Just how do you go about buying a baby buggy or a baby stroller, or as they are sometimes called in the UK a pushchair?

"Well just go into a shop and buy one" is the simple sarcastic answer I got from one of my friends. But its not that simple, as any parent will tell you. There's an enormous range of different pushchairs and buggy's on the market. You got your Mama's and Papa's, silver cross, quinny zapp, graco, Mclaren to name just a few of the better brands. What's the difference between these brands? Is it really worth it, or are you paying substantial amounts of money for a brand name? Should you get a pram, a travel system, a 3 in 1?

And they all have many different features. What for example is a "five point harness"? What's the difference between this and a normal harness? Why should you bother with swivel wheels? Do you need a shopping basket underneath? What about brakes? Did you know some have adjustable handles?

Now don't let Daddy buy the buggy, especially if you suspect it'll be you taking the baby out the most! He'll probably get one made of cast iron (heavy, but its gonna last), with wheels that stick and make it harder to push. Let me take you on an imaginary journey with your baby, in a pushchair that's completely unsuited to your needs so that you can get an idea of the best pushchair to buy!

After finally getting up and getting yourself and little Johnny dressed, you decide its time for a quick shop. You like shopping and seem to decide that quite often. Now where's that pushchair? Ah yes it was thrown unceremoniously in the shed  yesterday when your partner tripped over it....again! It's a bit heavy and unweildy, if only it would fold up better it could be put in the cupboard underneath the stairs.

You decide to walk to the shops, as the baby buggy won't fold up and fit in the car. Little Johnny doesn't like the pushchair, the seat is not comfortable and he is starting to wriggle around. What's more the supermarket trolley type wheels stick every now and then making the pushchair difficult to navigate. One of the four wheels is being especially difficult and wants to go in a different direction to the others, toward the bus stop!

All of a sudden a little torso gets out and manages to get its legs under the buggy. Johnny has got out! The little escape artist has undone the belt! Perhaps he'll grow up to be a stage magician. If only the buggy had one of those 5 point harnesses, with one strap through his legs, two across his shoulders and two across his hips, he wouldn't slip down or escape from that one!!

You decide the errant wheel has the right idea and head toward the bus stop. as you approach a woman you vaguely know glides past you with her 3 wheeler all terain buggy. The large mountain bike tyres and light alluminium frame makes it easy for her, shes only using two fingers to steer the pushchair! The large tyres make it so easy for her to get the pushchair up and down kerbs, and in this case, the bus steps. "How on earth will I get it up there?" you think, but "luckily" the errant wheel just clipped someones ankles.  They realize you are having some difficulty (and anyway it looks like he fancies you) and he helps pull the awkward stroller up the steps. You hope the poor guy didn't strain himself!

Getting the right pushchair for you can save you time and money, and make or break your day with your baby. Safety, comfort, manuverability are all desirable charecteristics, as well as having useful pockets and basket down at the bottom to help carry groceries can be invaluable. One young mother I spoke to wanted a pushchair that faced her (similar to a pram) so that she could see what her baby was up to as they walked along. This is quite rare for a pushchair, but some pushchairs have a detachable canopy with a PVC window in the hood so that you can have a peek every now and then.

Before you buy think about your lifestyle and needs. Do you need an adjustable handle (you will if you or your partner are tall! Save you alot of backache!)? Do you use the car or public transport? Are you going to have another baby? Is your baby likely to sleep in the buggy? Another point well worth considering is whether any accessories come with the pushchair. Rain covers are common and useful, as are parasols and cozy toes. Some accessories can have some unusual "side benefits" - for example a mosquito net is useful if you have a buggy or pushchair that is comfortable enough for your baby to sleep in. The reason is it can protect your baby from pet cats who like to jump up and join them in the pushchair!

Too look at a really good 3 wheeler pushchair take a look at this link:

babystopshop

To find out more about the author of this guide, have a look at my about me page:

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