Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who frequently take public transport or travel by plane, a lightweight and easy-touse pushchair is crucial. Look for a model that folds flat and compactly, and is machine-washable so that you can clean spilt drinks or leaky nappy staining.

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

Easy to Use

There are many different types of strollers and pushchairs that will suit all budgets and lifestyles. Some are light and compact and easy to fold and carry, while others feature an extra sturdy frame that's more durable for long walks or use on rough terrain. A lot of them come with a basket for your shopping items or a bag to change your clothes in so that you'll have everything that you need. Some are made for urban living, whereas others are made for country life or travelling across the globe.

Strollers are typically suitable for babies from birth, allowing them to recline in a flat position, which is recommended for their healthy lung and spinal development. Many can also attach a carrycot that is compatible with a car seat and are therefore travel systems and suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some offer extra design elements such as a height-adjustable handlebar for parents with different heights, and a large shopping basket or rain cover to keep your baby dry.

Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are more suitable for urban dwellers as they're usually lightweight and nimble, making them easy to maneuver. Four-wheel pushchairs are more durable, making them perfect for families who live in rural areas or who plan to spend a significant amount of time in the outdoors. When choosing a pushchair, you should look for reviews from other parents that comment on the ease of using it - for example, how much it weighs and how easy it is to steer. Also, consider the size of the base and whether your child is stable in it, particularly when you intend to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs must be safe for infants and toddlers to avoid getting trapped. 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 test how stable it is. Also, make sure that the leg openings are small enough to prevent the legs of a child from sliding through and that the handles are at waist level or slightly lower for more comfortable use. A brake that is easy to operate and locks the back wheels is another essential feature. You should look for a model that has brakes that are integrated into the wheels rather than on the frame. This will help stop pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers have seats that recline to a lie-flat position which makes them suitable for newborns. It is recommended that babies lay flat for their first few months for breathing and head control reasons. Some pushchairs may be described as having a reclined seat, however, they aren't. Make sure you check.

Make sure the stroller is equipped with a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and one for the crotch) Similar to the ones used in car seats. This is crucial to prevent children from falling out of the stroller and helps to prevent the child from being pushed over or pushed out by cars or other pedestrians.

Make sure the stroller has a parking brake that's easy to activate and that locks the front wheels. This will stop the stroller from rolling away when you are unloading or loading a child, or stopping to rest.

Comfort

You want to be comfortable regardless of whether you're pushing your toddler or carrying a bag of nappies and takeaway coffee. Picking a stroller with large robust, wheels that are puncture-proof and can easily glide over rough terrain, and a smooth suspension will ensure you do just that.

A compact pushchair and folds easily can help. It can be a pain to cram a large pushchair into the boot of your car, or to climb up a flight stairs, especially when you have a toddler with you. It's also worth thinking about what you'll be using it for and what the weather will be like. So choosing a stroller that has a hood that protects your child from rain, wind and sunbeams is an excellent idea.

The final aspect to consider is how easy it is to navigate and control. Look out for our reviewers' feedback on maneuverability, which take into consideration things like how well a stroller pirouettes across various surfaces and how it is easy to push it up hills.

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

A travel system gives you more flexibility. It is comprised of a stroller chassis (called the chassis) and a seat unit which can be positioned either front-facing or parent-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. You can take the car seat out and on the chassis as needed without having to wake your baby. This is the perfect solution for parents who are always moving and have to change their travel plans.

Style

There are a few commonalities among all the different types of buggies, strollers, pushchairs and prams. The most important thing to keep in mind is that they're made to take your baby from A to B. Consider how you will use it and choose features that fit your needs.

For example, if you're likely to spend a lot of time walking on uneven surfaces such as fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you may want an all-terrain pushchair with big, tough puncture-proof wheels and suspension to ensure it is more comfortable for your baby. If your child gets hot after long walks, you may want to consider a parasol that will shade them from the sun or a fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs let you choose to have your baby to face you to provide reassurance or to look outwards to explore the world. Some pushchairs have a carrycot that can be flipped to face you, or away from you. Some also have a lie-flat recline for newborns. Some have an adapter for car seats that is Isofix compatible, or are 3 in 1 systems that allow you to use them from birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair that allows you to transport two children at the same simultaneously. There are models with one or two separate seats, are Kinderkraft TRIG2 Lightweight Stroller in Pink - Birth to 24kg 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, but discovered that some adjusters for the handlebars were difficult to operate with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point and this caused many to push their hands towards the frame. Some systems that permit 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 can influence your decision to purchase it. Examine the space underneath the seat as well as in the footwell and in the large basket to determine the amount of space you can squeeze in. If you plan to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, like the tray for parents or a travel changing bag, this will be a major consideration.

A tray for parents can improve the ease of use by offering additional storage space for snacks as well as other essentials. However, it could also add weight to the stroller as well as its folding dimensions, making it heavy and awkward. It's also important to keep in mind that the majority of tray for parents have shallow cup holders, which could cause items to fall out of the tray during travel or while strolling.

You should consider purchasing a large, bassinet-compatible stroller for if you intend to carry your baby from birth. These models come with bigger storage baskets, canopy with full coverage and reclining seats. However, they usually come with the price of a stroller that is significantly higher than a lightweight or compact stroller.

Maneuverability is an essential feature of any stroller. It determines how it is easy to steer even when empty and how smoothly it moves over different surfaces like pavements or grass. It is important to note that this quality degrades over time as your baby grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are designed to work as a complete travel system, meaning they can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat and transformed into an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can help ease the transition from stroller to pram as your child ages and more independent, which is especially beneficial if you're short on storage space at home.