Buying a Foldable Pushchair

A foldable pushchair is an ideal solution for holidays or quick excursions. They are lightweight and suitable for babies as young as four years. They also have good-sized wheels and a good basket.

Their name comes due to the way they fold. It's like an umbrella. Some have one-handed folding that's a breeze and others require a bit more involvement or two hands.

Easy to fold

The way that pushchairs fold is a crucial aspect when you are buying one. It's not just about how easy they are to carry as well as how much space they take up when folded. The majority of manufacturers create their folding mechanisms with different lifestyles in mind and some focus on compactness, while others concentrate on speed or user-friendliness. Find a pushchair twin with a concertina or scissor fold if you want an easy pushchair to fold. These are known for being capable of folding flat, and are ideal for those who plan to use public transportation or traveling with your child.

A majority of these pushchairs also have seats that face towards the parent (for bonding and assurance) and away from the parent (to enable them to discover the world around them). These pushchairs can be used by babies at a young age of 6 months. Some of them feature a decent recline position (though not as flat as infant car seat) and are compatible accessories like buggie bags or seat liners. They also come with a moses baskets that are fitted with a pram sheet.

In addition to the ease of folding, there are other factors that you should consider when choosing a buggy such as whether the fabric is machine washable, and whether it has wheels that release quickly. Having quick-release wheels is particularly important because it means that you can easily wash off any mud that has dried or become wet.

Some pushchairs fold in a scissor-like fashion, where the buggy is folded as an apex of scissors and folded into a rectangle shape. This type of pushchair can be the easiest to unfold since you need to lift the handle, then close the seat. However, it can be difficult to store in small spaces and is not suitable for use on public transport as it may not fit into smaller car boots.

Aside from a scissor fold are also pushchairs that fold in three or more sections, such as a concertina. These pushchairs are the most compact when they are folded, but can be difficult to maneuver and require two arms. They can also be tricky to store since they have a long, rectangular shape when they are in a closed position. However, they are light and small enough to use as cabin baggage for flights. They are a great choice for families that travel.

Lightweight

The choice of pushchairs is vast and deciding on the right one for you can be a challenge. The jargon can be confusing, and folding mechanisms can be difficult to comprehend. The type of folding you choose can affect the ease with which you can move and store the pushchair.

Choosing a lightweight pushchair can make a huge difference for those who have limited storage space at home. There are a myriad of types of pushchairs available, from compact umbrella-folds to multifunctional travel systems that include carrycots and adapters to car seats. Some of them can be used from birth with baby carrycots, however it is crucial to confirm the specifications for lying flat of any model intended for use with a newborn.

A pushchair that folds in the same way as an umbrella is a useful and easy option. It takes up little space. These kinds of pushchairs get their name due to the fact they fold down similarly as an umbrella, which allows them to fit perfectly lengthways into most forms of storage and boot space. They are often incredibly light, and the majority of models will also come with rain covers to shield your child from the elements.

Concertina-style twin pushchairs are another choice. They fold in three or more sections with the frame and seat collapsing into the frame. They are the most compact and easy to store. They require two hands to open and close.

Many pushchairs will come with a footmuff, a reversible (and washable) seat liner, a carry strap and a safe pouch on the hood to help keep your children warm, dry and comfortable during colder weather. Certain brands will include these items as part of a bundle, whereas others sell them separately.

Verify that the fabric of the pushchair can be washed by machine. This will make cleaning easier and faster. Additionally it is essential to check regularly if that the brakes are functioning properly and if there's a speck of mud on the wheels to get it out using an hosepipe or pressure washer.

Easy to transport

If you want to take your pushchair with you on holiday or use it regularly on public transport you might prefer one that folds down easily into smaller dimensions. This type of pushchair is also light to lift and makes it easy for to store in your car boot or a smaller vehicle.

A wide selection of folding pushchairs are available to pick from, and the way they fold differs from brand to brand. Some focus on speed and ease of use, while others offer a more compact one-handed, two-handed, or even a one-handed fold. The Cybex Libelle is a good example, as it not only folds down but also inwards. This makes the buggy an attractive square package that can fit into a variety of hand luggage spaces.

There are two kinds of brakes for pushchairs: foot pedal brakes and handle brakes. Foot brakes are the most commonly used and operate by pressing the sole of a foot, which locks both rear wheels. This is a great choice for parents who have to stop or slow down often. Hand brakes are found on jogger-style strollers and three-wheeled joggers. They are more sensitive than the foot brakes and can be used to change the speed of an exercise. Combination brakes are typically found on city pushchairs and combine a foot pedal with a hand lever that activates the other brake to give you maximum control.

Based on your baby's age depending on the baby's age, you might want to find a pushchair with a lying-flat seat or is compatible with a travel system to allow you to attach to a carrycot. Some of these pushchairs are able to be folded very quickly with the carrycot still on the frame. Alternatively, a lightweight carrycot which is simply rolled flat on the frame can be utilized.

It's worth looking up the website of the airline to make sure that the dimensions and weight of the pushchair fall within the baggage allowance for carry-on bags. Make sure that the pushchair will pass through a standard airport doorway, and can be lifted up and down steps. If you do plan to take your pushchair on vacation, it's best to bring a rain cover with you to protect it from showers and puddles.

Easy to store

Foldable pushchairs are an excellent option for parents who travel a lot. They're designed to be simple to fold and take up little space in the car boot. They are also great for public transport and holidays. Some models are also suitable to be used with a car seat.

Some models are so small that they fold almost flat. They're great when you don't have lots of storage space at home or in your car boot, but they may be more heavy to carry than buggies that are larger.

Alternatively, there are some pushchairs that fold in three or more sections, known as concertina, 3D or fold-in-half styles. These are easier to carry but require both hands to fold and unfold. They can also be quite large when folded, making them suitable for cars with smaller dimensions.

Other models come with scissor-style folds in which the seat back folds toward the front of the buggy, and the whole frame collapses into a square-ish, flat shape. They are simple and quick to fold and are also suitable for public transportation. However the rectangular shape they produce may not fit into the small car boot sizes.

Many pushchairs come with a sun canopy. These are usually made of SPF fabric which protects your baby from sun. Some brands include it in the price while others sell it separately. The most effective options come with an adjustable hood, which means you can wash them as you need to. Consider a footmuff too, as they are great for colder weather and can keep your baby warm.

Check the instructions of the manufacturer prior to washing your pushchair. Certain fabrics are not machine washed. If there's mud on the wheels, you can try using a hose or pressure washer to rinse off the dirt. If this fails, try a mild sterilising fluid and dry the fabric outside. If your pushchair remains in a damp, wet or stale for too long, it could damage the fabric and cause mildew and rot. If this happens, first clean off any mildew or mould with a soft bristled brush. Then wash and rinse as directed.