Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

A light and easy-to-use pushchair stroller is essential to those who often use public transportation or hop on and off flights. Find models that fold into a compact and flat shape and is machine-washable to deal with spilled drinks and leaky nappies stains.

We love strollers which effortlessly glide across the pavement and can be mounted on kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachments that can be installed by themselves, as well as a handlebar which can be adjusted to accommodate parents of any height.

Simple to Use

There are many different types of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are lightweight and compact, making them easy to fold and move and store, while others feature solid frames that are more durable for long walks and use on uneven terrain. Many also feature a basket for shopping or a changing bag so you can carry everything you require with you. Some are made for city living, while others are designed for rural living or traveling to other countries.

Strollers are generally suitable for babies from birth, allowing them to recline in a flat position, which is recommended for healthy 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. Certain models come with extra design features, such as the ability to adjust the height of the handbar for parents with different heights or a large basket or rain cover that can help keep your baby dry.

Generally, three-wheel pushchairs work ideal for urban dwellers, as they're usually lightweight, agile and easy to maneuver. Four-wheeled pushchairs buggies 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, read reviews from parents who review the ease of use such as how heavy it is and how easy it is to navigate. It's also important to consider how large the base and if it's stable enough for your child to use, particularly if you intend to take the holiday pushchair off-road or on rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers must be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid entrapment or other injuries. Look for a wide 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 see how stable it is. Make sure that the leg openings on the stroller are narrow enough so that a child's legs don't slide through. Also, make sure the handlebars are placed at waist level or slightly below for ergonomic use. Another crucial feature is brakes that lock the rear wheels and is simple to use. It is recommended to look for a model with brakes that are integrated into the wheels instead of being on the frame. This will help to avoid pinch points and choking dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline to an upright position, which makes them suitable for infants. For better control of the head and breathing, it is recommended that babies lay flat for the first few months. Some pushchairs can be described as having a reclined seat however, they aren't. Check carefully.

Make sure that the stroller is fitted with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps for the shoulders, two for the thighs and one around the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is crucial to prevent a child from falling out of the stroller and helps to prevent the child from being pushed over or pushed away by passing vehicles or other pedestrians.

Check that the stroller has an easy parking brake that is easy to activate and that locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving away when you are loading or unloading a child or stopping to rest.

Comfort

You'll want to feel comfortable, whether you're pushing your toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and coffee to take home. This can be achieved by selecting a stroller that has large, tough, puncture-proof tires that are able to glide over rough terrain. It must also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.

A pushchair that is small and folds easily can be helpful. It can be difficult to squeeze a large pushchair in the trunk of your car, or to climb up a flight stairs, especially when you have a toddler along with you. Think about what you intend to use it for, and the weather conditions. A stroller that has a hood will protect your child from rain, wind and sunbeams.

The final factor of comfort is how easy it is to control and steer the stroller. Be sure to check out our reviewers' comments regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how the stroller pirouettes over various surfaces and how easily it can be pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs include accessories that can help keep your baby cool or warm - such as footmuffs and fans. Some brands even have their own nappy changing bags to 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 front-facing or parent-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat out and put it on the chassis when required without having to wake your baby. This is the perfect solution for parents who are always moving and have to alter their journey plans.

Style

Although the jargon surrounding strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that all of them have in common. The most important thing to remember is that they're made to take your baby from A to B. Consider how you'll use it and then look for features that will suit your lifestyle.

For instance, if you're likely to spend a lot of time on uneven surfaces, such as sand or muddy fields you may want an all-terrain pushchair that has large, sturdy puncture proof wheels and suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your baby 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 have adjustable seat positions so you can choose whether your baby faces you to give them a sense of security or the world to discover it. Some pushchairs have a carrycot that can be turned to face you or away from you. Others offer the option of a lie-flat recline for infants. Some also have a car seat adapter that is Isofix compatible, or are three-in-one systems, which means you can use them from birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair, which allows you to carry two children at the same at the same time. There are models with one or two separate seat units, which are light and compact with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more movable wheels. Several of our testers liked the idea of a double pushchair however discovered that some handlebar adjustment systems were difficult to operate using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around an axis, which led to many pushing their hands closer to the frame. Some systems that permit parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were more convenient to use for taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space in a stroller will affect your decision to buy pushchair it. Check the space available under the seat, the footwell, and the large basket. This is a major aspect if you plan to buy additional pushchair accessories, such as the tray for parents or a travel changing bag.

A parent tray can increase the ease of use by offering additional storage space for snacks as well as other necessities. It can make the stroller heavy and difficult to fold. It is important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents come with small pushchair cup holders. This can cause things to fall from the tray while traveling or strolling.

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

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer when empty and how smoothly it moves across different surfaces, like pavements or grass. This quality will degrade as you and your child grow, and the weight of the stroller increases.

Some pushchairs are made to function as a complete travel system, meaning they can be used with an infant car seat and changed to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can ease the transition from stroller to pram as your child ages and is particularly beneficial when you're running out of storage space at home.