Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A light and easy-to-use pushchair is essential for people who regularly take public transportation or hop on and off flights. Choose models that fold flat and compactly and is machine-washable so that you can clean spilled drinks or leaky diaper staining.

We love strollers which can easily glide across pavements and can mount kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachements that are self-installing, and the handlebar that can be adjusted to suit parents of all heights.

Ease of Use

There are a variety of pushchairs for all budgets and lifestyles. Some are very lightweight and compact, making them easy to fold and carry, while others feature an extra sturdy frame that's more robust for long walks or use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket for your shopping items or a bag to change your clothes in so that you can have everything you require. Some are made for city living, while others are designed for rural living or traveling to other countries.

Strollers are typically suitable from birth, allowing babies to recline flat that is recommended for healthy lung and spinal development. They can also be attached to an infant carrycot or car seat and are therefore portable systems that can be used from birth until toddlerhood. Some offer extra design elements like a handlebar that can be adjusted in height to accommodate parents of different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to keep baby dry.

Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are more suitable for urban dwellers as they're usually lightweight, agile and easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and perfect for families who live in rural areas, or those who intend to spend much of their time outdoors. When choosing a pushchair cheap, you should look for reviews from other parents that comment on the ease of using it such as how much it weighs and how easy it is to control. It's also worth considering how big the base is and whether it feels sturdy enough for your child, particularly if you're planning to take the stroller off-road or over rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers must be safe for toddlers and infants to avoid entrapment and other injuries. Look for a base that is stable and large enough. You can test it by placing weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Also make sure the leg openings are small enough to keep the legs of a child from sliding through and that the handlebars are at waist level or slightly lower for ergonomic use. Another essential feature is brakes that lock the rear wheels and is simple to use. You should look for a brake that is that are integrated into the wheels instead of being on the frame. This will help stop pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers have a seat that reclines into an upright position, which makes them suitable for infants. It is recommended that babies lay flat for the first few months for breathing and head control reasons. Some pushchairs advertise having a reclining chair, but do not actually have this feature be sure to check.

The stroller should be equipped with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one strap around the crotch) Similar to the straps found in car seats. This is crucial to prevent a child from falling out of the stroller and helps to prevent them from being pulled over or out by vehicles that are passing or other pedestrians.

Make sure the stroller has a parking brake that's easy to turn on and locks the front wheels. This will help to stop the stroller rolling away while you're unloading or loading your child, or while you're stopping to take a break.

Comfort

You'll want to feel comfortable, whether you're pushing your toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and coffee for takeaway. You can achieve this by selecting a stroller with is sturdy, large and puncture-proof tires that glide over rough terrain. It should also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.

A pushchair that folds effortlessly and compactly will also help. It can be a pain to cram a large pushchair in the trunk of your car or to struggle up a flight of stairs, especially if you have a toddler with you. Think about what you intend to use it for, as well as the conditions. A stroller with a hood can protect your child from the elements of wind, rain and sunbeams.

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

Many pushchairs have accessories that can help keep your baby cool or warm - such as fans and footmuffs. Some brands even have their own nappy bags to make the journey with your baby easier.

For added flexibility, opt for a travel set-up - the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be parent-facing or front-facing and a carrycot or bassinet. You can easily remove and put the car seat back on the chassis without disturbing your baby. The perfect solution if you're on the go regularly and often have to alter your journey plan.

Style

There are some commonalities among all the different kinds of strollers, buggies, pushchairs and prams. Remember that they are designed to transport your child from one point to B. Think about how you will use it and select features that suit your lifestyle.

For instance, if you're likely to spend a lot of time walking on uneven surfaces such as fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you might consider an all-terrain stroller with big, tough puncture-proof wheels and suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your baby is 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 whether you want your baby to face you for safety or to look outwards to explore the world. Some pushchairs have a carrycot that flips to face you, or away from you. Others offer an infant recline that is lie-flat. Some come with an adapter for cars and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that can be used from birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair that lets you transport two children at the same simultaneously. There are models with one or two independent seat units, which are light and compact, with plenty of storage space, bigger canopies, and more maneuverable wheels. Many of our test subjects liked the idea of a double pushchair, but discovered that some adjusters for the handlebars were difficult to operate with just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around the pivot point, which resulted in many pushing their hands towards the frame. Other systems that allow telescopically moving in and out of the frame's sides were simpler to use even for parents with larger hands.

Stores

The amount of storage space available on a pushchair or stroller could influence the choice of buying it. Examine the space underneath the seat as well as in the footwell and in the large basket to see the amount of space you can squeeze in. This is a crucial aspect if you plan to purchase additional pushchair accessories such as the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.

A tray for parents makes it easier to use the stroller, as it provides extra storage space for snacks and other essentials. However, it can also add weight to the stroller and increase its folding size, making it awkward and bulky. It is important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents feature small cup holders. This can cause things to fall out of the tray when you travel or strolling.

If you are planning to carry your baby until birth, you should consider buying a stroller that is large enough to accommodate the bassinet. These products feature larger storage baskets, canopy with full coverage, and reclining seats. They can be more expensive than a compact stroller or a lightweight stroller.

Maneuverability is one of the most important features of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer even when empty and how well it can roll over various surfaces, like pavements or grass. It's worth noting that this quality degrades over time as your baby grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are made to function as an entire travel system, that is, they can be used with an infant car seat, and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can help make the transition easier from pram to stroller as your child gets older, which is particularly helpful when you're running out of storage space at home.