A pushchair is one of the most expensive items you will have to buy for your child and buying new pushchairs can seem very expensive indeed but as they will be used for so many years it is probably a good idea to buy new. It can be just as cost effective to buy new pushchairs rather than second hand ones as you can get excellent offers nowadays, especially online, and you will also get a warranty so that if anything breaks you can get it fixed. Buying a new pushchair also gives you the advantage of being able to return it after buying (although before using outdoors of course) if you change your mind. Or if you discover that the pushchair you have chosen doesn’t fit in your car or your home you can exchange it for one that does, whereas if you buy second hand you don’t have that option.
New pushchairs are also the best way to guarantee that the model you buy is the most up to date design in style and technology, as things change and advance all the time. If you buy a second hand pushchair you might find that you have to buy another one after a while and you could end up spending as much, if not more, than if you bought a new one to start with. Buying a new pushchair does require lots of research though before you buy to make sure that you get the right one that will last and adapt as your baby grows.
Something to think about before buying new pushchairs is whether you will have another child and therefore need to be able to adapt the pushchair you choose into a 2 seater. Phil and Teds make some excellent pushchairs that you can add a second seat to convert them into a tandem or twin buggy. Such as their Sport 3-wheeler pushchair and Sport Doubles Kit that attaches to the front or back of the Sport to create a compact double pushchair.
It is important when buying new pushchairs to look at whether they are suitable for babies from birth, up to what age or weight they are suitable, and whether they have adaptors to add a carrycot or a car seat to so that it can become a complete travel system. You also have to think about ease of use, maneuverability, weight, size – when folded as well as when unfolded. Where will you store it when it’s folded at home? Will it fit into your car when folded? Will it fit through standard doorways and on busy pavements? If you travel on public transport will it fit on buses, trains and planes?
New pushchairs are not cheap but they are an investment for the safety and comfort of your baby, or babies, so you will also need to look at the comfort factors such as the seat reclining positions offered, does it have suspension, does it have soft tyres or solid wheels, does the leg rest move to accommodate your child as it grows, do the straps adjust, is the seat adjustable to face forwards or to face you while you’re on the move? Does it have good brakes and any other safety features that you want to test? There are so many factors to take into consideration that it is well worth spending time researching each brand and each pushchair that you like. The internet is the perfect place to start as all the top brands sell their products online and offer the technical specifications and information on each of their models.
Mothercare sell a vast range of new pushchairs and as a long-standing, trustworthy seller of baby products their website is a good place to start looking for a pushchair. Amazon also sells some major brand pushchairs and it is worth having a look around to see who has offers or sales on some of their products. Most new pushchairs can be delivered next day if you order online but it is worth taking your time to look around and allow a couple of days for delivery so order well before you need the pushchair.