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Making the Right Choice
A pushchair is one of the most important items that you
will need to buy for your baby, and possibly one of the most expensive.
It is therefore essential that you make the right choice and carefully
consider the following points before you buy:
- Will it suit my lifestyle? It is essential that the pushchair
you choose is suitable for your lifestyle. If you do a lot of walking,
you should ensure that the model you choose is sturdy and has good suspension.
Similarly, if you will be spending a lot of time in a town, you will
need a pushchair that is easy to manoeuvre in busy crowds, and perhaps
a model that is lightweight and easily folded for ease on public transport.
- How well designed is it? Always try to see beyond the attractive
fabrics and cosy finishes. Instead ensure that the pushchair you choose
is designed to a high quality, and is functional and easy to use.
- Will this be your only pushchair? The model of pushchair that
you buy should depend on how long you are hoping it will suit your baby.
Always remember that a pushchair is only suitable for a newborn baby
if it is able to fully recline to enable your baby to lie flat. Some
models that are suitable from birth may not be suitable all the way
up to the time when your child no longer needs a pushchair, in which
case you may have to buy a second pushchair.
- What does the guarantee cover? It is important to find out
what sort of guarantee your pushchair carries, and how easy it will
be to sort out repairs or extra parts if something goes wrong. If you
are going to be using the pushchair on a daily basis, it is wise to
check whether your retailer will lend you replacement whilst yours is
being repaired.
- Ask for a full demonstration Even if you decide to buy online,
it is highly advisable that you visit a retailer so that you can try
the pushchair for yourself before you buy. Some pushchairs can be rather
complicated to put up and down, and so they may take a while to get
used to.
- Is the instruction manual clear? It is important to check this
before you buy, as some instructions for pushchairs are badly written
and hard to follow, particularly those from other countries that have
been translated into English.
- How big is it, folded and unfolded? Will it fit into the
boot of your car? Make sure you are aware of the sizing of the pushchair
before you buy it, and ensure that it can fit into the boot of your
car and will fit through an average-sized door. If you are planning
on buying a 3-wheeler pushchair and are likely to use public transport
then it is advisable to check the width of the back wheel, as some are
too wide to fit through the inner doors in train carriages.
- What accessories are included in the price? Some manufacturers
make many of their accessories optional extras, which can sometimes
mean that the price of a seemingly inexpensive pushchair can suddenly
start to add up once these extras are taken into account.
- Is it suitable for a newborn? If you are looking for a pushchair
that is suitable from birth it is absolutely essential that you choose
a model that has the facility to lie completely flat. The pushchair
must be sturdy, padded, comfortable and, particularly for a winter baby,
completely weatherproof.
- Can the seat face in either direction? Young babies usually
like to face their parent but toddlers prefer to see where they are
going
Choosing your pushchair
Buying your pushchair
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