Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who regularly use public transport or travel by plane, a light and easy-touse pushchair is essential. Select a model that is able to be folded flat and compactly and machine washable to clean staining from spilled drinks or leaky nappy.

We love strollers that effortlessly glide across the pavement and can be mounted on kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachments that almost seem like they are installed and a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all sizes.

User-Friendliness

There are many different types of strollers and pushchairs that will suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are extremely light and compact and easy to fold and carry, while others feature an extra sturdy frame that's more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. Some also have a basket for shopping or a changing bag so you can take everything you need. Some are made to be used in urban areas, while others are made for rural living or traveling to other countries.

Strollers are suitable from birth. They allow the baby to recline flat, which is beneficial for spinal and lung development. Many strollers can be paired with a carrycot or infant seat to make them travel systems. They are suitable for babies 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 that will help keep your baby dry.

Three-wheeled pushchairs are more suitable for city dwellers as they are lightweight and agile. They are also easy to move. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and ideal for families living in rural areas, or those who intend to spend a lot of their time outdoors. When choosing a pushchair, look for reviews from parents who review the ease of using it such as how much it weighs and how easy to steer. You should also be aware of the size of the base as well as whether your child is stable in it, especially if you plan to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers to prevent entrapment. Find a base that isn't likely to tip and be sure to test the safety harness by putting weight on it, or hanging bags over it, to determine how stable it feels. Also, make sure that the leg openings are small enough to prevent the legs of a child from sliding through and that the handlebars are at waist-level or slightly lower for more comfortable use. A brake that is simple to operate and locks the back wheels is another essential feature. Find models that have brakes built into the wheels rather than only on the frame, as this can help to keep them safe from pinch points and choke hazards.

A majority of strollers have seats that can recline into a flat position which makes them suitable for babies. For head control and breathing it is recommended that infants lie flat during their first few months. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat, but do not actually have this feature be sure to check.

Make sure the stroller is equipped with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps that go over shoulders, two for the thighs and one around the crotch) similar to those used in car seats. This is crucial to prevent the child from falling out of the stroller and prevents them from being pulled over or pushed out by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the Graco Breaze Lite2 Stroller - Little Adventures Fashion is equipped with a parking brake that is easy to use and locks the front two wheels. This will help to stop the stroller rolling away while you're unloading or loading your child, or while you're stopping to rest.

Comfort

You'll want to feel at ease regardless of whether you're pushing a toddler or carrying a backpack full of nappies and coffee to take home. Choosing a stroller with big sturdy, puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain and have a super-smooth suspension will help you do just that.

A compact pushchair and folds easily will also help. It can be a real pain trying to jam a bulky pushchair in and out of the car's boot, or climb a flight of stairs - especially with a toddler growing in the back. It's also worth thinking about the purpose for which you'll use it and what the weather will be like. So selecting a My Babiie MB51 Stroller - Lightweight Travel Buggy with a hood that protects your child from the elements of wind, rain and sunbeams is a good idea.

The last aspect of comfort is how easy it is to control and steer. Watch out for our reviewers’ comments regarding maneuverability. This is a way to gauge how the stroller turns on different surfaces, and how it is able to be easily pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs include accessories that can aid in keeping your baby warm or cool like footmuffs and fans. Some brands even come with their own nappy bags to make traveling with your Costway portable baby stroller adjustable canopy (grey) simpler.

To increase your flexibility, go for a travel system - an infant stroller frame (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or parent-facing and a carrycot or bassinet. You can easily remove and replace the car seat on the chassis without disturbing your baby. The ideal solution for parents who are frequently on the move and often need to alter your plan of travel.

Style

There are some commonalities among all the different types of buggies, strollers, prams, and pushchairs. Keep in mind that they're made to get your baby from point A to B. Think about how you will use it and select features that fit your needs.

For instance, if likely to spend a lot of time on uneven surfaces such as fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you might want an all-terrain pushchair that has big, tough puncture-proof wheels and suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your child gets hot during long walks, you may want to consider a parasol that will shade them from the sun or a fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs come with adjustable seat positions so you can choose whether your baby faces you for reassurance or the world to explore it. Some have a carrycot or seat unit that can be turned to face you or away from you, and some have the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for infants. Some have a car adapter and Isofix compatibility, or 3 in 1 systems that you can use from the time of birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair that lets you transport two children at the time. You can find models that have one or two independent seat units, which are light and compact with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more movable wheels. Our testers liked the concept of a dual pushchair but found some handbar adjustments difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point and this caused many to push their hands towards the frame. Other systems that allow telescopically moving in and out of frame's sides were simpler to use even for parents with larger hands.

Storage

The amount of storage space on a pushchair or stroller will affect the decision to buy it. Take a look at the space under the seat as well as in the footwell and in the large basket to see the amount of space you can squeeze in. This will be a big factor if you're planning on buy additional pushchair accessories like the tray for parents or the travel changing bag.

A tray for the parent can enhance user comfort by providing extra storage for snacks and other necessities. It can make the stroller heavy and difficult to fold. It's important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents come with small cup holders. This can cause items to fall off the tray when traveling or walking.

If you are planning to carry a baby from birth, you should consider buying a large-sized stroller that can accommodate bassinets. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopy with full coverage, and reclined seats. They are often more expensive than a compact or lightweight stroller.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty, and how well it rolls across different surfaces, like pavements or grass. It's important to note that this quality decreases with time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, that is, they can be used with an infant car seat, and converted to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can help make the transition easier from stroller to pram as your child gets older and is particularly beneficial in the event that you're lacking storage space at home.