Prams come in all shapes and sizes, which is great news as you need to find the one that fits your lifestyle. When bub comes along it will be your handbag, your mobile nursery, your movable feast – your indispensable baby helper.
What is your budget?
Set a budget – state-of-the-art prams are around the $1000 mark. Buying a new pram in-store means you benefit from the advice of the experts, and may often have a few extra goodies thrown in – like extra storage, a sun cover, a parent safety strap, shopping basket or a tyre pump.
You might be able to snag yourself a hand-me-down deal. Just make sure a pre-loved pram has washable fabrics, and cross check that all parts are present and in working order. Manufacturer product descriptions are available online.
Shop for what you need rather than keeping up with the Joneses. There are some less expensive prams out there that are just as capable as the big brands of meeting your every need.
What is your lifestyle?
Think about your typical Mummy day – do you live in a hilly or flat area, are you urban or beachy, will you be strolling to the park and shops or driving? Will you be hopping on and off public transport? Do you have to carry your pram up stairs or travel a lot?
These are all questions you need to answer before you make your purchase.
Key pram features
Once you’ve considered your lifestyle requirements, you just need to look at each pram’s key features to decide which type of pram will suit you most.
- A 4 wheeler is a full size pram with all the bells and whistles: cupholders, extra storage, lots of padding and, importantly, a fully reclining seat for newborns. These prams are suitable for most lifestyles – they’re great for shopping and getting around the neighbourhood with kids – but they are not the best option for getting off the beaten track or for moving fast.
- Three wheel prams are either built for rugged all-terrain use or for jogging once your baby is older.
- A Travel System is a pram with a removable capsule seat that doubles as a car seat. This is handy if you need to drive around a lot – especially if you take a lot of short trips – as it is less disruptive than having to take a sleeping baby out of the car seat and into the pram.
- Reversible Seating – the seat unit faces either forward or rearwards, allowing eye-to-eye contact with your newborn. It’s also handy when you’re taking walks outdoors as, depending on which way the sun in shining, you can reverse the seat to avoid the sunlight shining in your baby’s eyes.
- Double Strollers come in a few varieties:
- In tandem strollers children sit one behind the other. Tandems fit easily through doors and supermarket aisles.
- Side-by-side double strollers seat children next to each other and are easier to manoeuver over curbs and terrain.
- The toddler option is an attachable bench or seat for an older child to sit or stand on.
- Bassinet Option – a bassinet attaches to the pram, allowing your baby to lie completely flat and snug while sleeping. This is great for newborns.
- Adjustable handlebars cater for the taller parent. Try before you buy to make sure they’re long enough.
Pram safety
Most prams and strollers sold in Australia are certified to meet the full Australian standard (AS/NZS 2088:2013). Nevertheless, when shopping for your stroller you should do your own safety check.
- Test the stability of the pram. A wide-wheel base prevents tipping and allows for a smooth ride.
- Test that the wheel brakes lock well.
- Check the safety harness has shoulder straps as well as waist and leg belts (especially on jogging prams). Make sure the harness straps are adjustable and sit correctly without risk of being too tight.
- Check that once your child has been securely restrained there are no gaps it can slip through. Make sure your baby won’t be able to undo the buckle.
- Check that the pram folding mechanisms are safe and lockable with no sharp, pointy bits or pinchy corners.
Ease of use checklist
Your pram might look fancy, but it also has to be easy – you’ll be spending a heck of a lot of time using it. While in the store, remember to:
- Adjust anything adjustable, such as reclining functions and the safety harness.
- Practise loading and unloading the basket.
- Test the brakes – wheel and lever – by pushing the pram as hard as you can.
- Fold and unfold it a couple of times.
- Try pushing it – through a doorway, up and downstairs, over grass or sand.
- Make sure you can easily lift it.
- Make sure it easily fits into the boot of your car.
TIP: Avoid hooking heavy bags over pram handles – a common cause of tipping!
TIP: Always seek advice from mummy friends on which pram they liked best – or pose the question in our blog.
This article first appeared on woolworthsbabyandtoddlerclub.com.au