Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who regularly take public transport or travel by plane, a light and easy-touse pushchair is essential. Choose a model which can be folded flat and compact, and machine washable to remove the stains of spilled drinks or leaky diapers.

We love strollers that glide smoothly on pavements and kerbs effortlessly. Look for car seat attachments that almost feel like they install themselves and a handlebar that can be adjusted to fit parents of all sizes.

Easy of Use

There are many different types of strollers and pushchairs that will suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are light and compact and easy to fold and carry and store, while others are built with strong frames that are more robust for long walks and use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket for your shopping, or a bag for changing clothes so you can have everything you need. Some are designed for use in urban areas, whereas others are intended for traveling or country living.

Strollers are usually suitable from birth, allowing babies to recline in a flat posture that is recommended for healthy lung and spinal development. Some can also be connected to an infant carrycot or car seat, making them transport systems that are suitable from birth until toddlerhood. Some models have extra design features, like a height-adjustable handbar for parents with various heights, or a large basket or rain cover that can help keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs work better for city dwellers, because they're typically light, agile and easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel pushchairs tend to be more durable, which is why they are ideal for families that live in rural areas or plan to spend a significant amount of time in the open air. When choosing a pushchair, look for reviews from parents who review the ease of use such as the weight of the pushchair and how easy it is to navigate. You should also be aware of the size of the base as well as whether your child is comfortable in it, particularly in the event that you plan to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs should be safe for infants and toddlers in order to prevent entrapment. Find a base that won't tip easily and make sure you can test the safety harness by putting weight on it or hanging bags from it, to determine how stable it feels. Also make sure the leg openings aren't enough to keep the legs of a baby from sliding through, and ensure that the handlebars are at waist-level or a bit lower for more comfortable use. A brake that's easy to operate and locks the back wheels is another important feature. You should look for a model with brakes built into the wheels instead of on the frame. This will help to stop pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers come with seats that recline into a flat position, making them ideal for newborns. It is recommended that babies lay flat for their first few months to allow head control and breathing reasons. However, some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat, but they don't actually offer this make sure you check.

Ensure the stroller has 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 the child from falling out of the stroller and also to protect the child from being pushed over or pushed away by cars or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller comes with a parking brake that's easy to activate and that locks the two front wheels. This will help to stop the stroller from rolling away while you're loading or unloading your child or stopping to take a break.

Comfort

If you're pushing your toddler around or carrying a shopping bag filled with nappies and takeaway coffee, you need to feel at ease when out and out and about. Picking a stroller with large, tough puncture-proof wheels that glide over rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will allow you to have the ability to do that.

A pushchair that is compact and folds easily will also help. It can be a pain to cram a large pushchair into the boot of your car or to struggle up a flight of stairs, particularly if you have a toddler with you. It's also worth thinking about the purpose for which you'll use it and what the weather will be like - so selecting a stroller with a hood that protects your little one from wind, rain and sunbeams is a great idea.

The final factor of comfort is the ease to steer and control the stroller. Watch out for our reviewers’ comments regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller pirouettes over different surfaces, and how easily it can be pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs have handy accessories to keep your baby cool or warm from fans to footmuffs. Certain brands even have their own nappy bags to help you travel with your baby.

To increase your flexibility, go for a travel system that includes the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with an adjustable seat that can be front-facing or parent-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. It is simple to remove and replace the car seat on the chassis without disturbing your baby. This is a great solution for those who are always moving and have to change their plans for travel.

Style

There are some commonalities between all the different kinds of strollers, buggies pushchairs and prams. Keep in mind that they're designed to transport your child from one point to B. Think about how you'll use it and choose features that fit your needs.

For instance, if going to spend lots of time on uneven surfaces, such as sand or muddy fields you might want an all-terrain stroller with big tough puncture proof wheels and suspension to make it more comfortable for your infant. If your baby gets hot after long walks, you may need to think about a shade that can shade them from the sunlight or a fan for them to 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. Some pushchairs come with a carrycot that flips to face you, or away from you. Others offer a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some also have a car seat adapter that is Isofix compatible, or are 3 in 1 systems so you can use them from the time of birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair, which lets you transport two children at the same at the same time. There are models with one or two separate seats, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. Many of our test subjects liked the idea of a double pushchair up to 25kg but discovered that some handlebar adjustment systems were difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating on an axis, which resulted in many pushing their hands closer to the frame. Other systems that telescopically move into and out of frame's sides were simpler to use, even for taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space available on a stroller or a pushchair will affect your decision to purchase it. Look at the space under the seat, in the footwell and in the basket to see how much you can fit. This is a crucial aspect if you plan to purchase additional accessories for your pushchair like a parent tray or a travel changing bag.

A tray for parents can make it easier to use the stroller by offering extra storage space for snacks and other necessities. It can also make the stroller bulky and difficult to fold. It is important to keep in mind that the majority of tray for parents have shallow cup holders. This can cause things to fall out of the tray while traveling or strolling.

If you intend to carry your baby until birth, you should consider buying a large-sized stroller that can accommodate the bassinet. These models come with larger storage baskets, canopies that cover the entire area and reclined seats. They tend to be more expensive than a compact stroller or a stroller that is lightweight.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines the ease of steering even when empty, and how well the Red Kite Quatro Stroller in Black: Stylish and Functional rolls over different surfaces like pavements or grass. It's worth noting that this quality decreases over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as an entire travel system, meaning they can be paired with an infant car seat, and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can make it easier to transition from pram to stroller as your child grows older and more independent, which is especially beneficial when you're running out of storage space at home.