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 specifically designed for babies as young as 6 months. They often feature a seat that can recline to lie flat and feature a five-point harness.
Some pushchairs can be used right from birth by adding an appropriate carrycot or car seat to create an entire travel system. This allows your baby to easily move from car to pushchair without disturbing them.
Safety
There are many essential safety features you should look for in a car seat. It is essential that the car seat you choose is in compliance with British standards and regulations, regardless of whether it's a brand new model or a second-hand model.
Make sure your pushchair meets BS 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003 before you purchase it. This will guarantee that it's safe for babies and children to travel in. This includes ensuring it has an locking device that is secure and the brakes work well.
When selecting a pushchair car seat, it's worth looking for one that can recline to a lying-flat position. This is especially crucial for babies, as research has proven that infants who spend a lot of time in a straight position can have difficulty breathing. The car seat's curly shape blocks their airways, causing them to struggle to breathe.
You can also select a travel system that comes with the baby car seat that fits seamlessly into the chassis of your stroller. This will make the transition from car to stroller much simpler since you don't have to wake your baby each time you change modes of transportation.
Some of the best pushchair car seat (check) models offer side impact protection, too. This is designed to decrease the force of a crash by providing extra padding, energy-absorbing materials and protecting your baby's shoulders, chest and head. This type of protection can be crucial in the event of a collision on the side which is a greater risk for babies in the earliest stages of development.
Another important safety feature is a top tether. This prevents the car seats from spinning during an accident and reduces the risk of head injuries. This is a legal requirement on all coach-built car seat.
Easy to Use
A pushchair car seat is among the most commonly used baby items so it's important to have a seat that is comfortable and convenience features. It doesn't matter if it's a comfortable cushion for the baby's seat or an adjustable handlebar for parents, there are also plenty of accessories to choose from too!
Some pushchairs have an infant carrycot that is ideal for newborns. It allows them to sleep flat which is ideal for their health and growth. If they get older it is possible to have a carrycot converted into a pushchair. The majority can be used with an automobile seat base.
When choosing a pushchair, look for one that folds easily and is compact travel pram in its fold so it can fit into small places or the boot of your car. Some models fold with the seat in place which makes it more convenient to use. A brake is also an essential item and there are several different options based on your needs and lifestyle. A foot brake is ideal for daily use, and an active handbrake is useful if you are frequently stopping and starting on traffic-filled streets. There are also jogger style pushchairs with three-wheeled designs which can help you keep the momentum when you go uphill or downhill.
Most 'from-birth' pushchairs allow you to choose which direction the seat is facing either the direction of the parent or facing the world. The option to change this can be done by simply pressing the seat onto the chassis. However, the Doona is a game changer that elevates this to a new level with the option of both. You can click the infant car seat into the Doona and then pram set it upright like a stroller or recline it to a lying flat position for infants. It's an incredible feature that can be used with or without the base of your vehicle and can even be used on trains and planes!
If you are planning on traveling frequently or using ride-share cars, a lightweight and easy to set up seat is essential. Make sure that the base is easy to click into and out. Also, think about the possibility of a travel system that includes all your essentials.
Style
Style is a personal choice and you can find something that is suitable for both parents and children. Based on your budget and taste, you can choose a sleek and elegant look, or something more appealing. Top brands offer a broad range of options, so you can choose from a modern and vibrant style or traditional and contemporary.
You'll also need to consider how much you're willing to invest in your pushchair car seat as it's likely to be among your most expensive baby purchases. Many parents decide to buy an entire travel system that includes the car seat and the carrycot. This is the ultimate in comfort and convenience for families that are always in motion.
Many pushchairs have the option of lying flat, which allows newborn babies to lie on their backs. This is a recommendation from experts because it helps with the development of the spine and lung. Some brands even go the extra mile and offer a premium one-handed reclining system, allowing you to simply press the button to recline the seat of your pushchair for a more comfortable position.
Some models come with adjustable footrests, handlebars, and other features to let you customize them for your child's growing needs. Some even come with a reversible seat, so that your baby can sit with you for reassurance, bonding or go out into the world to explore their surroundings.
Certain brands also provide accessories for pushchairs, such as footmuffs in colder weather or sun parasols that shield your baby from the sun. A sunshade is especially important because it can keep your baby from overheating.
The best travel pram pushchair car seats come with a five-point harness designed to restrain your child at their hips and shoulders, the most rigid points on their body. This is a safest and secure method to restrain your child's body in their pushchair. You should only use pushchair car seats that are fitted with this type of safety harness. Check out new harnesses that have a one-pull mechanism like the one found on the Cybex Priam which allow you to precision-fit your baby's seat belt with just the pull of a strap, guaranteeing a secure and safe fit.
Storage
There's no denying that a pushchair car seat can be quite heavy. To ensure you have enough space, choose an infant car seat that has a large storage bin as well as a tray for parents and cup holders for the child seat. This will help keep all your essentials at hand while you are out and out and about.
Find models that have a canopy built-in to shield your child from the elements. Other useful features include lockable swivel front wheels to give you more manoeuvrability, an easy-access parent tray and a self-standing fold that means it is super-easy to store when not in use.
The ultimate in convenience and security, a Doona travel system bundle lets you to seamlessly move your infant from the car seat to the pushchair without causing any disturbance. The Doona ISOFIX base is secured to the vehicle's car seat belt buckle and then clicks on to the pushchair frame. This innovative system allows you to be prepared from birth and cut down on daily tasks.
Another alternative is the egg3 - an award-winning, attractive 3-in-1 travel system that enables you to put your baby in the car seat of an egg from the moment they are born and switch them to a pushchair seat unit when they're big enough. This system is ideal for those who do not have the luxury of a car, as it comes with car seat adaptors that are compatible with all major brands.
The egg3 is able to be converted into a tandem by using the optional egg2/3 adaptors in case you have twins or want to expand your family. The egg car seat comes with intelligent SensorSafe technology that will notify you in real time via your smartphone in case of four potentially dangerous conditions. These include sudden chest clip unbucklings, temperature too cold or hot in the carrier, or your baby being seated for too long.
You should consider investing in a Hood refresh kit or deep cleaning service to ensure that your pushchair is in top condition for your next trip. Start by vacuuming double pram and pushchair then wiping it down with warm soapy water or gentle sterilising fluid. Be sure to dry the fabric in the sun.