Many brands sell baby pushchairs, buggies, strollers and prams so searching for the most suitable option for your baby can be a daunting task. If youre about to have your first child you probably wont have gone through this process before so it can feel quite difficult, as there so many brands and styles to choose between.

To make things less frightening here are some tips about what to look for when choosing the perfect baby pushchair for you and your baby.

Functionality

Firstly you need to think about whether you need a pushchair, a buggy, a pram, a stroller or a complete travel system. This decision is based on the age of your child (a newborn needs to lie flat), how you travel (do you need a car seat that can be transfered to your pushchair frame), when and where youll be using it (every day, around town, on holiday, etc). On holiday you might want a lightweight stroller but for every day use you may want a complete travel system that incorporates a pushchair, a carrycot that can make a pram, and a car seat.

Kids

What kind of pushchair you need also depends on how many children you have or how many you plan on having. Do you need a twin or a tandem pushchair, or the option to add another seat in the future? Or do you want the option to add a ride-on board that attaches to the baby pushchair?

Budget

You should set a budget, as prices can vary vastly, and then look for models that fall within that budget. Some brands are more expensive than others but you can get some excellent, good-value-for-money models. Look around and do some research comparing prices but remember that this is an important investment.

Lightweight or Heavy

Have a look at the difference in weight between pushchairs as some are heavier than others. You can get some very lightweight pushchairs now so it’s worth considering this if you are going to be lifting and carrying it a lot on your own.

Movement

This is an important consideration depending on where you’ll be using it. Off-road, in the countryside or on the beach or over bumpy terrain you need to make sure the front wheel is lockable but for getting in and out of tight spaces, in and out of shops, you need a swivel front wheel.

Size

Remember to check out the size of the pushchair when folded and unfolded. Think about where you might be planning to store it at home and if you’ll be getting it in and out of the car check whether it will easily fit into your boot, especially if you have a small car.

Design

Although its vitally important to consider all the practical and functional features of pushchairs its also important to think about what style you like as its something you will probably be using and looking at every day. Styles of pushchairs also vary based on what usage or terrain theyre aimed at, e.g. 3-wheelers tend to be more sporty, with large pneumatic wheels for rough terrain. But there are now all sorts of styles available, in 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers, from contemporary to classic, minimalist to chunky, pretty to funky, etc.

Extras

If you just want to buy a basic pushchair to start with its worth looking at whether you can you add extras to it at a later date. Such as a car seat or carrycot that attaches to the frame, or an extra seat or a ride-on board if you have another baby. Some brands have lots of matching accessories that can be bought separately and as your needs change you can adapt your pushchair. Most also come with some accessories such as a matching rain cover, sun hood and a bag or basket. Check whats included in the price and what optional extras you can buy separately.

Child Comfort

Think about how comfortable the pushchair will be for your child by checking whether the seat has multiple positions, whether there is an adjustable foot rest, adjustable straps and a headrest. Also think about which way you’d like your child to face as some seats are forward facing, some face the rear and some have the option to turn the seat around.

Parental Comfort

Your baby’s comfort is of the utmost importance but as you’ll be doing the pushing it’s important to think about how you’ll feel too. Check out the height of the handles and whether they’re adaptable and try pushing to test the weight. Think about where you’ll be pushing it most and how easy the terrain will be.

You may have other needs to take into consideration but these tips should provide you with a starting point to do some research. Take your time and look at all the features on each pushchair and you should get the best baby pushchair for you and your children.

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