As a mother of five, I've had my fair share of buggies and prams over the years so I like to think I know a thing or two when it comes to picking the right one.
Believe it or not, there are many things to consider before making your purchase and today we are going to discuss just that.
Firstly, before investing in my first pram I discovered that prams, pushchairs and buggies are all different - who knew, hey?
You need to distinguish what it is that you need. Prams are designed for newborns and babies up to six months while pushchairs are geared towards older babies and buggies or strollers are lightweight collapsible frames often weighing less than 5kg usually used for toddlers.
So what type of pram will you need?
Newborns spend a majority of their time on their backs for safety reasons, meaning you will need a pram with a carrycot almost like a bassinet or Moses basket on wheels.
How much should I spend?
There is no exact amount you should spend on your babies pram, in fact, I just bought a Bugaboo Cameleon including a rain cover for €100 on the second-hand selling site, Adverts. However, a pram can cost anything up to €1000.
What is a travel system?
Many brands offer all-in-one travel systems which include the pram, carrycot, car seat and adaptors which can last from birth right up to toddlerhood meaning it may be the cheapest option for you long term but the initial cost may be expensive.
What features should I consider?
Before making an investment, you need to think about things like wheels, suspension, size and even siblings in some cases. If you like walking, jogging or live in the countryside, it is worth considering a pram that is easy to manoeuvre and works both on and off road.
If you have a car, you will need to check if the buggy fits in your boot, through your front door and if you're planning subsequent children, you will need to consider if you can add attachments to the pram such as another bassinet or even a buggy board for older children.
Other features new parents should consider is whether the buggy can rear and forward face, if it can fold down easily, if it has adjustable handles that extend for taller people and if it comes with all the accessories that you would expect for the price.
For me, I believe accessories should come part of the package including a rain cover, a large hood or parasol, padded straps, a cosy footmuff for the winter months and of course, a little basket for nappies, toys or even your phone and keys.
Other basic things to consider is the quality of the fabric and if it is easy to remove (for washing), the quality of the wheels and if they can be replaced easily and of course, the pram should have a five-point harness in order to protect the baby from falling.
Here at Family Friendly HQ, we're all about making life easier for you and your family. Our podcast, Motherboard, has teamed up with Lidl to offer you 20% off the award-winning Lupilu baby range. Available at all Lidl stores in the Republic of Ireland, you can get your voucher here.
