What do we need to look for when we are buying a pram/stroller?

Actually, first, what is the difference between a pram and a stroller...?

Ok... well after looking around a lot we have decided to get serious and think about which one we want.

But we can't even tell the difference between most of them, except that some have reversible handles (which I love, and would like to have on ours) and some have 3 wheels (which i hate).

What else do we need to look at? Are there safety features we should be looking for? Certain features that are pointless?

All this is just so confusing!

What are you going to be using it for?
If you're going to be putting it in the car often then ease of folding/unfolding is good and size/weight matters.
If you're walking a lot then it needs to be sturdy and have great wheels but weight isn't so important.

Sounds dumb but the one feature that I always wish I had is a cup-holder for me. When you're pushing one handed and having a drink and your phone goes it's a PITA having to find a place for your drink.

In QLD I would say that a good shade thingy is important.

One of my first prams had reversible handles - it was hard to steer when Yasin was facing me.
Are you and Shel about the same height? If not you might want to consider adjustable handles - it can be tough on your back if the handles are at an awkward height.

I love my 3 wheeler because I can steer it one handed.

See this is why I need your help lol, I didn't think of any of that...!!!!!

Right... Cup holder *tick* its now on my list! :p

Seriously though, thanks I really wouldn't have thought of most of that, especially the height of the handles (and I am a shorty and Shel is REALLY tall, so its probably pretty important too!).

some handles on prams will have extentsions!! thats what i looked at cause DP is tall and im not!!

my 3 wheeler had a cup holder and was great but i hated the pram.. so i got a 4 wheeler that had reverse handle and love it but like dachlostar said it was hard to steer when the hand was reversed!!

i saw a 3 wheeler the other day that had reverse handle!!

Not sure about prams that have cup holders but I have seen ones where you can attach a cup holder to any pram so that would be that problem solved! you do want a pram that is farily light and I love our 3 - wheeler cause it's so easy to move. Make sure your pram isn't too wide cause then it's hard to get through checkouts and lots of small shops. good luck!

Hi, my bub Sara is five months old and we go to mother's group and i have looked at a few prams, ours has four wheels, is easy to steer, starts out as a falt bassinet type that can face either way then as they get older you can transorm it so that they can be tilted up or when they get even bigger it converts to fully sitting up at any time it can be turned around so that it does or doesn't face you, our bub slept in her for a couple of months as it comes with a matress that covers up the straps the base folds down and you can easily take the wheels off but the top bit does not fold down so it depends on how much room you have. I have found it to be good as i can always have Sara facing me and see what she is up to, give reassurance etc, with some three wheelers once they get bigger they can't face you. If this sounds good i can give you the name. I had no idea when we went pram shopping.

I went baby shopping today for the first time and boy was it confusing. So thanks for starting this thread!!

Sara, I curious to know the brand and model of your pram. It sounds like a good idea if the bassinet converts to a seat and you can reverse it as well.

Did anyone consider baby #2 when you were shopping for a 1st pram or did you just cross that bridge later??

I have a Childcare Vector reversibe pram. this has locks on all four wheels and you can choose which wheels swivel. I find this 1 easy to steer in reverse coz i have the front wheels unlocked. Look for a pram that has a safety lock when folding and red brakes. have a look at choice and see what they recommend. and ALWAYS pick the pram up yourself and try to fold it yourself. if you can, measure your car boot and make sure that the pram will fit when folded. HTH

Thanks for starting this thread leasha...we will be hunting for a pram soon so will be reading here with interest. So far from my research on the net I like the Steelcraft Enigma. But need to go to the baby shops and test drive all the different types.

Exaclty what I was going to say Ali, make sure it fits in your boot and that you can lift it.

Good luck girls it certainly is up there with buying a car isn't it?

I'm not a big fan of the 3 wheelers either I ended up getting a 4 wheeler, reverse handle Steelcraft Acclaim for $250.

I had a list of wishes which were..
* Light weight (some prams are really heavy like over 15kg) and easy to fold so I can lift and fold it easy at the shops.
* Reverse handle so I could see baby then turn baby around when he she's awake(I found it difficult with my other 2 when the handle was fixed, the kids got bored looking at me LOL.
* Lay back for newborn (alot of 3 wheelers you need to buy a seperate bassinett attachement as they have bucket seats.
* lockable wheels particularly with reverse handle to stop the swiveling etc (I found the Acclaim has 8 wheels so they're alot easier to steer).
* Basket underneath for shoping etc.
* Handle that is a bar so I could hang my satchel baby bag on (just a personal preference though).
* Easy to clean, washable fabric preferably removable for spills.
* I love the cup holder (I had one with my stroller) but I think you can buy them to attach if end up with a pram that doesn't have one already.

I guess it's a very personal thing because it depends on your needs and your tastes, I'm a shorty too but I'm the one that pushes the pram 99% of the time so I thought it was more important I got the pram I liked. I tend to walk the kids to school some times so it needed to suit the terain, And since I have 2 kids already I wanted it to be able to fit in the boot without taking up too much space. It took me months to decide on the pram I liked :lol: good luck!!

Here's a list of SOME of the prams I checked out if your interested, you can search them on google and check out the reviews etc hopefully it doesn't confuse you :lol:

Steelcraft - Enigma reverse handle
- Acclaim reverse handle
- Orbit reverse handle
- Elite reverse handle
- Runabout

Childcare - Vector reverse handle
- Discovery
- Commuter

Mothers Choice - Nite

Graco - Liberty Elite
- Quattro Tour

Jeep Grand Cheroke

Oh my post came up twice so just editing one

I have researched some of the prams mentioned on this thread. Google came up with a product review for the Steelcraft Enigma - DON'T Buy Steelcraft Enigma Reverse Handle Stroller Until You Read Reviews by Consumers

I'm sure all products get good and bad reviews but thought some of the comments were interesting, I hope this info is helpful.

hi everyone our pram is a love n care adiva sport paid $380. Tried to look on choice but they have not road tested this one. Good luck shopping everyone. I did not consider a second baby.

Don't forget also to check if there is anywhere little fingers / arms / legs can get hurt when you're reversing the handle....

We just decided on a pram today- Steelcraft Profile.

The points that were important to us were:
Lightweight and small when folded as we travel a lot
Easy steering (but understanding that we were prepared for it not to be as good as the top of the range prams)
Full recline to use from newborn
Front bar for smaller baby to hold onto when sitting up
Large, easily accessed basket
Tall enough handles for my tall H
No cup holder- I find they get in my way and annoy me and I always use a water bottle which is more awkward sue to it's height so I prefer to put it in the basket

Thanks for starting this thread Leasha! We looked at a few prams / stroller thingies and just threw our hands up in the air - all too hard! Its really hard to know what you want/need if you have no idea!

I'm keeping an eye in shopping centres etc at prams that I like to look of and taking note of features that I like. Early days yet, not time to be buying yet, just looking at what other mums and dads are using.

I purchased a Valcro Harliquinn (prob wrong spellin) Stroller in Oct 2006 (it had jst come out this model) at Babyco (in Melb) for about $160. :confetti:

It is so light, I can even push my now 20mth old in it with one hand on one handle if need be. It is so light to push along & lift out of the car boot.

It came (included in price) a UV mesh shield that keeps out 80% of UV rays AND ALSO a raincover.

The basket underneath fits more under there then you could imagine.

Easily folds up.

I have used it almost on a daily basis since my daughter ws 5mths old. And it still looks in fantastic condition.

My friend ended up purchasing the exact same stroller & we both reckon it is jst the best buy eva :dance:

so leasha ... what prams have you been looking at .... of course every one loves phil and teds also !!
we also have a peg perago pilko p3 .. i love it sooo much but with another on the way it must go ..:(

If I had to do it all over! I would get the Maclaren Techno XT stroller that is appropriate from newborn up! We have the Quest stroller (3mths +) and I LOVE it. Its lightweight and easy to fold, they hold their resale value really well (if you can ever have the heart to sell it ;) ) and are generally just super!
I would then get a basic 3 wheel jogger to keep at home for walking. Not sure what you would use more, I do walk most days and have tried to sell my pram to get a jogger but havent had any luck. I got the Strider pram and I found some serious flaws with it. Here is a trhead I posted about it ages ago.
HtH!

I would look for one that once reclined, can be inclined again without having to take bub out of the pram. We have a phil & ted E3, and it is impossible to sit Emy back up if i have laid it back for her to have a sleep, while leaving her in the pram. Annoyed me so much, that I went shopping again recently and got a steelcraft express stroller so that i can easily put her up and down while she is still in it. However, that is the only problem that i have with phil and ted! (and also as an extra for P&T, we got a bum back bit that fits over the handles, and has room for 2 water bottles - easily fits in my 750ml sports water bottle, without getting in the way)

We are currently deciding betweeh 2 that we really liked:
DH loved the Peg Perego Pliko P3
I loved the Maclaren either the Ryder or the Vogue

We are getting a layback umbrella fold stroller as I have a hatch back and I would like something that fits in the boot and leaves a bit of space for groceries. The Maclaren leaves enough room for almost a whole load of shopping.

Go to the baby shops and push some around, the sales people are quite helpful and we were allowed to put them in the boot to see how they fit. Then when you know what you want price it on the internet sites as they are much cheaper!
Good luck and have fun.

Hi Leasha - how fun that you're choosing your pram!

Just a note on the cup holder thing, you can buy a Jolly Jumper pram cup holder attachment (velcros to the handle) with two cup holders and a zippered compartment if you don't buy a pram with a cup holder. It only costs $20 and a MUST-HAVE imo. The extra zipper compartment is heaps handy for phone, wallet, etc, too.

Adjustable as well as reversible handle was a must for us. Also, one that did that while the baby was in the pram (ie didn't need to remove the bassinet/seat). We bought a big sturdy pram (4WD style) that has been wonderful and then a smaller cheap stroller for the shops/car. But we do more walking with the bigger pram (and still do, even though she's nearly two), in the shops I used a HAB for ages.

Seat that reclined to a few different angles easily.

Extras like a rain cover, boot cover (goes over the feet - really good in winter) and sun shade (you can buy these separately, but the better brands tend to have them all in with the pram and they can be quite expensive if purchased separately).

Removable, washable covers are good too, my stroller that doesn't have them is much harder to clean.

Decent sized basket underneath - you need it more often than you expect.

If you are going to take it in the car, check at the shop that it fits in the boot when you fold it up. And if you have two cars, check that it fits in both if you're going to use it with both (something we forgot to do, only to find the bigger pram only fitted in the bigger car!).

I too don't like the three wheelers so we bought an Emmaljunga Sports something-or-other (on sale - they aren't cheap!).

Good luck, hope you find what you're after soon!

A few importatnt things i would look for are:

teh height for the baby. If you are looking at investing a bit extra in your purchase to avoid having to buy a second stroller later on, you need it to be high enough for an older toddler to sit in. Peg Perego is great for this - and if you pop down to DJ's at around this time of year you should wsave a fair bit on it.

Personally, i really do recommend spending a bit more and buying just the one pram/stroller which will do you for the entire time you need it. I got my Pliko on special when DD was about 2, and its still as good as new for the next bubba, when that finally happens!!

I had another peg before that one too - because we wlaked sooo much we literally wore it down - but, that one was shorther in the back and DD would not have been able to lay down in it with the sunshade from about 3.

AND!!!! highly recommend you splurge on a kapoochi bag!!!!

Dont know if anyone else has said this but make sure it has at least 3 elivations. My first one for DS only had sitting up right and laying down. When time came for him to start eating solids out and he wasnt sitting straight up as yet i had to get a new pram. Also around that age they dont really want to lay down so much, they wanna see the world and the straight up can be too straight.

One thing I've noticed so far in my search is that some strollers have a strap and a clip for the reclining bit whereas others have a bar that you have to pull up to recline. Does anyone have any thoughts on which method is better or doesn't it matter? To me, the strap and clip just seems a bit flimsy :dunno:

I found the bar better (have the strap and clip on a twin pram I use and it's not that easy to adjust, plus it doesn't sit up as high).

i like the bar, it is way easier to do while they r in the pusher