Not all pushchairs are suitable for a newborn baby. Before you set your heart on a Bugaboo or an iCandy, check whether the seat is suitable from birth or if it can only be used by babies over six months old.
Newborn babies can't support their own weight when they're so small, so they have different needs from older babies and toddlers.
It's important they lie flat in order to support their developing spine and allow them to breathe easily. The best three options for a newborn are:. It's best to wait until babies are around six months old, or when they start to sit up on their own, before you use a pushchair seat in its most upright position.
Pushchairs with bucket seats have a fixed angle, so they're only suitable for babies older than six months. This is the usually around the age a baby can start sitting up on their own and supporting their own weight.
When you recline a pushchair with a bucket seat, the angle your baby is held in doesn't change, and you're effectively only tipping them back. Some experts believe this isn't the most comfortable way for your baby to sleep. Travel systems with multiple seat-recline positions are suitable to use from birth with the seat in its lowest position or if you use a carrycot.
Older babies and toddlers can then use the seat in its most upright position. Our tests check the ergonomic support given at each stage for every pushchair we review. A stroller, or buggy, is a lightweight and basic version of a pushchair. Some can only be used with older babies more than six months and toddlers, as they don't recline far enough to be suitable from birth.
But there are some models, such as the Babyzen YoYo and the Silver Cross Reflex , that you can use with an accessory pack to turn them into a from-birth pram. There's a sizeable market for second-hand pushchairs if parents want to save some money. Or, you may be able to buy one from a local mum's group, friend or family member.
There may even be one going for free on Freecycle. If you go down this route, it's better to buy it from somewhere that lets you inspect it before you hand over your cash. Look for 'collection only' sales. You should also check or look over the following:.
The safety risks from purchasing a second-hand pushchair or pram are far less than those for a car seat. However, it's definitely worth checking if the model you have in mind has been subject to any product safety recalls.
You can do this by visiting the Trading Standards website. You should also take a look at our Don't Buy pushchairs to check if it's included there. Many of our lowest-scoring pushchairs have failures with strength and durability, which could be a warning sign if you're buying it second-hand.
Now find the perfect pushchair for you by checking out our pushchair reviews. Test score. Find out what makes a good pram for a newborn baby and what to look out for in the best toddler pushchairs. Read our pushchair shopping tips to help you avoid the pitfalls. VM Verity Mann. In this article Three of the best pushchairs Video: How to buy the best pushchair How much do I need to spend? You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice.
This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent. I was originally under the impression that pram, pushchair and buggy are essentially just different terms for the same thing. Buggies are generally cheaper but less likely to be your everyday option I tend to think of buggies as being the sort you see whizzing around the baggage reclaim carousel at the airport. Newborn babies should lie flat in a pram as this protects their backs, assists with breathing and is considered much healthier for their overall development than being scrunched up at any kind of angle.
This tends to mean that a chassis with a carrycot a bit like the pram version of a Moses basket is where babies start, though there are a range of seat reclining pushchairs now that enable degree-lie-flat seat positions. As a general rule, a maximum recline-angle of anything less than this is not suitable until the baby is between three and six months old.
Many brands now offer pram and pushchair combinations where you will get both a carrycot and a seat unit plus the necessary adapters, which can then be interchanged on the same chassis. In terms of the nitty gritty of the pushchair specification, it definitely pays to test drive or test push a few different models if you can. How easy is it to manoeuvre? How robust does it look? Are you looking for a reversible seat unit so your baby can be either rear or forward facing?
Is it easy to fold down and store, both at home and in the car? Are the brakes easy to operate and does the pram feel secure when stationary?
Could you attach a buggy board to the back of it to aid tired toddler legs in future? Not a stupid question, speaking from experience. One thing my husband had problems with when we test-pushed a few was finding adjustable handles that would extend to his reach. A rain cover or hood is a must and you may also want a sun parasol if there is no built-in shade some come with a UV sunshade and insect net as part of the hood.
A travel system usually combines a buggy with a detachable car seat. It may also feature a carrycot. And although it may seem obvious, you should make a list of the top 5 things you need your buggy to do every time you use it, before you spend any money. Things to consider can include:.
Will it be left permanently folded in your car boot or is your living space large enough that you can just wheel it in and out of your home?
Size when folded varies enormously, so have a look at its folded dimensions. Before you begin your buggy hunt, have a look at our in-depth reviews and pick of the very best products, so you can make a stress-free and informed purchase:.
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