A pram is a must-have for any mom. It comes in quite handy in transporting your child comfortably and without straining you. For moms who will have their babies via CS, a pram can allow you to go for walks, which can help with recovery. It also allows you to bond with your baby without putting any pressure on your back and core before you are fully recovered. It’s also great for when the grandparents want to take baby for a ride round the block. Shopping for baby is never easy. You may keep second guessing yourself because you want to get best, safest, sturdiest item for them. Prams are no exception. With the incredible numbers, types and designs of prams in the market today, you might get overwhelmed trying to pick out the best new prams for your child.
We have done the research for you to come up with the top 5 things to look out for when buying your munchkin’s pram. This will shorten and simplify your search.
- Safety
This is the one quality you cannot afford to skimp on. You want to the pick the safest pram you can possibly get. What are some of the features that will indicate a safe stroller?
- The brakes should engage efficiently and quickly.
- It should be stable enough not to tip easily
your baby will get more active as the month’s go by. You do not want their first experience at trying to roll over to end with a fall. Test this out at the store.
- Harness
This is what will keep your baby from being thrown forward when you brake or stop. It also will be essential in keeping baby in place when they start moving and wriggling. Look for a 5-point harness that goes around baby’s waist, over the shoulder and between her legs. All harnesses need to be sufficiently padded for baby’s comfort.
- Easy to clean
Ensure it has easy detachable parts you can easily remove, clean and re-assemble. Trapped dust or dampness can give baby respiratory problems. It also will require occasional washing after spillages, wet burps or diaper ‘accidents”.
- Ease of use
This tops the list of things to test out at the store . A good pram should be easy to fold, ideally with one hand. You need to be able to fold and set up your pram while possible holding a baby. Maybe even carrying a diaper bag too. You therefore need something you can fold up quickly and easily without needing a second person to assist you. Keep in mind that it might be used by the baby’s grandparents, so it should not be complicated or require a manual to set up and fold. Apart from its ease in folding, its size is important. You need a pram that’s wide enough to fit baby comfortably, but narrow enough to fit through spaces. This is in terms of going through isles and the hallways of your house as well as when packing it to carry in your car.
- Durability
If there is one thing you are almost sure of, about your baby, is that they will love the outdoors. Which is great because being outdoors will be beneficial to them. For all those exciting trips waiting for you, you need a sturdy, durable pram. It’s wise to check the warranty and its duration. It’s likely you will make this purchase months before baby comes. By the time you start using the pram, a few months will have lapsed on the warranty. Shop around for a pram with an extended warranty so that you are still covered for a reasonable amount of time. Think about where you live and where you’re likely to go. If you are confined to the city, you do not need an off-road pram. If you are in the country side, then an off-road one will handle the terrain better and will be more durable.
- Comfort
For your little tot, comfort is key. To have the best outdoor experience, you cannot overlook this key feature. If you do, your eagerly awaited trip to the park will degenerate into an uncomfortable, screaming baby and judgmental stares from strangers. Bonding moments should be fun and relaxed. For maximum comfort, ensure the pram has enough padding for baby to rest on. They should not feel the firm frame pressing up against them. It’s important to note that infants should not be in a sitting position. Ensure the pram is reclaimable. Even if it does not lie flat, one that can lie at 130 is safe for baby’s fragile back and neck. The best part about a reclaimable one, is that you can gradually steepen the incline. By the time baby is reaching five months, they can be in a semi-sitting or sitting position. For hot summers, a canopy is great to shield the baby from getting the sun directly on their face or in their eyes. Look for one with a shield.
- Mommies extras
Prams in the market today come with some creature comforts to make life with a baby much easier and convenient. The underlying theme is happy mommy-happy baby. What are some of the add-ons you can look out for to make your pram trips seamless?
- A cup holder that can double up as a holder for baby formula.
- A baby bumper: this is a great place to attach nice colorful toys to keep baby entertained for a few minutes while you’re having a much needed snack, or taking a breather.
- A basket under the pram: you can find a pram with a roomy basket to put groceries at the store or pack all off baby’s essentials for your stroll.
- A hand strap attached to the pram’s handle id quite useful for short stops that don’t necessary require you to put the pram in parking mode. You simply slip it over your wrist like a bracelet and it keeps the pram from rolling away.
Whether you are shopping for a new pram or a second hand one, the above tips will assist you pick the best one for your baby. Most stores will allow you to test prams out. Take advantage of this and test out as many features in as many different prams as possible. It will also be wise to have a budget in mind before you hit the stores. Do not go by the assumption that the priciest will offer the best quality. This is not necessarily true. Look for a pram that meets the above guidelines, and at a great price and you are good to go.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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