How to choose a pushchair: the questions to ask yourself

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You walk into the shop and twenty prams are waiting for you. They’re all gorgeous, they’re all “the best”, and the sales assistant is already talking about suspension and aluminium frames. Feeling a bit dizzy? Completely normal.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need the best pushchair in the world. You need the one that fits your life – and you know your life better than any catalogue does. So instead of starting with the models, start with a few honest questions.

The short answer: Decide by your stairs, your streets, your car boot and your budget. The one non-negotiable: for a newborn it needs a carrycot or a seat that reclines fully flat.

How many stairs do you climb every day?

If you live on the fourth floor with no lift, the weight of the pushchair suddenly becomes the most important number on the label. Think about who will be carrying it up – often together with the baby and the shopping bags. This is where a light frame and a compact fold really earn their points.

If you do have a lift, check that the pushchair actually fits in it. Literally – tape measure in hand.

What kind of streets will you be walking on?

Cobblestones, cracked pavements, a park with gravel paths? Then look for bigger wheels and good suspension – the springs that soak up the bumps. Tiny plastic wheels are lovely in a shopping centre, but on cobbles your baby will be rattled about and you’ll be battling every kerb.

If you mostly stick to smooth tarmac and public transport, a lighter, narrower pushchair may be all you need.

How big is your car boot?

One of the most common surprises: the pushchair is wonderful, but it doesn’t fit in the car. Measure your boot at home and take the numbers with you. Ask for the folded dimensions and whether the wheels come off if space is tight.

What’s your budget?

Expensive doesn’t automatically mean safer, and cheaper doesn’t mean bad. Set yourself a ceiling before you walk into the shop – and stick to it. A second-hand pushchair is worth considering too. RoSPA, the UK’s accident prevention charity, isn’t against used prams, but advises checking them carefully – especially the brakes, the frame and the harness.

Can a newborn lie flat in it?

Here comes the one thing that really is non-negotiable. In the first months, your baby needs to lie on their back on a firm, flat surface – this supports their little spine and makes breathing easier. So for a newborn, look for a carrycot (the long “bed” that clips onto the frame) or a seat that reclines fully flat. A pushchair without this option is for later, once your baby can sit up steadily.

How to check safety in two minutes

• Brakes: put them on and give the pushchair a push. It shouldn’t budge.
• Harness: a five-point harness is the most comfortable and secure – over the shoulders, round the waist and between the legs.
• Frame: when you unfold it, it should click and lock fully into place, with no wobbling.
• Little fingers: check whether any parts close like scissors when it folds.
• Instructions: ask for them in a language you understand, and read them before the first walk.

For the dads

Quite often it’ll be you folding the pushchair in the car park and hauling it up the stairs. Try the mechanism yourself in the shop – and feel free to do it three times in a row. No sales assistant will mind, and you’ll know exactly what you’re signing up for.

What matters most to you?

Make yourself a quick personal ranking. If what matters to you is:

• stairs and limited space → look at light, compact models;
• cobbles and parks → big wheels and good suspension;
• lots of car journeys → a pushchair that also takes an infant car seat;
• a modest budget → a simpler model or a well-checked second-hand one, without unnecessary extras.

There’s no pushchair that’s perfect for everyone. There is one that’s right for your family – and the choice is yours.

📖 Read next: 3-in-1, 2-in-1 or lightweight pushchair: what’s the difference? · Baby carrier or sling: how to choose

In short

You’ve already taken the most important step: you stopped to think about what you need, not what’s advertised the loudest. With these questions in your pocket, you’ll walk into the shop with a clear head. And a choice made this way will be a good one – because it fits your life. 💛

Sources: RoSPA – Pushchairs and buggies; Which? – Cheap strollers (lie-flat for newborns); Which? – Top pushchairs.