Archive for the ‘Pram Information’ Category
Having a baby is expensive. Really expensive. And during tough economic times it might not always be possible to buy the top of the line baby jogger or Englacha pram and so a second hand pram or stroller becomes an option. Here are some things you need to consider before buying a used pram or stroller.
What to look for when buying a second hand pram or stroller
Here are a list of factors you should consider before spending your money on used prams.
1. Is it clean?
The first thing to look for is cleanliness. Babies can be very messy with food and toilet time and as such you want to make sure the pram is as clean as possible. Dirt and leftovers can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Check all the corners and under the mattress to make sure it is as clean as possible. You might just need to do a little disinfecting at home but if it is too bad then give it a miss.
2. Are there any rips?
Rips and tears in the main part of the pram, on the bonnet or on the mattress are an issue because they will, over time, get bigger and bigger. Some tiny rips can be repaired with a needle and thread but others need to be discarded.
Remember, if you are getting a good price on the pram or stroller with a few rips, consider how much you would save if you purchased it and then just bought a new mattress or replaced the ripped part. It might still cost a lot less than buying a fully new pram.
3. Do the wheels work properly?
Without the wheels your pram is useless. The whole purpose of the stroller is to be able to stroll around and that requires some solid wheels with some very good motion. The best wheels to look for are self inflatable ones as it requires little maintenance and the air inside the tire is very good for cushioning your baby’s ride. Make sure the wheels turn in every direction smoothly and that there is no squeaking or friction.
4. Is it too expensive?
Buying a second hand pram is all about price. If the price is too high then you may as well just buy a new one. So the idea is to negotiate or look for a price that is reasonable for your budget as well as the condition/age of the pram itself. So how can you tell if the price is right? Ideally a second hand item (pram or anything) should drop by at least 40% of its initial cost as soon as it leaves the store. Then you need to take off money for how much damage or wear there is. Spend some time looking at new prams, find out how much they cost and then compare them to the used pram that you are looking at.
5. Does it suit your needs?
There is no point buying a giant twin pram if you only have one tiny baby and a small car. Sometimes we get seduced by the cheapness of the stroller and forget to think about what features we really need. Make sure you think about transporting it, whether it is large enough for your baby, and whether it has enough room for nappies, etc.
You can price or purchase a second hand pram or stroller in our online second hand pram store.
A recent study has shown that babies who face their parents while riding in their pram develop a closer bond to the parent who is pushing the pram. This is in contrast to prams where the baby faces the direction you are walking.
This is a startling find for many mothers out there who own prams that have the baby facing away from you. It turns out that these prams may be a cause for your child to have trouble bonding with it’s mother and father.
The question is: does this finding worry you? Will you go out and buy a new pram or stroller where your child faces towards you? More importantly, did your pram face your parents when you were children? Has this impacted on how close your are to them.
One of the most important things that you would require soon after you have a baby is a baby pram. Prams enable you to carry your baby around as and also enable them to sleep when you have to take them outside. If you buy a pram with considerable features, you will find you have a place to store your items in it, handle it conveniently, maintain it easily and give your baby good comfort, with enough space to keep their dolls.
Types of Prams and Strollers
There are many pram varieties in the market. Here is a look at what is available so that you can make a quick choice on what suits you the most:
- Traditional Prams – This is the most common type of baby pram. The pram is made out of material that is durable and it offers good enough comfort. Its right for small babies but you definitely needs to buy something else when your baby grows up.
- Travel Systems or Convertible Prams – These are prams that are of the reclining type. You can convert them into a rear or forward facing pushchair as your baby gets older. This kind of a pram offers you more features that the traditional pram and you don’t have to buy another one as your baby grows up. This is accommodating enough.
- Pushchairs and Stroller types –These prams offers you considerable features and they come in a variety of styles. They are made from durable long-lasting material, include storage units, offer good enough space for your baby and even allow you to remove the cot from the pram set. You can buy one for a new born and use it right up to when they become toddlers.
- All Terrain Prams or Joggers – These prams are suitable for a variety of surfaces. You will find them to be sturdy and you can take your baby using them to many different places conveniently. Most of the features available with regular prams are seen here.
- Multi-Children Strollers – If you have twins or triplets, you need a pram that can accommodate so many children. These pram types are available in a variety of styles such as standard type or lightweight type or jogger type and so on.
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Compact Strollers – These strollers are easy to carry as they are lightweight. You can fold them away easily for storage. They come with all necessary features that you get with other pram varieties.
- Full Size Strollers – These are heavy-built prams. They give you quite a number of features such as extra padding, head cover and much more by which your baby’s comfort level in the pram enhances. They also include features such as brakes, big wheels and shock absorbers so that you can give your baby a smooth ride, when taking him or her in this kind of a pram.
- Three Wheel Prams – As the name suggests, these prams have three wheels and as a result are easier to move around. If you buy one with swivel wheels you will find them easier to maneuver. You can find prams of this type to have bassinets and toddler seats as well.
- Umbrella Fold Prams – These prams fold like an umbrella. They are lightweight, easy-to handle and offer good enough space for babies. They are just great for traveling, no fuss and can be folded away for storage. The only problem with this model is that it is not very durable.
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Silver Cross Prams – This kind of a pram offers s smooth ride and enables you baby to have a sound nap. They are also easy-to-maintain. However, they are large and difficult to maneuver. You have to buy another pram when your baby becomes six months or so as this won’t be enough for their needs then.
Essential Pram Features
As you can see from the above list, baby prams come in many different types. What makes one pram more preferable over the other is the kind of features it offers. Here is a look at the typical features you must look out for in the pram model you buy:
- Wheel Brakes – Prams with lock wheel types are good for safety.
- Wide Wheel Base – If the pram you buy has a wide wheel base, it won’t stumble and trip. This kind of a pram is steady and offers a smooth ride.
- Rear facing – Prams that are rear facing let you keep a good eye on what your baby is doing.
- Fully reclining – This feature is useful for baby up to three months old.
- Safety strap for parents – This feature offers a strap for parents to hold the pram, thereby ensuring more safety for the baby.
- Safety belts – Buy a pram with a three point harness or a five point harness for added safety while carrying your baby in the pram.
- Durable material – The material used to make the pram must be durable and long-lasting.
- Easy maintenance – The pram material should be such that you can clean it easily without any problems.
If you look into these points, you can be sure to find a pram that offers all the right features you need to ensure baby comfort and safety. You can definitely not be without having a pram as it helps you to carry our baby to many places, while at the same time ensuring that hey are comfortable while you travel and at the same time they can also fall asleep when they want to.
However, buying the ideal pram requires that you check all features offered so that you get one that is right for your needs. Do not compromise on prams that offer only few features, to keep a low budget as you would have to change the pram very soon to accommodate your growing baby. By one that can handle you baby from two months to the time they become toddlers. Such pram will suit your requirements very well and will offer all necessary features for a smooth ride with your baby.
