SilverCross Strollers

For a new mum, a baby pushchair is more than a convenience: it’s a necessity. Mums today need to be mobile, and medical science has shown the benefits of the fresh air and stimulation baby gets from riding in a pushchair. But with all the makes and models of baby pushchairs out there, how does a new mum know what to buy? In the end, the choice of a baby pushchair is a personal one, but there are a few essential features every new mum should look for in a pushchair.

The first step to finding the perfect pushchair for your baby is to consider where you’ll be taking the pushchair the most. Do you live in the middle of a large city? In that case, you will need a baby pushchair that is light, agile, and easy to collapse and carry onto busses, trains, and the underground. If you are a country mum living in a more rural area, you’ll want a sturdy baby pushchair with good suspension and puncture proof tires to make travel over bumpy roads and lanes comfortable for baby. If you are a suburban mum living in between these two extremes, consider a hybrid baby pushchair that combines the features of a portable urban system with a sturdy cross-country pushchair.

Regardless of which model baby pushchair you choose, any pushchair worth its salt will have the following essential features.

Flat recline seat
You may be tempted by high-end baby pushchairs that convert from pram to pushchair. If your budget allows, by all means, buy the pushchair, but if you want to spend less, a basic baby pushchair with a flat recline seat will do just as well. Baby will still be able to lie flat, and though she won’t be facing you, you can still easily keep an eye on her.

Shopping Basket
Only the cheapest, most basic pushchair models don’t have a shopping basket. Even if you plan on using a baby pushchair only to run occasional errands, don’t skimp when it comes to a shopping basket. Baby requires a lot of gear, and you’ll be happy to have a place to carry all her things as well as a few of your own. Make sure you can access the shopping basket even when the baby pushchair is reclined flat.

Sunshade
Doctors and scientists have long been warning us about the dangers of too much sun exposure. Baby’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable to UV rays, and your pushchair should have a large sunshade to protect her. Some models even have sunshades that offer SPF protection, just like sun block lotion. Sunshades are also helpful in blocking out indoor lights when baby is trying to nap in her pushchair.

Swivel Wheels
Unless you plan to take your baby pushchair jogging or over very rough terrain, you’ll want front wheels that swivel. Baby pushchairs with these types of wheels are much easier to steer and maneuver, and the pushchair wheels can usually be locked in place if needed.

There are a lot of budget-conscious baby pushchair models that offer all of the features above. Whether or not you want to spend a lot on a baby pushchair is a personal decision, but a solid baby pushchair with a flat recline seat, a shopping basket, a sunshade, and swivel wheels will meet all of you and your baby’s basic needs without emptying your bank account.