When assessing a buggy or travel system, you need to take into account the following:
1. Is the buggy suitable for a new born. Babies need to lie flat for at least the first 3 months to support the development of their spine.
2. How heavy is it - will you be able to easily lift it.
3. How easy is it to manoeuvre? Rotating front wheels make a buggy easier to manoeuvre in small spaces. You should also consider the width and length of the buggy. Will it fit through narrow doors? Will you be able to get around tight corners?
4. How comfortable is the buggy for your baby? Are the seats padded? Is there an appropriate foot rest? Can you switch your toddler from a seated to a reclined position easily? What kind of tires does the buggy have and will they make for a smooth ride?
5. Which direction will your baby face? A parent facing stroller means you can interacte with your baby when you are out an about. A forward facing stroller allows your child to see more of the world. Many buggies such as the Quinny Buzz and Maxi Cosi Mura allow you to switch between parent and forward facing seating positions.
6. How easy is it to collapse and expand the buggy? Most umbrella buggies allow can be expanded and collapsed with one hand and foot which allows you to hold your baby. This is of course only useful if the buggy is light enough to be carried with one hand.
7. What size is the buggy (and accessories) once collapsed? Will it fit in your car? Will it take up too much room in your house?
8. Is there a shopping basket or room to hang your bag?
9. Are the handle bars positioned at the right height for you? many buggies have adjustable bars
10. and finally the price. You need to take into account what is included and what extras you will have purchase. These could include: - carry cot, adapters for carry cot/car seat, rain cover, shopping basket, foot muff, and umbrella
Consider how your lifestyle and how you will use the buggy:
How often do you drive?
If you expect to be travelling by car regularly with your baby, you need to consider how difficult will it be to lift in and out of the boot of your car. How much space with the buggy take?
A travel system that allows you to attach your baby’s car seat can make getting your baby from car to buggy easier however it is recommended that a baby spends no more than 1 hour per day in a car seat so the benefits of this are limited.
Do you use public transport?
If you will be traveling with your baby by public transport then you need to consider how heavy the buggy is. Ideally you should be able to lift the buggy with baby very short distances to allow you for example, lift the buggy onto a bus. However, there is normally an abundance of helpful passersby willing to come to your rescue.
Will you take regular long trips with your baby?
If you expect to be out and about for a number of hours at a time with your baby then their comfort is priority.
Before you buy, consider this:
By now, you've probably come to realise that there is no perfect buggy. Each buggy has its compromises. The big expensive travel system that you buy for your new born might be a bit of a nightmare if you are travelling alone with baby or toddler however if you try and evaluate a buggy based on all your future uses you could end up with something that works but doesn't do anything that well.
What is useful to know is that most parents end up buying a second buggy. Generally you end up with one buggy for comfort (and suitable for a new born) and another for travel (most of these are not suitable until 3+ months). The travel buggy is lightweight, collapses and expands with one hand and foot, takes up little space in your car and can withstand air baggage handlers.
No comments:
Post a Comment