Shopping for a pushchair is serious business. You want your child to be comfortable and safe – but you also want to make sure it folds up easily and is light enough to carry up a few steps.
So what should you look for in a good pushchair? In a Which? survey, 3,286 parents with a child under the age of 12 voted on the five features that are no-brainers.
We’ve rounded up these top essentials of a pram you shouldn’t compromise on, as well as pushchairs that have those features below.
1. ‘From Birth’ Seat
For newborns in need of constant sleep, a ‘from birth’ seat is recommended by parents. It means your baby can lay in the pram in the flattest position possible, which is advised.
This one from Mamas & Papas has a seat that reclines and a backrest of 150 degrees, which means you won’t need to fork out on a separate carry-cot.
2. Good Suspension
iCandy Orange, iCandy, £875
To ensure that all-important nap time goes smoothly (and without any bumps over rough terrain), parents say a pushchair with good suspension is important.
The iCandy Orange doesn’t come cheap but it’s suitable to hold babies up to 25kg and can convert from a single to double pushchair. It also allows you to navigate over all types of roads, pavements and surfaces.
3. A Reversible Seat Unit
According to parents, face-to-face contact with your baby is essential for bonding, as well as being a source of comfort for little ones.
The Demi Grow pushchair from Nuna has a seat unit that can be rear or forward-facing. It also features a removable (and extendable) canopy with an accompanying eyeshade, as well as a rain cover, removable shopping baskets and carry cot risers.
4. A Compatible Car Seat
Having a pushchair you can attach a car seat onto is not only more efficient and cost-effective, but will ensure you don’t wake up your sleeping baby when getting them in and out of the car.
This one from Silver Cross is compatible with a car seat and is able to carry three children when adding on its ride on-board feature. The height can be adjusted to bring your baby closer to you if you prefer.
5. A Pushchair Which Folds With The Seat Attached
Joolz Hub, Joolz, £579
It’s no surprise that the parents surveyed by Which said an easily foldable pram is vital – particularly one that doesn’t require removing the seat unit before folding it up. (It makes life that much easier on public transport.)
This one from Joolz folds compactly with the seat facing both rear of frontwards and can stand upright when folded. To keep everything in place, it also comes with a manual clip.
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