Choosing a pram? It’s Easier To Choose a Car!

Finding the right pram for you is one of those shopping experiences that looks simple—and then you wander into a labyrinth of customisable finishes, seat angles, chassis weights and more and find yourself completely lost. Well, don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through some of the ins and outs of buying your new pram.

The Terminology

Pram. Pushchair. Buggy. All the same thing, right? Not quite, the differences are subtle, but you’ll need to know them to make sure you don’t accidentally by the wrong type for your situation:

  • Pram: A pram is designed for newborns or younger babies of up to 6 months old, and is often a parent-facing design
  • Pushchair: A pushchair is designed for older babies and toddler, and more often than not is forward-facing
  • Buggy: A Buggy is a lighter option with a collapsible frame, and not designed for everyday or frequent use

Buying For A Newborn

When buying a pram for your newborn you want to get things absolutely perfect, and with the right advice, you can! The most important thing to keep in mind is that your baby should be able to lie flat in the pram, this protects their back, aids their breathing, and is considered healthier for their physical development. What does that mean for your pram? It means you should be looking for either a chassis with a carrycot or for a seat reclining version that allows for a 180-degree flat position.

Important Features

Just like with a car—the features make all the difference, you’re looking for a pram that is perfect for you, and that means getting features that match up with your needs. Or think of it another way, do you need something small and sleek that can fit in with an urban lifestyle, or an all-terrain option that is ideal for long walks in the country.

Take It For A Test Drive

Before you buy a car—you want to take it out for a test drive first, and if you can—you should look to do the same with your pram. You’re going to want to look for things like manoeuvrability, a robust and sturdy build, and how easy it is to fold down and store. These are all things that are going to be hugely important when it comes to the daily use of the pram but can be difficult to figure out just from looking at an online photo and product description.

Do I Need Any Accessories?

These days many prams will come with an assortment of accessories, either included in the deal or as optional extras you can choose when purchasing—but if not, there are a couple of things you should absolutely be looking for. Firstly, you’re going to want to protect against the elements; that means both a rain hood and a sun parasol if there’s no in-built shade protection. There’s also the option of buying clip-on toys that can be attached to the pram, it’ll make your pram easier to spot in a crowd and help keep your baby entertained!