It also doesn’t help how manufacturers use different terms to pertain to a certain thing so no wonder many parents are confused!

So let’s take some time to explore the different types of pushchairs, the pros and cons of using each, and which baby pushchair is right for you.

Synonymous to ‘baby buggy’, ‘Pushchairs’ and ‘strollers’ are broad terms for a small ‘chair on wheels’ used to push around toddlers or small children.

Just so you understand exactly what we mean when we say certain terms, we have classified Pushchairs into these categories. Note that certain pushchair models will fit in more than one category:

1. Prams
2. Travel Systems or 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 Pushchairs
3. Double or Twin Pushchairs and Tandems
4. Triple Pushchairs
5. 3-Wheelers or All Terrain Pushchairs
6. Buggies, Lightweight Pushchairs and Strollers

1. Prams

A pram is short for ‘perambulator’, and is also known as ‘baby carriage’ in North American English.

According to Wikipedia a pram is a small vehicle that can be pushed around in which a newborn baby can comfortably lie in usually facing away from the direction of travel. This is important as they are at that crucial age where you will need to be checking all the time if they are OK or if they need attention.

A pram is best for newborn babies. Prams are those that can recline for more than 150 degrees which is the best prescribed angle for newborn babies as this aids their spinal development.

Click here to See Pushchairs in the Prams Category.

2. Buggies and Strollers

Buggies and strollers are generally lightweight pushchairs where children up to 3 years of age can sit in while facing the direction of travel. Buggies and strollers can range from plain, lightweight ‘chairs on wheels’ to the more robust ones with more sophisticated features like suspension, bigger wheels, raincovers, footmuffs, aprons, hood, and a whole host of accessories designed to cater to the parent’s needs. Some buggies and strollers can even be part of a Travel System if bought with a suitable child car seat.

A Buggy or Stroller is a Good Buy For You If:

• You’re on a budget (they are the cheapest type of pushchairs).
• You live in a flat or you frequent places with lots of stairs or you often use public transportation. They are generally small and lightweight so they are ideal for you.
• You have a car with a small boot space or you want something that can easily fit in most car boots or you have a limited storage space at home.
• Your darling child is old enough to sit up -NOT a newborn baby.
• You want something that’s ideal for day to day use and one that you can easily fold using a one-handed motion.
• You want something handy and compact enough to take with you on a trip, a holiday, or whilst window shopping.

Buggies and Strollers May Not be For You If:

• Your child is not old enough to sit up. Buggies and Strollers are usually not suitable to be used from birth. Get a pram or a complete Travel system instead.
• You live in the countryside, you plan to join a buggy fit class or you take frequent walks in the park. Many strollers and buggies are only suitable to be used in fairly even surfaces so it’s not the ideal choice for frequent use in rough terrains. Buy an All-Terrain or 3 Wheeler Pushchair instead if this is the case for you.

Click here to See Pushchairs in the Buggies and Strollers Category.

3. Travel Systems Pushchairs (3-in-1s, 2-in-1s)

Travel Systems may include different components: a chassis, a carry cot, and a car seat – thus allowing it to serve as a carry cot, a pushchair, a car seat, and even as a rocking Moses basket in some cases. Although it’s designed to be versatile so it can cater to all your baby transporting needs, you don’t have to buy all the components in one go. This will spread out your cost over a period of time.

Most car seats of Travel Systems are suitable from birth until your baby is about 4 to 6 months old (depends on your baby’s size and the car seat specs), while the pushchair is suitable from birth to about 3 years.

When considering a travel system it’s always wise to make sure the car seat will fit properly and safely in your car and/or your partner’s car.

A Travel System is Right For You if:

• You will be out and about a lot with your child in your car. The main convenience a travel system will give you is letting your baby continue sleeping while she’s in her car seat even as you take her out of the car and fix her car seat onto the chassis and take her somewhere else. Bear in mind though that babies need to lie flat on their back to enable correct spinal development so you shouldn’t let your baby sleep in a car seat all the time.
• You are planning to get all the components a travel system includes anyway. Instead of buying 2 or 3 things, you can just get a travel system and you can make some savings.
• You want something suitable from birth until your darling child turns 3.

You May Not Want To Get a Travel System If:

You can’t really have something that’s bulky and requires some storage space. Remember that it comes with various components. Also take note that not all car seats are compatible with the chassis so bear this in mind.

Click here to See Pushchairs in the Travel Systems Category

4.  3 Wheelers or All-Terrain Pushchairs

What the Buggies and strollers lack, All-Terrain Pushchairs pretty much compensate for.

All Terrain Pushchairs are normally three wheelers and are designed to cope with bumpy surfaces as they’re equipped with tyres similar to bikes. They’re usually easy to manoeuvre and control because of the lockable swivel wheels. Models with higher specs even come with suspension, making it an even more comfy ride for your child.

It’s normally a forward facing buggy, usually with an aluminium folding frame, and big pneumatic tyres  and with front swivel wheels. 3 Wheelers are designed primarily for off-road use, for example cross-country walks or along the beach, and perfect to use if you want to go for a jog with your baby.

All-Terrain pushchairs are:

• Great for people who enjoy walking, very manoeuvrable and designed to cope with all kinds of terrain
• Suitable for babies from around three months up to 3 years but even with weather-proofing accessories, not as solid or snug as a pram
• great if you love the Outdoors, you live in the countryside, or you plan to go jogging with your child and/or dog.
• perfect if you want a pushchair that your child will find comfortable in even when you use it frequently on rough surfaces like gravel or off-road.

You May Not Want to buy an All-Terrain pushchair if:

• Works just as well walking round town and in and out of shops but not designed for carrying a lot of items
• May be heavier and not as quick to fold or as compact as some pushchairs
• Quite expensive, particularly as it is likely to be a second pushchair.
• You don’t want a heavy and bulky pushchair.
• Your needs fall on the 2 ends of the spectrum : your needs are either pretty basic and simple or you need more features than what an all-terrain can offer.

Click here to See Pushchairs in the All-Terrain or 3 Wheeler Pushchairs Category

5. Twin or Double Pushchairs and Tandem Pushchairs

As the name implies, Twin Pushchairs are designed to accommodate two children side by side who are roughly the same age.

A Tandem on the other hand have one seat in front of the other making it easier to change direction and move around compared to a Double pushchair but it can be fairly long so it can still be relatively hard to steer around (just think of the workout your arms will get though! ).

Tandems

Tandems may be good for you if:

• You have a toddler and a baby. A Tandem will let your toddler sit up and let your baby lie flat on his back.
• You can save money buying a tandem rather than buying a pushchair for your toddler and then a pram for your newborn.

When Buying a Tandem Be aware That:

• They can be long and hard to manoeuvre
• You may find it too heavy and you may find it challenging to carry it up the stairs without going out of breath or bumping it.
• You may find it a struggle having to fold or unfold it whenever you need to get in or out of a car or bus.

Click here to See Pushchairs in the Tandem Pushchairs Category

6. Triple Pushchairs

Double or Triple Pushchairs usually allow both or all kids to either lay flat on their back or sit up.

Twin/Triple pushchairs have the same Cons as the Tandem except for two things:

Twin and Triple Pushchairs are wide, whereas tandems are long. This can be an issue when trying to squeeze through doors or take a flight of stairs when you also have other things you need to carry. They can also be hard to manoeuvre.

Click here to See Baby Pushchairs in the Twin/Double Pushchairs Category.

Click here to see Triple Baby Pushchairs.