Prams & Strollers BUYING GUIDE

In the earlier times, the traditional, coach-style pram was used to transport newborn babies. Now a pram and stroller combo has become more convenient for new mothers taking babies out for leisure walks or extended trips. An important point to be considered before purchasing a stroller is that it should satisfy both your and your baby's needs. Another factor that plays a role is your baby's age. You will need more than one stroller in your baby's first four years.

Some questions you should ask yourself before buying a pram and stroller are:

• How high is the pram and stroller’s handlebar? Before deciding on a stroller, it’s always a good idea to do a test push few strollers. You sure won’t find it comfortable to push around a stroller with very low or very high handlebar. Go for a stroller with the handle that fits your height.

• Does it come with a space to fit diaper bag and other stuff? It’s always nice to have a basket under the seat, a cup holder and storage space on the handlebar of the stroller. This will help you carry along essentials for your baby like pacifiers and other things, when you go strolling or buying groceries. Side pockets also come handy in storing things. However, do keep in mind that stuffing too many items in the stroller could lead to possibilities of it tipping over backward. Stroller - Mother's Choice Oslo Upright Pram comes with shopping basket for storage.

• Can the pram and stroller be easily folded? A foldable pram/stroller is more comfortable to fit into the car and is also more portable within the house. Check this feature and choose one that can be easily folded, without having to wrestle with it. A foldable stroller should also lock itself in the folded position so that it doesn't spring back.

• Can you steer it conveniently? It’s not easy to steer a giant stroller through the passageway between rows of seats in an auditorium or an airplane. Also, it may be difficult to park a giant stroller. You must test push a stroller before you decide on purchasing one. Check if it can be turned easily into the corners and tight spaces.

• Is it lightweight? It’s usually a myth that a lightweight stroller does not give quality performance. Purchase a lightweight pram and stroller, as it’s easy to push around, carry and pack into the car. Super-lightweight ones weigh only 8 to 10 pounds, but they are generally umbrella strollers for older babies. For a newborn, a good weight stroller will weigh about 11 to 16 pounds.

• Can the pram and stroller carry a car seat? It is nice to purchase a stroller, which can accommodate the baby’s car seat . This adds to the convenience of taking a sleeping baby out of the car along with the seat when you move him/her into the stroller.

• Does the pram and stroller have the features you want? If your baby is old enough, go for a stroller with a bar on the front, which you can open and close. If not a bar, you can choose one with a snack tray. Prams/strollers with locking wheels are always good for your baby and five-point harnesses are considered the safest. Stroller - Mother's Choice Red Rocket 3 Wheel Pram provides for a 5 point fully adjustable safety harness and a removable snack tray with cup holder.

Pick the right stroller to suit your and your baby's needs

There are different kinds of strollers available in the market. Choose the one that suits your life style better. The different kind of strollers include:

• Compact/Lightweight Strollers – As the name suggests, such strollers are good for travel, easy carrying, are lightweight and easy to fold. They are designed for easy storage and come with all basic features.

• Full Size/Standard Strollers – These are heavier and more comfortable since they provide a host of features for all of your baby's needs like extra padding, head covers and more. They come with shock absorbers, brakes and bigger wheels for smooth and safe rides.

• Multi-Children Strollers - These strollers help you accommodate two or three children. You can have the convenience and luxury of the deluxe single model in this larger package. Such strollers are available in lightweight, standard and jogger styles too. INSTEP Double Pram / Stroller / Jogger - Safari-TT on Dealsdirect helps you accommodate two kids at a time.

• Joggers/All-Terrain – Such strollers offer three all-terrain wheels, high performance parts and are easily foldable and transportable. They provide for many of the same features that full size strollers offer. With this jogging baby stroller, you can enjoy your jog and your baby gets to have an outing too. Schwinn Jogger / Pram / Stroller - Free Runner LT - Sports Design at Dealsdirect helps you to stay fit while at the same time taking your child out for some fresh air.

• Travel Systems – These types symbolise advancements in the baby stroller industry. These are a combo of stroller and a car seat in one travel system. The car seat can be easily removed from the stroller and attached to the back seat of your car. This allows your baby to have an undisturbed nap even when you have to move him back and forth the car and stroller. A travel stroller type is quickly foldable and compact. Some also come with enhanced features like stay-in-the-car base and one-hand foldable option.

• Pram Strollers – These types are generally for newborn babies up to 4 months. These are lay-down types and are constructed on a chassis with four wheels to offer a non-rugged stroll.

Know about the pram and stroller safety measures

There are certain safety features, which should be given first priority while purchasing a baby stroller. Read on for tips to keep you and your baby safe and cheerful.

• Safety seat belts: Make sure the stroller provides for at least a three-point harness system. A five-point harness, which also comes with shoulder straps apart from the waist and leg belts, is a must for jogging strollers.

• Steady and stable: Prams and strollers should be stable enough for a smooth ride. A wide-wheel base prevents a pram and stroller from tipping.

• Parent safety strap: This feature secures the parent to the stroller and adds to keeping your child secure as you push him/her along. Stroller - Mother's Choice Red Rocket 3 Wheel Pram is equipped with this good feature.

• Seats with complete recline: You should remember to buy a pram and stroller offering full recline seat for infants up to three months. INSTEP Double Pram / Stroller / Jogger - Safari-TT comes with the adjustable recline feature.

• Wheel brakes: A pram and stroller with locking wheel brakes is a good buy from the safety perspective. Mother's Choice Oslo Upright Stroller comes with this useful safety feature.

• Back facing position: Rear-facing position prams and strollers are best for the person pushing the stroller to keep a watch on the infant.

• Parts with locking capacity : A pram and stroller with locking capability of moving parts prevents inadvertent folding or collapsing.

• Parts in good condition: Make a thorough check to rule out missing parts or signs of wear and tear.

• Detachable & washable fabric: A pram & stroller with the removable and washable fabric feature goes a long way in keeping your baby safe from infections.

Having read the above, we are sure you now know all you needed to about baby prams and strollers. Go ahead and buy one from Dealsdirect.com to suit you and your baby!