unloading or loading a child, or stopping to rest.

Comfort

When you're pushing your toddler around or carrying a shopping bag packed with nappies and a takeaway coffee, you need to feel secure when you're out and out and about. Picking a stroller with large robust, puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will help you have the ability to do that.

Having a pushchair that folds up easily and compactly can also aid. It can be a hassle to fit a big pushchair into the boot of your car or to climb up a flight stairs, especially when you have a child with you. It's also worth thinking about what you'll be using it for and what the weather is likely to be like - so selecting a stroller with a hood that protects your child from the elements of wind, rain and sunbeams is a great idea.

The final aspect to consider is how easy the stroller is to control and steer. Keep an eye out for our reviewers' feedback regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller pirouettes over different surfaces and how easily it can be pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs come with useful accessories to keep your baby warm or cool from fans to footmuffs. Certain brands come with their own nappy bags that help you travel with your baby.

To increase your flexibility, go for a travel set-up - the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with an adjustable seat that can be front-facing or rear-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. You can easily remove and replace the car seat on the chassis without disturbing your baby. The perfect solution if you're on the go regularly and frequently need to change your plan of travel.

Style

There are some commonalities between all the different types of buggies, strollers, pushchairs and prams. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they're designed to take your baby from A to B. Think about how you will use it and choose features that suit your lifestyle.

For example, if you're likely to spend a lot of time walking 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 a suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your child gets hot during long walks, you might want a parasol to protect them from the sun or a Plum Red Kite Baby Pushchair - Best Price! fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs can be adjusted in their seats so you can decide if your baby faces you to give them a sense of security or the world to see it. Some have a carrycot or seat that can flip to face you or away from you and some have the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for newborns. Some have a car seat adapter and are compatible with Isofix or are three-in-one systems that allow you to use them from birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair that allows you to carry two children at the same time. There are models that have two or one seat that are independent that are light and compact, with plenty of storage, larger canopies, and more moveable wheels. Some of our testers loved the idea of a dual pushchair however, they found the adjustments to the handlebar difficult to control using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which caused many to push their hands up against the frame. Other systems that telescopically move in and out of frame sides were easier to use even for parents who are taller.

Storage

The amount of storage space on a pushchair or stroller will affect the decision to buy it. Examine the space underneath the seat, in the footwell and in the large basket to determine the amount of space you can squeeze in. If you intend to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, for example a parent's tray or a travel changing bag This is a crucial aspect to consider.

A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it can add weight to the stroller and increase its folding dimensions, making it awkward and bulky. It's also important to remember that most parent trays have shallow cup holders, which could cause items to fall out of the tray during transport or when walking.

If you plan to carry a baby from birth, consider purchasing a stroller that is large enough to accommodate bassinets. These products have more spacious storage baskets, full-coverage canopies and reclined seats. They tend to be more expensive than a compact or a lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is an important characteristic of a stroller. It determines the ease of steering when empty, as well as how smoothly the stroller can be rolled over various surfaces such as pavements or grass. This quality will degrade over time as you and your child increase in size, and the weight of the pushchair increases.

Some pushchairs are able to be converted into a toddler pushchair making use of adapters. They are designed to work with infant car seats. This can help make the transition easier from stroller to pram as your child ages and is particularly beneficial when you're running out of storage space at home.