My sister-in-law is having her first baby and is at the stage where she needs to start thinking about the massive mission of baby shopping. This can be incredibly daunting and most mum-to-be’s don’t know where to start. So I thought I would put this quick blurb together regarding prams and what you might need to consider whilst going for that all important test drive. As prams are one of those big ticket items, a lot of consideration needs to be taken into account to future proof yourself if you wish to have multiple children, if you run and of course budget. First things first. How old is the child are you buying for? This can be vital as new-borns require an almost flat layback position as their beautiful little bodies aren’t quite strong enough to hold their unusually large heads up without support.. not until they hit the 2-3 month mark at least. Are you expecting two? Of course it’s obvious but a double pram would be on the cards. Do you wish for a rear facing pram? A front facing, two level pram? Or a pram you can interchange from rear to front, bassinette to seats? What kind of climate do you live in? I’m in Townsville, Queensland Australia. Our climate is tropical, so humid to some days 98%. A full sunshade canopy, breeze windows and even a breathable shade cover is almost essential here. What time of year will your baby be born? No point buying that cocoon sleeping bag if you’re having a summer baby. How important is portability & general lifestyle to you? Will you fit the baby into your life, or will you fit into your baby’s life. It’s hard to tell now because you might not have met your baby yet. I had a baby girl who wouldn’t sleep anywhere but her crib, so going out was difficult. How heavy is the pram and what its weight capacity? This can be crucial if you have any pre-existing injuries. Can you lift that 7kg pram out of the boot yourself? Do you intend to use the pram when you child hits 15kg on the scales? An umbrella pram might be out of the question is your family members are naturally heavier. Overwhelmed yet? To simplify your decision remember these basic questions when you’re out shopping. Where do I live? Consider the type of home and area you live in. If you live in the city in an apartment, high-rise or have narrow hallways lightweight and compact is essential. If you live in a hilly rural environment or have bumpy streets to contend with a smooth easy-to-push ride is a must. How do I travel? Consider the car you have and whether you will use public transport frequently. If you mostly travel by car, a stroller that fits into a boot easily is essential. So forget that chunky three wheeler if you own a compact or small car, otherwise you’ll be taking your pram wheels off every time you travel. If you travel on trains, busses or trams ease of collapsibility is a must. If you like walking to the shops and plan to stroll then a stroller with great support for your baby and one that is easy to push is crucial. Am I out and about? Consider the activities you do. If you shop on a regular basis then extra storage will be useful. Never underestimate how much stuff you will need once baby arrives. You’ll suddenly feel like a pack horse. So pram storage can ease the pressure on your back from carrying everything. If you are outdoors in all seasons you’ll need protection for your baby i.e. storm cover, boot cover, sun cover etc. Also consider whether you are a runner or enjoy your high speed walks. Some prams just don’t fast walk or run straight which can be infuriating when you’re trying to get a good rhythm. What is my budget? It is always better to buy quality but you do pay for it, so can you afford that Gucci pram with all the bells and whistles considering you will also need to purchase everything else for baby? Or can you manage with a pram that doesn’t fold up on its own or have the inbuilt phone charger? Personally if I had a strict total budget, I would sacrifice a portion of my pram budget to purchase the top of the line car seat. You can’t put a price on safety, especially your greatest asset, which is your child. Like the old saying “if you have a two dollar head buy a two dollar helmet”. You might be a safe driver, but are others on the road just as safe as you?
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 12:03:16 +0000
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