A Tesco guide to buying a pushchair
Buying a pushchair
Having a baby can be a bit overwhelming, as can deciding on all the equipment that arrives with the little one! The pushchair is one of the all-important things to get right and it maycan be one of the most expensive, so it should meet all your needs, be safe and practical. Here are some things you might want to consider before buying your baby or toddler's new transport:
Child's age and needs
Firstly, How old is the child you're buying for. The needs of a small baby are very different to those of a toddler, however, many pushchair models are designed to adapt as your child grows.
New-born babies need either a 2-in-1 pushchair with a seat that will fully recline flat, or a cot or travel system with a compatible car seat that fits onto a pushchair frame. Car seat pushchairs are handy as it avoids having to wake baby when moving to and from the car and pushchair.
If you have a toddler and a baby or twins, you will need to choose the type of double pushchair, either side by side or tandem (one in front of the other). Find out more about buying for two.
However old your child, the pushchair needs to be sturdy, comfortable, waterproof and well insulated for cold weather.
Your lifestyle
All parents lead different lifestyles and have different needs from their pushchair. Parents that mainly use a car or public transport to get around would benefit from a pushchair that's lightweight, compact and portable. For parents who are active and walk rather than drive, a sturdier pushchair with good suspension might be more important.
Getting around
Improved suspension and large wheels will provide a smoother, more cushioned ride, particularly important if you do a lot of walking. Swivel wheels make light work of negotiating crowds and tight spaces.
Weight
How far will you need to carry the pushchair and will you need to get on and off public transport? Unless you want Schwarzenegger biceps, weight is an important consideration when you're lugging the pushchair about a lot. You might really benefit from a lightweight easy to fold model.
Comfort
The right pushchair is ultimately all about baby's comfort. After all, an unhappy baby makes for a stressed out parent! There are lots of features designed for comfort so think about: adjustable seat positions, particularly a lie-back seat for newborns, well padded seat, sturdiness and weatherproof material.
Value for money
Some pushchairs will come with more accessories than others. Choose one that has what you really need.
Style of pushchair
Complete travel systems
The all-in-one car seat and pushchair that fit together.
Benefits:
- Suitable from birth
- All the benefits of a pushchair plus a car seat that fits onto the pushchair frame.
- Ideal if you don't want to wake baby! You can transport your little one to and from the car to the pushchair with little disturbance.
- Get a co-ordinating car seat to match your pushchair
2-in-1 pushchair
A pushchair that converts to a pram when fully reclined to allow your baby to have a sleep, and a pushchair when upright.
Benefits:
- Suitable from birth
- Can seat baby forward or rear facing
- Carry handles on the seat allow it to be lifted on and off in the carrycot position.
Forward facing pushchair
Perfect for showing off baby and allowing them to see where they're going, and versatile for mum and dad too! These lightweight, compact models may recline for newborns as well as adapt to older babies and toddlers.
Benefits:
- Most models have large swivel wheels for easy manoeuvrability.
- A simple folding mechanism allows quick and easy transportation, especially good for getting in and out of the car and for compact storage.
Stroller
Strollers are lightweight pushchairs so they are easierest to transport. Some recline fully flat so they can be used from birth, (young babies need to lie completely flat). Others with seats that partly recline are suitable for babies from 3 months, while from 6 months, it's safe for babies to use a non-reclining seat.
Benefits:
- Lightweight yet strong
- Available in a wide choice of styles
- Models that have lie-back adjustments are suitable for a newborn baby
- Easy to use and neatly fold for travelling and storing.
- Some models may have an optional car seat designed to fit onto the stroller's frame.
Three wheel pushchairs
These stylish sporty pushchairs are designed for country walking and even jogging with your baby. Most have soft tyres rather than gel-filled or solid tyres, designed to provide more suspension. However, they are more prone to puncture, something worth bearing in mind if you don't fancy getting a flat!
They are generally suitable for babies from 3 months as most partly recline and some even fully recline making them an option for newborns.
Benefits:
- Ideal for active/sporty parents
- Soft tyres and good suspension
- Many models have compatible car seats, an option for newborns if the pushchair seat is not fully reclinable.
Buying for two
If you're lucky enough to be expecting twins or if you already have a little one in the family, your pushchair may need to meet the needs of your newborn as well as the demands of an active toddler. There are tandem, twin and triple pushchairs for growing families.
Tandem pushchair
As the name suggests, these models seat one baby in front of the other rather than alongside. They are narrower than a twin pushchair but is obviously much longer so consider storage and fitting it in the car.
Benefits:
- Suitable for two children of different ages
- Independently adjustable seats
- Allows you to fully recline the rear seat for a newborn
- Fit an optional car seat to the frame.
Twin pushchair
Twin pushchairs are suitable for two babies or children up to four years old. Seats are normally independently adjustable and can be fully reclined in a range of positions.
Pushing two children is heavy work so you might want to go for a model that has three wheels for extra manoeuvrability and those that swivel and lock. However, check your car boot can accommodate a three wheeler. Or choose a model where the front wheels can be removed to save space.
Benefits:
- Suitable for two babies or children of different ages
- Side by side seats allow children to see each other and forward facing provides more visual stimulation for both children.
- Seats are independently adjustable and allow for a new baby to be fully reclined.
Buy a pushchair from Tesco.com
Play it safe
Now you've chosen the right pushchair for you, take a few minutes to know how to use it.
- Always apply the brake when your baby's in the pushchair and it's stationery.
- Strap the baby into the harness before you got out on the move and check the tyres.
- It's tempting to hang shopping bags onto the pushchair handles but don't! The weight is very likely to tip up the pushchair.
- Once indoors, remove the waterproof covers