9 Things 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 starting at 6 months. They usually have seats that recline to lie flat and have a five point harness.

Some pushchairs are able to be used from birth by incorporating the appropriate car seat or carrycot to create an entire travel system. This lets your child move easily from the car to the pushchair without being interrupted.

Safety

There are several important safety features to look for in a car seat. It is essential that the car seat you choose meets British standards and regulations, no matter if it's a new model or a used one.

Make sure that your pushchair is compliant with BS 197409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 before you purchase it. This will guarantee that it's safe for infants and children to use. This includes ensuring that it has a locking device that's secure and the brakes work well.

When selecting a pushchair car seat, it's important to choose a seat that can recline to a lie-flat position. This is crucial for infants as research shows that babies who spend a significant amount of time in an upright position can have breathing problems. The car seat's scrunched-up shape restricts their airways, causing them to struggle to breathe.

You can also select a travel system that includes a baby car-seat that fits perfectly into the frame of your stroller. This allows the transition between car and stroller a lot simpler, since you don't need to wake your baby up every time you need to switch modes of transportation.

Some of the top pushchair car seat models offer side impact protection, too. This is designed to lessen the force of a collision, by providing additional padding and energy-absorbing materials to safeguard your baby's head, shoulders 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 another useful safety feature to look out for to prevent the car seat from swaying forward in an accident and can help reduce the risk of head injury. Make sure your pushchair is equipped with this feature since it's a legal requirement for all car seats made by coaches.

Ease of Use

A pushchair car seat is one of the most commonly used baby items so it's essential that it has good comfort and convenience features. If it's a comfy cushion for your baby's seat or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are numerous accessories to pick from too!

Some pushchairs have an infant carrycot that is ideal for newborns. It allows them to sleep flat, which is best for their health and growth. A carrycot can be swapped over to a pushchair when they're older, and many can be used with the base of a car seat too.

Look for a pushchair that can be folded quickly and compactly so that it can fit into tight spaces or the boot of your vehicle. Some models fold with the seat tucked in, making it easier to use. A brake is also a must-have and pram and travel system there are many options depending on your lifestyle. A foot brake works well for daily use, and an active handbrake is beneficial if you are frequently stopping and starting on busy streets. There are also jogger style pushchairs that have three wheels that can help you maintain momentum when going either uphill or downhill.

Most 'from-birth' pushchairs allow you to select which direction the seat faces, either parent facing or the world facing. The option to change this can be done by simply pressing the seat onto the chassis. However, the Doona is an innovative product that elevates this to the next level with the option of both. You can plug the infant car seat into the Doona and then put it upright, like stroller, or recline it to a lie-flat position for babies. This feature is remarkable because it can work with or without a base in your car. It can also be utilized on planes and trains!

If you plan on traveling frequently or using ride share cars, a lightweight and easy to install seat is essential. Make sure that the base can be pushed in and out quickly and consider looking for a travel system bundle that includes all of your essentials.

Style

Style is a personal preference It is possible to find something that suits both parents and babies. Depending on your budget and preferences you can select a sleek and sophisticated look, or something more eye-catching. Top brands provide a wide range of options to choose from something modern and colourful or traditional and contemporary.

You'll also have to think about how much you're willing spend on your pushchair car seat as it will probably be one of your biggest baby purchases. Many parents choose to purchase a travel system that has the car seat and a carrycot. This provides the ultimate convenience and comfort right from the beginning and is ideal for families that are busy and require to be out and about on a regular basis.

Many pushchairs feature a lie-flat option that allows babies to sleep in a flat position. This is recommended by experts because it helps with lung development and spinal development. Some brands go an extra mile by offering a premium hand reclining system that lets you press a button to recline the seat of your pushchair into a more comfy position.

Certain models come with adjustable footrests, handlebars, and other features to allow you to customize the seat to meet your child's changing requirements. Some 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.

Additionally, some brands provide a variety of pushchair accessories including footmuffs for colder weather and sun parasols to shield your baby from the sun. A sunshade can prevent your baby from overheating.

The best travel pushchair pushchair car seats will also have a 5-point harness that is designed to hold your child's shoulders and hips, the most rigid points on their body. This is the most secure and most secure method of restraining your child in their pushchair. You should only ever use pushchair car seats that are fitted with this type of safety harness. Check out new one-pull harness systems similar to the Cybex Priam that allow you to precision-fit your child's seat belt using just the release of a strap ensuring a safe and secure fit.

Storage

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 an ample storage bin as well as a tray for parents and child seat cupholders. This will let you keep your essentials close at the ready when you're traveling.

Look for models that have a canopy built-in to shield your child from the elements. Other helpful features include lockable swivel wheels on the front to allow for greater maneuverability and a parent facing pushchair tray that is easy to access and a self-standing fold so it is super-easy to store away when not in use.

Doona travel systems bundles provide the ultimate in convenience and security. You can easily transfer your child 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 snaps onto the frame of the pushchair. This revolutionary system allows you to be prepared from birth and save time in running pram tasks.

Another alternative is the egg3 - an award-winning, attractive 3-in-1 travel system that enables you to put your baby in the egg car seat from the moment they are born and switch the seat to a pushchair seat once they're big enough. With car seat adaptors that work with all major brands, this product is a great option for those who don't own an automobile.

If you're looking to expand your family or have twins, the egg3 offers the capacity to convert into tandem with the egg2/3 tandem adaptors that are available. The egg car seat comes with smart SensorSafe technology that alerts you in real-time via your smartphone if there are four potential dangers. These include unexpected chest clip unbucklings, temperature too cold or warm in the car seat or your baby sitting 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 journey. Start by vacuuming and then wiping the hood down with warm soapy water or a gentle sterilising fluid, making sure to dry the fabric in the sunlight.