Prams

In this post, I'll talk about my thoughts around considerations when purchasing a pram.

My hubby couldn’t contain himself when we shopped for prams. I think car lovers love a good pram. He was open but really keen for this all terrain pram that would survive the Japanese snow fields like his best mate’s pram. We are both strong willed and opinionated but maybe because I almost had a pregnancy hormone melt down in the shop, we got my preference; this beautiful, luxurious, leather handled Toorak tractor for babies (or the Burnside pram as my husband calls it). [Apologies to the non-Australians- Toorak and Burnside are fancy suburbs in Australia].

I did not pick it for its looks (well not just because of its looks). As a physio I was looking for certain features which I will now recommend to you. I can not recommend brands in this forum and to be honest I still haven’t found the perfect pram and think you have to find one that ticks most of the boxes. This said pram has many of the features below but it is a four wheeler with smaller wheels than some which makes it harder to go up and down steps/ pavement and rough terrain.

Three wheelers and large wheels are much more manoeuvrable. But a four wheeler is meant to be more steady but now having had both a 3 and 4 wheeler pram find that the 3 wheeler is perfectly stable so not important. I was also sold on the hard puncture proof wheels which I thought were an asset but created poorer suspension than prams that have air tyres. I have been walking in the hills (not as much as I planned) but a bit with our 3 wheel air tyre all terrain pram and have not yet suffered a puncture. We got the second pram (second hand) because Jaimie didn’t like how it handled the pavement and was definitely not going to handle my bush walking. So we got his dream pram.

This pram has its merits like the tyre properties described above but was not as good with other features the Burnside pram excelled in. The minimalist tight arse that I am was not keen on getting a second pram but it was the right decision. Many people opt to get multiple prams to suit different purposes and because there doesn’t seem to be the perfect pram. I know that is not ideal or possible for many so try to get as many of the features below when shopping for your pram.

“a pram with brakes that you can use to slow the pace of the pram...”

Three large pneumatic tyres

3 wheeler with large air pumped tyres so that it is good on all terrains and doesn’t get stuck, therefore making hard work for you and causing potential back or arm strain from the assistance you have to provide to manoeuvre the pram.

Adjustable handles

Adjustable pram handles that can go as high/low as you need for your height. Make sure the handles are made from a comfortable material so that you don’t end up with blisters. Make sure they are easy to adjust too. 

High seat

Getting a pram with a high seat is excellent for manual handling getting your baby in to the pram and accessing the basket underneath. They did warn that it might not be as stable with a higher centre of gravity. I have not used one of these prams but again I don’t think this will be much of a risk if there is decent structure and weight in the base of the pram.

Large easily accessible basket

Getting a big basket is an asset to store all your bags but make sure it is easy to access. Many of them are hard to access with the bassinet on them so check this out in the shop as you could cause injury trying to squeeze something in.

Accessible brakes

Make sure the brakes are easy to turn on and off. Some you had to bend down and use your hands to adjust them which causes unnecessary bending. Some are hard to switch on and off with your foot and get stuck if you are on an incline. Some are in a hard place to access. The Burnside pram definitely won in this category.

I did not find a pram with brakes that you can use to slow the pace of the pram. This would be such a good idea as it is quite hard work going downhill with a pram as the wheels can run away from you. You really need to brace your core to hold the pram back or put it on to it's hind wheels to decrease the acceleration. Can someone please tell us if you have found a pram with brakes?

Car capsule compliant

Getting a pram that fits the car capsule is excellent as you can transfer your baby to the car without waking her. From a physio point of view, it is also advantageous as you can pick it up and slot it in with less manual handling of your baby. But the capsules are heavy and I cringe when I see new mothers and their unstable pelvis’ carrying unilaterally the heavy awkward capsule in to the shops. Getting the pram out and in has its manual handling risks but the alternative of carrying the capsule is worse.

Easy assembly

I also advise to get a pram that you can lock when you collapse it to put it in the car. If the pram doesn’t lock it can come apart again when you are lifting it and this makes an awkward and potentially dangerous injury causing lift. You want a predictable stable object to lift. You also want a pram that is easy to collapse and reassemble. I have seen some that you just have to pull the handle and it opens out.

Light and compactable

Pick a pram that is as light as possible especially for lifting in to the car. Practice lifting the pram in to your car to see that it fits and that you can find good places to put your hands (if they have handles) and that you can straddle the pram to get close for good manual handling (ie that it compacts to a small enough size). Make sure you practice lifting it with the pram seat attached rather than taking off the bassinet and lifting just the pram base as this adds considerable weight and potential challenge.

“car capsule is excellent... slot it in with less manual handling of your baby...”

Prams are often cumbersome, heavy and awkward to get in the car. So heeding all the advice above when putting the pram in the boot, get the pram as close to the boot as possible, lock up the pram if possible but keep the wheels unlocked so that if your boot is big enough you can slide the pram in to the car, squat your legs keeping your back straight, switch on your core, pelvic floor and even hold your breath to offer extra pelvic and back support and then lift by straightening your legs.

Try to not arch your back backwards to balance the weight of the pram in front of you. Then place the pram in to the car by squatting (if required), keeping the back straight etc, and then once the pram is safely in, release your core. You may need to push the pram in further. If so, make sure you brace your core again before using the same techniques. When taking the pram out, it is a good idea to slide the pram out, so that it is closer to you to make the lift safer. Then follow the same rules above.

Lastly, walking the pram is pretty easy on the flats. If not, you definitely have not got the right pram. Going up and down hills requires more strength of the legs and core, a good workout. When walking up the hill, if it's steep, like our streets, you need to separate your legs into like a calf stretch position with your arms straight acting just as an extension of your body. With the core switched on (of course) and body leaning forward keeping the line of your legs, push with your legs taking long powerful strides rather than small steps. It is a great butt, hamstring, quad and calf workout.

Walking (or running!) down the hill works your hamstrings and glutes concentrically and quads eccentrically so a great leg and butt work out but can cause leg muscle and joint injury if not done right so take care. So that you are not contracting and tightening your back muscles leaning back to prevent the pram running away from you, switch on your core to act as the resistance rather than your back. Also if really steep, tilt the pram back on to the hind wheels. This takes the centre of gravity backward (which is what you do with your body if you are going down a steep hill) so that you are not being pulled forward out of control.

Welcome to the confusing world of parenting. I invite you to share your opinions below on which pram features or brands worked best for you.

Summary

Get a pram with 3 large pneumatic tires as they are more manoeuvrable and easy to handle, brakes that are easy to turn on/ off and a large basket that is easy to access.

Make sure it has features to make it easy to lift in to the car, including ability to easily collapse and reassemble the pram.

Use good manual handling when pushing the pram up and down hills and when lifting it in to the car.

Melli Tilbrook is a Physiotherapist based at Adelaide Physiotherapy and Pilates Studio, Beulah Park.