If you're thinking about what type of pram, pushchair or travel system to choose, keep in mind three important considerations: your needs, your baby's needs and your general lifestyle.

This guide will help you to understand the different types of pushchairs, prams and travel systems. Helping you to understand which system best suits you and your baby's needs.

1. Pushchair safety - the law.
2. Choose a pushchair that suits your lifestyle.
3. Choose a pushchair to meet your baby's needs.
4. Carrycots.
5. Prams.
6. Pushchairs.
7. Three-wheeler and All-terrain pushchairs.
8. Travel systems.
9. Buggies, strollers & city pushchairs.
10. Twin and tandem pushchairs.
11. Accessories for your pushchair.
12. Pushchair safety tips.
13. Pushchair comparison chart
14. Car seat buying guide

 

 

Pushchair safety - the law

By law, all pushchairs sold in the UK must comply with British standards. Travel systems which also include a car seat should also comply with European standards ECE R44/04 or R129 i-Size.
All Jané products that we import for the UK and Irish markets comply with all the required safety standards for the UK & Ireland.

 

Choose a pushchair that suits your lifestyle

If you use public transport regularly, a lightweight and compact folding pram or pushchair would be best. If space is a premium at home, it's worth looking out for models where the seat unit will fold compactly away as this will take up much less space.

If you use a car, check the size of your car boot and compare it with the folded dimensions of the pram or pushchair you're thinking about choosing. If you use a car regularly you might want to consider a multi-function travel system that's an infant car seat and pushchair all in one. This allows you to transport your baby from home to the car and to the pushchair without disturbing them from sleep. 

However, it should be noted that babies shouldn't be left in their infant car seat for more than 2 hours, unless it’s a lie-flat auto carrycot or lie-flat car seat travel system, because as these models can lie-flat and are suitable for new-borns to sleep in, they therefore don’t have the 2 hour limit restriction of conventional infant car seats.

If you walk a lot, choose a strong model with lockable swivel wheels. Swivel wheels make a pushchair easy to manoeuvre, while fixed wheels make handling easier over rough surfaces. Some pushchairs offer both a fixed and swivel wheel option. However you travel, make sure you choose the correct handle height for you.

 

Choose a pushchair to meet your baby’s needs

Newborn babies need to lie back, so you will need a pram, a pushchair and carrycot combination, or a pushchair with a lie-back facility. Some models have fully reversible seat units so your baby can face you or face away.

Consider also where your newborn baby will sleep: in a Moses basket, crib, cot or carrycot. This will also help you decide on what type of pram, carrycot or travel system to choose.

“Newborns need to lay flat until they are able to support the weight of their own head”

 

 

Carrycots

Carrycots can often seem like an unnecessary expense, but they are the safest way to transport your baby until approximately the age of 6 months. Newborns baby’s need to lay flat until they are able to support the weight of their own head, this protects spinal development and opens up their airways fully. A carrycot (or a lie flat car seat / carrycot combination) is the perfect way to do this and also enables your baby to explore their hands and feet, as well as encouraging interaction with parents. 

There are 3 types of carrycots: 

1. Conventional carrycots that can be used for overnight sleeping and also attached to the pushchair to convert it into a pram,
2. Auto Carrycots that have all the advantages of a conventional carrycot but with the extra safety features that allow it to be a Group 0 lie-flat restraint system in the car which is especially recommended by health officials for longer journeys,
3. Lie-flat car seat / carrycot combination system which is a multi-functional infant car seat that turns into a carrycot that offers the option of safely travelling with your baby in the sitting up or lying down position in the car or pushchair, especially recommended by health officials for long journeys.

Most pushchairs will have a carrycot option. Also don’t forget that newborn babies shouldn’t be in a car seat in the car or on the pushchair as part of a travel system for longer than 2 hours, as this can impact their development, unless it is obviously a lie-flat car seat or auto carrycot which doesn’t have this restriction.

 

Prams

A pram is usually more suitable for newborns and younger babies allowing them to travel in the recommended lie-flat position. 
The benefit of this is that they will be supported while being kept comfortable and protected in a warm and cosy environment. In this secure rear-facing environment you can also maintain eye contact with your newborn, so you can keep an eye on them. 

Some prams feature a seat unit that reclines fully flat for newborns, while others require the addition of a separate carrycot or a pramette seat unit that will start off in a lie-flat pram mode or carrycot for younger babies and then convert into a pushchair seat unit for older ones.

Ideal for: Spacious homes, country walks, colder weather

 

Pushchairs

Although the name is often interchangeable with buggy or stroller, the common definition of a pushchair is anything that is compatible with an infant car seat or carrycot. Typically it will also have a lie-back seat unit or a reclining bucket seat.

Things you may want to consider:
Lie-Flat - Newborn babies need to ideally lie-flat, so if you are interested in a pushchair you will need either a pushchair with a carrycot (pram) or infant car seat (travel system) combination or a pushchair with a lie-back recline facility that’s suitable from birth.

Seat Unit - Some models have a reversible seat unit so your baby can face you, and when they’re a bit older they can look out as you stroll.

Folding - Different models fold in different ways, some can be folded with the pushchair seat unit still attached, some can be folded and unfold with one just hand and some are freestanding when folded. A carry handle may help to make things easier. The fold function and weight are particularly important features to consider if you often use public transport or a car.

Wheels - You may wish to consider the terrain the pushchair will be used on as different models are equipped with different types of wheels (they may be fixed, swivel or lockable) to make strolling easier in different situations. The size of the wheels varies between models, larger wheels can offer better suspension.  Some models are fitted with pneumatic tyres or the latest innovation; PU tyres for greater shock absorbing properties without the possibility of a puncture.

Baskets - Shopping trays, baskets or pram changing bags can make things easier if you’re running errands with your baby in tow.

 

Three-wheeler and All-terrain pushchairs

All-terrain pushchairs are designed specifically for the roughest terrain and/or jogging, but are equally comfortable in everyday use. They have a modern look and are easy to manoeuvre as they are narrow at the front and are lightweight.

You can choose from two types of all-terrain pushchairs:

• 4 wheeler city pushchairs which are designed for everyday use about town and the country or 
• 3 wheel pushchairs, which maximise stability over uneven ground.

Both of which are suitable for newborn babies if they have a fully reclinable seat unit, carrycot or infant car seat.

Three-wheeler pushchairs are undeniably the ultimate all-terrain pushchair. Three wheels maximise stability over rough terrain better than 4 wheels because with 3 wheels they are always in contact with the ground, just like a tripod on uneven ground, all 3 legs will still touch the ground, unlike a table with 4 legs which would always have at least 1 leg off the ground, making it unsteady.

 

Travel systems

Perfect for drivers, travel systems include a infant car seat with a pushchair or pram. They make the best choice if you spend a lot of time travelling by car and usually include everything you’ll need without you having to purchase extra components. They’re easy to use and excellent value for money as the car seat is included.

The infant car seat will also attach to the pushchair chassis, allowing you to move your baby from car to pushchair and back again without having to be moved or disturb from sleep, and allows you to continue your journey by foot effortlessly.

Remember the 2 hour limit.
Note: For very young babies it is best not to keep them in the car seat for more than 2 hours without a break. If you do tend to make long journeys by car consider a lie-flat auto carrycot or lie-flat car seat travel system, because as they lie-flat and are suitable for new-borns to sleep in, they therefore don’t have the 2 hour limit restriction of conventional infant car seats.
Ideal for: An all-round performer, perfect for drivers

 

Buggies, strollers & city pushchairs

Buggies and strollers are lightweight, portable, compact and versatile. Ideal for public transport and for taking on holiday as they tend to be very compact when folded, making them easy to store when space is limited. Also an ideal choice for grandparents to have at their house for when baby pays them a visit.

A Buggy or stroller is usually suitable from 6 month+ and is not usually compatible with carrycots or infant car seats, although some may feature a lie-back function, making them suitable for newborns.

Ideal for: Smaller homes, travel and using public transport, holidays

 

 

 

 

Twin and tandem pushchairs

If you have twins, or small children close in age and weight, double buggies and tandems are ideal.

Tandems
A tandem pushchair has one seat in front of the other and offers a practical solution to transporting your babies together.  This design makes it harder for toddlers to interfere with each other and some models even have the option to add infant car seats and/or carrycots, making them suitable for newborns.

Some pushchairs now also offer an option to attach a second seat unit, transforming it from a single pushchair or travel system into to tandem, ideal for a growing family.

Double buggies 
Double and triple pushchairs all tend to have side by side seats so children can keep each other company. Usually suitable from birth to 15kg, these don’t typically have the option of a car seat or carrycot.

 

Accessories for your pushchair

Most of our accessories can also coordinate with your pushchair, so choosing these at the same time to guarantee availability is advisable.

Changing bag
Nappies, wipes, baby bottle….  All those on the move essentials need a smart carrying solution. A convenient way to store neatly everything you need to take your baby visiting. Most changing pram bags come with a PVC changing mat, pockets for soiled items and insulated pockets.  With most Jané models you will find this accessories is included already saving you money.

Sun parasol
Helps protect your baby from harsh sunlight. Our anti-uva sun parasols and sun shades are universal and offer unique protection against ultraviolet rays, both UVB and UVA. A protection factor of 50+, the highest that material can reach.

Seat Liner
Give your baby or toddler a some extra comfort with a pushchair seat liner. The liner adds a little extra support for their bottom and acts as a barrier against your pushchair fabric and food and drink spillages - and trust us, there will be spillage. With most Jané models you will find this accessories is included already, saving you money.

Footmuff 
A cold baby is an unhappy baby so wrap up warm with a footmuff. Many unzip for easy in-out access and some can even convert to pram quilts and liners.

Head support cushion 
Specially designed to give young babies extra support and comfort in pushchairs, car seats and bouncing chairs.

Raincovers and insect nets 
Protect your baby from top to toe in bad weather or keep bothersome insects away with an insect net. With most Jané models you will find the raincover is included already saving you money.

Pushchair Toys
Your baby or toddler may take in the world around them on their travels, but a few home comforts can reassure them in the brave new world. Pram toys come with velcro or loops that easily hook onto most pushchairs. Also ideal for the car seat.

 

Pushchair safety tips

By law, all pushchairs sold in the UK must comply with British standards. Travel systems which also include a car seat should also comply with European standards ECE R44/04 or R129 i-Size.
All Jané products that we import for the UK and Irish markets comply with all the required safety standards for the UK & Ireland.

To ensure your child's safety, remember these simple points:

Do

• Always read the instructions carefully and familiarise yourself with all the moving parts before you use your pushchair for the first time.
• Show anyone who's going to use your pushchair, and who may be unfamiliar with it, how to open and fold it, and how to operate the brakes and locking and safety mechanisms.
• Always check that locking devices are secure when you open the pushchair. Remember to release all safety locks before folding it.
• Always secure your child in the pushchair with the five-point safety harness.

Don't

• Leave your child unattended.
• Carry more than one child in your pushchair unless it's designed for that.
• Use PVC raincovers indoors or in strong sunlight as this can cause overheating.

 

Car Seat Buying guide

Click here for our car seat buying guides.