What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat
A pushchair is an infant chair with wheels designed for babies as young as 6 months. They usually come with a seat that can recline to lay flat, and a five-point harness.
Some
pushchairs can be used right from birth by adding the appropriate carrycot or car seat to create an entire travel system. This lets your child move effortlessly from the car to the pushchair, without being interrupted.
Safety
There are a variety of safety features that you should consider when selecting a car seat to use as a pushchair. It is essential that the car seat you select is compliant with British standards and regulations, regardless of whether it's a new model or a second-hand model.
Check that your pushchair meets BS 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 prior to you purchase it. This will ensure that it's safe for infants and children to ride in. This includes ensuring that it's fitted with an effective locking device and that the brakes are operating effectively (check them regularly).
When selecting a pushchair car seat, it's also important to choose a seat that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is crucial for infants because research has shown that babies who spend a large amount of time in a seated position can have breathing problems. This is because their airways are impeded by the curly design of the car seat, and they struggle to get oxygen.
If you prefer, you can choose a baby car seat that is able to snap onto the frame of your pushchair as part of a travel system bundle. This will make the transition from car to stroller much simpler since you don't have to wake up your child every time you change modes of transport.
Some of the best pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection too. This is designed to decrease the force of a collision by providing extra padding and energy-absorbing materials to protect your baby's head, shoulders and chest. This kind of protection is especially important in the event an accident on the side which could be dangerous for babies.
A top tether strap is another important safety feature to look out for because it prevents the car seat from swaying forward in the event of an accident. It also can reduce the chance of head strikes. Make sure your child's pushchair comes with this since it's a legal requirement in all coach-built car seats.
Easy of Use
A pushchair car seat is among the most frequently used baby products so it's important to have a seat that is comfortable and convenience features. There are many accessories available, whether it's a cushion that is comfortable for the baby or an adjustable handlebar to suit parents.
Some pushchairs include a carrycot which is perfect for newborns. It lets them sleep in a lie-flat position, which is recommended for their health and development. If they get older it is possible to have a carrycot converted into a pushchair seat. Most can also be used with the base of a car seat.
Look for a pushchair that can be folded quickly and compactly so that it can fit into small spaces or in the boot of your vehicle. Some models fold with the seat tucked in making it much simpler to use. There are many different brake options that are available based on your lifestyle. A foot brake is perfect for everyday use, and an active hand brake is useful when you're frequently stopping and starting on busy roads. There are also jogger-style pushchairs with three wheels that help you maintain the momentum when you go uphill or downhill.
Most 'from-birth' pushchairs let you choose which direction the seat faces either towards the parent or world facing. The option to change this can be done by simply putting the seat onto the chassis. The Doona however, is a game changer because it allows you to select both. You can either insert the infant car seats into the Doona, and then recline the seat to a fully flat position for babies, or sit it upright as a stroller. It's an incredible feature that works with or without the base of your vehicle and can even be used on planes and trains!
If you are planning on traveling frequently or using ride share cars, a lightweight and easy to install seat is a must. Make sure that the base can be pushed in and out quickly and think about purchasing a travel system bundle which includes all the essentials.
Style
The style of a pushchair is a very personal choice and it's not difficult to find something that suits both parent and baby. You can choose sleek, sophisticated design or something more striking and exciting, based on your taste and budget. Top brands provide a wide selection of choices and you can pick from something modern and colourful or traditional and contemporary.
You'll also have to think about how much you're willing to spend on your
pushchair car seat as it's likely to be among your most expensive baby purchases. Many parents decide to buy a travel system that has both a car seat as well as the carrycot. This is the ultimate in comfort and convenience for families who are always traveling.
A lot of pushchairs come with a lie-flat seat option that allows newborns to rest in a flat position that is recommended by experts as it helps with spinal and lung development. Some brands go the extra mile and offer a premium one-handed reclining system that allows you to simply press a button to recline your pushchair's seat to a more comfortable sitting position.
Some models come with adjustable footrests, handlebars, and other features to let you customize them to your child's evolving requirements. Some models come with a convertible chair that can be turned upside down so your child can sit in front of you to bond and assure them or go out into the world to explore.
Some brands also offer a variety of accessories for pushchairs, including feetmuffs for colder temperatures and sun parasols to shield your little one from the sun. A sunshade can prevent your baby from overheating.
The best pushchair car seats come with a five-point harness that is designed to restrain your child's shoulders and hips, the most rigid points on their body. This is the safest and secure method of restraining your child in their pushchair and you should only ever use pushchair car seats equipped with this type of safety harness. There are new one-pull systems, like the Cybex
pram stores near me, that allow you to precisely fit your child's seatbelt using only one pull. This ensures a safe and secure fitting.
Storage
There's no denying that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. To ensure that you have enough space pick an infant car seat that has a large storage bin along with a tray for parents as well as cup holders for your child's seat. This will allow you to keep your essentials close at fingertips when you're on the go.
Look for models with a canopy built-in to protect your child from the weather. Other handy features include locking swivel front wheels to provide you with more maneuverability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold so it is super-easy to store when not in use.
The ultimate in convenience and security, a Doona travel system bundle lets you to effortlessly move your child from the car seat to the pushchair without causing any disturbance. The Doona ISOFIX base secures to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle and then clicks onto the frame of the pushchair. This innovative system means you'll be ready go right from birth, thereby and save time on daily
running pushchair errands.
The egg3 is a different option. This award-winning travel system allows you to put your infant in a car seat at the time they are born. You can then switch them to the pushchair when they reach the appropriate age. With adaptors for car seats that are compatible with the majority of major brands, this model is the best option for those who don't own a car.
If you're expanding your family or have twins, the egg3 has the versatility to convert to tandem with the optional egg2/
3 in 1 pram tandem adaptors. The egg car seat comes with intelligent SensorSafe technology that will alert you in real-time via your smartphone in case of four possible dangers. These include unexpected chest clip buckles that are not secured, temperatures too cold or warm in the carrier, or your baby sitting for too long.
If you're looking to make sure your pushchair is in good condition for the next trip out, you should consider purchasing a hood refresh kit or a thorough clean service. Begin by vacuuming, and then wiping the hood down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilising fluid, making sure to dry the fabric in the sun.
