What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is a type of chair on wheels designed for babies from 6 months. They often feature seats that recline and lie flat, and have a five point harness.

Some pushchairs can be used with a car seats to create a travel system. This allows your baby to easily move from car to pushchair without causing any disturbance.

Safety

There are many safety features you need to consider when selecting the right car seat for your pushchair. No matter if you're looking at a new or second-hand model it is essential to ensure that your chosen pushchair meets the essential British standards and requirements.

Make sure your pushchair is compliant with BS 197409/1996 or BS 1888:2003. This will ensure that it's safe for babies and children to travel in. This includes making sure that it's equipped with a safe locking device and that the brakes are working properly (check them regularly).

When choosing a pushchair car seat, it's worth looking for one that can recline and lie flat position. This is especially important for newborns, as studies have shown that infants who spend a lot of time in an upright position might have trouble breathing. The car seat's wavy shape limits their airways, which causes them to struggle to breathe.

You can also choose a baby car seat that snaps onto the chassis of your stroller as part of a travel system bundle. This makes the transition between stroller and car simpler, as you won't have to wake your baby up each time you need to switch between modes of transport.

Some of the best pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection as well. This is designed to lessen the force of a crash by providing extra padding, energy-absorbing material and also protecting your baby's shoulders, chest and head. This type of protection can be crucial in the event of a side collision which is more risky for young babies.

A top tether strap is another important security feature to search for, as this prevents the car seat from moving forward in the event of an accident. It also can reduce the risk of head strikes. This is a legal requirement for every coach-built car seat.

Easy of Use

A pushchair car seat is among the most used baby products so it's essential to ensure it comes with good comfort and convenience features. If it's a comfy cushion for your baby's seat or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are plenty of accessories to choose from!

Some pushchairs have a carrycot that is ideal for babies. It lets them rest in a reclining position, which is recommended for their health and development. When they are older the carrycot can be converted into a pushchair. Most can also be used with an automobile seat base.

Look for a pushchair that folds easily and compactly so that it can fit into tight spaces or the trunk of your car. Some models fold with the seat in place making it much more convenient to use. A brake is a must-have and there are many options depending on your lifestyle. A foot brake is ideal for daily use, and an active handbrake can be useful when you're frequently stopping and starting in traffic-filled streets. There are also jogger style pushchairs with three wheels that help you maintain the momentum when you go either uphill or downhill.

Most 'from-birth' pushchairs allow you to select which direction the seat faces either the direction of the parent or facing the world. It is possible to change this by simply pressing the seat onto the chassis. The Doona however, is a game changer because it allows you to choose both. You can click the infant car seat into the Doona and then put it upright as stroller or recline it into a lie-flat mode for babies. It's an incredible feature that works with or without the base in your car and can be utilized on trains and planes!

If you intend to travel frequently or ride-share vehicles A light seat that is simple to install is a necessity. Make sure the base can be easily pushed in and out. Also, think about the possibility of a travel system that includes all your essentials.

Style

Style is a personal choice and you can find something that will suit both parents and babies. Based on your budget and preferences you can select a sleek and elegant look, or something more striking. Top brands provide a wide selection of choices, so you can choose from something modern and colourful or traditional and modern.

You'll also need to consider how much you're willing spend on your pushchair car seat as it's likely to be among your most expensive baby purchases. Many parents decide to buy an entire travel system that includes both a car seat and the carrycot. This provides the ultimate comfort and convenience from the moment of birth and is perfect for busy families who need to get out and often.

Many pushchairs have a seat that is lie-flat which allows babies to sleep in a fully flat position, which is suggested by experts to help with spinal and lung development. Some brands go an extra mile by incorporating a premium hand recline system that allows you to simply press a single button to recline the seat of your pushchair into an even more comfortable position.

Some models have adjustable footrests, handlebars and other features that allow you to customize them to your child's evolving requirements. Some models come with a reclined chair so that your child can face you to connect and reassure them or face the world for exploration.

Some brands also offer a range of accessories for pushchairs, including footmuffs for colder weather and sun parasols to shield your baby from the sun. A sunshade can help prevent your baby from becoming overheated.

The best pushchair car seats come with a 5-point harness that is designed to restrain your child at their hips and shoulders, the most rigid points on their body. This is the safest and secure method of restraining your child in their pushchair and you should only ever use pushchair car seats equipped with this type of safety harness. Be on the lookout for new harnesses with one-pull systems like that found on the Cybex Priam, which allows you to precision-fit your baby's seat belt with only the pulling of a strap, ensuring a safe and secure fit.

Storage

It's not a secret that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. To ensure that you have plenty of space, choose an infant car seat that has an ample storage bin as well as a tray for parents and cup holders for your child's seat. This will let you keep your essentials close at hand when you are traveling.

Look for models with a built-in canopy to shield your child from the weather. Other handy features include locking swivel front wheels to allow for greater maneuverability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold so it is super-easy to store when not in use.

Doona travel systems bundles offer the most convenient and security. You can easily move your child from their car seat to their pushchair without disrupting them. The Doona ISOFIX base attaches to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle and then clicks onto the frame of the pushchair. This innovative system lets you to be prepared from the moment you are born and save time in running chores.

Another option is the egg3 - an award-winning, eye-catching 3 in 1 travel system that enables you to place your baby in the car seat of an egg from the moment they are born and switch the seat to a pushchair seat unit when they are large enough. With adaptors for car seats that work with all major foldable stroller brands, this product is a great option for those who don't have an automobile.

The egg3 can be converted into a tandem using the optional egg2/3 adaptors if you have twins or are looking to expand your family. The egg car seat comes with an intelligent SensorSafe technology that alerts you in real-time through your smartphone in case of four possible dangers. This includes unexpected chest clip buckles that are not secured, temperatures too cold or hot in the carrier, or your child being in the carrier for too long.

If you're looking to ensure that your pushchair is in top condition for the next time you take it out, consider purchasing a hood fabric refresh kit or a complete clean service. Begin by vacuuming, then clean the fabric using warm soapy or sterilising water.