Decisions Decisions (How to choose a pram, pushchair or buggy)

Member Name: abbadabbado

Product:	How to choose a pram, pushchair or buggy
Date:	02/12/08 (220 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: get what you want

Disadvantages: don't spend money unessecarily

When the time comes when you need to choose a pushchair or pram, there are quite a few factors that you should take into consideration but rarely do. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but not when you've spent a fortune on a pram for your baby.

I'm going to focus this review on two scenarios, one that is my experience of buying and the other is my best friend's recent purchase.

Scenario one - My purchase

When I was pregnant with my first daughter many years ago, I could never afford a pram so it was left to my parents to buy me what was necessary. I had a brand new system but if wasn't what I chose and whilst it did the job all those years ago, this time round with dd2 I wanted to be in control of the pushchair buying process and I wanted what I never could afford.
Fortunately for us this time around we were in a position to buy what we wanted, well actually let's face it, it was going to be what I wanted not what my partner wanted and he knew it!

We went to a few shops and tried out the pushchairs, wheeling them up and down the aisles until we found one that we liked the look and feel of.
Whilst we had money the price tag was still a factor for us as I didn't want to spend nessecary money on something I would only have for a year or so.
I had already decided on a travel system that was going to have car seat, pushchair and cosy toes etc all in together. It was also going to be a three wheeler as I had always wanted one of these and was determined to make sure I got one.
We chose a nice neutral design that looked sleek and felt nice when we pushed it around. The car seat was easy enough to get in and out of the base unit, and we worked out how to fold it up before buying it.

So what was right about the way we chose a pushchair?

- We tested the move ability.
- We made sure we could close it and open it, along with making sure we could operate the car seat unit.
- We bought a design we liked.
- We got a complete system for one price.
What was wrong with our decision?

- We didn't make sure it came with a rain cover.
- We didn't test whether it would fit in our boot of the car.


Scenario two - my best friend

I happened to be with my friend when she chose her pushchair by some weird accident. She had researched a lot on the internet and asked around friends who had recently had babies as to what they had and if their systems were any good.
She settled on a travel system which had a carry cot but no car seat with the package. A car seat could be bought separately but cost a lot extra so she didn't bother and bought a cheaper version to ensure she got a base unit that would also fit in her car.
I remember her testing out all the same things we did, like how it moved, opening and closing it, but she also made sure it would fit in her boot first.

What she did well

- Making sure it all fit, and she could open and close it.
- Having a carry cot as she wanted the pushchair for walking.
What she should have done

- Bought a system that had a car seat with it as she has since bought the car seat to fit the system as her baby doesn't like to be moved from chair to carrycot.

The above situations should point out to you that when making a purchase as important as a pushchair you must first think about what YOU want and need from a pushchair. If you don't drive you may not need a travel system with a car seat, but prefer the carry cot.
If your baby is born in winter you will definitely need a rain cover but it may not be as important straight away if the baby is born in summer.

If you are shorter than your partner make sure you can both push it comfortable or if the handles are adjustable.
Don't waste your money on full suspension and brakes if you won't be using the pushchair very much.

Overall whatever decision you make, take into account all the factors that control your life and remember that your baby will probably only live in this pushchair for the first eight months before you buy a stroller for those short journeys and space saving in the car.
I truly thought I would keep my travel system until my daughter was toddling, but it wasn't long before I was changing mine for a stroller as it was easier both on weight and space.

Summary: make sure you get what you need