What to Look For in a Pushchair Car Seat

A pushchair is an infant chair with wheels designed for babies as little as 6 months old. They usually have a seat that can recline to lie flat and feature a five-point harness.

Some pushchairs are compatible with a carrycot or car seats to create travel systems. This lets your baby easily transfer from car to pushchair without disturbing them.

Safety

There are a number of essential safety features you should look for in a pushchair car seat. No matter if you're looking at a new or second hand model, it's important to ensure that your chosen pushchair 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 is safe for children and babies to use. This includes ensuring it has a locking device that is safe and that the brakes are working properly.

When you are choosing a car seat, it's also worth looking for one that can recline to a lying-flat position. This is particularly important for newborns, as studies have shown that infants who spend a lot of time in a straight position may have difficulty breathing. The car seat's wavy shape restricts their airways, causing them to struggle to breathe.

You can also choose a car seat that snaps onto the chassis of your stroller as part of a travel system bundle. This will make the transition from car to stroller much simpler since you don't have to wake up your child every when you switch modes of transportation.

Some of the best pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection too. This is designed to decrease the force of a crash by providing extra padding, energy-absorbing materials and securing your baby's chest, shoulders and head. This kind of protection could be crucial in the case of a side-on collision which is a greater risk for infants.

A top tether strap is a important safety feature to look out for because it prevents the car seat from whipping forward in an accident and can help reduce the risk of head injuries. This is a legal requirement on every coach-built car seat.

Simple to Use

A pushchair car seat is one of the most used baby products so it's important that it has good comfort and convenience features. Whether that's a comfortable seat padding for baby or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are many accessories to pick from!

Some pushchairs come with an infant carrycot that is ideal for infants. It lets them sleep in a lie-flat position that is recommended for their health and development. A carrycot can be exchanged to a pushchair when they're older, and many can work safely with an automobile seat base as well.

When choosing a pushchair, look for one that folds easily and is able to fold that allows it to fit in tight spaces or in the boot of your car. Some models fold with the seat tucked in, making it more convenient to use. A brake is an essential item and there are many options depending on your lifestyle. A foot brake is perfect for general everyday use and an active hand brake can be useful for those who are frequently stopping and beginning on busy streets. There are also pushchairs that resemble joggers that have three wheels to help you maintain momentum while going downhill or uphill.

Most pushchairs with a "from-birth" feature let you choose which direction the seat will face 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 choose both. You can click the infant car seat into the Doona and then sit it upright as a stroller or recline it to a full lie-flat mode for babies. This is a fantastic feature because it can be used without or with an existing base in your car. It can also be used on planes and trains!

If you plan to travel frequently or ride-share vehicles, a lightweight seat that is easy to put in is essential. Make sure that the base can be clicked in and out quickly and look into a travel system bundle which includes all the necessary items.

Style

Style is a personal choice It is possible to find something that suits both parents and children. Depending on your budget and taste, you can choose an elegant and stylish look, or something more appealing. There are plenty of options that are available from top brands so whether you want something classic and contemporary or vibrant and modern, you'll surely 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 your biggest baby purchases. Many parents opt to purchase an entire travel system that includes the car seat and the carrycot. This is the best in convenience and comfort for families that are constantly on the go.

A lot of pushchairs come with a seat that is lie-flat that allows newborns to sleep in a fully flat position that is recommended by experts as it helps in the development of the lungs and spine. Some brands go an extra mile and offer an advanced one-handed reclining system so that you can simply press the button to recline your pushchair's seat to a more comfortable sitting position.

Some models have adjustable footrests, handlebars and other features to allow you to customize the seat to meet your child's changing needs. Some even have a reversible seat so that your child can face you for reassurance and bonding, or face the world around them to explore.

Certain brands also provide accessories for pushchairs, like feetmuffs for colder weather or sun parasols that 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 secure your child's hips and shoulders, the most rigid points of their body. This is a safest and most secure method of restraining your child in their pushchair. You should only ever use pushchair car seats that have this type of safety harness. Be on the lookout for new one-pull harness systems like the one found on the Cybex Priam that allow you to fit your baby's seat belt with just the pull of a strap, making sure it is secure and safe fit.

Storage

It's a fact that a pushchair car seat can be pretty bulky. In this regard, the best way to ensure you have enough space is to opt for one with an ample storage basket, parent tray and cup holders for your child's seat. This will allow you to keep your essentials close at the ready when you're traveling.

Choose models that have a canopy built-in to protect your child from the elements. Other useful features include lockable front wheels for better maneuverability, a parent tray that is easy to access, and an auto-standing fold.

Doona travel systems bundles provide the ultimate in convenience and security. You can easily transfer your baby from their car seat to their pushchair travel system, without disrupting them. The Doona ISOFIX base is secured to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle and then clicks onto the frame of the pushchair. This innovative system means that you'll be ready to go from birth, saving valuable time on everyday errands.

Another alternative is the egg3 - an award-winning, eye-catching 3 in 1 travel system that enables you to take your newborn in the car seat of an egg from birth and then swap them to a pushchair seat unit when they're big enough. With adaptors for car seats that work with all major brands, this system is the ideal choice for those who don't own cars.

If you're looking to expand your family or have twins, the egg3 has the capacity to convert into a tandem using the optional egg2/3 tandem adaptors. With its intelligent SensorSafe technology, the egg car seat will alert you via your smartphone in real-time if there are any of the following conditions: chest clip buckle not being secured the chest clip, a temperature that is too hot or too cold in the carrier, or your baby being sitting for too long.

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