Welcome to Mums' picks 2017 Knowing what to buy for your baby can be difficult. We've asked thousands of mums to rate the products that make their life easiest. Mums' picks 2017: best travel systems (photos) Mums' picks 2017: best pushchairs (photos) Mums' picks 2017: best lightweight strollers (photos) Mums' picks 2017: best breast pumps (photos) Duvets, pillows, blankets and baby sleeping bags all have pros and cons. We can help you choose the bedding that's right for your baby. Buying a Moses basket, crib or carrycot Parents' tips: cots, Moses baskets and bedding The law on child car seats If you're travelling by car, your baby must be in a car seat appropriate for his weight. We've got all the information you need to keep your baby safe. Are airbags dangerous for children? Buying a first car seat for your newborn baby Buying a Group 1 car seat From safety tap covers and bath mats to bath toys and baby toiletries, find out which accessories can help to make bathtime easy and fun.
Buying a baby bath or bath seat Baby baths and bath seats: parents' tips Top 10 bathroom safety products Many mums find breastfeeding products and accessories make their lives easier. Find out the pros and cons of breast pumps and how to find a good nursing bra. Buying for breastfeeding: parents' tips Bottle feeding: a guide to what you need There's a lot to think about when you're buying a pram or pushchair. Our buying guide lays out your options and gives you points to consider to make the decision easier. Babywearing: types of slings and carriers Slings and carriers allow you to get on with things while keeping your baby close to you. Read our advice on baby carriers and fabric slings to find out how to make them work for you. Babywearing: sling and carrier stockists guide 10 things Emma couldn't have survived without From highchairs to front carriers, playpens to nappy bins, find out which baby and toddler products mums can't live without.
What Martine couldn't have survived without Buying for baby: what you really need Buying for your baby on a budgetStrollers come in all prices and sizes. Here are some valuable tips on which one to buy for your baby. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Google Plus Text EmailA stroller is a key piece of baby gear typically needed right from the start until a child is able to walk a distance on his own, by about age 3 or 4; many parents use their strollers until their child is 7 or 8 if they’re walking long distances or for a long day.With so many different types of strollers available, though, it can be hard to tell which one is right for your family. Consider where you live, where you expect to push your stroller, and how much you want to spend. If you plan to take your child on long urban walks, you'll need a stroller that's sturdy but easy to maneuver over curbs, in and out of shops, and through on public transportation. If you live a suburban or rural car-oriented lifestyle, your stroller should be easy to fold and fit in your car.
If you'll use a stroller mainly for quick errands, you can probably get away with a simple car-seat stroller frame for younger babies and a lightweight stroller for older ones. Active moms and dads who want to bring their baby along when running or hiking will want a rugged jogging stroller. You may end up with several strollers in your closet or garage as your child grows and your needs change.See which strollers parents liked best in BabyCenter’s Moms’ Picks awards or browse hundreds of strollers.Standard strollers come in many different styles and designs, but will almost always have a comfortable padded seat that can recline into different positions. Most have sunshades and storage areas below the seat. In some strollers, the baby faces forward, while others position the child looking back at the parents. Many models can shift from one orientation to the other. They can range from simple, inexpensive strollers to high-end strollers loaded up with features.Car-seat stroller frames are lightweight metal frames designed to carry specific types of infant car seats.
You remove the car seat from its base in the car, snap it into the stroller frame, and you’re rolling. (This is especially convenient when you need to take a sleeping baby out of the back seat.) These frames are easy to fold up and throw in the trunk of your car, and don't take up much space. But once your baby outgrows her infant car seat (usually when she hits 35 pounds or so), you won't be able to use one anymore.Travel systems are standard or jogging strollers that can also carry an infant car seat. Travel systems are larger, heavier, and more expensive than a stroller frame, but you can use them after your baby has outgrown her infant car seat. Travel systems typically include a stroller and matching infant car seat.Lightweight strollers, sometimes called umbrella strollers, usually weigh 12 pounds or less and fold up compactly. These no-frills strollers may not have much padding and sometimes aren't very adjustable, but they are usually less expensive than models with more features.
They’re better for toddlers and older babies (check the manufacturer's age recommendation). Some families use them as backup strollers or for traveling. Most aren't suitable for infants because they don't fully recline or have much head support.Jogging strollers feature 3 bicycle wheels on a lightweight frame and deliver a smooth ride for both pusher and passenger. They're great for taking your child on long walks, runs, and even hikes through the woods (if the trail is wide enough). Some jogging strollers carry more than one child, either side-by-side or one-behind-the-other.In urban environments, jogging strollers can scale steep hills and navigate over curbs. But their size makes them hard to maneuver up and down stairs, into elevators, or through stores, and they don't fold up as compactly as other models.Note: You may need to purchase additional parts to use a jogging stroller safely when your baby is younger than 6 months old. Some fully recline for infants, but if yours doesn't, you'll have to buy an infant-car-seat adapter or a separate bassinet or "carry cot" made for your stroller.