For families with babies or young children, there’s lots of equipment and gear to buy and it’s only natural to want to make the right decision so it meets all your needs.
When you’re looking for a pram or pushchair, then one of the issues to take into consideration is the size of it.
Practical Issues When Choosing a Pram
Before you start looking at the different types of prams available, give some thought to the practical issues that may influence your choice.
For example, if access to your home is tricky, perhaps due to a lot of steps or staircases to your front door, then you’ll need to ensure you buy a pram that is lightweight, easy to carry and manoeuvre up stairs.
A compact pram would be more likely to be better suited to these circumstances than a heavy one.
Similarly, if you use public transport a lot, then you’ll also benefit from having a pram that is lightweight, compact and perhaps even folds down, as it will make things a lot easier when taking it on trains, buses or the tube.
If you’re likely to transport the pram with you in the car, then you’ll need to ensure it will fit in your car boot – not all prams will – and that it’s easy to fold down.
Plus, if you’ve got limited space at home, the size of the pram should be a practical consideration, as you’ll have to store it or park it somewhere in your home, or garage, where it doesn’t take up vital space.
It may help to make a list of all the issues that are important to you and use them as a form of checklist to help you compare the different products on the market and work out which may suit your needs.
Pram Style
Prams vary a lot in style and design, both from a functional point of view and an aesthetic view. If budget or space are key issues for you, and you don’t want to have to buy a separate pushchair, then exploring the range of 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 pram and pushchair combinations may be beneficial.
Although some of the makes can be expensive to purchase, they are more functional as they can be used for a lot longer, so may save you money in the long run.
Some of them also have options so that they can be used by both a baby and a toddler, which is great if you go on to have another baby whilst your first child is still young, and means they can travel together.
Finally, you also need to consider whether you want a front facing or forward facing pram. Most babies prefer to lie flat on their backs facing you, so they can see a familiar face when they’re in the pram.
But by the time they’re toddlers, they’re far more interested in what’s going on around them, and many prefer to face forwards, or away from you.
Other useful questions to ask when choosing a pram include:
- Is a demonstration available?
- Does it come with a manual? (Even if you’ve seen it demoed in store, remembering how everything works once you’re home isn’t always so easy).
- Is it easy to fold up? (Some models can even be folded super simply using one hand)
- Does it come with a guarantee? If so, what does it cover?
- Are any other accessories included?
- Are the covers easy to remove and are they washable?
- Are the wheels fixed or can they swivel?
Pushchairs & Prams
Lightweight pushchairs, strollers and complete travel systems at John Lewis & Partners with free delivery on orders over £50
Finding the Right Sized Pram or Pushchair for Your Child
Finding the right sized pram or pushchair is important for several reasons. Firstly, in order to ensure that your baby or child gets the utmost care and comfort, then it’s important to purchase a pram or pushchair that’s the right size and fit for them.
You want them to be comfortable when in the pram or pushchair and, ideally, have enough room to enable them to grow.
The age of your baby or child and their weight should always be taken into consideration when choosing a pram or pushchair, and especially for the latter. Products should be clearly labelled with details of the age group it’s aimed at, but if you’re in any doubt, always speak to a sales person or even check with the manufacturer for full clarification.
Buying the right size of pram or pushchair will ensure that the item is perfectly suited to your child’s immediate needs, and help provide for their requirements in the coming years. Some modern prams, for example, can be adapted to suit a growing child, even transforming into a pushchair style carrier.
If you’re planning on having another baby, then other models can even accommodate two or more children at once. Although it may not be an immediate concern of yours to think beyond one baby, when the cost of prams and pushchairs can be pricey, it’s well worth thinking about how you may need to use it in the future and if it would suit your changing and growing family.
Finding the Right Sized Pram or Pushchair For Your Car
In addition to your baby’s needs, you’ll need to think about your needs too – and one of the important needs for many parents is to be able to fit the pram or pushchair in the car.
Prams and pushchairs can be big, bulky and heavy items and some fold down more compactly than others.
One of the worst mistakes when buying a pram or pushchair is forgetting to check whether or not the folded down version will fit in the boot of your car and it’s so frustrating to realise it won’t, after you’ve shelled out your hard earned cash on it.
When you’re looking at prams and pushchairs always get a demo of how it folds. Even better, ask for a go at doing it yourself.
Sales people can be adept at having learnt the folding method, but some models are easier to manage than others and what works for some might not suit you.
In addition, remember to measure the size of your car boot and take the details with you when you’re going to look at prams and pushchairs.
Take into consideration the need to put other things in the boot too – apart from all the other baby gear you may be transporting, consider your own items or perhaps shopping too.
Good shops and baby gear stores will allow you to try out the pram or pushchair in your car before you buy it, so you can ensure it is the right size and fits perfectly.
If they seem reluctant to oblige on this, and you want the peace of mind, then try and find out if any other shops in your area offer this service.
You want the pram or pushchair to be both functional for your baby or child and functional for you and getting the right size for all the key needs is important.