Introduction to choosing a pushchair

Choosing the Right Pram/Pushchair for your Newborn Baby

There are so many things to consider when buying pushchair for you new baby and so many people giving you conflicting information based on their own experiences that you do not know what is best.
Many parent's especially first time parents want the best for their baby and purchase the best system that is available complete with pushchair, car seat, carrycot and more. However as the baby gets older they then discover that it is too big and cumbersome to get around and then go out and buy a smaller more lightweight stroller.

choosing a pushchair

There are many pushchair systems on the market now that can that can provide the many features of a large pram but also are lightweight and compact so when you are just using the pushchair it is still easy to manage and can take your baby from infant to toddler without having to purchase another.

Important Factors for choosing a pram

Factors to think about when purchasing your pushchair

The main factor that should influence your decision and choice of pushchair is your baby. When your baby arrives the muscles supporting their back are not very strong, they have just spent nine months in a gravity free zone supported by the walls of your womb and when they arrive out into the big wide world they then need to build up their muscles to support themselves.

Important factors for choosing your pram2

It is ideal for your baby to lay flat or lie in a fully supported position for at least the first 6-8 weeks of age. To provide this support you need a carrycot to provide the flat surface or a pushchair that the backrest will lay flat so that you baby is not slouched or twisted in the seat.
If you have a preference for a travel system then you need to be aware that it is not recommended that your baby stays in the car seat for more than 2 hours at a time, this is because when sitting in the car seat they are in a more upright position and are not always fully supported.

How do you travel, by car, by bus or do you walk everywhere.

If you travel by car you need to think out the size of your boot, your stroller needs to be able to fit inside nicely as well as all your shopping if you need to do the groceries, filling the boot with the pushchair only means that any shopping will need to go in the back of the car with you baby and other children you may already have. You do not need it to be too heavy either especially if you have a back problem as you will need to be able to lift the pushchair in and out of the car easily. If your car is large and you have plenty of muscle then you will have plenty of choice, for smaller cars a smaller pram is essential.
Please note that even some larger prams do fold amazingly small.

If you travel by bus the pram should not be too large as negotiating the aisle to get to a seat may be difficult, if the bus does not have an area to have your pram open with baby still inside (most buses do have this now) then you need to think about folding it up before getting on the bus and putting it in the 'pram hold' with baby in one arm and pram in another again this can be difficult and therefore a smaller pram would be more practical.

If you walk everywhere then the deciding factor would possible be easy steering and light to push around, this does not mean a lightweight pram but one that glides over the paths or tracks easily without lots of effort such as a pram with large wheels or a Baby Jogger stroller. Having to feel the weight of the pushchair and the child inside will make walking extremely tiring and not quite so much fun.

Most of your choice now will be down to personal preference and lifestyle as well as general likes and dislikes.

Types of Prams/Pushchairs

There are many options to think about when making you choice.

1. Pushchair/Stroller - is it suitable from birth? Some strollers have seat units that can only be used from 6 months this means that you would also need to purchase a compatible car seat or carrycot from them to make a travel system to use up until this time. If the seat unit is suitable from birth does it have a lie flat reclining seat, if so then a carrycot is not essential as the seat will provide the perfect position for you newborn baby without the extra cost.

Types of Prams/Pushchairs2

2. Carrycot - there are 3 main types of carrycot a) Rigid hard sides usually made out of a hard durable plastic 2) Rigid carrycot with soft sides, these arrive flat but are assembled by pushing metal 'struts' into position so that it stands rigid 3) Soft carrycot that can be placed directly onto the chassis or on to the seat unit to make a pram. They all perform the same duties as well as each other but storage is something to think about when choosing as a rigid carrycot cannot be collapsed to take up less space whilst the others can.

3. Essential accessories - Some of these are absolutely essential such as the rain cover and foot muff whilst others are very nice but bump up the price. Some combination packages have all these included in the price and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

4. Changing Bag - this is important as you will need somewhere to keep all your baby bits and bobs when out and about. However if you would like something more stylish then some change bags out there on the market look just like a handbag and can be used long after your baby has out grown it.

6. Travel systems are great because your can have them facing you when they are small without the expense of a pram or carrycot however you will need to check that the car seat is easy to fit onto the pushchair as some can be quite fiddly whilst other just clip directly onto the frame. Another thing to consider is how long you are going to be out and about for as a baby can only be in an infant car seat for approximately two hours at a time compared with no restriction at all in a lie flat stroller seat or carrycot.

When buying a twin pushchair either for twins or siblings of different ages then the above still applies as double strollers can be very basic or extremely versatile.

Twin prams can be bought as a travel system in tandem or side by side styles with a choice of one or two carrycots as well as car seats

Pram, 3 in 1 Combination Pushchair, Travel System or stroller whichever you choose it is a big decision and the correct one will provide you with the perfect pushchair for you and your baby.

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