The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Pushchair Car Seat

What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is a type of chair with wheels that is designed for infants starting at 6 months. They are often equipped with a seat that can recline to lie flat, and a five-point harness.

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

Safety

There are many security features to be looking for when selecting 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 your chosen pushchair meets the required British standards and requirements.

Check that your pushchair meets BS 197409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 before you buy it. This will guarantee that it's safe for babies and children to use. This includes ensuring that it has a locking device that is secure and the brakes work well.

When selecting a pushchair car seat, it's also worth considering one that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is particularly important for newborns, as research has proven that babies who spend a lot of time in an upright position can have difficulty breathing. This is because their airways become restricted due to the squishy design of the car seat and they struggle to get oxygen.

You can also opt for a travel system that comes with a baby car-seat that fits perfectly into the frame of your double stroller. This allows the transition between car and stroller a lot simpler, as you won't need to wake your baby up each 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 the impact force of a collision by providing extra padding and energy-absorbing materials to protect your baby's head, shoulders and chest. This type of protection is especially important in the event an accident on the side, which can be more fatal for infants.

A top tether strap is an additional useful security feature to search for, as this prevents the car seat from swaying forward in the event of an accident. It also can reduce the risk of head injury. This is a legal requirement for all coach-built car seat.

User-Friendliness

A pushchair car seat is one of the most used baby products so it's important that it has good comfort and convenience features. If it's a comfy seat padding for baby or a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents, there are plenty of accessories to choose from!

Some pushchairs car seats include an infant carrycot that is ideal for babies. It allows them to sleep in a lie-flat position that is recommended for their health and development. When they are older the carrycot can be converted into a pushchair seat. The majority can be used with a car seat base.

When you are choosing a stroller, look for one that folds easily and has a compact fold, so it can be tucked away in small places or the boot of your car. Some models fold with the seat tucked in making it much more convenient to use. A brake is also an essential item and there are a variety of options based on your needs and lifestyle. A foot brake is suitable for daily use, and an active handbrake can be useful for those who are constantly stopping and starting in busy streets. There are also jogger-style pushchairs with three wheels that can help you maintain the momentum while going uphill or downhill.

The majority of pushchairs that are 'from birth' will let you choose which direction they are facing either facing the parent or world facing and can be changed by clicking the seat into the chassis. The Doona however is a game changer because it lets you choose both. You can choose to click the infant car seats into the Doona and then recline the seat to a fully flat position for babies, or set it up as stroller. It's an incredible feature that works with or without the base of your vehicle. It can also be used on planes and trains!

If you are planning on traveling frequently or using ride share cars an easy and light to install seat is essential. Make sure that the base can be clicked in and out quickly, and think about purchasing a travel system bundle which includes all the necessary items.

Style

Style is a personal preference It is possible to find something that will suit both parents and infants. Based on your budget and taste you can select a sleek and elegant appearance, or something that is more eye-catching. There are a variety of choices available from top brands, so whether you're looking for something timeless and modern or vibrant and modern, you'll find it.

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

Many pushchairs have the option of lying flat, which allows newborn babies to sleep in a flat position. This is a recommendation from experts because it helps with the development of the spine and lung. Some brands even go the extra mile and include a top-quality one-handed recline system that allows you to simply press an option to recline your pushchair's seat for a more comfortable position.

Some models have adjustable footrests, handlebars, and other features that allow you to customize the seat to meet your child's changing requirements. Some models have a reclined chair so that your child can either face you to connect and be reassured or face the world to explore.

Finally, some brands provide a variety of pushchair accessories including footmuffs for colder weather and sun parasols to protect your little one from the sun. A sunshade is especially important because it can prevent your baby overheating.

The best pushchair car seats come with a five-point harness designed to hold your child's hips and shoulders, the most rigid parts of their body. This is a safest and most secure way to restrain your child's body in their twin pushchair. You should only ever use pushchair car seats that are fitted with this type of safety harness. There are new one-pull systems, like the Cybex pram pushchair, which allow you to precisely adjust your child's seatbelt using just a single pull. This ensures a safe and secure fitting.

Stores

It's not a secret that a pushchair car seat can be quite bulky. To ensure that you have plenty of space pick an infant car seat that has a large storage bin, parent tray, and child seat cupholders. This will enable you to keep your essentials at the ready when you're traveling.

You can also look for a model that has an built-in weather canopy that will protect your little one from the elements. Other handy features include locking swivel front wheels to give you more manoeuvrability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold that means it is super-easy to store away when not in use.

Doona travel systems bundles provide the most convenient and security. It is easy to transfer your baby stroller from their car seat to their pushchair without having to disturb them. The Doona ISOFIX base secures to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle and then clicks onto the frame of the pushchair. This revolutionary system means you can be ready to start your journey from the moment you are born, saving valuable time on everyday tasks.

Another alternative is the egg3 an award-winning, attractive 3-in-1 travel system that enables you to place your baby in the egg car seat from birth and then swap them to a pushchair seat unit when they are large enough. With car seat adaptors that are compatible with the majority of major brands, this product is the best option for those who don't own cars.

The egg3 can be converted into a tandem with the optional egg2/3 adaptors in case you have twins or are expanding your family. The egg car seat comes with smart SensorSafe technology that alerts you in real-time through your smartphone when there are four potential dangers. These include unexpected chest clip unbucklings, temperatures too cold or warm in the carrier, or your child being in the carrier for too long.

If you're looking to ensure your pushchair is in great condition for the next trip out, think about purchasing an hood fabric refresh kit or a thorough clean service. Start by vacuuming first, then wiping the hood down with warm soapy water or a gentle sterilizing fluid, making sure to dry the fabric in the sunlight.