What makes a good pram?

[she311]

As a first time mum-to-be, I'm feeling completely overwhelmed with the choice of prams out there. Thinking I want a travel system as I like the idea of being able to put the car seat on the frame. Other than that, I don't really know what to look for. Anyone got some tips on what makes a good pram. What features does it have to have etc and where can I go to get a good price?

It depends what you use it for?

I walk a lot in the countryside, so I wanted something sturdy with air tyres, and ended up with a Nipper 360. It was very big though, do I also had a second hand BabyJogger City Mini which lived in the back of the car, and was great for trips into town.

I did actually have a second hand Quinny Buzz travel system to start with. Hated the pram, and DS always woke up when I stopped the car anyway! Sold it when DS grew out of the carry cot at about 4 months.

Something that is easy and quick to close, also a good black hood for bright sunshine shade. Can recommend the quinny mood and the mamma and papas Armadillo.

Well I was planning to use it until toddler stage for visiting family, going to town, day trips out etc. Wouldn't be too much off road or high energy things (like pram running or something like that).
Defo don't want to have to buy something new after a couple of months. What didn't you like about the Quinny Buzz system?

Easy to put up and put down.
Light
Not too wide.
Plenty big enough for when they are 2+ so they can still enjoy a comfy sleep.
Decent amount of room for shopping.
Pop up hood in case of rain.

I have a 1, 2 and 4 year old. I know my prams!!!

So, tips
Think about your lifestyle -

Rural or urban? Do you need air tyres or suspension for walking off-road?
Do you drive ? You need something that fits in your boot
Use public transport a lot? - turn you need something that collapses easily, preferably one handed
Small house ? Something smallish. Will it fit through your front door?

Are you tall- it is handle high enough for you and your DP? Is there a big height difference between you and your DP / then you need an adjustable handle height.

Walk to the shops ? - need a big shopping basket

Planing another child soon? Something you can add a doubles seat to.

I think I bought and sold 7 pushchairs over 2 children/6 years. My tipper most, toppermost tipis that you get what you pay for!!!! Cheap prams don't last. I had a £50 Chicco stroller for the car, that bent and collapsed under DS's weight by the time he was 18 months. He's not fat, but is tall, so was around 12 kg - big but not massive!

Also - is your baby likely to be big/tall? Some Prams/carry cots/buggies are larger than others. You don't want you child to grow out of it too soon!

Entirely dependent on your criteria...
Price
Colour options
Parent facing
One hand fold
Compact fold
One piece fold
Light weight
Roomy
Off-road
Takes a car seat
One handed steering.
Narrow for shops and public transport
Huge basket for shopping
Has a carry cot
Converts to a double
Fits in boot of your car / through your narrow front door...

See what I mean?

Or maybe you don't want a pram at first and would prefer a sling.....

After 3 kids I've found different things work at different stages. I had a bugaboo bee (my favourite), a Maclaren XT, Maclaren volo, Phil and ted (as a double), city mini (hate 3 wheels, should have bought the 3 wheel version), Joie litetrax 4 (currently in use). If I was starting again now I'd get the baby jogger versa.

And the youngest hated the pram and I used a sling mostly till he was 1.

For me it's a lightweight pushchair that reclines fully , has an easy umbrella fold and is nice and narrow for use on public transport. Something like a Silver Cross Pop or a classic Maclaran model.

If you drive you'll want something completely different though. I hope you find the perfect one :-)

I know what you mean, the choice is overwhelming. Something light and easy to push is good, we have the icandy cherry which is a dream to manoeuvre, I've been using it for almost 4 years now (two dc). Decent shopping basket and big hood for sun protection also important.
If you don't want to spend too much try looking on gumtree or local selling sites where you could get a good brand at a lower cost.

I love my uppababy vista because
-i can push it one handed - if your child will only sleep on the move then it's useful to be able to eat/text/wipe snot off their face without swerving off the pavement
-it has an enormous basket so I can fit in change bag, coats, a multipack of nappies that was on offer and I couldn't leave on the shelf
-it goes from birth to....not sure, but my 2 yo can still nap comfortably in it theoretically, if he would ever get in the bloody thing without screaming so very good value
-fits in my boot
-i can put it up/down sort of one handed while wrestling a wriggling baby. Its not massively easy but necessity is the mother of invention and I've developed an interesting contortion technique to get the job done

I didn't buy it with these things in mind, I didn't have a clue what I was looking for. Just struck lucky.

Wow so much to think about! Thanks ladies, many great tips there to get me started