The joy that a baby brings is beyond anything money can buy – less enjoyable are the mounting bills. Earlier this year it was claimed that in the first year alone parents fork out an average of £9,000 on bringing up their child. You might not need all the accessories that baby stores and manufacturers will try to sell you in your new role as a parent, but a pushchair will be vital. This can be a costly item, but there are ways to cut costs, whether you are going for the top of the range super deluxe or a budget buggy. There are almost as many kinds of pushchairs as there are models of cars. Take time to consider which one will suit your lifestyle. Are you a keen walker? If so, you might want a more rugged chair to climb those hills. Do you live in a third-floor flat? You should maybe look for a lightweight model. How long do expect to use it? Do you need multiple seat positions for the chair to last through the years? Mumsnet has a useful Beginner's guide to buying a pushchair which lays out the main options.
Having decided what type of pushchair you are after, you can visit retailers like Mothercare or Mamas & Papas to see what models are available in your chosen category. Start with an online search for your chosen model. You could be surprised by how much prices vary – one popular pushchair varied in price by 20% among retailers. Put the make and model into a search engine and visit price comparison sites like Kelkoo and Pricerunner to get the price range. Factor in any discounts you can find on voucher websites. Myvouchercodes has a voucher offering 10% off at Mothercare, and often offers discounts at a variety of stores. Also reductions are frequently made for older models – the new one often only has minor changes that you might not even notice. Make sure you are comparing like-for-like as pushchairs can come with valuable added extras like cosytoes for winter and rain covers for all year round British weather. Make a crib sheet (excuse the pun) of facts and prices and take it to the stores.
Approaching a store with buying power can bring great reward – whether it just for a buggy or a larger range of items. Through ante-natal classes you will have met other parents-to-be. If several of you get together you can have a go at getting a group discount. Say something like "we will offer you around £1,500 worth of business if you guarantee a discount". Most stores will fall over backwards to gain this amount of trade, especially if you call on a Tuesday morning when shops are notoriously quiet. Alternatively make a proposal: "If you give us 10% discount on all items and a free pack of nappies each we will guarantee you over £1,500 worth of business today." In most cases it is evident to the retailer you intend to buy as you will either be pregnant or have a baby in tow. You could ask a friend to do the purchasing for you – he or she may be less emotionally attached and more like to bag a bargain. They could say something like they are not sure whether to buy a present or open up a bank account with the money.
When you go into the store speak to a senior member of staff and make them aware of the various bargains you can get elsewhere, but tell them if they are prepared to offer you a deal you would be happy to buy now. Show models could be offered cheaper and should carry the same guarantees as boxed versions. Don't try to be a tough aggressive trader as friendliness wins out most of the time. If it's a general baby store you are likely to buy a few items. If so, start by saying to the salesperson you are interested in one or two items (generally the most expensive) and see if you can get the cheaper items for free as well as a discount on the larger items. For example, "I will buy the pushchair and cosytoes for £130 if you throw in a baby bath." Wherever you end up purchasing your buggy, make sure you take it for a test drive beforehand, as height, weight and strolling comfort are all-important factors in your purchase. Buying second-hand baby items can cut costs considerably, however only buy pushchairs that comply with the British Standard safety rules.
Make sure it is in good working order, Babycentre shows you checks you can make and places you can go to buy second-hand baby items. Tell us about your second-hand buying experiences too. Make full use of your all terrain pushchair and soak up some free fresh air, pushchairwalks.co.uk will send you walking routes for pushchairs for £1 a go. Whether it's for raising a child or childcare costs it's worth checking out Directgov as you could be entitled to thousands of pounds each year. What are the basic features we need to look out for? What should I check before buying a pram? Any other pram-buying tips? Given the wide range of prams that are available in the market, it might be difficult to decide the one that suits your baby and your family's needs best. Here are a few things to help you decide. What are the basic features we need to look out for?Prices vary from shop to shop and on internet sites. Also, different brands have different pricing. Depending on the multiple features that a pram has and its quality the prices may vary.
Research before you buy.How long can you use the pram? Depending on the type, you can use it for longer or shorter period of time. If you wish to keep the pram for your next baby, you may want to buy a long-lasting pram that can carry more weight or is more sturdy.Look out if the pram is well-cushioned and has a good suspension. If you are buying it for a newborn baby, you may want to make sure that the pram is well padded to allow your baby to sleep without any discomfort.If you are planning to use the pram for mall shopping or travelling a standard pram would do. However, if you are looking at outdoor usage, then you might want to buy a more sturdy all-terrain pram. If your purpose of buying a pram is mainly for the house to rock your baby to sleep you may want to choose a coach-built pram. Weight of the pram. If mum is the one who will be handling it, make sure you can open, close and lift the pram on your own. Umbrella prams are usually very light compared to other prams.
What should I check before buying a pram?Checking on the following before investing on a stroller is essential. Can I change the direction of the stroller to make my baby sit facing towards or away from me? While your baby is a newborn, you will probably prefer to have him facing you rather than the big wide world. This way, you can make plenty of eye contact with your baby, and you can also reassure yourself that he is comfortable and happy. Is it easy to move? Try pushing the stroller with just one hand, too. This will come in handy when you have to juggle a phone or shopping while pushing your baby. Check if the handles are adjustable, too. This will make it more comfortable for you.Can the backrest and handles be adjusted? If for a newborn, can the backrest be adjusted to lie completely flat? Does the stroller have an attachable carrycot or car seat? If you want a pram that will last for a long time, check to see if it has a reversible seat. This means that when your baby is older and wants to look around, you can change the seat so that he faces away from you.
Is it easy to fold and use?It can be handy to dump shopping in your baby's pram, so check out how much storage room there is. Make sure the shopping is easy to get out, too! Does it come with accessories? When you buy a pram, check that everything is included. Some models sell the chassis and seat separately. You may also have to buy a rainsheet or hood for the stroller. It is worth bearing this in mind if you need to keep to a budget. How safe is it? It is worth checking the brakes, wheels and the safety harness. Is it narrow enough to fit into the car boot and through an average sized door? Some models are surprisingly wide! How big are the wheels? You might want to opt for small swivel wheels which are easier to manoeuvre on pavements and crowded shopping centres.Any other pram-buying tips?It's best to research and look for a pram that suits your needs, budget and lifestyle rather than pick one that may well be just a current rage. You need something that is safe and easy to use given our weather conditions, crowded spaces and unruly traffic.
Some parents prefer to buy an inexpensive brand and replace it when their family grows. Some choose to invest in a heavy duty pram that will last and can be used for other children. Do ask for a full demonstration before you buy your pram. Some may be tricky to assemble and collapse before you get used to them. Ask your friends or a relative who recently had a baby to recommend a satisfying brand or speak to other mums on our community forums. Consider buying sooner than later. If you're pregnant, your spatial awareness may change as your bump expands. This can affect how well you think a stroller manoeuvres. Check out for sales and discounts. You may benefit from the reduced cost and buy a quality pram at lesser cost. Choosing a pramStroller safety: what you need to knowWhat kind of heater should I buy to keep my baby's room warm and safe? Track your baby’s development Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy.