Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is essential for those who often use public transport or hop on and off flights. Look for one that folds into a compact and flat shape and is machine washable to take care of spilt drinks or leaky nappy staining.

We love strollers that can easily glide across pavements and can mount kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachments that are self-installing, and a handlebar which can be adjusted to fit parents of any height.

Simple to Use

There are many different types of strollers and pushchairs that will suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are lightweight and compact and easy to fold and transport and store, while others feature a sturdy frame that is more durable for long walks and use on uneven terrain. Many also feature shopping baskets or changing bags so that you can carry everything you require with you. Some are designed for use in the city, while others are intended for traveling or country living.

Strollers can be used as early as the time of birth. They allow the baby to recline flat, which is good for spinal and lung development. A lot of strollers can be equipped with an infant seat or carrycot to make them travel systems. They are suitable for infants up to toddlers. Some of them have additional design elements, like a height-adjustable handlebar for parents with different heights and a spacious shopping basket or rain cover to keep baby dry.

Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are better for city dwellers, because they're typically light and agile, making them easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheeled pushchairs are more durable and suitable for families living in rural areas or who plan to spend most of their time in the outdoors. When selecting a pushchair, you should look for reviews from parents who review the ease of using it for instance, how much it weighs and how easy it is to navigate. It's also worth noticing how large the base and whether it's stable enough for your child, particularly if you intend to take the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers must be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid entrapment and other injuries. Find a base that isn't likely to tip and ensure you test the safety harness by putting weight on it, or hanging bags from it to see how stable it is. Verify that the leg openings on the stroller are narrow enough so that a child's legs won't slip through. Also, make sure the handlebars sit at waist level or slightly below for an ergonomic use. Another important feature is a brake that locks the back wheels and is easy to use. Look for models that have brakes integrated into the wheels, rather than only on the frame, since this can help keep them away from pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline into a flat, comfortable position which is ideal for newborns. For head control and breathing, it is recommended that infants lay flat during the first few months. Some pushchairs can be described as having a reclined seat but they don't. Make sure you check.

The stroller should come with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders and two straps for the thighs, and one strap around the crotch), similar to those found in car seats. This is crucial to prevent children from falling out of the stroller and helps to prevent them from being pushed over or out by cars or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller comes with an easy parking brake that is easy to activate and that locks the two front wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving when you're loading or unloading your child or when you're stopping to rest.

Comfort

When you're pushing your toddler around, or carrying a shopping bag filled with nappies and takeaway coffee, you want to feel comfortable when out and about. Choosing a stroller with big robust, puncture-proof wheels that can glide across rough terrain and have a super-smooth suspension will ensure you do just that.

A compact pushchair and folds easily will also be helpful. It can be a hassle to squeeze a large pushchair in the trunk of your car or climb a flight of stairs, especially if you have a toddler along with you. It's also worth considering what you'll use it for and what the weather is likely to be like - so opting for a stroller with a hood that protects your little one from wind, rain and sunbeams is a great idea.

The final comfort factor is how easy it is to control and steer the pushchair. Be sure to check out our reviewers’ comments regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller glides across different surfaces and how easily it can be pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs have accessories that can aid in keeping your baby warm or cool - such as footmuffs and fans. Some brands even have their own nappy changing bags that make the journey with your baby simpler.

A travel system offers greater flexibility. It consists of a stroller chassis (called the chassis), a seat unit that can be placed parent-facing or forward-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can easily remove and replace the car seat on the chassis without disturbing your baby. This is the perfect solution for those who are constantly moving and have to alter their journey plans.

Style

While the terminology used for prams, strollers, pushchairs and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that all have in common. Keep in mind that they're made to take your baby from point A to B. Think about how you'll be using it and then look for features that are appropriate to your lifestyle.

If you plan to walk on uneven surfaces, such as sand and muddy fields, you may need a stroller with all-terrain tires that are puncture-proof. They should also have a suspension system to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby gets hot after long walks, you might want to consider a parasol that can shade them from the sun or a fan to help them stay cool.

Some pushchairs have adjustable seat positions so you can choose whether your baby faces you to give them a sense of security or the world to explore it. Others have a carrycot or seat that can flip to face you or away from you, and some offer the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for babies. Some models have a car adapter and Isofix compatibility as well as 3 in 1 systems that can be used as early as.

A twin pushchair allows you to transport two children at once. You can find models with one or two separate seats, are lightweight 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 they found that certain handlebar adjustment systems were difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point and this led to many pushing their hands close to the frame. Some systems that allow parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were easier to use for taller parents.

Stores

The amount of storage available on a pushchair or stroller could influence your decision to purchase it. Examine the space available under the seat, the footwell, and the large basket. This is a major factor if you're planning to buy additional pushchair accessories like a tray for parents or an extra best travel pushchair bag for changing.

A tray for parents makes it easier to use the stroller by providing additional storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it could also add weight to the stroller and its folding dimensions, making it heavy and awkward. It's also important to remember that the majority of tray for parents include shallow cup holders, which can cause items to fall out of the tray during travel or while strolling.

If you intend to carry your baby until birth, consider purchasing a stroller that is large enough to accommodate bassinets. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopy with complete coverage and reclining seats. They tend to be more expensive than a compact or lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is a crucial aspect of a stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty and how smoothly it moves over different surfaces like pavements or grass. It's important to note that this quality diminishes over time as your baby grows and you increase the weight of the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are made to function as an entire travel system which means they can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat, and changed to a toddler pushchair with adapters. This can help make it easier to transition from stroller to pram as your child grows older and is particularly beneficial if you're short on storage space at home.