9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Pushchair Car Seat
What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat
A pushchair is a baby chair with wheels that is made for babies as young as 6 months. They typically have an adjustable seat that can recline to lay flat and feature a five-point harness.
Some pushchairs can be used from birth by incorporating an 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 disturbed.
Safety
There are a number of important safety features to be looking for in a pushchair car seat. Whether you're considering a brand new or second-hand model it's crucial to make sure that the pushchair you select meets the required British standards and requirements.
Make sure your pushchair is compliant with BS 197409/1996 or BS 1888:2003. This will ensure that it's safe for babies and children to travel in. This will include ensuring that it's fitted with a safe locking device and that the brakes are operating properly (check them regularly).
It is important to choose an automobile seat that can recline to a flat position when choosing a pushchair. This is essential for infants as research shows that babies who spend a significant amount of time in a straight position can experience breathing problems. This is because their airways are impeded by the scrunched up shape of the car seat, and they struggle to take in oxygen.
You can also choose a travel system that includes an infant car-seat that can fit perfectly into the frame of your stroller. This will make the transition from stroller to car much simpler since you don't have to wake your baby every time you change 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 material to safeguard your baby's shoulders, head and chest. This type of protection can be particularly important in the case of a collision on the side which is more risky for babies in the earliest stages of development.
A top tether strap is an additional useful security feature to search for to prevent the car seat from swaying forward in an accident, and can reduce the risk of head injuries. This is a legal requirement on every coach-built car seat.
User-Friendliness
A pushchair car seat is among the most frequently used baby products so it's essential to ensure it comes with good comfort and convenience features. There are many options for accessories, whether it's a comfortable cushion for the infant or a handlebar that can be adjusted to suit parents.
Some pushchairs include an infant carrycot that is ideal for babies. It gives them the chance to sleep in a flat position, which is best for their health and growth. A carrycot is a great alternative to a pushchair when they're older, and many can be used with an automobile seat base as well.
When you are choosing a stroller, make sure you choose one that folds easily and is able to fold that allows it to fit in tight places or the boot of your car. Some models fold with the seat still attached, making them more user-friendly. A brake is also a must-have and there are a variety of options to choose from based on your preferences. A foot brake is ideal for daily use, and an active handbrake can be useful for those who are constantly stopping and starting in traffic-filled streets. There are also jogger-style pushchairs with three wheels which can help you keep the momentum when you go uphill or downhill.
The majority of pushchairs that are 'from-birth' allow you to select which direction the seat is facing either towards the parent or world facing. It is possible to change this by simply pressing the seat onto the chassis. The Doona however is a game changer because it allows you to select both. You can plug the infant car seat into the Doona and then put it upright as a stroller or recline it to a lie-flat position for babies. It's an amazing feature that can be used with or without the base in your vehicle and can even be used on trains and planes!
If you are planning to frequent travel or use ride-share cars A light seat that is easy to put in 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 of your essentials.
Style
Style is a personal choice, and you can find something that suits both parents and children. Based on your budget and preference, you can choose an elegant and stylish appearance, or something that is more appealing. There are lots of options offered by top brands, so whether you're looking for something classic and contemporary or contemporary and vibrant, you'll be sure to find it.
You'll also have to consider how much you're willing to invest in your pushchair car seat as it will probably be one of the biggest baby purchases. Many parents opt to purchase a travel system that comes with an infant car seat and a carrycot in all-in-one package. This is the best in comfort and convenience for families who are always traveling.
Many pushchairs have a lie-flat feature that allows newborn babies to sleep in a flat position. This is recommended by experts because it helps with the development of the spine and lung. Some brands go an extra mile by incorporating a premium hand recliner that allows you to press a single button to recline the seat of your pushchair to an even more comfortable position.
Certain models come with adjustable footrests, handlebars and other features to let you customize them for your child's growing requirements. Some even have a reversible seat so that your child can face you for reassurance and bonding, or face the world to explore their surroundings.
Some brands also offer a range of accessories for pushchairs, including feetmuffs for colder temperatures and sun parasols that protect your baby from the sun. A sunshade is particularly important as it can help stop your baby from overheating.
The best pushchair car seats will also have a 5-point harness designed to restrain your child's hips and shoulders, the most rigid points on their body. This is the safest and most secure way 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 many new one-pull systems, such as the Cybex folding pram, which permit you to precisely fit your baby's seatbelt with only one 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, choose car seats with a large storage bin, parent tray, and cup holders for the child seat. This will allow you to keep all your essentials at hand when you are out and about.
You may also search for models with an integrated weather canopy to protect your little one from the elements. Other useful features include locking swivel front wheels to provide you with more maneuverability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold so it's super easy to store when not in use.
Doona travel systems bundles offer the most convenient and security. You can easily move your baby from their car seat to their pushchair without disrupting them. The Doona ISOFIX Base attaches to the vehicle belt buckle of the car seat, and then it snaps onto the pushchair frame. This revolutionary system allows you to be ready from birth and cut down for running tasks.
The egg3 is a different option. This award-winning 3-in-1 travel system allows you to put your baby in a car seat as they are born and then change them into the pushchair when they reach the proper age. With car seat adaptors that are compatible with most major brands, this system is the best option for those who don't have an automobile.
If you're looking to expand your family or have twins, the egg3 has the ability to be converted into tandem using the egg2/3 tandem adaptors that are available. Equipped with the intelligent SensorSafe technology the egg car seat will alert you via your phone in real-time when there are any of the following situations - chest clip not buckled the chest clip, a temperature that is too hot or too cold in the carrier, or your baby being in a seated position for too long.
Consider investing in a hood refresh kit or a deep cleaning service to ensure that your pushchair is in top condition for your next trip. Begin by vacuuming, and then wiping down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilising fluid. Be sure to dry the fabric in the sun.