Last Updated: 14-04-2023 20:03
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With so many costs to consider when starting a family you will want to get value for money at every opportunity. Getting a good quality cheap pushchair, or stroller as they are now sometimes called, is a great way to make a saving so your money can be better spent elsewhere. But you won't want to get one that's too cheap and is no good. Let's look over some of the things you'll want your pushchair to have, and them some features that aren't essential, but would be nice. We'll also go over some of the brands available and see if they're are worth the money, or if better value for money can be found elsewhere with the lesser known brands
The single biggest money saving tip we can offer when it comes to buying things for your baby is to really sit down and ask yourself if you really need it. The basic purpose of a stroller is to help transport your baby with you as you go about your daily life. Now if you've a car seat and do very little walking, then a baby carrier may be of far more use to you than a cheap stroller, and tests have shown babies much prefer being held, as opposed to being in a pushchair or stroller.
Baby carriers are great for the first 6 months or so. They distribute the weight very easily around the shoulders and can be comfortabley worth for up too a couple of hours. this will keep you hands free and your baby will be much happier. We understand that as your baby gets bigger this isn't suitable, but since a lot of parents change their pushchairs and strollers after 6 months, this is why we'd say to ask yourself if you really need one for the first 6 months. Baby carries are cheaper and if you aren't walking long distance with shopping for example, then save your money and get one.
There are also health benefits to carrying your baby for the first 6 months. Many parents have a full travel system for the newborn baby. The baby can go from car seat, to stroller or pushchair to a bouncer all without getting out of the seat. This can cause plagiocephaly, this is were the back of your babies head can go flat. Newborn babies skulls are still soft and any more than 4 hours on there back is not recommended.
With that being said, we don't want to alarm you. If proper precautions are taken, then a pushchair for newborn babies can be a great way to get around and get out and about with your baby. Sometimes you'll have no choice. If you have no car and need to go food shopping for example. To do this with a baby carrier and your shopping bags would make you super parent in our eyes. A pushchair not only carries your baby, but also your shopping on the way home.
There are a few more benefits to using a cheap quality pushchair over a baby carrier. It's easier on you and the baby. It's well known that a smooth stroll can help send your baby straight off to sleep. It's great for storing small shopping items. It's also good if you're wanting to get back in shape after having your baby. There are special pushchairs out made just for jogging. It isn't recommend that you go jogging with your baby if it's less than 6 months. After 6 months your baby has more head control and is better equipped for this.
When it comes to anything baby related, be ready to have to pay a bit of money. This doesn't mean that you still can't find great deals on pushchairs, they are out there. We just recommend you have a set budget and stick to it. Find out what your means are, and how much use you'll be getting from your pushchair and go from their. If you're on a tight budget and you only need a pushchair to go to the shops a few times a week to pick up the essentials, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with a stroller that cost under £40. Or even having a look at second hand websites to find really good stroller deals.
If you're looking to be getting plenty of use of a quality stroller then it really is worth spending that little bit more. We would recommend spending the money on a 6 months+ stroller as this is the one that you'll be getting the most use out of. If this is your first child, but you think there'll be more on the way before long then a quality pushchair will be great for future use, or even to pass on to family after you know you're well and truly done with it. Some of the best known brands like Mamas and Papas and Silver Cross hold a really good resale value if they are well looked after.
We are just going to look over the types of cheap pushchairs and low priced strollers. We won't go into car seats and pushchair combinations. We'll do that at another time. This is the same with travel systems. These are a different category and best saved for an article all for themselves. So the main types are:
Standard Size Pushchair These are the most popular type and can range from anything between £40 all the way up to above £500. Yes, £500 for a stroller is pretty expensive to say the least, but there are parents out there who pay it. The more you spend the more features it will have. From a mid range stroller of about £100 expect some good maneuverability and an easy to collapse system. Also one that is lightweight. These are the main features to look out for. The more expensive ones than this will offer great features, but not vital ones like the ones above.
Lightweight Strollers Perfect for travel, these are sometimes called umbrella strollers due to the way they fold and resemble umbrellas, we guess. These are really good for a holiday. They won't have much in the way of maneuverability, and could be a little tricky to push on rough surfaces, but a small price to pay for the ease in which they can be collapsed and put on a plane or in a car.
Jogging Strollers Yep, we've all seen these super mums out jogging with there baby. Now if you'd like this to be you, you could look at getting a jogging pushchair. If you've got a decent quality pushchair already and you know of a really smooth jogging route near you, then we wouldn't recommend getting a pushchair just for jogging. It is a little excessive to say the least. If, however you don't have this then a jogging pushchair is a good option. Be expected to pay for it. A jogger stroller can be around the £250 mark.
Double Stroller A lot of options go out the window as soon as you find out you're having twins, sleep being the main one and baby carriers being the other. Double pushchairs are essential for parents of twins. Have a think of the most likely places you'll be going with this stroller and then decide over things like a side by side pushchair, or a tandem pushchair, which are the same width as a normal pushchair, but longer.
When it comes to brands of pushchairs there can be a little bit of snobbery involved. This is really unfair as people are on different budgets but everyone wants the best for there baby. We'll go over some of the best brands, and these will undoubtably make your life easier if you can afford it. They are easier to walk with, collapse and are usually lighter, but the bottom line is, all the pushchairs that we'll compare the price of are perfectly safe for your baby, and nobody should feel bad about pushing their baby around in a stroller that cost £30.
Mamas and Papas Strollers One of the best known brands which also has it's own online and high street stores. They look good and have some really good features. Like lie flat and they also have a easy to use folding system.
Obaby Strollers Obaby have a really good range of mid priced strollers that offer really good value for money. You can usually find some decent money saving deals on Obaby pushchairs at some of the major retailers that we'll look at next too.
Silver Cross Pushchairs One of the oldest and respected names in pushchairs, Silver Cross have been around for years. They are well known for offering high quality and next level comfort in a pushchair.
If you have decided that you would like to buy new and not used, then we think the best place to get a quality cheap stroller is from the big online and high street retailers. Very, Argos, Tesco Direct and Toys'R'Us all have loads on offer and we have put them all in one place for you to compare the prices of to see which ones are best for your budget.
Very have a massive choice of pushchairs and some of the best high end brands and strollers that you can find. They have some good deals on these too. So if you're in the market of top quality and a luxury pushchair brand, then Very is the place to shop.
An absolute massive amount of choice from Tesco Direct. Over 300 pushchairs and strollers to look over. They have the biggest choice of brands too, from Hauck to Joie to ABC Design and so many more. Also great for totting up your club card points.
Argos also have a good selection of low priced strollers and cheap pushchairs. In face they have the cheapest double pushchair that we've come across. A double stroller for under £40 is a find, and since there's 2 of everything to buy with twins, then this is a really good saving.