Pram vs Stroller: Classic Aesthetic or Modern Practicality?

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Deciding how to get out and around town with your newborn is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. But it can be one of the most confusing too, given the dazzling array of infant and baby transport that’s available in the shops.

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Because my full-time job is being mom to 2 precious daughters, and I know a thing or two about strollers. Besides personal experience, I get feedback from other moms who use these strollers every day and put all that research into our unbiased stroller buying guides

- Kyli

For many new moms, the image of proud parents pushing a newborn baby through the park in a smart pram is one that resonates. But is a pram or a stroller the best way to go? And do you need both?

In this article, we’ll compare prams and strollers so that you can decide what the best choice is for you and your growing family.

Table of Contents

Prams

A traditional pram is the classic, lay-flat baby carriage. It’s thought that newborn babies should lay flat in a pram to ensure healthy breathing, lung, and spinal development. However, once the baby is old enough to sit up, you may find that your pricey pram becomes superfluous to requirements. Also, most traditional prams don’t fold down for storage, potentially leaving you with a space-guzzling problem.

Old-style prams tend to be cumbersome and awkward to maneuver, and they often don’t fold easily or at all for storage or transport. For that reason, many parents opt for a stroller or a carrycot instead.

A carrycot is a light, portable cot with handles. A carrycot is similar in design to the body of a pram but comes with a wheeled frame that you can attach it to for trips out. Although very portable, the main disadvantage of a carrycot pram arrangement is that an older child cannot sit up comfortably and the carrycot therefore quickly becomes outgrown.

Strollers

Many strollers are not suitable or safe for newborn babies, because the seats do not recline fully. An exception to this is the UPPAbaby Vista, which is ideal for newborns and older infants too. This stroller can also be converted into a car seat that’s compatible with most major brands.

Unlike prams that are pretty much a one-size-fits-all vehicle, there are several different types of strollers to fit different lifestyles.

Convertible strollers

Convertible strollers like the UPPAbaby Vista are extremely popular with new mums and make a great alternative to prams.

A convertible stroller has a seat that reclines flat, making it suitable for a newborn. You can transform the stroller into a car seat or make it into a beautiful bassinet by using the same stroller chassis. Once your child has grown bigger, you can switch to using the full-size seat, and you can even add a second seat when baby number two arrives!

Travel system strollers

Travel system strollers are standard single strollers that include an infant car seat. The seat can be attached to the stroller, creating the ideal solution for moving a sleeping child from your car to the stroller without waking them.

Tandem strollers

Tandem strollers have two seats, set one behind the other. The rear seat can be fully reclined. Therefore, tandem strollers are suitable for an infant and an older toddler; your baby lies or sits in the back seat, and your toddler rides in front. Some brands also accommodate double car seats.

Twin strollers

If you have twins, a twin stroller can be a godsend. Twin strollers have two seats next to each other, allowing both children to ride together. The main drawback of this design is that some shop doorways and sidewalks are too narrow to accommodate a twin stroller comfortably, and they can be tricky to maneuver.

Sit-and-stand strollers

Sit-and-stand strollers are typically arranged in tandem style. Often, toddlers are keen to walk but quickly tire and need a rest. In a sit-and-stand stroller, your child can choose to sit down facing you or stand up and hold on for a ride instead.

Jogger strollers

Jogger strollers are perfect for moms who like to keep fit. These strollers have a fixed front wheel for easier steering while you’re on the move. The idea is that you can jog while pushing the lightweight stroller containing your infant. If you have two kids, you don’t have to miss out on your exercise; double jogger strollers are also available.

All-terrain strollers

All-terrain strollers are designed and built for off-road use. With a super-soft suspension and a front swivel wheel for superior maneuvering, the all-terrain stroller is perfect for use on rough, uneven terrain. An all-terrain stroller is what you need for trips to the beach or the park.

Umbrella strollers

Umbrella strollers are designed to fold away super-easily and quickly, just like an umbrella! Lightweight and easy to handle, umbrella strollers are perfect for a trip to the shops or a stroll around your neighborhood.

In summary

If you’re expecting a baby, you’ll need to decide whether to choose a pram or a stroller to take your little one out and about.

Old-style, rigid-frame prams can be very expensive to buy and are awkward to store. Most don’t fold, making it nigh-on impossible to transport them unless you have a huge vehicle.

Strollers are much more flexible and come in many and varied designs to suit every mom’s lifestyle. For this reason, we’d recommend that you consider buying a good-quality stroller that has a fully reclining seat. As your child grows, you can alter the degree of recline to suit, meaning that your infant will be comfortable and safe, and you won’t need to spend out on another vehicle for him.

 

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Alison Page