What Makes A Wheely Good Pram?

What makes a wheely good pram?

When it was first introduced in the Victorian era, the pram (short for perambulator) was quite an innovative idea. Over the years, the simple design has evolved and the pram is now available in various versions; from the traditional Victorian-based design, to the more versatile pushchair version.

When it comes to choosing a pram, you need to think about your lifestyle and how your pushchair will fit into it. City-based parents may look for a pushchair, which has a smaller, lighter frame and front swivel wheels, which allow it to manoeuvre easily around shops. Parents, who live outside the city, or in a more rural environment, may prefer the three-wheel or sturdy pushchair, which copes better with different terrains.

Safety and comfort will, of course, be your primary concerns when it comes to choosing your pushchair. Fortunately, most of today’s prams and pushchairs feature head and seat padding, harness protectors and multiple recline positions as basic essentials, so you’re virtually guaranteed a safe environment for your baby from the word go. Remember that newborn babies need to be able to lie flat, so make sure that the pram that you choose allows your baby to do this.

Over the last decade or so, travel systems have become increasingly popular. These allow you to move your baby from the car to a pushchair and back again without having to waken them if they are sleeping. The best models are those, which simply click together with one action.

Other factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a pushchair include:

• washable materials. Look out for fabrics which are easily cleaned, or which can be removed for washing
• pale pink and pale blue may be lovely to look at when it comes to colour schemes, but may not be the most practical when it comes to keeping the pushchair clean!
• accessories are many and varied. Today’s pushchairs come with footmuffs, aprons, raincovers and changing bags.

For the really trendy baby, no pushchair is complete without a play tray, cup holder, clock or temperature gauge!