9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Pushchair Car Seat

What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is a baby chair with wheels specifically designed for babies as young as 6 months. They typically have a seat that can recline and lie flat, and come with a five-point harness.

Some pushchairs can be used from birth by adding an appropriate carrycot or car seat to create an entire travel system. This allows your baby to easily move from car to pushchair, without causing disturbance.

Safety

There are a variety of security features to look for when choosing the right car seat for your pushchair. If you're thinking of buying a brand new or second-hand model, it's important to ensure that the model you choose is in line with the necessary British standards and regulations.

Check if your pushchair complies with BS 197409/1996 or BS 1888:2003. This will ensure that it's safe for babies and children to use. This includes ensuring that it has a locking device that is safe and that the brakes function properly.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's worth looking for one that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is especially important for newborns, as research has shown that young babies who spend a lot of time in an upright position may have difficulty breathing. This is due to the fact that their airways are restricted due to the squishy design of the car seat and they struggle to absorb oxygen.

You can also choose a baby car seat that snaps onto the chassis of your pushchair as part of a travel system bundle. This allows you to switch between your stroller and car simpler, as you won't have to wake your baby up every time you need to switch between modes of transport.

A few of the top pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection, too. This is designed to reduce impact force by supplying additional padding, energy-absorbing materials and also protecting your baby's shoulders, chest, and head. This type of protection is particularly important in the event of collisions with the sides which could be deadly for young babies.

A top tether strap is an additional useful security feature to search for to prevent the car seat from whipping forward in an accident, and can reduce the risk of head injuries. Make sure your child's pushchair has this feature, as it's a legal requirement in all car seats that are coach-built.

Easy of Use

A pushchair car seat is among the most commonly used baby items so it's essential to have a seat that is comfortable and prams convenience features. Whether that's a comfortable seat padding for baby or a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents, there are plenty of accessories to choose from!

Some pushchairs come with the option of a carrycot, which is perfect for infants. It lets them rest in a reclining position, which is recommended for their health and development. A carrycot can be swapped over to a pushchair when they're older. Most can be used with an automobile seat base as well.

Find a pushchair that can be folded quickly and compactly to fit into tiny spaces or the trunk of your car. Some models fold with the seat still attached, making them much easier to use. There are numerous brake options available depending on your needs. A foot brake is ideal for everyday use, while a hand brake that is active is useful for those who are frequently stopping and beginning on busy streets. There are also jogger style pushchairs with three-wheeled designs that can help you maintain momentum when going uphill or downhill.

The majority of pushchairs that are 'from-birth' allow you to choose which direction the seat faces, either parent facing or world facing. The option to change this can be done by simply clicking the seat onto the chassis. The Doona, however, is a game changer as it allows you to select both. You can click the infant car seat into the Doona and then set it upright as stroller, or recline it into a lying flat position for infants. It's an incredible feature that works with or without the base of your vehicle. It can also be used on trains and planes!

If you plan on travelling frequently or using ride share cars, a lightweight and easy to install seat is a must. Ensure the base can be clicked in and out quickly, and think about purchasing a travel system bundle that includes all the necessary items.

Style

A pushchair's style is a matter of personal preference and it's easy to find one that will suit both parent and baby. You can opt for an elegant, sleek look or something more eye-catching and fun, depending on your preferences and budget. Top brands offer a wide variety of options to choose from something modern and colourful or traditional and contemporary.

You'll also need to think about how much you're willing spend on your pushchair car seat as it will probably be one of your biggest baby purchases. Many parents decide to purchase an entire travel system that includes an infant car seat and a carrycot all in one package. This is the best in convenience and comfort for families who are always on the go.

Many pushchairs have a lie-flat option that allows newborn babies to lie flat. This is recommended by experts because it helps with the development of the spine and lung. Some brands go above and beyond by offering a premium hand recliner that allows you to press a button to recline the seat of your pushchair to an even more comfortable position.

Some pushchairs include adjustable handlebars, footrests and other features so that you can tailor them to your growing child's needs. Some even have a reversible seating option so that your child can face you for reassurance and bonding or can face the world to explore their surroundings.

Certain brands also provide accessories for pushchairs, like footmuffs in colder weather or sun parasols to shield your child from the sun. A sunshade will help keep your child from overheating.

The best pushchair car seats come with a 5-point harness which is designed to hold your child at their hips and shoulders, which are the most rigid points on their body. This is a safest and secure method of restraining your child in their pushchair and you should only use pushchair car seats that have this type of safety harness. There are new one-pull systems, such as the Cybex Pram that allow you to precisely fit your baby's seatbelt with only one pull. This will ensure a safe and secure fitting.

Stores

It's not a secret that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. To ensure you have plenty of room, choose an infant car seat that has a large storage bin along with a tray for parents as well as child seat cupholders. This will enable you to keep your essentials at fingertips when you're traveling.

Choose models with a canopy built-in to shield your child from the weather. Other features that are beneficial include locking front wheels that allow for better maneuverability as well as a tray for the parent that is easy to access and a self standing fold.

The ultimate in convenience and security, a Doona travel system bundle lets you to seamlessly move your infant from the car seat to the pushchair, without disturbing them. The Doona ISOFIX Base attaches to the vehicle belt buckle on the car seat and then snaps onto the pushchair frame. This innovative system allows you to be ready from birth and save time in running tasks.

Another option is the egg3 - an award-winning, eye-catching 3 in 1 travel system that allows you to put your baby in the egg car seat from birth and then swap the seat to a pushchair seat unit when they're big enough. This system is perfect for those without the luxury of a car, as it comes with car seat adaptors compatible with all major brands.

The egg3 is able to be converted into a tandem with the egg2/3 adaptors available in case you have twins or are looking to expand your family. Featuring intelligent SensorSafe technology the egg car seat will alert you via your smartphone in real-time if there are 4 potentially unsafe conditions: chest clip buckle not being secured temperatures that are too hot or too cold in the carrier or your baby is seated for too long.

If you're looking to make sure your pushchair is in good condition for your next trip out, consider purchasing a hood fabric refresh kit or a deep cleaning service. Start by vacuuming and then wiping down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilising fluid. Be sure to dry the fabric in the sun.