What to look for in a baby pram

Your little one's first pram is going to be their main mode of transportation for a while, so you're going to want to ensure that it's both comfortable and safe for them and convenient for you. But with so many prams on the market offering all kinds of different features, where do you start?

That's why we've put together this list of factors to consider when buying a pram, as well as the answers to a few common questions to help make your life easier.

The top point on your list when selecting the best pram for your little one should always be safety. Other useful features are nice, but they're far less important.

You should always check whether the pram you're considering buying meets the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2088. You're also going to want to consider things such as what type of harness is built in, whether the brakes are strong enough to keep your pram in place on a steep hill and whether there is a tether strap included.

We recommend always selecting a model which offers a five-point safety harness, as this is the safest and most secure option for your little one.

You'll also want to consider prams that have a UV shade covering, especially in Australia's harsh sun. It's not recommended to throw a muslin cloth over the pram as this can actually increase the heat levels, making it too hot for bub. Plus, muslin cloths don't actually offer any protection against UV rays. A pram with a decent UV shade canopy is the way to go.

Different types of prams are suitable for different ages. The exact age, height and weight that a pram is suitable for should be listed within the product information, but, as a general rule, you're going to need an option that allows your baby to fully recline up to the age of six months. After this age, you'll want to give your little one a bit more room to move and can consider transitioning them to a seated position so they can see the world around them.

If you have more than one child who still requires help getting around, it is worth looking into getting a model that can accommodate both children. In this instance, you'll probably only need one of the seats to be able to recline fully, however, you'll want to ensure that you can safely have the seats at different positions as well as check whether both your little ones will be comfortable sitting up together when the time comes.

While some prams have seats that simply adjust to allow you to switch between seated and fully reclined positions, others have a detachable bassinet or capsule for use while your little one needs to lay flat.

This choice will mostly be based on personal preference, however, we will note that although often more expensive, prams that have removable capsules can make life easier in many situations, like transporting a sleeping baby from the pram into your house.

The topic of three or four wheels is a common debate surrounding the purchase of prams. While having four wheels offers extra stability, it does also mean a heavier build. Three-wheel options, though lighter and slimmer, can be limited in the places they can go.

As such, we suggest considering where you'll be taking your little one, and choosing the number of wheels based on that. Slimmer prams, for example, can move more easily indoors. Those who like to get out and adventure, however, will probably need the fourth wheel for stability and to go over rougher terrain, like gravel.

Finally, although the main purpose of a pram or stroller is to keep your baby safe and comfortable while you're out and about, you still have to consider your own needs when selecting one.

A good pram is smooth to manoeuvre, light enough that you can lift it easily when needed, and simple to store when not in use.

You'll also want to consider whether your chosen model is easy for you to fold up, and we always recommend checking whether it'll fit in the boot of your car (or overhead bin on the plane!) before making your final decision. For more information, read our guide to the best travel prams.

Having a baby is an exciting, but stressful, time. Finding the right pram for your little one will certainly make life at least a little easier, so it's worth taking the time to think things through before making your purchase.

In addition to finding the right pram for your baby, you're also going to want to make sure you're using it right. The below questions are three of the most common that come up when selecting a pram, so we figured we'd include them in this piece to help make your life easier.