Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential for people who regularly take public transport or take a flight and hop off and on. Choose a model which can be folded flat and compact, and machine washable to get rid of stains from spilt beverages or leaky nappy.

We love strollers that glide smoothly over pavements and can be mounted easily. Look for car seat attachments that almost appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that adjusts to accommodate parents of all sizes.

Ease of Use

There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are light and compact and easy to fold and carry and store, while others have a sturdy frame that is more durable for long walks and use on uneven terrain. Many come with a basket to carry your shopping or bags to change your clothes in so that you can have everything you require. Some are designed for urban living, whereas others are designed for country life or travelling across the globe.

Strollers can be used from the moment of birth. They allow the infant to lie flat, which is good for spinal and lung development. Many strollers can be paired with a carrycot or infant seat to create travel systems. They are suitable for infants to toddlers. Some come with additional design features, like a height-adjustable handlebar for parents with different heights, as well as a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to help you keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs work ideal for urban dwellers, since they're generally light, agile and easy to maneuver. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and ideal for families living in rural areas, or who plan to spend much of their time outdoors. Look for reviews by parents who express their opinions on how easy the stroller is to operate, like how heavy it is or how easy it could be to navigate. Also, consider the size of the base as well as whether your child feels stable in it, particularly if you plan to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers must be safe for toddlers and infants to avoid entrapment or other injuries. Make sure the base is sturdy and wide. You can test it by putting weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Also, make sure that the leg openings are small enough to keep the legs of a baby from sliding through and that the handlebars are at waist-level or slightly lower to allow for a more ergonomic use. Another important feature is a brake that locks the back wheels and is easy to use. Choose a model that has the brakes integrated into the wheels instead of only on the frame, because this will help keep them away from pinch points and choking hazards.

Many strollers have a seat that reclines into the position of a lie-flat, making them suitable for infants. It is recommended that babies lay flat during the first few months to allow head control and breathing reasons. Some pushchairs are described as having a reclining seat but don't actually provide this make sure you check.

Make sure that the stroller is fitted with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch) similar to those used in car seats. This is crucial to prevent the child from falling out of the pushchair and also to protect them from being pulled over or out by cars or other pedestrians.

Check that the stroller comes with an easy parking brake to use and locks the front two wheels. This will help to stop the stroller from rolling away while you're loading or unloading your child or taking a break to rest.

Comfort

Whether you're pushing your child around or carrying a shopping cart packed with nappies and a takeaway coffee, you'll want to feel at ease when out and out and about. This can be achieved by selecting a stroller with has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a smooth and smooth suspension.

A black pushchair that folds up easily and compactly will help. It can be a hassle to squeeze an enormous pushchair into and out of the car's boot or climb up a flight of stairs - especially with a toddler growing in tow. It's also important to consider the purpose for which you'll use it and what the weather forecast will be like - so selecting a stroller with an hood that completely shields your little one from rain, wind and sunbeams is a good idea.

The last factor that affects comfort is the ease to steer and control the stroller. Be sure to check out our reviewers’ comments on maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller turns on different surfaces, and how it is easy to push up hills.

Many pushchairs come with accessories that can help keep your baby warm or cool like footmuffs and fans. Some brands even come with their own nappy changing bags that make travelling with baby even simpler.

For greater flexibility, opt for a travel set-up - an infant stroller frame (called the chassis) with a seat unit that can be front-forward facing pushchair or parent-facing and a carrycot or bassinet. You can take the car seat off and put it back on the chassis as required without waking your baby. This is the perfect solution for parents who are always on the move and need to change their plans for travel.

Style

While the jargon around strollers pushchairs (from the speedgh.com blog), prams and buggies can be confusing, there are a few things that they all have in common. Keep in mind that they're made to transport your child from one point to B. Think about how you'll utilize it and pick features that are compatible with your lifestyle.

If you intend to walk on uneven surfaces, like fields that are muddy or sand-covered You may require a pushchair with all-terrain wheels that are puncture-proof. They should also have a suspension system to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your child gets hot on long walks you might want to use a shade to shade them from the sun or a baby fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs can be adjusted in their seats so you can decide if your baby faces you for reassurance or the world to see it. Others have a carrycot or seat unit that can be turned to face you or away from you, and some have a full lie-flat recline suitable for infants. Some come with an adapter for cars, Isofix compatibility or 3 in 1 systems that you can use from the time of birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair which allows you to transport two children at the same at the same time. There are models with two or more seats, which are lightweight compact and have plenty of storage space, larger canopy sizes, and a moveable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the concept of a dual folding pushchair, but found some adjustments to the handlebar difficult to control with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which caused many to push their hands against the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically move into or out of the frame were simpler to use by taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space available on a stroller and pushchair or pushchair can impact the choice of buying it. Examine the space underneath the seat or in the footwell, and in the large basket to see how much you can fit. This will be a big factor if you're planning on purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, such as the tray for parents or an extra travel bag for changing.

A tray for the parent can make it easier to use the stroller by providing additional storage for snacks and other necessities. It can also make the stroller bulky and difficult to fold. It's also important to remember that the majority of tray for parents come with shallow cup holders which can cause things to fall out of the tray during transport or when walking.

Consider buying a full-sized stroller that is bassinet-compatible If you are planning to carry your baby's stroller from birth. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopies that have full coverage, and reclined seats. They can be more expensive than a compact or lightweight pushchair stroller.

Maneuverability is one of the most important features of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty, and how smoothly it moves over various surfaces, such as grass or pavements. It's important to note that this quality degrades over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs can be transformed into a toddler pushchair using adapters. They are designed to work with infant car seats. This makes the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child develops.