checklist for buying a pram or stroller Want to buy the best pram or best stroller for you? Choosing the right set of wheels for your baby is a task more consuming than most of us realise, and some would equate it to buying the family car. There are so many factors you need to weigh up in order to find which pram or stroller is best for you and for your baby. We’ve made a list here of some of the key practical points you need to consider before purchasing your pram or stroller. How long do you want the pram to last you? Many prams are designed to take you from birth to about 4 years (if you can keep them in the pram that long!). If you are purchasing for a newborn, bear in mind that it while it doesn’t need to recline flat, it does need to recline 130 degrees from the horizontal to be suitable. Are you considering changing to a lightweight stroller once your toddler is more active? Looking further ahead, are you planning on using the same pram for future children?
How much can you afford to pay for your dream pram? Can you afford the pram you want without having to mortgage the house? Or will a cheaper model with all the same features do the trick? Do both parents agree on the pram? Remember, it has to suit both your parental needs and physiques. You may need to consider things such as: The weight of the pram when lifting and fitting it into the back of the car or when having to carry it into the house or up stairs. Does it have an adjustable handle to suit both your heights? Do you need a physics degree to fold/collapse the pram? Or can it be easily and calmly achieved when you are pregnant, have a screaming toddler on the hip and your ice-cream melting in the car? What activities will you be doing with the pram?If you intend jogging, you will need to look at brands that are designed with this in mind so that both you and baby are safe and comfortable. Heading to the beach often? You need to think about the wear and tear of sand and salt water on your wheel fittings and steel/chrome/aluminium surfaces if you want to keep the pram looking and working at its best (especially if selling it later is on the cards).
Going to the shops? Some 3-wheeler models have a wider wheel base which increases its stability for jogging or rough terrain, however, it can mean you are limited when it comes to fitting through the check-out at the supermarket or between aisles of crowded shops. General points not to be overlooked Does the pram fit into your car when folded, or will you need to buy a new car to fit it in (along with the groceries, the nappy bag, the toddler’s trike, the dog, etc.)? Can the wheels be easily removed to accommodate fitting into tight spaces? Is the pram easy to manoeuvre in general? Remember, the size and weight of the pram will be different to control when you have an 11 kilo toddler in there in a year or so. Are the wheel locks sturdy and not easily disengaged? Does the basket under the pram allow you the space you need – quick trip to the supermarket, out all day at the zoo – and is the access to the basket easy – extra zippers and wide openings so that you don’t have to pull everything out to get to something at one end?
When walking into the sun, does the handle reverse so that your baby’s delicate skin and eyes are protected? Or can you get a sun-protection cover to fit your pram? Ensure your pram has a 5-point safety harness that is adjustable to accommodate your growing child. Ensure your pram has one or more parking devices that limits the movement of the pram. The release mechanism must be located so that it is not easily accessible to a child when the child is properly restrained in the pram. The colour of the device used to activate the parking mechanism must be RED and surrounding framework must be a contrasting colour. All prams and strollers must be sold with a suitable tether strap that allows the pusher of the pram to be tethered to it whilst in use. Check the Australian Standards for more information on legal lengths of the tether strap. Does the hood offer a reasonable area of shade, and does it have a view window so that you can check on baby whilst you are pushing the pram from behind?
Does the pram have a removable bumper? These are not only a safety feature on some prams but also double as a convenient spot for the baby to hold onto as well as great for attaching entertaining baby toys to. Are you wanting a pram that you can attach a toddler seat or a skateboard to as the family grows? (Toddler seats are additional seats that attach to the pram to allow you to carry a toddler as well as a newborn, or two toddlers. A skateboard is a board on wheels that clips onto the back axle of the pram. An older child can stand on this, holding the back of the pram, whilst you push the whole ensemble from behind.) What extras are available either with your pram or to purchase separately? Weather protection – sun and rain covers Net Insect protection cover Tyre pump (for pneumatic tyres) Boot cover or footmuff for cold weather Newborn padding inserts or sheepskins See our directory of online retailers of pram accessories. The pram you choose should comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZ S 2088.
If it doesn’t carry this information on a label or brochure, check with the manufacturer before you purchase. See review of hundreds of prams and strollers by other parents in the Bub Hub Reviews section. Bub Hub Bulletinour weekly e-newsletter Weekly Pregnancy Emailwhat to expect learn how you can become a reviewer! Join in the conversation! Pregnant for the first-time? Not sure where to start? Our Insider Programs for pregnancy first-timers will lead you step-by-step through the 14 Pregnancy Must Dos!You’re already being woken up at 6 AM; time to go for a fun run! And, since jogging with a baby in your arms is frowned upon (mostly by your neighbors), it’s time to fold up the umbrella stroller and buy a hi-tech, feature-laden jogging stroller. It doesn’t matter whether you’re exercising to maintain your sanity, or training for some baby-friendly races, here are 4 things to look for before you make the investment. Running is free, but the accessories are not:
For The Urban Athlete: BOB Revolution Pro Pro: Gear Patrol calls BOB’s Revolution Pro “the most technologically advanced piece of workout equipment you’ll ever own.” And that the hand-activated rear drum brakes make you feel in control. “As comfortable as the stroller was for the jogger, it was even better for the rider. A large canopy to shade the sun, foot rests and a wide padded seat, two mesh pockets perfect for a stuffed animal and a sippy cup and reclinable seat back for long jogs (or ones that happen closer to nap time) kept my year-old test pilot happy nearly the whole time.” Con: It’s heavy and a bit unwieldy. GP says, “At around 25 pounds and 25.5-inches wide from wheel to wheel (wider than most other strollers), it took some maneuvering to get it in and out the trunk.” Reviewers also say that the canopy, which doesn’t filter UV, is a weak spot. Front Wheel Type: Swivel lock Wheel Dimensions: Rear 16″ x 1.75″, Front 12.5″ x 1.75″
Suspension: Coil spring and elastomer core shock absorbers, with adjustable shock release knobs Brake: Hand-activated rear drum brake; Adjustable Handlebar: Yes (33.5 – 45.8″) For The Trail Runner: The Burley Solstice Pro: Burley has been doing the outdoor thing since 1978, so they have a bit of practice making gear built to withstand Planet Earth. The Solstice has coil-spring suspension on all the wheels, making dirt roads feel like (poorly) paved streets. While a lot of reviews cite the S.I.T. technology that keeps the straps out of the way — a pain in the ass if you’ve ever had to dig around to find a buckle under your kid — it also gets points for how easy it is to fold and store. Core 77, who gave the Solstice a Design Award in 2015 said, “with the exception of the telescoping handlebar, virtually all of the Solstice features can be operated with one hand.” Con: Again, a lot of reviewers wish that their giant-wheeled jogging strollers could be lightweight and smaller.
At least one reviewer on REI had issues with the ease-of-use of the brakes, saying “I seem to always be looking for the brake pedal. It is small and tucked up under to the right.” Brake: Foot-activated parking brake Adjustable Handlebar: Yes (37.5 – 40.5″) For The Elite Marathoner: Phil & Ted’s Sub 4 Pro: To own this stroller you should probably be running an elite marathon time. In fact, the guys over at Runner’s World said this jogging stroller “is an ideal choice for tempo and fartlek runs. Testers comfortably turned in sub-six-minute miles thanks to the aerodynamic, lightweight design.” No word on how many of those testers can say “fartlek” without laughing. Con: Besides costing as much as a one-way ticket to Fiji, the biggest drawback: it doesn’t really fold up, so you better have an extra parking space in the garage. Front Wheel Type: Fixed Wheel Dimensions: Rear 20″, Front: 16″ Suspension: Anti-shock suspension and torsion control bars
Brake: One-hand dual disk brake Phil & Teds Sub 4 ($900) For The Blade Runner: KidRunner Jogger Pro: If you’re already a jungle gym, piggyback, and airplane to your baby, why not workhorse? With the KidRunner jogger, it’s not a stroller you push but a tiny rickshaw you pull. Gizmodo says, “the actual stroller that rolls along with a pair of bicycle wheels is a flexible bow that dampens the up and down motion of a runner so that a kid in tow isn’t being constantly bounced around. Because kids and motion sickness go hand in hand.” And champion runner Max King won a 10k with this thing on his back — so you know you can legitimately run with it. Con: If you’re looking for a stroller that you can take to the mall as well as the track, this ain’t it. The other con is that you currently can’t get one. About 300 of these were already pre-ordered and it’s currently out of stock. Front Wheel Type: None, two rear wheels For The Weekend Warrior: Thule Chariot Cougar 1 / Cheetah 1
Pro: Perfect for the parent who is also a triathlete (although there’s no boat function, yet), the Thule Chariot Cougar not only has the distinction of being the most badass name for a stroller, it’s also the only one that goes from jogger to bike trailer. cut to the chase, saying, “It is a big, brawny, cage of a stroller meant to protect Junior in comfort while you pursue serious outdoor activities.” Con: By being a stroller, jogger, or trailer, the Chariot Cougar isn’t as good at either as some single-function carriers. Gear Review has issues with the tail-light function, saying, “We would really like to see a better, more central light holder (or, even better, a built-in flashing light for the back) to help with visibility when the carrier is used as a trailer)” Then again, what are you doing riding a bike with you baby in the middle of the night? Wheel Dimensions: Rear 20″, Front (Jogging Kit) 16″ Suspension: Adjustable coil spring Adjustable Handlebar: Yes (HeightRight has a “high” and “low” setting)
Thule Chariot Cougar 1 / Cheetah 1 ($690 + $120 Jogging Kit) For The Casual Jogger: Baby Trend Expedition Pro: Baby Gear Lab calls the Baby Trend Expedition “a good all around stroller” if you’re going on “unexpected adventures” (you mean, like the Goonies?). Runner Amy Tarpley wrote on Runner’s World, “It’s got great handling and we’ve pushed it in several races. My husband has even run a 22-minute 5K and said it handled well!” Con: It’s reliable for the light jogger, but not the serious runner. On the other hand, the price is as serious as its competitors. Wheel Dimensions: Rear 15.5″, Front 11.25″ Brake: Double foot-activated parking brake Adjustable Handlebar: Yes (Max height 41″) For Running With Siblings: BOB Pro Dualie Pro: If you have two young kids — best of luck. But also, you’re going to need a double-wide version of the jogging stroller. BOB comes through again with the Pro Dualie. It’s just like the Pro above, but more to love.