Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who frequently take public transport or travel by plane, a lightweight and user-friendly pushchair is crucial. Look for one that folds flat and compactly and is machine-washable to deal with spilled drinks or leaky nappy stains.

We love strollers that glide easily across pavements and can be mounted on kerbs with ease. Look for car seat attachements that can be installed by themselves, as well as a handlebar which can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all heights.

Easy to Use

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Some are lightweight and compact, making them easy to fold and transport, while others feature solid frames that are more durable for long walks and use on rough terrain. Many come with a basket to carry your shopping, or a bag for changing clothes so you'll have everything you require. Some are designed to be used in urban areas, whereas others are intended for traveling or country living.

Strollers are typically suitable for babies from birth, allowing them to recline in a flat posture, which is recommended for their healthy lung and spinal development. Many strollers can be fitted with a carrycot or infant seat to make them travel systems. They are suitable for infants up to toddlers. Certain models come with additional design features, like the ability to adjust the height of the handbar for parents with various heights, or a large basket or rain cover to help keep your baby dry.

Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are better for city dwellers, as they're usually lightweight, agile and easy to maneuver. Four-wheel pushchairs are generally more durable, making them ideal for families living in rural areas or are planning to spend a significant amount of time in the open air. Find reviews from parents who express their opinions on how easy the stroller is to use - like how much it weighs or how easy it can be to steer. It's also important to consider the size of the base and if it's stable enough for your child to use, particularly if you're planning to take the stroller off-road or on rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers pushchairs must be safe for infants and toddlers to prevent entrapment or other injuries. Make sure you choose a sturdy base that isn't likely to tip and make sure you can test the safety harness by putting weight on it or hanging bags from it to determine how stable it is. Check that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough to ensure that a child's legs aren't slipping through. Also, make sure the handlebars sit at waist level or just below to allow for a more ergonomic use. A brake that is simple to operate and locks the back wheels is another essential feature. It is recommended to look for a model with brakes built into the wheels rather than on the frame. This will help prevent pinch points and choking dangers.

Many strollers have a seat that reclines into a lie-flat position which makes them suitable for babies. For better control of the head and breathing it is recommended that infants lay flat for the first few months. However, some pushchairs advertise having a reclining seat, but do not actually have this feature, so 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 protect the child from falling out and being pulled out by vehicles or pedestrians.

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

Comfort

Whether you're pushing your child around or carrying a shopping cart packed with nappies and a takeaway coffee, you need to feel at ease when out and out and about. Picking a stroller with large sturdy, puncture-proof wheels that can glide across rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will help you have the ability to do that.

A pushchair that folds up easily and compactly will also help. It can be a pain to cram a large pushchair in the trunk of your car, or to struggle up a flight of stairs, especially when you have a child with you. Think about what you intend to use it for, as well as the conditions. A stroller that has an hood can shield your child from the elements of wind, rain, and sunbeams.

The final comfort factor is how easy it is to steer and control the stroller. Keep an eye out for our reviewers' comments regarding maneuverability. This includes things like how the stroller pirouettes over various surfaces and how it is able to be easily pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs come with accessories that can help keep your baby warm or cool like fans and footmuffs. Some brands even have their own nappy changing bags to make travelling with baby even simpler.

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

Style

While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that all have in common. The most important thing to remember is that they're made to transport your child from A to B. Think about how you will use it and select features that fit your needs.

For instance, if you're likely to spend a lot of time on uneven surfaces like fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you may 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 baby gets hot on long walks you may want to consider a parasol to shield 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 is facing you for reassurance or the world to see it. Some carrycots have a seat unit that can flip to face you or away from you. Additionally, some offer an all-flat recline that is suitable for babies. Some have a car adapter, Isofix compatibility or 3 in 1 systems that you can use from birth.

Another option is a twin pushchair which allows you to transport two children at the simultaneously. There are models that have two or one seat that are independent that are light and compact, with plenty of storage, larger canopy, and a more easily 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 with just one hand. Some adjust by rotating on the pivot point, which led to many pushing their hands closer to the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically move into or out of the frame were simpler to use for taller parents.

Storage

The amount of storage space in a stroller can influence your decision to buy it. Examine the space underneath the seat, in the footwell and strollers pushchairs in the basket to determine the amount of space you can squeeze in. If you plan to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, such as a parent's tray or a Nania Romy Travel System 3 in 1 - Grey: Ultimate Baby Travel Companion changing bag, this will be a major consideration.

A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing additional storage space for snacks as well as other essentials. It can make the stroller heavy and difficult to fold. It is important to keep in mind that the majority of tray for parents feature small cup holders. This can cause items to fall out of the tray when you travel or walking.

Consider buying a full-sized stroller that can be used with a bassinet if you plan to carry your baby's weight from birth. These models come with larger storage baskets, fully-covered canopy and reclining seats. However, they often have a price tag that's substantially higher than a compact or lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is an essential characteristic of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty, and how well it rolls across different surfaces, such as 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 as an entire travel system which means they can be paired with an infant car seat and converted to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This makes the transition from stroller to pram easier as your child grows.