Choosing Strollers Pushchairs
A light and easy-to-use pushchair is essential for those who regularly take public transportation or hop on and off flights. Find models that fold flat and compactly, and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks or leaky nappy stains.
We love strollers which glide easily across pavements and can be mounted on kerbs ease. Look for car seat attachments that seem like they are installed and a handlebar that is adjustable to suit parents of all heights.
Easy to Use
There are various types of pushchairs that suit a variety of budgets and lifestyles. Some are light and compact which makes them easy to fold and carry while others have an extra sturdy frame that's more robust for long walks or use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket that can carry your shopping, or bags to change your clothes in so that you'll have everything you require. Some are made to be used in cities, whereas others are designed for travel or for country living.
Strollers are usually suitable from birth, allowing baby to recline flat that is recommended for their health lung and spinal development. Many strollers can be paired with an infant seat or carrycot to create travel systems. They are suitable for infants to toddlers. Some of them have additional design elements, like a height-adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to keep baby dry.
Three-wheeled pushchairs from birth tend to be more suitable for city dwellers since they are light, agile, and easy to move around. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, making them perfect for families who live in rural areas or who plan to spend a lot of time in the open air. When choosing a pushchair, read reviews from other parents that discuss the ease of use for instance, how much it weighs and how easy it is to control. It is also important to take into consideration the size of the base as well as whether your child is comfortable in it, particularly when you intend to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.
Safety
Strollers and pushchairs need to be safe for infants or toddlers to avoid entrapment. Look for a base that is sturdy and large enough. You can test it by putting the weight on it or hanging bags to test how it feels. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller are narrow enough that children's legs aren't slipping through. Also, ensure that the handlebars are placed at waist level or a little below for an ergonomic use. A brake that is easy to operate and locks the back wheels is an important feature. Look for a model that has the brakes integrated into the wheels instead of only on the frame since this can help keep them away from pinch points and choking dangers.
A majority of strollers have seats that can recline to a flat position, making them ideal for newborns. It is recommended that babies lay flat for the first few months to allow head control and breathing reasons. However, some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat but do not actually have this feature be sure to check.
Make sure that the stroller is fitted with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs, and one for the crotch), much like those in car seats. This is crucial to prevent a child from falling out of the pushchair and also to protect them from being pushed over or out by passing vehicles or other pedestrians.
Make sure the stroller has an easy parking brake that's easy to activate and that locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from slipping away when you are unloading or loading a child or stopping to rest.
Comfort
You'll want to feel comfortable, whether you're pushing a toddler, or carrying a diaper bag and coffee for takeaway. You can do this by selecting a stroller with has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It should also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.
A compact pushchair and folds easily can help. It can be a pain trying to jam a bulky pushchair in and out of the car's boot or struggle up flights of stairs - especially with a growing toddler in the rear. It's also important to consider the purpose for which you'll use it and what the weather will be like. Hence, selecting a stroller with a hood that protects your child from wind, rain and sunbeams is an excellent idea.
The last aspect of comfort is how easy it is to control and steer. Be sure to check out our reviewers' opinions on maneuverability, which take into account things like how well strollers pirouette across various surfaces and how easy it is to push up hills.
Many pushchairs come with accessories that can help keep your baby cool or warm like fans and footmuffs. Certain brands come with their own nappy bags that make travelling easier with baby.
A travel system offers greater flexibility. It comprises a stroller chassis (called the chassis) as well as a seat which can be positioned either front-facing or parent-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can pop the car seat out and on the chassis as necessary without disturbing your baby. The ideal solution for parents who are constantly on the move and frequently need to change your plan of travel.
Style
There are some commonalities among all the different types of strollers, buggies pushchairs and prams. The most important thing to remember is that they're designed to take your baby from A to B. Think about how you'll use it and look for features that are appropriate to your life style.
For instance, if going to spend lots of time walking on uneven surfaces, such as fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you might want an all-terrain pushchair with large, sturdy puncture proof wheels and a suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your child gets hot on long walks, you might want to use a shade to protect them from the sun, or a baby fan to keep them cool.
Some pushchairs have adjustable seat positions so you can decide if your baby faces you for reassurance or the world to explore it. Some carrycots have a seat that can flip to face you or away from you. Additionally, some have a full lie-flat recline suitable for infants. Some have a car seat adapter, are Isofix compatible or are three-in-one systems, which means you can use them from birth.
Another option is a twin pushchair that allows you to transport two children at the at the same time. There are models with one or two separate seat units, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. Several of our testers liked the idea of a Maxmass Double Seat Baby Stroller Adjustable Handlebar pushchair however they found that certain 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 closer to the frame. Other systems that telescopically move in and out of frame's sides were simpler to use even for parents with larger hands.
Stores
The amount of storage space in a stroller will affect the decision to purchase it. Examine the space underneath the seat as well as in the footwell and in the basket to determine the amount of space you can squeeze in. If you are planning to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair, for example a tray for parents or a travel changing pouch, this will be a major consideration.
A tray for the parent can make it easier to use the stroller, as it provides extra storage space for snacks and essentials. However, it could 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 have shallow cup holders. This can cause things to fall off the tray while traveling or strolling.
Think about purchasing a larger stroller that is bassinet-compatible If you are planning to carry your baby from birth. These strollers come with more space for storage baskets, full-coverage canopies and reclined seats. They can be more expensive than a compact stroller or lightweight stroller.
The ability to maneuver is an essential characteristic of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty, and how smoothly it moves over different surfaces, like grass or pavements. This quality will degrade over time as you and your baby grow and the weight of the stroller increases.
Some pushchairs are made to function as an entire travel system that is, they can be paired with an infant car seat, and transformed into a toddler pushchair with adapters. This can make it easier to ease the transition from stroller to pram as your child ages, which is particularly helpful when you're running out of storage space at home.