Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who frequently use public transport or travel by plane, a lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is crucial. Choose a model that folds flat and compactly and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks and leaky diaper stains.

We love strollers that effortlessly glide across the pavement and can be mounted on kerbs ease. Look for car seat attachments that appear to be self-installing and a handlebar that is adjustable to fit parents of all sizes.

Ease of Use

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are light and compact, and easy to fold and carry, while others feature a sturdy frame that is more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. A lot of them also come with a basket for shopping or a changing bag so you can carry everything you require with you. Some are designed to be used in cities, whereas others are designed for travel or for country living.

Strollers are typically suitable from birth, allowing babies to recline flat and is recommended for healthy lung and spinal development. Many strollers can be fitted with an infant seat or carrycot to create 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 can help keep your baby dry.

Three-wheeled pushchairs tend to be better suited for urban dwellers because they are light and agile. They are also easy to move around. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and ideal for families living in rural areas, or those who plan to spend a lot of their time in the outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, read reviews from other parents who discuss the ease of use for instance, how much it weighs and how easy it is to control. It's also worth noticing the size of the base and whether it feels solid enough for your child, particularly if you're planning to use the pushchair off-road or on difficult terrain.

Safety

Strollers pushchairs must be safe for toddlers and infants to avoid entrapment and other injuries. Look for a base that is sturdy and large enough. You can test it by putting weight on it or hanging bags to see how it feels. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough that children's legs aren't slipping through. Also, ensure that the handlebars sit at waist level or just below for an ergonomic use. A brake that is simple to operate and secures the back wheels is another important feature. It is recommended to look for a brake that is that are integrated into the wheels instead of being on the frame. This will help to avoid pinch points and choking dangers.

Many strollers come with a seat that can recline into a flat position, making them ideal for infants. For better control of the head and breathing it is recommended that babies lay flat for the first few months. Some pushchairs are advertised as having a reclining chair, but do not actually have this feature, so check carefully.

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

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

Comfort

You'll want to feel at ease whether you're pushing a toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and coffee for takeaway. This can be achieved by selecting a stroller with is large, sturdy, puncture-proof tires that glide over rough terrain. It must also have a smooth and smooth suspension.

A pushchair that is small and folds easily will also be useful. It can be a hassle to cram a large pushchair in the trunk of your car or struggle up a flight of stairs, especially if you have a toddler with you. It's also worth considering what you'll be using it for and what the weather forecast will be like - so opting for a stroller with a hood that fully protects your child from wind, rain and sunbeams is an excellent idea.

The final comfort consideration is how easy the stroller is to control and steer. Look out for our reviewers' opinions on maneuverability, which takes into consideration things like how well strollers pirouette across various surfaces and how it is easy to push up hills.

Many pushchairs come with useful accessories to keep your baby cool or warm from fans to footmuffs. Some brands have their own nappy bags that help you travel with your baby.

A travel system gives you more flexibility. It consists of a stroller chassis (called the chassis) as well as a seat that can be placed parent-facing or forward-facing, and a bassinet or carrycot. You can pop the car seat off and put it on the chassis when required without having to wake your baby. The perfect solution if you're frequently on the move and often need to alter your plan of travel.

Style

While the jargon around strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that they all have in common. Remember that they are designed to get your baby from point A to B. Consider how you'll use it and look for features that fit your life style.

For example, if you're going to spend lots of time on uneven surfaces such as sandy fields or muddy fields, 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 baby gets hot during long walks, you may need to think about a shade that will shade them from the sun or a fan for them to stay cool.

Some pushchairs let you choose to have 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 have a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some models have a car adapter and Isofix compatibility, or 3 in 1 systems that can be used as early as.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair that allows you to transport two children at the same simultaneously. You can find models with one or two independent seat units, which are light and compact with plenty of storage space, bigger canopies and more movable wheels. A few of our test participants liked the idea of a double pushchair but they found that certain adjustable handlebars were difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which caused many to push their hands up against the frame. Some systems that allow parents to telescopically move into or out of the frame were more convenient to use by taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space available in a stroller will affect your decision to purchase it. Check the space available under the seat, in the footwell, and the huge basket. If you are planning to purchase any additional accessories for your running pushchair, like a parent's tray 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 additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it can also add weight to the stroller and pushchair as well as its folding size, making it bulky and awkward. It's also important to keep in mind that most trays for parents include shallow cup holders, which could cause items to fall out of the tray during transport or when strolling.

Think about purchasing a larger stroller that can be used with a bassinet for if you intend to carry your baby's stroller from birth. These models come with larger storage baskets, full-coverage canopies and reclining seats. They can be more expensive than a compact or lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is an important feature of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty, and how well it rolls over different surfaces like grass or pavements. This quality will degrade over time as you and your child increase in size, and the weight of the pushchair increases.

Some pushchairs are designed as a complete travel system, that is, they can be paired with an infant car seat and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This makes the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child develops.