Shopping for baby- part 3: Car seats, capsules, prams, strollers and carriers (travel)
So you are pregnant. A very big congratulations to you. Now you’ve got some shopping to do. Don’t go out and start buying as soon as the wee stick is positive.
Wait until your first scan, see how many babies you are having and make sure your baby looks healthy before you decide on what you might need. Babies require a lot of stuff, and there is a lot of choice out there.
After 3 kids, this is what I have learned. Hopefully it will help you make good purchasing decisions and save you some money.
Car seats
Look for one that is going to last the distance. I have convertible car seats that can go from backward facing for newborns to forward facing for older babies (from about 6 months) and toddlers, and is for children up to 18kg (between 3 to 4 years old). It’s a Safe-n-sound Royale and has extra removable padding, a sun hood and a car seat protector mat. (sun hoods are great!!).
Capsules
Baby car capsules are really convenient, but unfortunately babies grow out of these quickly too. I used capsules for all 3 of my children (I hired 2 for my twins, and bought one secondhand for my 3rd baby, who has now graduated into the car seat). Newborns sleep a lot, and I hate disturbing a sleeping baby. Capsules mean that you can get a baby into and out of the car without disturbing them too much. Also you can take your nappy bag, shopping, other kids etc to and from the car, and put baby down on the ground to be able to use both hands. Some capsules are compatible with certain types of pram, but are very expensive.
Prams/strollers
Your pram/stroller choice depends on what you will be using it for.
For walking long distances- you want a pram that is sturdy and has good wheels. Strollers aren’t so good for pushing a long way.
For shopping- look for a pram with a nice big basket underneath.
For public transport/small cars/quick jobs around the shops- strollers that are suitable from newborn are great.
With any pram/stroller- look for one that is easy to push, can be folded one handed, and has a one-handed layback mechanism (I found that prams with bars that you squeeze behind the pram seat are easiest to use). I recently got a stroller that had 2 push buttons that needed to be pressed at the same time to lay back the stroller seat and it’s a pain, especially if you have already got the baby out the car and you realize you haven’t laid back the seat. Make sure it has a storm cover and a shade net. Look for brakes that are easy to use and lockable wheels, so they can either swivel or stay straight (for rocking your baby backwards and forwards- lock all wheel straight, for general pushing- lock the back wheels straight and have the front wheels on swivel). Look for a 5 point harness and use it every time your baby is in the pram. Extra pockets at the back of the pram also come in very handy.
Bar handles are sturdy and comfortable to push, but the other type of handle (sorry, don’t know what the technical name is ) is great for hanging bags and shopping on- just make sure the weight is balanced so you don’t tip your baby out.
Beware the 3 wheeler. These may be fashionable, but tend to be unstable and are more likely to tip. Most 3 wheeler double prams actually failed most safety standards.
Which ever pram you buy, just make sure you try out every feature in the shop before buying. Test out its functions one-handed to see how easy it is to use with a baby in the other arm.
Carriers.
I love my Baby Bjorn Carrier. It’s great for when I don’t need my pram for carrying stuff on, or when I had my twins in the double pram, I would carry the baby it the carrier. Also great for babies with reflux who like to be upright. I use mine when baby is grumpy and wants to be held, and I can do the housework at the same time. I use it when I do the shopping, and have to push the trolley (instead of putting baby in those dirty cold plastic trolley baby seats) These can’t be used for babies under 3.5kg (so when my 2.5kg twins arrived, we used a sling carrier for a short time.)
(November 22nd) (
