Where to start?

[unknownscot]

Just that.

Where do you even start for looking at prams/travel systems?

What I do know is:

• four wheels
• suitable from birth (lie flat cot thing)
• car seat compatible
• footmuff for when older, seen some don't include these.

You need to think about:
Where it will be used? - small wheels are fine for city living with pavements and public transport but big wheels are better for grass/cobbles or bumpy ground.

Where will it be stored? - make sure it fits in the boot/cupboard/hallway and if you need to fold out regularly you'll want one that folds in one piece. We didn't have space for separates so got one with a lie flat seat rather than a carrycot.

You can buy footmuffs cheaply enough on eBay/Facebook so wouldn't worry too much about that.

You'll need a raincover and if you want to use the frame with the car seat you'll need to make sure the seat is compatible with your car.

Check width if you're going to use public transport - nothing worse than trying to wrestle a puchchair that only just fits down the aisle.

If you're going to use public transport a lot, it might be worth getting a foldable as well (you can also use as holiday pushchair when you don't have the space to take the big one)l. Because the runner up bad experience is two buses being already full and not lettting you on (whereas if you can fold, you can). You need to develop the knack, but when you've got it it's easy. And useful, because Sod's law means that the days you get stuck are the wet, cold ones when you have something important you need to get to on time.

Yeah like pps said it’s really about where and how you’ll mostly use it. Do you drive or get public transport? Fold in one piece or two? Does the weight/width matter? How often will you go off road? Where will you store it/how often will you fold it? Do you need to carry a lot in the basket or not?

Also stuff about you/your husband - how tall are you/will you need adjustable handles? Do you want to be able to push it with one hand?

And the baby: how high up do you want them to be? Parent or world facing or both and from what age?

Once you’ve worked out those answers you’ll be able to narrow it down a lot. Plus budget obviously.

I would start with - do you need one.

I spent £220 on one before my first baby was born and used it less than ten times.

£22 per outing was steep.

Didn’t buy one for the others.

Thanks so much already.

I won't be on public transport often as we both drive and have decent size boots.
We do live near the country so I guess bigger wheels is better then?

As for storage - is it reasonable to keep it in the boot of the car the majority of the time? Haven't really thought about that at all.

Thanks again.

Start by googling any random children's products brand, going to their website and seeing what stockists they have nearby.

Pick your nearest (ideally one that is not a chain) and visit their showroom. Try buggies out. Push them around, fold them up and down, put them into recline vs sitting up mode. Swap the carrycot out for the seat or car seat (they don't always have the car seat adapters on hand).

This will give you a list of brands and features that you like and dislike.

Some common things to look for/bear in mind:

Many brands are compatible with a range of car seats, others are only compatible with their own brand car seat. You might want to ask about this if the car seat is important to you.

Some pushchairs use a separate carrycot with mattress, some just have the seat itself lie down flat (no mattress), often with an optional "real" carrycot. Some the seat unit itself converts on the go (rare, but saves you storage space) and some you get one frame with two sets of fabric that zip onto the frame, making a carrycot or a seat. The last option saves storage again but is the least flexible since it's fiddly to convert.

For separate carrycots, some are suitable for overnight sleep (like a Moses basket) others are not certified as safe for this, but can be used for day naps under supervision.

Yes, if you're going to do off road regularly, you'll want big wheels, potentially air filled tyres.

Agree that there is almost always an official footmuff available but generic ones are also fine and tend to be much cheaper.

I don't think 3 vs 4 wheels has been a thing since about 2010. Don't rule out 3 wheelers, but no need to seek them out either.

You can keep it in the car but most people end up wheeling it into the house at least occasionally if DC is asleep. If it's damp or muddy it is best left unfolded so it won't go mouldy.

Less common things people don't often think of:

Look at how roomy the seat is for an older child. Some of them are really tiny.

The best buggy I ever had had machine washable seat fabric! This is rare but worth looking for.