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What is the difference between a buggy and a pushchair?

What different styles of buggy are there?

What different styles of pushchair are there?

What's the difference between a pram and a combination?

What's available if I have two children?

What type of car seat is suitable for my child?

The difference between a buggy and a pushchair

With the increasing sophistication of this market, the difference between buggies and pushchairs is blurring. In some circumstances either style may be suitable.

• The first difference is in folding action. A pushchair folds flat whereas a buggy folds like an umbrella.
  
• Because of the difference in folding action, a buggy folds long and narrow whereas a pushchair folds wider and shorter.
  
• All pushchairs have large shopping trays underneath, whereas very few buggies have shopping trays underneath, and those that do, only have small trays.
  
• All pushchairs are suitable from birth because they have a lie-flat position, very few buggies have a lie-flat position, therefore very few are suitable from birth.
  
• All pushchairs come with a large hood, only the more expensive buggies have hoods.
  
• There are now some ultra lightweight three wheel buggies from the Allterrain range which are useful for crossing rough ground or jogging.

The term stroller is sometimes used, we feel it is ambiguous so only use the terms buggy and pushchair.

Styles of buggies

Single position

These come with lockable swivel wheels, a five point harness and are suitable for a larger child who doesn't need to sleep in the buggy. These are fairly light and cheap so are also suitable for holiday use.

Two position layback

These come with lockable swivel wheels and a five point harness. Suitable from age 5/6 months upwards and available with built in head hugger if required. The baby can doze quite comfortably in this style. It is very important that this style has a proper back support on a separate frame.

Three position layback

These come with lockable swivel wheels, five point harness, footrest and are suitable either from birth or 5/6 months depending on make. They are larger than two position buggies usually heavier (unless made from aluminium) and stronger. The baby or child can really sprawl out in this style.

The six position layback

These have the same features as a three position but have more layback settings and are suitable from birth.

Note: For babies that are not yet strong enough to support the weight of their head (usually younger than six months) it is essential that the buggy or pushchair has a lie-flat position. Please ask us for details on which models are suitable.

Styles of pushchairs

All pushchairs have at least a two position seat and one position is lie-flat so is suitable for very young babies. Most modern pushchairs have large wheels where the front wheels are lock-swivel.
We do have a few three position pushchairs with small wheels which are lighter and more compact.

We also have available travel systems which are pushchair-car seat combinations. The seat can be unclipped from the frame and placed directly in the car with the child still strapped in. Manufacturers include Graco and Even flo.

There are also available on the market some pushchairs where the handle position can be reversed so that the parent stands on the other side of the pushchair allowing the child to look at the parent. We do not recommend any of the models currently available as:

• When the handle has been reversed, the swivel wheels end up on the wrong side.
  
• In the reversed position, the brakes end up on the wrong side.
  
• In one of the two handle positions, usually the reversed position, the handle ends up very low.
  
• There's a significant weight penalty.

Prams and combinations

We don't stock any basic prams as we don't feel they give good value for money. We recommend one of the combination styles. We stock prams from several companies including Cosatto, Monbébé, Bébé Confort, Chicco, Britax and Graco.
In both the 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 combination styles, the pram body converts into a multi-position seat giving you the utility of both a pram and a pushchair.

In the 3-in-1 style, the pram body can be lifted off the frame to make a carrycot suitable for the first few weeks of a baby's life. This gives you the three functions: pram; pushchair; and carrycot. They tend to be bigger than the 2-in-1 style.

There are two chassis styles for combinations, it is very important to pick the correct style. One style has large wheels and bouncy suspension. These wheels are fixed (that is they don't swivel). The other style has smaller wheels and a harder suspension. The front wheels are lock-swivel.

Some people think that the larger wheel style gives a more comfortable ride, however, the biggest difference between the two styles is that the smaller wheel style folds smaller and tends to be lighter. Therefore, if you have to take the combination on public transport or if you have a car with a small boot, we would recommend only the smaller wheel style - we feel you would be wasting your money with the larger wheel style. If weight and size are not an issue then the chassis style is a matter of personal preference.

Tandems and side-by-sides

We stock a number of pushchairs and buggies suitable for carrying more than one child. Some are suitable for twins but all are suitable for children of differing ages (for example, a baby and a toddler).
Be advised that putting two children in a pushchair or buggy designed for a single child will break it.

Car seats

There are three types of carseats.

• Stage one are for babies up to 15 months, they are all rearward facing and come with carrying handles.
  
• Stage two are for babies/children up to 4 years old. They are usually fitted in the rear of the vehicle, recline, can be forward or rear facing and have their own harnesses.
  
• Stage three are for children from 9 months to 10 years old. These may have their own seat belts, are all forward facing and usually separate to form a booster seat for the older child.

We have car seats available from and Team-tex and other.