If you’re asking yourself whether you need a pram for your baby or now, our answer will always be yes. When shopping for all the necessary items for your baby, a pram or stroller is crucial. Taking your baby outdoors is a great adventure for the little one and an excellent way for you to get back into your daily routine.
This article consists of all the information you need to purchase the right pram or stroller for your baby. You will need a stroller or pram that is safe, the right size and comfortable for your child. Along with that, there are additional features that you may want to conder when buying a pram or stroller.
Things To Consider Before Buying
It has been established that prams or strollers are important products when you’re buying all your baby supplies. However, you can’t just buy any type of pram or stroller. Ask yourself a few questions before you blindly purchase a pram or stroller-
What will you be using the pram for?
If you plan on going jogging with your baby, you will need to buy a particular type of stroller. On the other hand, you need to know whether you will need a double pram or not. Furthermore, if you’re going to be taking the pram on uneven surfaces then you’ll have to invest in a different type of stroller.
Is The Pram or Stroller Portable?
Portability is important, especially if you have to travel with your baby. Get a pram or stroller that is easy to fold and fits snugly in the car. Along with portability, always keep an eye out for the overall weight of the stroller and the dimensions as well. This will ensure that you can pick up the pram without any help when storing it in the boot of your car. The dimensions will help you determine whether the stroller will fit in your car or not.
Does Your Pram Need Accessories?
Yes, accessories such as pram liners, organisers and sunshades are vital when you purchase a pram. Many prams or strollers come with sunshades and some storage options as well. It is important to determine whether you need more accessories so you can set a budget for the pram and accessories.
What To Look For In a Pram?
The process of buying a pram involves looking at different factors and features of every pram or stroller available to you. Along with the safety of the product, look for prams that are appropriate for your baby’s age, wheels, brakes and most importantly the different types of prams.
Product Safety
Under the ACCC, Product Safety Australia determines the safety requirements for products. According to Product Safety Australia, you should consider these things before buying a pram or a stroller.
- A Five-point harness should be part of the pram or stroller.
- All locking components should be working properly.
- You should be able to steer it easily and the components of the wheel need to be durable.
- Folding instructions should be clear at the time of purchase and should learn the correct way to fold the pram as well.
- A sturdy carry basket below the pram seat is important. It should not “tip or rock when loaded with items.”
Different Types Of Prams
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are different types of prams available to you. While prams mostly cater to the baby’s needs, there are other factors that depend on your usage of the pram.
Three-wheeler prams
These prams or strollers come with three wheels with the back wheels usually being bigger to provide support and the front wheel being smaller to help steer. The large wheels at the back make it easier for you to push. However, keep in mind that three-wheeler prams are prone to falling on their side, especially around sharp turns.
Four-wheeler prams
A four-wheeler pram is your standard pram with four wheels. Sometimes the front wheels might be smaller than the back ones to make it easier to manoeuvre on uneven terrain.
Jogger Prams
These are three-wheeled prams that are built in a way to maintain the balance of the entire structure. The heavy movement of jogging can easily tip off the pram if you’re not using a jogger pram. They use inflated wheels that are built to take up speed and the wheels can be locked in position giving you the assurance that your baby will remain safe inside the pram while you jog.
Convertible Prams
An expandable seat that can adjust to your child’s growth, convertible prams are perfect for newborns. The bassinet is ideal for newborn babies and can be adjusted later to fit your toddler in it. The versatility of these strollers is what makes them popular as they can be used from the birth of your child till the time they are still getting used to walking on their own.
Double Prams
Side-by-side or one in front of the other, double prams are meant to accommodate two babies in their own individual seats. Double prams usually come with an extra pair of wheels for more support and balance. You can expect to find 6-8 wheels in these double prams.
Backrest
The backrest of a pram needs to be very comfortable for your baby and an adjustable backrest ensures that you can use the pram for a long time. Adjust backrests allow you to set the seat upright or in a flat position allowing the baby to lie down.
2-in-1 Features
One of the main reasons for buying a pram is to ensure that you can take your little one out and about. However, they also come in handy when travelling especially when the pram seat can be converted into a car seat. Just make sure that the pram itself comes with a five-point harness attached to the backrest with two shoulder straps, one waist and one crotch strap to secure the baby. This will make moving the baby from the pram to the car or vice versa easier and also ensure that your baby is strapped in even before you secure the seat in the car.
Keep Their Little Feet Safe
Some prams for toddlers allow space for their legs to dangle. While this can be very fun for your baby there is room for all kinds of dangers. Instead of being in constant fear of your baby’s feet getting hurt because they were too near the wheels, get a footrest.
Additional Accessories
You can either buy these accessories separately or look for a pram or stroller that already has these features. Canopy and sunshades are very useful since you need to protect your baby from the sun when you’re out for an afternoon stroll. Speaking about covers, rain covers are also an important accessory. While you normally wouldn’t take your baby out when it’s raining, sometimes you can’t help getting caught in the rain. Hence, rain covers are a must-have. Lastly, storage and organisation accessories are useful too. All your baby supplies such as nappies, wipes, water bottles, baby food, extra clothes, etc. need a place to store. You can’t be carrying a huge bag along with pushing your stroller along uneven paths.
Travel Safe with the Little One
Take a walk in the park with your little one on a sunny day. Prams are a safe way to travel anywhere with your baby. Whether you are going for a walk, a jog or a drive, a pram is a must. Get one for your baby while you’re in the process of buying baby supplies and any furniture for the nursery. Take a look at all the prams & strollers available online!
