When shopping for baby pushchairs, don’t make the mistake of considering the price or looks alone.
Don’t base your choice on another parent’s recommendation alone, either. Remember, the perfect pushchair for someone else may be the worst choice for you.
No, there’s so much more to it than these. The primary criteria should be what your and your child’s needs are and which pushchairs will be able to meet your unique needs perfectly. Only then should you start narrowing your choice in terms of price and colour. Buy pushchairs this way and you can be assured that you made the right choice!
Here are top questions to ask yourself before you pull out your wallet and pay for that prized pushchair.
Will it fit in spaces you’re going to store it in?
Will it fit through the doors or stairways you use? Will it fit in your storage place? Is it easy to fold and unfold? Believe me, it makes a world of difference especially when you’re carrying things on one hand or when you’re out and about and in a hurry!
If you plan to use it with your car, you may want something light enough for you to lift and small enough to fit in your boot, so make sure you measure your car’s boot space before shopping for baby pushchairs.
What pushchair features do you absolutely need, and which ones can I do without?
Some features won’t make much difference to you, but some features will be indispensable.
For example if you, your partner (and other people who will be pushing the pushchair) have varying heights then go for one with adjustable handles. Pushing a pushchair with a handle at the wrong level can be hard work and uncomfortable.
Another important thing to consider is if you have a lot of stuff that you need to take with you when you’re out and about with your baby. For example if you don’t drive and you’ll likely be shopping for food with the pushchair or a regular basis, then the size of the shopping basket must be big enough for your needs.
There are some pushchairs that have very small shopping basket space, so make sure you check. Honestly, how some people cope with teeny weeny shopping baskets is beyond me, but then again I’d been known to always have things with me – from hair straighteners to tanning lotion to dental floss! Hehe.
Also, the type of accommodation you live in will play a role in your choice of pushchair. If you will have to carry it up and down stairs then the lighter it is, the better.
For a more comprehensive discussion about pushchair features, read 11 Essential Pushchair Features You Need to Consider Before Buying.
Will this pushchair suit your lifestyle?
This is where you need to consider the features of the pushchair and how that translates to meeting your unique needs. Do you commute or mainly drive your own car? Do you live in the city, or in the countryside? Your answers will dictate how important certain features are for you like portability, maneoverability, size, weight, suspension, durability, etc.
For example if you do a lot of walking on uneven surfaces and commuting using public transport, you will need a model that’s sturdy, robust and easy to negotiate on corners and stairs.
If you’ll be using public transport you’ll be better off with something that is extremely easy to fold even with one hand.
If you live in the countryside, an all-terrain or 3-wheeler pushchair with suspension will be able to cope with rough ground and therefore will be more suitable for your needs.
If you like to spend time outdoors, think of pushchair accessories that will give your baby better protection from the elements. Some pushchair models have certain accessories included in the package, but depending on your lifestyle you may need to buy some extra ones to ensure your baby is comfortable, warm and well protected.
Does this pushchair suit YOUR child?
A newborn baby needs to lie flat so you want one that have this facility. You also need to make sure the pushchair is weatherproof and comfortable for your baby.
Babies prefer to see their parent’s face whereas toddlers prefer to see the outside world so you may want a model that can face the way your child prefers.
Do you need it for the Long Term?
Do you want an all-round pushchair that you can use from your child’s birth until he outgrows the pushchair as a toddler, or do you plan to buy another buggy when he’s a bit older?
Are you buying it for your first child but have hopes to also be able to use it for your second child and so on?
What’s the guarantee like?
How long is the guarantee? How easy is it to get repaired? Will your vendor give you a replacement while yours is being repaired?
Does the pushchair package provide everything you’ll need or do you have to buy extra pushchair accessories?
Some pushchair models come with all sorts of handy accessories, while others are optional extras you will need to buy. Again when it comes to this, think of the functionality and benefits first before aesthetics like colour or style.
Conclusion
Once you have made a list of all the things that are important to the way you will be using your pushchair, you can then go through all the pushchairs on the market and pick out the ones that will suit you.
Your choice of pushchair can directly affect you and your child’s well-being so it’s worth some investigation.
Buying Baby Pushchairs: Top 7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Pushchair
When shopping for baby pushchairs, don’t make the mistake of considering the price or looks alone.
Don’t base your choice on another parent’s recommendation alone, either. Remember, the perfect pushchair for someone else may be the worst choice for you.
No, there’s so much more to it than these. The primary criteria should be what your and your child’s needs are and which pushchairs will be able to meet your unique needs perfectly. Only then should you start narrowing your choice in terms of price and colour. Buy pushchairs this way and you can be assured that you made the right choice!
Here are top questions to ask yourself before you pull out your wallet and pay for that prized pushchair.
Will it fit in spaces you’re going to store it in?
Will it fit through the doors or stairways you use? Will it fit in your storage place? Is it easy to fold and unfold? Believe me, it makes a world of difference especially when you’re carrying things on one hand or when you’re out and about and in a hurry!
If you plan to use it with your car, you may want something light enough for you to lift and small enough to fit in your boot, so make sure you measure your car’s boot space before shopping for baby pushchairs.
What pushchair features do you absolutely need, and which ones can I do without?
Some features won’t make much difference to you, but some features will be indispensable.
For example if you, your partner (and other people who will be pushing the pushchair) have varying heights then go for one with adjustable handles. Pushing a pushchair with a handle at the wrong level can be hard work and uncomfortable.
Another important thing to consider is if you have a lot of stuff that you need to take with you when you’re out and about with your baby. For example if you don’t drive and you’ll likely be shopping for food with the pushchair or a regular basis, then the size of the shopping basket must be big enough for your needs.
There are some pushchairs that have very small shopping basket space, so make sure you check. Honestly, how some people cope with teeny weeny shopping baskets is beyond me, but then again I’d been known to always have things with me – from hair straighteners to tanning lotion to dental floss! Hehe.
Also, the type of accommodation you live in will play a role in your choice of pushchair. If you will have to carry it up and down stairs then the lighter it is, the better.
For a more comprehensive discussion about pushchair features, read 11 Essential Pushchair Features You Need to Consider Before Buying.
Will this pushchair suit your lifestyle?
This is where you need to consider the features of the pushchair and how that translates to meeting your unique needs. Do you commute or mainly drive your own car? Do you live in the city, or in the countryside? Your answers will dictate how important certain features are for you like portability, maneoverability, size, weight, suspension, durability, etc.
For example if you do a lot of walking on uneven surfaces and commuting using public transport, you will need a model that’s sturdy, robust and easy to negotiate on corners and stairs.
If you’ll be using public transport you’ll be better off with something that is extremely easy to fold even with one hand.
If you live in the countryside, an all-terrain or 3-wheeler pushchair with suspension will be able to cope with rough ground and therefore will be more suitable for your needs.
If you like to spend time outdoors, think of pushchair accessories that will give your baby better protection from the elements. Some pushchair models have certain accessories included in the package, but depending on your lifestyle you may need to buy some extra ones to ensure your baby is comfortable, warm and well protected.
Does this pushchair suit YOUR child?
A newborn baby needs to lie flat so you want one that have this facility. You also need to make sure the pushchair is weatherproof and comfortable for your baby.
Babies prefer to see their parent’s face whereas toddlers prefer to see the outside world so you may want a model that can face the way your child prefers.
Do you need it for the Long Term?
Do you want an all-round pushchair that you can use from your child’s birth until he outgrows the pushchair as a toddler, or do you plan to buy another buggy when he’s a bit older?
Are you buying it for your first child but have hopes to also be able to use it for your second child and so on?
What’s the guarantee like?
How long is the guarantee? How easy is it to get repaired? Will your vendor give you a replacement while yours is being repaired?
Does the pushchair package provide everything you’ll need or do you have to buy extra pushchair accessories?
Some pushchair models come with all sorts of handy accessories, while others are optional extras you will need to buy. Again when it comes to this, think of the functionality and benefits first before aesthetics like colour or style.
Conclusion
Once you have made a list of all the things that are important to the way you will be using your pushchair, you can then go through all the pushchairs on the market and pick out the ones that will suit you.
Your choice of pushchair can directly affect you and your child’s well-being so it’s worth some investigation.
Check out our Best Value Pushchairs here.
Shop for Baby Pushchairs by Type or check out the Top Baby Pushchairs Brands.