Guide to Buying a Buggy

Shops seem determined to make buying baby transport extra baffling. Buggies, pushchairs, strollers… three wheelers, four wheelers and tandems; choosing a model is almost as complicated as investing in a new car.

But buying a buggy doesn’t have to be confusing, which is why at Savoo we have put together this helpful guide to choosing transport for your baby. Good luck, you’re going to need it!

Newborn or toddler?

First things first, when choosing a buggy you will have to consider the age of your baby. Newborns need to be able to lie back in a flat position, so will need a reclining seat and plenty of padding for support. By three months your baby will need less of a recline, and by six months your baby can sit upright and will be suited to the lightweight strollers. So what are your options?

Prams

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Ideal for newborn babies- since it allows them to lie flat- a traditional pram gives your baby great support from the word go, and rear facing models allow you to maintain eye contact on the move. Many parents buy a sturdy pram as their main transport for their newborn baby, and then replace with a folding pushchair after three months for convenience.

Pushchairs

baby jogger versa GT pushchair-black

Four wheeled pushchairs (sometimes referred to as buggies) are popular for all age ranges since they are sturdy, can be folded and are easily manoeuvred. If you have a newborn, you will need a pushchair with a lie-back facility or a reclining bucket seat so that your baby can lie flat; some models also have a reversible seat unit so your baby can face you.

When choosing your pushchair, consider the terrain you will be travelling on. You will be able to choose between fixed, swivel or lockable wheels. Fixed wheels will make handling easier over rough surfaces, whilst swivel wheels increase manoeuvrability. And if you plan to walk a lot with your pushchair, go for lockable wheels. For super uneven ground, choose pneumatic tyres.

Pushchairs are also available with twin seats (side by side) or tandem seats (one behind the other).

Three-wheeler pushchairs

Phil-and-Teds-Vibe-Pushchair

Three wheeled pushchairs are a modern take on the traditional four wheeler, and are generally stylish and sporty with easy manoeuvrability.

There are two types of three wheelers to choose from: all-terrain and city. All-terrain models have state of the art suspension and sturdy tyres designed for the roughest surfaces, whilst city models are better for everyday use about town. Many people like to jog with three-wheeled pushchairs because they are so easy to steer. However, they are not particularly compact or practical for getting up and down stairs or on the bus.

Travel systems

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If you use the car a lot and have a newborn baby, it makes sense to choose a travel system; these consist of a car seat that fits into the pushchair frame. A travel system is a great value purchase since you don’t have to buy anything extra, and it also makes it easy for you to move you baby to and from the car without waking them.

You can choose a two-part or a three-part model; a two-part model combines a two-in-one pushchair and a car seat, whilst the three-part option has a pushchair, car seat and a carrycot. A great all-in-one option for young babies, remember to make sure it fits into your car before making your purchase.

Strollers

Strollers are the most lightweight option but tend to be unsuitable for children under six months old- instead, they are ideal for toddlers. Perfect for shopping, travelling on public transport and going on holiday, strollers are incredibly easy to fold away into small places. However, some models do not recline and they do not have as much padding as other buggies- plus, they might not be as easy to push. But if you want a buggy that can be popped up and down and carried with ease, strollers are the right choice for you.

Extras

When buying your buggy you may want to choose some extras as well, such as: hoods, rain covers, shopping baskets and things called cosy toes, which stay on better than blankets. But if you want to save money, try and find a buggy that includes as many of these as possible- extras can seriously increase the price.

Save Money

One of the easiest ways to cut the cost of your buggy is to use a discount code. At the moment, these shops are offering the following discounts:

  • Up to 61% off Selected Buggies at KiddiSave
  • Free Car Seats, Carrycots & More on Selected Pushchairs at Kiddicare
  • Free Accessory Pack on Pronto Stroller Orders at Babies R Us

Of course, you might want to save even more money by choosing a second hand model. If this is the case, remember to do your research as you would if you were shopping for a new buggy: go and look in the shops and find out the required dimensions and style.

If your second handy buggy doesn’t come with accessories, make sure they are available to buy cheaply and haven’t been discontinued. And it goes without saying that the buggy should comply with British Standard BS 7409:1996 or BS EN 1888:2003, as well as having fully functional breaks and no corrosion or badly worn parts.

What are your tips for buying a buggy? Get in touch!

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