Different Types of Pushchairs explained

Types of pJane Slalom Pro Matrix Cup Travel System - Noirushchair:

Travel systems

  • Suitable from birth
  • Available in various styles of pushchair with a matching baby car
    seat

Maclaren Techno XLR Travel SystemA
travel system is essentially any pram or pushchair that you can attach
a car seat to. Travel systems can be divided into two types, with those
that are compatible with both a rear facing car seat and a carrycot, and
those that you can only attach a car seat to. The car seat or carrycot
can both ‘click’ in and out of the pushchair, helpfully allowing you to
move your sleeping baby without waking him up.

However, it is important to remember that the car seat is not suitable
as a long-term sleeping place, with increasing research stressing the
importance of babies lying flat to ensure proper spinal development. For
more information, please
click here.

Buying a travel system is perhaps a more economical way of purchasing
both a pushchair and separate car seat, although you will still need to
purchase another car seat when your baby reaches 13kgs. When considering
a travel system, it is essential to ensure that the car seat in the travel
system fits your car safely and securely. If it does not, then you will
need to buy a pushchair and a separate car seat instead. For more information,
see our section on travel
systems in our definitive car seat guide.

A travel system includes a range of units, such as those listed below,
which you buy depending on what you need at the time:

  • A collapsible chassis with fixed shopping tray or basket
  • A reclining pushchair or carrycot that locks onto the chassis
  • A first-stage infant carrier car seat with a carry handle that locks
    onto the chassis. The seat may also be used at home as a low baby seat
    with reclining or rocking options. However, always remember that it
    is important not to keep your baby in an infant carrier or car seat
    for a prolonged period of time, especially if the baby cannot lie flat
    in the seat
  • The pushchair is suitable from birth to around 3+ years
  • The car seat is usually suitable from birth to around 13kg, depending
    on the make

As the items are usually sold separately it helps to spread the cost
over time. However, the most important consideration is whether the car
seat fits safely in your car. If you are not happy with the fit, do not
buy it, however much you like the idea of the system.

The Quinny
Buzz 4 Pushchair 2008 is a good example of a travel system, comprising
of a highly manoeuvrable pushchair that is readily compatible with a matching
Maxi-Cosi car seat and a Dreami carrycot. The Cosatto
Mobi Travel System is another option, and includes everything you
could possibly want, with a carrycot, Mobi car seat, baby-changing bag,
rain covers, foot muff, sun canopy, insect mesh and tyre pump all included
with the pushchair.

Other travel systems, such as the Maclaren
Techno XLR Travel System and the Bugaboo
Bee pushchair are only compatible with car seats and not carrycots.
The Maclaren XLR is a modern pushchair that can become a travel system
when teamed with the matching Maclaren
Techno XLR Recaro car seat, whilst the Bugaboo Bee pushchair has adaptability
for various car seats including the Maxi-Cosi
Cabriofix car seat. Cosatto Mobi Travel System - Ink

Click
here to see our full range of travel systems in the Babyworld shop

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Double Pushchairs

This is a pushchair designed for two children, and comes
in a variety of styles:

  • Side-by-side pushchair with one wide pushchair for two
  • Tandem with one behind the other
  • Tandem with one underneath the other

Double pushchairs are suitable for two babies, or a toddler
and a baby, up to the age of four years. However, it should be noted that
not all double pushchairs are suitable for twins. Some double pushchairs
are only suitable for a newborn and a toddler, rather than two babies
of the same age. For example, with the Graco
Stadium Duo, which is a tandem pushchair, the front position is only
suitable from 6 months whilst the rear seat is suitabMaclaren Twin Techno Pushchair - Storm Greyle
from birth.

Some double pushchairs have three wheels for extra manoeuvrability,
as these pushchairs can often be heavy and awkward to manoeuvre, particularly
if there is an older child on one side. Wheels that swivel and lock may
also provide extra help in steering the pushchair. Some twin pushchairs,
such as the Maclaren
Twin Techno pushchair, enable babies to be side-by-side in one slightly
wider pushchair with two independent seats. The independent recline function
of the Maclaren Twin Techno pushchair means that whilst it is ideal for
newborn twins, it is also a good choice if you have a newborn baby and
an older toddler.

Jane Powertwin Pro Pushchair - MarineAlternatively,
some tandem pushchairs enable babies to sit one behind another, such as
the Jane
Powertwin Pro pushchair, meaning that they are narrower and often
easier to take out and about than side-by-side pushchairs. A further benefit
of tandem pushchairs is that putting one child in front of the other can
enable a newborn baby to sleep undisturbed by an older toddler who may
also be sharing the pushchair.

Tandem pushchairs are, however, significantly longer than
twin pushchairs, and often less compact when collapsed. Tandem pushchairs
are generally outgrown more quickly than side-by-side pushchairs, especially
if there is a limited amount of legroom. Tandem pushchairs are also available
where the seats are positioned with one child slightly underneath the
other. This type of pushchair usually enables a baby from 6 months to
sit facing outwards, whilst a newborn baby is positioned further back
and slightly underneath.

Lightweight pushchairs

Lightweight pushchairs are much easier to transport than
other models oQuinny Zapp Pushchair - Bright Pinkf
pushchair and are also more practical for storing at home. Lightweight
pushchairs are only suitable for newborn babies if the seat fully reclines
flat, and only from three months can a baby use a partly reclining pushchair.

The Quinny
Zapp pushchair is the world’s smallest pushchair when folded, meaning
that it is the most compact pushchair around and perfect for taking on
holiday or easily transporting in the car or on public transport. Some
models of lightweight pushchair have an optional car seat designed to
fit on the frame of the stroller, such as the Baby
Jogger City Mini pushchair, which has the ability to attach the Maxi
Cosi Cabriofix car seat.

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Choosing your pushchair

Buying your pushchair

Useful Links

Jane Slalom Pro Matrix Cup Travel System - CherryLeebruss Zoom Ultimate Twin Pushchair - CognacBaby Jogger City Mini Pushchair - Blue

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