Choosing the right pram, pushchair or buggy (whichever term you prefer!) can often be a daunting prospect for new parents. With so many different styles, shapes and sizes of pushchair on the market, it is difficult to know what the best size is, how easy it is to use, what provides the most protection for baby or what design will best suit your lifestyle.
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With this in mind, experts at Britax have put together useful tips to help you make a well-informed choice.
Britax says: “Before embarking on buying a new pushchair, remember that there are two key things to take into consideration – your child's needs and your lifestyle requirements. Believe it or not, it is possible to tick all the boxes; it just takes a little research and testing."
So, here are some key things to consider when pram shopping:
Your child's needs -
1. If you have a newborn baby, the pushchair you choose should have a full lie-back seat unit. This is a much safer option for baby and will help to protect the soft bones in their neck whilst travelling.
2. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution that can be used over a longer period of time and with multiple children then travel systems present the best option. These often cater for newborns up until approximately four years of age, adapting to suit the changing needs of babies’, particularly through the early stages of development and growth. The ability to buy one frame that lasts and simply click and change the various carriers, sleepers and carrycots is a huge advantage – both so parents can update the pushchair seats as their children grow and so they can move baby to and from the car without disturbance.
3. If you’re buying a pushchair or stroller for a slightly older child, you may want to look at getting some additional accessories such as snack and activity trays, which will help to keep them entertained on their travels as they become more active and playful.
4. If you have two children, you’ll need to find a pushchair that suits the needs of both siblings. If they are of a similar age, you may want to think about a side-by-side double pushchair, however if one is slightly older and bigger than the other, it might be better to look at a tandem buggy. It is designed so that the older/bigger child sits at the front of the buggy and the smaller, infant child can lie in a seat behind them.
Your lifestyle -
1. It is important to find a pushchair that compliments your everyday lifestyle, whether that involves hopping from bus to train in a city environment, taking long walks in the countryside or strolling round the shops. If you’re an inner-city mum, something lightweight and easily collapsible is the ideal option! Alternatively, for off-road walking, something with textured tyres and better suspension will ensure baby has a smoother ride on even the toughest of surfaces.
2. If you do a lot of travelling in the car or on public transport, make sure you choose something light, compact and easy to fold down to make the experience as pain free as possible. Innovative pushchair models come with one-handed pull fold mechanisms and automatic fold, making it simple to fold the buggy flat whilst holding on to baby.
Keep all this in mind and you should end up with a product that works just as well for you as it does for baby. Good luck and happy shopping!
For more information on pushchairs, please visit Britax at www.britax.co.uk