Which Stroller is Best for You?
Hearing my new mum friends talk about car seat compatibility with one or both of the prams they’ve purchased and not knowing what an isofix is definitely made me feel behind on my pram research, and quite frankly, a bit overwhelmed.
Purchasing a pram is an essential purchase all new parents have to make, but deciding on a buggy/stroller/pram/pushchair for your precious new arrival can be difficult as the choices are endless. Where do you start? How do you know which brand & model is best for you and your family? Should you simply purchase the pram that your friend from Denmark has because she loves it and it works with her lifestyle?
Purchasing a mode of transportation for your little one is like deciding between purchasing or leasing a new car or buying a new pair of workout shoes. With plenty of options available, start making a list of exactly what you’re looking for first, before beginning your research. Firstly, you’ll need to answer a few questions…
What’s your budget?
How often do you think you will use it?
What purpose do you intend on using it for most - Jogging? Park walks? Running errands? Going to restaurants?
Will it fit in the boot/trunk of your car?
Will it be comfortable taking on public transport, if you live in a big city?
How much space do you have at home to store it?
Do you need it to fold easily on a daily basis or do you have space to store it at home as is (with the storage space underneath untouched)?
Does your home have easy accessibility or do you live on the 3rd floor of a building with no elevator?
Is this pram for one baby or two?
How old is your little one when buying the pram?
Do you plan to travel often in the first year or two? If yes, what’s the best air travel mechanism?
My first tip would be to go with your partner to a department store with multiple pram options for both of you to “test drive” (actually, “test push”) first. Here are some things to consider:
If you are purchasing for your newborn, for the first 3 months you’ll want a pram with a seat that can completely lie flat so that your baby can sleep on the move - not only is lying flat on their back important for their developing spine, breathing and much healthier for their overall development than being scrunched up at any kind of angle, as a new mum you may also need some fresh air and time outside while your little one is napping. Most prams come with a newborn bassinet and the option to switch to a reclining seat once your baby is old enough. A bassinet is recommended during the newborn phase, especially if you are still swaddling your bundle of joy?
Some questions to ask the sales rep helping you: How easy is it to maneuver with one or both hands? How robust does it look? Does the pram feel secure when stationary? Could you attach a buggy board to the back of it to aid tired toddler legs in the future? Will this fit through your doorway? Your hallway?
Look out for reversible seats, so you can push your baby facing you but turn them around to look at the world when they are old enough.
Is there enough under pram storage? babies have a lot of stuff and so do us parents when we're out and about so a decent sized basket is a must.
What items come with the pram itself, and what would you need to buy separately, given your lifestyle?
It’s also good to look for a stroller that is easy to fold (as you may be doing this a lot, especially if you have a car) and easy to convert as your baby grows.
If you live out in the countryside, you'll probably want to make sure the wheels and tires of your baby's pram can handle the rough terrain so that your baby's ride isn't too bumpy!
You may also need to think about older siblings or, if this is your first baby, whether or not you think it’s likely you’ll be having any more children before your new baby is out of the pram stage.
Does the brand offer a footmuff for your pram? You may not need this until the winter (if you live in a place with cold winters, like London!) but it is a good idea to purchase it when buying your stroller since they will fit your pram the best. Also, depending on the color of your stroller, you will want to ensure the footmuff color isn’t discontinued or no longer manufactured by the time you actually need it.
If you have any doubts about the details of a specific pram being shared with you by the sales agent at the department store (i.e. will the Uppababy Cruz 2019 bassinet fit on the Uppababy Vista V2 2020?) reach out to me or contact the brand’s customer service department to verify. The sales agents know the basics of all the prams they have for sale but may not know the small details that are important to you!
Which pram did you end up getting and why? Would love to hear about your experience!