Designing Ocarro 2: Our award-winning pushchair revolutionised

To celebrate the launch of our next-generation Ocarro 2 pushchair, we sat down with the designer behind its evolution, Matt Harris.

Here, Matt shares how the Mamas & Papas design team reimagined our bestselling all-terrain pushchair, enhancing existing features and introducing game-changing new ones to create the ultimate co-pilot for navigating early parenthood with confidence, style and ease.

How did you go about redesigning the iconic Ocarro pushchair? What was your starting point?

We knew we were building on a strong foundation with Ocarro an award-winning pushchair with great features that’s been on the market for some time, which meant we could draw on real parent feedback. With Ocarro 2, our aim was to evolve what families already loved about the product while making it even more capable of doing even more things that support life with a baby. That meant retaining its strengths, addressing what could be better and adding new functionality.

One key update was designing a carrycot approved for overnight sleep. But we quickly realised sleep isn't just about nighttime in this instance – it’s naps in the day, at home or on the go and giving parents a moment to rest, reconnect or get some ‘jobs’ ticked off. Whole schedules start to be built around naps. When can we go here? Or when do we need to leave there?

So, our focus became bigger than overnight comfort. It was about starting a positive sleep journey from the outset and more importantly, having the ability to maintain it. Therefore, we wanted to explore how we could continue supporting good quality, comfortable sleep - wherever and whenever, from tiny baby to toddlerhood.

What makes the Ocarro 2 different from other pushchairs on the market?

What gives us that extended, adaptable comfort and perfect place to nap is our lay-flat pushchair seat and plush newborn liner. Unlike our competitors, the Ocarro 2 seat can be used from birth, allowing parents to easily transition their baby from carrycot to the seat whenever they’re ready, while maintaining that safe, cocoon-like environment.

What is your favourite feature of Ocarro 2, as both a parent and a designer?

The one-hand fold. We were one of the first brands to offer it and for me as a designer, it’s a perfect example of user-focused design showing real consideration for the everyday moments parents face. Being able to fold the pushchair with one hand while holding your baby in the other makes all the difference, whether you need to climb a flight of stairs or squeeze into the corner of a busy café.

Whenever I demonstrate the fold to parents, the number of times I hear, “I wish my pushchair did that,” tells me what an important feature it is to have. I’ve also experienced those benefits firsthand as a parent, standing in a car park after a walk with my son in the car seat, just wanting to get home. Being able to fold the pushchair quickly and lift it into the boot in one go, especially in the rain, is one of those small but meaningful details that really help make everyday parenting that bit easier.

If you could pick just one thing about Ocarro 2 that makes it special, what would it be?

Definitely the comfort. Our carrycots are made with thermo-regulating bamboo and finished with plush quilting for a soft, snug feel. As baby grows, the seat offers breathable mesh and durable knitted fabrics, while the newborn liner, padded harness and adjustable head hugger create a cocooning space that feels just as secure. This layered, adaptable comfort is what really helps ease that transition from carrycot to seat.

How do you want Ocarro 2 to make parents feel when using it every day?

Once again, it comes back to comfort but this time, in a different sense. Comfort in feeling that their pushchair won’t hold them back. Ocarro 2 can handle pretty rough terrain, but then still fold down small enough not to feel like it's getting in the way. There’s reassurance too, in knowing it adapts as baby grows. And of course, style matters Ocarro 2 pairs thoughtful design with a range of colours and finishes, making it a natural extension of parents’ personal style. We want parents to push with pride, knowing their babies are at the heart of it all and to feel the joy in those little moments that make parenting so special. Ocarro 2 is that co-pilot that gives you the freedom and confidence to get out and about with your baby and enjoy every day.

Ocarro 2’s design is so sleek and contemporary. What was your inspiration behind the aesthetic?

As with all Mamas & Papas products, our goal was a cohesive, considered design where every part works in harmony. We wanted all elements to flow together rather than stand out as separate details, such as chassis tubes seamlessly transitioning into the plastics of the hinge or the hubs. The fabrics, too, are thoughtfully embedded into the form, not just added on. Additionally, the colours and finishes are key. With a subtle, low-contrast palette and layered textures, we’ve created visual interest that feels effortless and refined.

How much influence do seasonal trends and colour palettes have on the final design?

We’re always tuned into evolving trends across all our product categories. While styles shift at different paces for interiors and nursery furniture, we aim to maintain a distinct Mamas & Papas signature across our range, while still offering enough variety for personal expression. Colour and finish are key tools in striking that balance. By starting with our core holistic design aesthetic, we can adjust tones, materials and textures to give each design a different personality. Overall, we knew we wanted a lower contrast look, which keeps our branding and details discreet and sophisticated. However, there are some significant differences between Jet, Crema and Heritage, for example, that stem from their colour and finish.

If you were picking an Ocarro 2, which colourway would you choose?

I’d go with Eclipse, the all-black finish. It’s timeless and gives the whole design a unified, seamless look.

What kind of testing does a pushchair like the Ocarro 2 go through before hitting the market?

Having our own in-house test lab at head office means every Mamas & Papas’ pushchair design is put through rigorous checks that meet and often exceed industry standards. Parents know just how much a pushchair endures from needing to withstand daily use to the demands of young family life, which is why we test beyond the basics.

Throughout our Ocarro 2 design process, we tested several prototypes, with pushchairs being put through the following as a minimum:

10,000 kerb mount cycles
1,000 stair cycles
5,000 brake cycles
49,000 fold cycles

The Ocarro 2 was also rolled across 440km of rolling road irregular surfaces and exposed to extreme conditions of +50°C heat and -15°C cold.

Are you already thinking about Ocarro 3?

We’re always thinking about the next product. It takes years for us to develop a new pushchair. There are many ideas and things we want to do, but if we tried to do them all at once, it would become too complicated and we wouldn’t have a new pushchair for 10 years. We’re constantly talking to people about parenting and exploring ways to enhance all our products. Our designers and engineers love problem-solving and are always focused on tackling the everyday challenges that come with parenting. So, yes, we’re thinking about Ocarro 3, Ocarro 4 and Ocarro 5, all at the same time!