It may seem a daunting task trying to choose a pram from the hundreds of for sale. But it pays off to take your time to pick a pram with care and consideration as your baby’s safety and comfort are of the utmost importance for new parents. But with such a vast array to choose from where do you start?
The pram you choose has to fit in with how you live and the space you have. At the top of your list of things to consider should be how safe and comfortable the pram is. Also how much room you have in your car for the different types of prams available. And the ease with which you can put it up and take it down.
These are all lifestyle features to bear in mind when looking to purchase a pram.
The overall stability of the pram is important. The pram can easily become unbalanced through uneven weight distribution which will cause the pram to overbalance which needs to be avoided.
On the same point it is worth thinking about the brakes on the pram. If the pram is loaded down with shopping and the brakes are not adequate for the weight and design of the pram, it will cause the pram to roll if on an incline. Some prams have brakes you stamp on at the back or side and others are done by clicking a hand brake by the handles.
Five point harnesses are a must for a newborn baby particularly. Babies can easily fall out if going over bumpy terrain or you have encountered steps or a steep hill. They are five points as they secure between the babies legs, over the waist, then across each of the shoulders. It is always good practice to strap your child in at the start of the walk as you would if you were going by car.
Wheel types on the prams vary enormously as well. You can have three-wheeled rubber all-terrain wheels, which will enable you to take the pram across any surface. They generally come with the front wheel being a swivel wheel, which makes maneuvering easier. Other prams will have small plastic or hard rubber wheels, which won’t be suitable across uneven ground, and you may find yourself stuck.
Just as wheel sizes vary, the size of prams when open and closed vary enormously. Bulky three wheelers can be surprisingly lightweight, yet are cumbersome to store and won’t fit easily in the back of a small car, if at all. Stroller type prams will usually collapse to what is called an umbrella fold. This is where they fold upon themselves and become very narrow and flat and generally fit in any type or size of car. Some fold even smaller and are designed for this purpose.
While making turning corners and sharp maneuvers easier, swivel wheels can go wrong and get the ’supermarket trolley’ syndrome. This is where they do not proceed completely straight anymore and pull off to one side.
To get more info on baby prams and other baby items, visit , a helpful resource for interesting parenting tips, advice and stories.