Part of the excitement of becoming a parent is going on that necessary spending splurge — all the stuff you need to keep your baby happy, healthy, and most importantly, safe. Toys, nappies, muslin towels, baby proofing equipment… You need a whole world of stuff. But the biggest buy is the pushchair.
Here’s a first-time parenting tip: You need a pushchair to suit your lifestyle needs — one that’s easy to manoeuvre through a bustling city, for instance, or one that’s lightweight if you’re a frequent traveller. Plus, you want a pushchair that will go the distance, from newborn to toddler.
If you’re already up to your elbows in milk formula and teensy-weensy babygrows, you might not have the time to research the best model. But we can help steer you towards the best choice for you and your baby.
How much does a pushchair cost?
When you’re on a budget — and parents-to-be are always on a budget — it’s important to know how much you’ll spend. Like many things, you can find a pushchair at various prices, from around the £100 mark to well over £1,000. It’s a case of getting what you pay for. There are good pushchairs available for a lower price (you’ll find some below, in fact) but buying too cheap can be a false economy. It’s worth paying for a good quality model that will withstand all the bumps, adventures, and miles.
What’s better, a pram or pushchair?
The simple answer is, well, both. A pram is for newborn babies, essentially a bassinet on wheels, while a pushchair is for growing babies and toddlers. The beauty of modern prams and pushchairs is that they’re not mutually exclusive. Most models will convert between the two styles, with the option to attach and detach a bassinet/carry cot. The kicker is that not all pushchairs come with the carry cot attachment, so you may have to pay extra.
How long will a pushchair last?
A good quality pushchair should last from newborn to toddler. In fact, it should be hardy enough to do it all over again if you have more kids. Hey, if you mums and dads can manage to do it all again, why not the pushchair? If you want to be sure that the pushchair will continue to support your baby as they grown into a toddler, check out how much weight it supports. Most will support up to around 20-22kg. The average weight of a two-year-old is about 12kg. That should give you some idea.
What are the most important pushchair features?
There are plenty of other features to think about before making a purchase. For starters, the look of your pushchair is important. We’re not saying you should sacrifice safety for style, but nobody wants to show off their newborn in an ugly chair. Fortunately, there are now lots of trendy brands with pushchairs that look great.
You also need to consider how a pushchair actually moves, because you will actually have to push the thing from time to time. Will you be taking your pushchair off-road, or keeping to the pavements? Is it lightweight enough to navigate shops and busy areas?
All of this is important, but nothing comes above keeping your little one safe and comfortable. If a pushchair can’t offer safety in abundance, then it’s really not worth your time. A good idea is to thoroughly check out the reviews of any product, to see what other parents think. If any product is lacking in this department, the reviews will be damning.
What is the best pushchair?
The great news for anyone looking to invest in a pushchair is that there is loads of choice. The bad news is that this makes picking one product particularly tough. We know how hard it can be, so we’ve helped you out with a selection of the best pushchairs from across the internet.
There are the best pushchairs, prams, and buggies for 2024.
Mashable Read More
The best pushchairs, prams, and buggies for parents.
