When it comes to buggies, what you want will depend to an extent on where you live and on your lifestyle (sturdy and robust are key if you live in vigorous terrain; compact and lightweight more so in the city). But as a general rule of thumb, you want something you can use from birth to around three years, with a duo-directional seat – so your baby can look at you when they’re tiny, then face the world when they’re a bit bigger. If you drive, having a pushchair that is compatible with your car seat, so you can transfer them without having to disturb them (i.e. accidentally wake them up – the cardinal sin) is also a God-send. For newborns, a carry-cot type addition can be also be great if you want them to sleep for longer periods while you’re out and about; after all, you’re not supposed to leave babies snoozing for more than an hour or two at a time in a buggy. Without further ado, we bring you our pick of the all-singing, all-dancing travel systems, which will tick all these boxes and more.

True Blue Balios M
Super simple to operate (the idea is you can operate most of the functions with one hand – useful for motherhood), and easy on the eye, the 3-in-1 Balios M (seen here in True Blue) comes in six tasteful shades. The reversible seat adapts to lying position, so your little one can still get some shut-eye even if you decide not to buy the additional carrycot, which is £135. Weighing just 10.6kg but with robust all-terrain wheels, this relatively compact design is good for city life and more rural adventures. The extendable canopy fully covers the pushchair so you can pray for an undisturbed rest. (For them at least.) Cybex car-seat sold separately.
£390; cybex-online.com

Van Gough Bee3
Embracing the spirit of Spring, Dutch buggy brand Bugaboo and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam have collaborated to produce an almond blossom print version of the popular Bugaboo Bee3. Available in limited edition from April, the travel system retains the usual features which have made this design one of their best. Nimble, compact and easy incredibly easy to manoeuvre, you can buy an easy to use adapter which makes the system compatible with a number of leading car-seats. The Van Gogh special edition has a number of matching accessories, if you want to go the whole hog, including the Bugaboo Footmuff Van Gogh ( £119.95 ) and the Bugaboo Bee3 Breezy Sun Canopy Van Gogh (£74.95). If you want a more low-key look, the original Bee3 comes in several more neutral palettes.
From £659; bugaboo.com

Armadillo Flip
For ease of use, price and general design, this might be our pick of the bunch. Seen here in the signature teal, it also comes in red, black, and sand dune gold. Really easy to fold, and to adjust the straps when you’re taking your child in and out, it also reclines with a simple click of a button so that baby is instantly flat and ready for sleep. There is a whole heap of accessories you can buy to pimp it up, but it has most of it there already in the package. Though the cosy Newborn Cocoon (£69) is highly recommended for added comfort.
£399; mamasandpapas.com

Woop Old School Travel System
If you’re feeling bold, this is the one for you. Forget having having to buy a separate carrycot to attach to your pushchair: the 2 in 1 Woop travel system is an all-in-one unit, which will see you through from day one. The sit simply transforms into a bed for infants with a simple to use recline mode, and as they get older, the pushchair mode faces forwards and backwards. It also boasts an adjustable handle height, removable bumper bar, 4-position snoozy seat recline, pop-off swivel wheels, and all round suspension. On top, it comes with a 4 way-reversible Cosy Toes for different weather; fold it over the padded removable bumper bar for total cocooning. And a matching travel bag. Compatible with Hold 0+ car seat (sold separately).
£360; cosatto.com

Quinny Moodd
Unfolding with the touch of a button, the Moodd is a very practical stroller, which reclines to fully flat to suit younger babies. The adjustable foot-rest comes into its own as their little legs grow, and the wheels are foam-filled and fitted with suspension for a smoother ride over rough terrain. It comes in six colours, with plenty of extras you could buy on top. Compatible with the Maxi-Cosi Pebble car-seat.
£600; quinny.com