What to Look For in Push Chairs and Prams

The world of push chairs and prams can seem confusing. Prams have a flat, padded seat that is designed to carry infants and babies.

Some prams come with a bassinet or carrycot for infants. Some can be converted into a pushchair when the baby is older.

If you are planning to use public transport or fold your pushchair regularly, choose a lightweight and compact pushchair.

Comfort

Your pushchair is likely to be utilized more often than your nappies and bottles. As such, it's important to ensure that your child is comfortable on every trip by choosing one with plenty of padding as well as an upholstered seat that can be adjusted for the height of your child.

It's also worth noting that many prams or buggies are equipped with a fitted pram blanket that helps to keep your child warm. They are easy to wash and come in a variety of designs and colours.

A pram is designed for newborn babies up to around six months old, while they're still at a stage that they must lie flat, often with a bassinet or carrycot attached to the frame. Many prams allow the choice of either 'parent' facing or 'world-facing. This allows you to choose whether you prefer your child to face you in order to bond with you, or to explore the sights and sounds in their environment. Some prams are able to be converted into pushchairs, like the iCandy Peach 7 - a deluxe single to double pushchair that is suitable from birth (with carrycot) and up to 25kg (15kg on elevators).

The most important thing to keep in mind is that babies who are very young should not travel in any pushchair that doesn't recline completely to a flat position. This is because being in a crouched up position can impact their breathing as it causes them to inhale more air than normal and could lead to breathing problems in the long term.

A pushchair is a chair that folds down into a small space. It's designed for older babies and toddlers. They're often made from more durable materials than a pram, and you can usually find models that let you change the direction of the seat so that your child can either face you to feel safe or away from you so that they can explore the world around them.

Safety

The safety of your child in a pram or pushchair is crucial. It is best to only place your child in a pram or pushchair specifically designed for their size and age. This will help them feel safe and secure and will help prevent accidents. If you're purchasing a pushchair or pram that you've found second-hand it is essential to conduct visual safety inspections. This will ensure that it's in good condition and not damaged in any way that could pose a risk for your child.

When choosing the right pram or pushchair, choose one that has an safety harness with quick and easy clips. Verify that the buckles are not loose and that the straps are snugly around your baby's waist. Find models that have a larger base as they will be more stable than those with a narrow base.

Beware of overloading your pushchair and pram with items. This could cause it to tip over and your baby might fall out. Do not put anything that can hurt your baby in the basket, including drinks, snacks, and toys.

Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer when cleaning your stroller or pram. If you are cleaning the fabric or the hood of your pram, be sure you dry it outside thoroughly. This will stop mildew or mould from developing.

If your pram or twin pushchair pushchair has a removable footmuff it's best to wash it before you use it again in winter. This can be done by removing the fabric, washing it in cool water with soap and letting it dry outside. It's also a good idea to brush any dirt or mud off the wheels and axles.

Experts suggest that infants lie down as soon as they can in a pram or pushchair. This will help their development and lessen back problems later in life.

Under the General Product Safety Regulations of 2005, retailers and manufacturers are required to supply products that are suitable for normal or predictable use. This is the case for new pushchairs and prams as well as second-hand ones.

Style

While some parents are looking for the most practical set of wheels that they can find Many parents want an infant stroller or pushchair that's as stylish as their new baby. There are plenty of prams and pushchairs that are high-quality available that combine quality engineering with fetching designs that are as eye-catching as they are practical.

When choosing the right pushchair or pram, the first thing you need to be thinking about is the padding for the seat. A pushchair that is simple to clean will be important for infants, who can be messy. This is particularly true when you intend to take long walks in rough terrain or over dirt, gravel and cobbles. Look for a pushchair with removable recline and seat covers that can be washed by machine. Check that the fabric is also breathable to keep your baby comfortable and dry.

You should also consider the direction your baby will be facing in their pushchair. Most 'from-birth' pushchairs let you switch the seat between facing parents (facing the parent to reassure and bond) or to the world, to let your child explore the world. Some prams also have this option, but it's not a requirement for all models.

Combination prams are also referred to as 3-in-1 prams. They are popular with families because they can fit bassinet baskets on the same frame. They are often designed to be used starting at birth and are suitable for babies up to six months.

A travel system is similar to a combination stroller in that it permits you to attach car seats to the frame, using adaptors. They are ideal for infants and toddlers from birth to three years old and can be cheaper than buying separate items.

Twin prams or pushchairs are a ideal choice for twins or siblings of the same age who both require transportation in comfort and safety. They come in a variety of styles and can be fitted with either a single car seat or a double.

Storage

As well as offering security and comfort for your child, a pram or pushchair needs to offer plenty of storage for all the essentials. Find models with a spacious shopping basket that can hold all your baby supplies, including spare clothes, changing gear, bottles of water and snacks. Some also include a parent or child's compartment which is ideal for storing all your personal belongings. If you're looking for a pram with even more storage consider a convertible pushchair that offers different configurations. Extra space is important especially if you want to take your child for long walks or leave home.

Maneuvrability is an additional feature to take into consideration. Choose swivels wheels to navigate through narrow passageways with ease. Also, look for locking brakes that have a receptive stopping power. If you're thinking of a light model, make sure it has the correct suspension and folding dimensions to allow for easy storage and transport. If you're looking for something more sturdy for off-road travel, choose one with sturdy all-terrain wheels that are able to cope with rougher surfaces than pavements.

The main difference between a pram versus a pushchair is that a pushchair offers the option of a lying-flat sleep position for infants, whereas the pushchair is better suited to older babies and toddlers who are able to sit up on their own. Some prams can be transformed into a pushchair simply by removing the bassinet and replacing it with a seat while other models, such as the Bababing Raffi complete bundle are all-in-one models that can be converted into a car seat or carrycot.

If you are unsure about the type of pushchair or pram to pick look up reviews on the internet and ask friends and family for suggestions. If you can, test drive a few models prior to making your choice to get an idea of how they feel and fold, and how heavy they are. Consider a convertible vehicle, which is suitable for one or two children. This will save you money as you don't have to purchase a new set of wheels each time your child grows.