Buggies: what to go for

Choosing your child’s pram, pushchair and buggy could easily qualify as some of the most complicated decisions you'll ever make. By and large they ain’t cheap - so you’ll want to think carefully about exactly what your and baby’s needs are before you choose which to buy.

Is it car-compatible?

If your baby is likely to travel in the car a lot, the pram’s ability to fit in the boot will be a key consideration – especially if you’re thinking of buying a double buggy or two-seater pushchair to accommodate more than one child.

Where you live and the kind of terrain you’re likely to use the pram on will also be factors to consider. A robust frame and front wheels that swivel and lock can make all the difference if you use the pushchair on rough ground or to negotiate crowds, kerbs and pavements. 

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Frequent travellers

However, if you’re a big user of public transport or travel frequently by plane, you may want a buggy that is light and manoeuvrable, and can be easily folded – some people even invest in a second pushchair for such occasions, keeping a more robust model for everyday use.

Some buggies come complete with compatible car seats, which slot into the buggy’s frame, allowing you to easily move your baby from car to buggy and vice versa – a godsend if they've fallen asleep as you can move them around without waking them up.

Think about whether you want to be able to see your baby when you're walking around – sometimes it’s nice to feel that they're getting a good view of their surroundings, although recent research suggested that traditional rear-facing prams can help stimulate babies’ brains and improve parental bonding.

Some models switch between forward and backward-facing modes, for example, starting off as an old-style pram and then converting into a front-facing pushchair when your baby is big enough to sit up.

Whichever style you go for, remember that a newborn baby needs to lie completely flat, so your buggy needs to have a lie back position as well as other, easily adjustable options.

Some families choose carrycots which fit onto a pushchair to form a pram, although these are no good for car travel, so you may prefer a buggy with detachable car seat. 

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In the showroom

You’d never buy a car without test driving it first, and the same should be true of a buggy – go to shops and try pushing them around and fixing and unfixing the various accessories.

Ask the assistant to help you make sure it fits in the boot, or that the car seat element works with your seat belts. Check the brakes and try folding and unfolding the buggy on your own – preferably one-handed. 

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Storage and warranty

Think about how much space the pram will take up at home. If you went for a walk and the baby fell asleep, would you be able to return home and leave them asleep in the pram in the hallway?

Consider what other accessories might be useful, and whether they’re included in the price of the buggy – like footmuffs, changing bags and pushchair and car seat raincovers.

And finally - check the guarantee! How long is it and does it run from the day of purchase or your baby’s due date?

Author

Jeremy Davies is a health and social policy journalist/researcher. He writes for the Fatherhood Institute and a variety of national newspapers, magazines and websites, and teaches at the University of Manchester. He has one son.

  

 

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