9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Pushchair Car Seat
What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat
A pushchair is a type of chair on wheels designed for babies up to 6 months. They often feature an adjustable seat that can recline to lie flat and feature a five-point harness.
Some twin pushchairs can be used right from birth by adding an appropriate car seat or carrycot to create an entire travel system. This allows your child to move easily from the car to the pushchair, without being distracted.
Safety
There are many important safety features you should look for in a pushchair car seat. If you're thinking of buying a brand new or second-hand model it's important to ensure that the pushchair you select meets the required British standards and requirements.
Make sure that your pushchair is in compliance with BS 197409/1996 or BS 1888:2003. This will ensure that it's safe for babies and children to use. This will include ensuring that it's equipped with an effective locking device and that the brakes are operating well (check these frequently).
It is important to look for car seats that recline into a flat position when you choose a stroller. This is essential for infants as research shows that babies who spend a lot of time in a straight position can experience breathing problems. The car seat's scrunched-up shape restricts their airways, causing them to struggle to breathe.
Alternatively, you can opt for a baby car seat that clicks seamlessly onto the frame of your pushchair as part of a travel system bundle. This will make the transition from stroller to car much easier since you won't have to wake up your baby every when you switch 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 crash by supplying extra padding, energy-absorbing material and also protecting your baby's shoulders, chest and head. This kind of protection could be especially important in the event of a side collision which is a greater risk for infants.
A top tether strap is another useful safety feature to look for to prevent the car seat from whipping forward in an accident, and can reduce the risk of head injury. Make sure your pushchair is equipped with this feature since it's a legal requirement in all car seats made by coaches.
User-Friendliness
A pushchair car seat is one of the most commonly used baby items so it's important to have a seat that is comfortable and convenience features. There are a variety of accessories available, whether it's a cushion that is comfortable for the baby or a handlebar with an adjustable height to suit parents' needs.
Some pushchairs include the option of a carrycot, which is ideal for newborns. It allows them the opportunity to rest in a flat position, which is best travel stroller for their health and growth. A carrycot is a great alternative for a pushchair seat when they're older, and many can be used with the base of a car seat too.
When you are choosing a stroller, look for one that folds easily and is compact in its fold that allows it to fit in small spaces or in the boot of your car. Some models can fold with the seat attached, making them much more user-friendly. There are a variety of brake options to choose from based on your preferences. A foot brake is suitable for everyday use, while an active handbrake is useful for those who are constantly stopping and starting in traffic-filled streets. There are also jogger-style pushchairs with three wheels that aid in maintaining your momentum when moving upwards or downwards.
The majority of pushchairs that are 'from-birth' allow you to select which direction the seat faces either towards the parent or world facing. The option to change this can be done by simply clicking the seat onto the chassis. However the Doona is an innovative product that elevates this to a new level by allowing both. You can either click the infant car seats into the Doona and then recline the seat to a flat position for babies, or set it up as stroller. It's an incredible feature that can be used with or without the base inside your vehicle. It can also be used on planes and trains!
If you are planning on traveling frequently or using ride share cars A lightweight and easy to set up seat is essential. Make sure that the base can be pushed in and out quickly and think about purchasing an all-in-one travel system that includes all of your essentials.
Style
Style is a personal preference It is possible to find something that is suitable for both parents and infants. You can go for a sleek, sophisticated look or something more striking and fun, based on your preferences and budget. There are plenty of options that are available from top brands so whether you're looking for something timeless and modern or modern and colourful you'll find it.
It is also important to think about how much you're willing to invest in your pushchair car seat as it's likely to be one of the biggest baby purchases. Many parents decide to buy an entire travel system that includes the car seat as well as the carrycot. This is the ultimate in convenience and comfort for families who are always in motion.
A lot of pushchairs come with the option of a lie-flat seat, allowing newborn babies to sleep in a fully flat position, which is suggested by experts as it helps with spinal and lung development. Some brands go an extra mile and offer a top-quality one-handed recline system, allowing you to simply press a button to recline the seat of your pushchair to a more comfortable sitting position.
Some pushchairs come with footrests, adjustable handlebars, and other features, so that you can tailor them to your growing child's requirements. Some models even have a reversible seat to allow your child to look at you for reassurance and bonding, or face the world to explore their surroundings.
Some brands also offer a range of pushchair accessories including footmuffs for colder weather and sun parasols that protect your baby from the sun. A sunshade is particularly important as it can help keep your baby from overheating.
The best pushchair car seats will also have a 5-point harness designed to hold your child at their hips and shoulders, the most rigid parts of their body. This is a safest and most secure method to restrain your child's body in their pushchair. You should only use pushchair car seats equipped with this type of safety harness. Be on the lookout for new one-pull harness systems similar to the Cybex Priam, which allows you to precision-fit your child's seat belt using just the pulling of a strap, guaranteeing a secure and safe fit.
Stores
There's no denying that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. To ensure that you have plenty of room pick a car seat with a large storage bin along with a tray for parents as well as child seat cupholders. This will enable you to keep all your essentials on hand when you are on the go.
You may also search for a model that has a built-in weather canopy to protect your little one from the elements. Other useful features include locking swivel front wheels to allow for greater maneuverability and a parent tray that is easy to access and a self-standing fold that means it's super easy to store away when not in use.
The most convenient and secure, a Doona travel system bundle allows you to effortlessly transfer your infant from the car seat to the pushchair without disturbing them. The Doona ISOFIX base secures to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle, and then snaps on to the running pushchair frame. This innovative system lets you to be ready from birth and cut down on daily chores.
Another option is the egg3 - an award-winning, eye-catching 3 in 1 travel system that allows you to take your newborn in the car seat for your egg from birth and then swap them to a pushchair seat when they're large enough. This system is perfect for those who do not have cars, since it includes car seat adaptors that are compatible with all major brands.
If you are expanding your family or have twins, the egg3 comes with the ability to be converted into a tandem using the egg2/3 tandem adaptors that are available. The egg car seat comes with smart SensorSafe technology that alerts you in real-time through your smartphone in case of four possible dangers. These include sudden chest clip unbucklings, temperatures too cold or hot in the carrier, or your baby being seated for too long.
Consider investing in a Hood refresh kit or deep cleaning service to ensure your pushchair is in top condition for your next trip. Start by vacuuming and then wiping it down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilizing fluid, making sure to dry the fabric in the sun.