A pram may be one of the most expensive and important items you’ll be buying in preparation for the arrival of your newborn, and one of the products you’ll be using most days over the next few years as your child grows. 

With some prams costing into the hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars, it’s a purchase that can take a lot of research and consideration. 

As well as looking at features and design – including how easy a pram is to fold, how big it is, how much it weighs, and even how it looks and what accessories it comes with – you also need to consider how safe it is.

On this page:

• Pram safety issues identified by ÌÇÐÄVlog testing
• iCandy Peach 7
• Silver Cross Wave 3

Pram safety issues identified by ÌÇÐÄVlog testing

While prams sold in Australia need to meet mandatory safety standards, ÌÇÐÄVlog experts also test to a newer, voluntary safety standard that goes above and beyond mandatory requirements.

Although we’re pleased to see many manufacturers now test to this standard too, unfortunately it’s not compulsory and our results show that many prams still pose significant safety risks.

“While the ÌÇÐÄVlog labs have seen an overall improvement in pram safety, there are still many models on sale which have serious fall, head entrapment, strangulation and other risks. In fact, 15 out of 48 models in our latest review failed our key safety tests,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog babies and kids expert Kim Gilmour.

And in case you thought you could avoid safety issues simply by buying a high-end model, think again – we’ve seen safety failures even in expensive, well-known brands. 

“We found that in some cases the pram wheels could move even when the parking brake was engaged, and in others, a child’s head could become trapped between the head barrier and the end of the seat,” says Kim.

“Plus, the straps in some prams pose a strangulation risk, while others broke in durability testing.“

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts also remind Australians that if you’re buying children’s products from international online platforms such as eBay or Amazon, you can’t always trust that the product will comply with local safety requirements, so be wary if you’re shopping from overseas retailers.

The following products were the lowest ranked in our latest testing of prams. ÌÇÐÄVlog recommends that you avoid purchasing these, or if you already own them, to stop using them immediately.

iCandy Peach 7

• Price: $2600
• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 32%
• Passed our key safety tests: No

One of the most expensive prams in our tests, the iCandy is even pricier than high-end brands like Bugaboo, Joolz and Stokke. 

But despite its high price, its scores are very low – it received the lowest score overall in our test of 48 prams.

For this kind of money, it’s reasonable to expect that a pram would meet or exceed safety standards, but unfortunately the iCandy Peach 7 didn’t pass our safety tests or the mandatory standard when we tested it in our labs.

Our expert testers found that the pram’s straps pose a potential strangulation risk – the shoulder and waist straps don’t automatically separate from each other when the buckle is pressed and they are difficult to separate manually. This means they create a loop that could be a strangulation hazard.

In addition, when the pram is fully reclined it poses a potential head entrapment hazard and fall risk, which means that a young baby could be injured by falling out or getting their head caught in the hood of the stroller. 

Both of these issues represent serious safety failures.

iCandy responds

iCandy disagrees with our findings, saying: “The iCandy Peach has been tested extensively internally and independently by labs around the world, with no reported issues of test failures or non-compliance.”

It also says the seat angle of the pram doesn’t recline enough for the head entrapment/fall test to apply, but ÌÇÐÄVlog stands by its results.

Read the full iCandy Peach 7 review.

Silver Cross Wave 3

• Price: $2299
• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 33%
• Passed our key safety tests: No

Another pricey pram, the Silver Cross Wave 3 bills itself as a ‘future-proof travel system’ that can be configured 12 different ways, including converting from a single to double stroller. 

While the stroller offers obvious conveniences that appeal to parents – such as the adjustable seat and handle height and adjustable seat recline – ÌÇÐÄVlog experts found two serious safety failures with this pram.

The first is that the waist and crotch straps can be removed from the seat, which means a child can become entangled in the straps causing injury. And the second is that a child can potentially be injured by falling into the soft fabric space between the seat and soft stroller canopy.

Silver Cross responds

Silver Cross disagrees with our findings, saying: “Silver Cross treats all matters regarding product safety with the utmost importance. All Silver Cross products are rigorously tested for reliability, durability, and safety. Our products are tested and certified by an accredited independent laboratory, and typically approved compliant to multiple international safety standards”.

It says it can “confidently” report no safety issues have been raised. ÌÇÐÄVlog stands by its findings. 

Read the full Silver Cross Wave 3 review.

Other pram safety failures

These two prams are among our lowest scoring, but our testing has identified others that also have serious safety failures, many of them still on the market, and some of them costing well over $1000.

Before you start shopping for a pram for your baby, check our pram and stroller reviews. You can filter the results to check which prams have passed all the key safety tests, and we also tell you how easy they are to use.

And if you’re looking at a second-hand stroller, you can search past results for discontinued products by applying our filter.

Other prams that didn’t pass key safety tests include:

• Pouch 2 in 1 – $360
• Baby Jogger City Select Lux (Single) – $1295
• Mountain Buggy Cosmopolitan 4.0 2021+ – $1220
• Cybex Gazelle S – $1899
• Cosatto Giggle Quad – $1399
• Baby Joy Baby Stroller – $200
• 4Baby Como – $330
• Redsbaby Aeron – $799
• Phil & Teds Go V2 – $400
• Leclercbaby Influencer – $860
• Bugaboo Fox 5 – $1899
• Edwards & Co Oscar M2 – $899
• Baby Jogger City Select 2 – $1299

How we test if a pram or stroller is safe

“There is a mandatory safety standard that ,” says Kim.

“However, it’s outdated. We test to the voluntary 2013 standard which has had widespread adoption by manufacturers and goes above and beyond mandatory requirements. There’s even a more recent 2022 revision now that takes newer designs of prams into account such as convertible tricycle strollers.”

“We believe the voluntary requirements should be made mandatory, so our test experts go above and beyond, by not only testing against the mandatory requirements but also testing against the voluntary standard and basing our recommendations off of it,” she says.

Our expert testers have decades of experience in testing children’s products and sit on the Australian Standards committee for prams and strollers, so we keep up to date with changes to the standard. Our lab is also NATA-accredited to test products to both the mandatory and voluntary prams and strollers standards.

To learn more about our testing process, read . 

The post Prams to avoid buying appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose what we test
• How we test prams and strollers
• Test criteria explained
• Our test lab

Get it right and you’ll have a safe stroller that’s easy to use and not too heavy to lift and pack away. Get it wrong and you’ll be left with a clunky piece of equipment that’ll put a strain on family outings.

We’ve assessed many strollers over the years and our expert testers have more than 15 years’ experience testing the quality and safety of various children’s products.

Our expert testers

Our current crop of expert testers have seen all manner of stroller brands, types and features roll through our labs, and they’ve put each one to the test to determine which ones are safest for your child and easy for you to use.Ìý

On top of this, our testers sit on the Australian Standards committee for prams and strollers, so we keep up to date with any changes. Our lab is to test strollers against this standard.

How we choose what we test

Why do we choose one pram or stroller to test over another? There are a number of reasons for this, but our priority is to test what you’ll see in stores. This means we usually focus on big brand models that are commonly available in major retailers.

That doesn’t mean we won’t test smaller players. When we see something new and interesting come onto the market, we’re likely to put it to the test.Ìý

This includes a number of online-only brands which have proved popular. We keep an eye on what’s in stores, we survey manufacturers to find out about their range of models, and we also check whether members have requested to have specific models tested.

Once a list is put together it goes to our buyers, who go out and use your member funds to buy the strollers and prams from a variety of retailers. We buy products just like you would, so we can be sure they’re the same as any consumer would find them and not ‘tweaked’ in any way for better performance.

How we test prams and strollers

Safety is a vital part of our testing and our testers check various aspects of safety based on the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2088:2013, including that:

• harness straps are adjustable and of adequate length (so that the harness fits correctly and is free from strangulation risks and other hazards)
• the child is securely restrained; there are no gaps they can slip through and the buckle is not too easy to undo
• the folding mechanisms are safe and secure
• there are no sharp edges or possible entrapment points for fingers or limbs (either for the child in the pram, or an adult folding/unfolding the pram)
• the pram has good stability and the brakes work well.

Durability tests

Rolling rig test

New brands of strollers that come into our labs are tested on our very own ‘rolling road’. Each pram is placed on this rolling road rig for 64 hours at a speed of 5km/h, as per the Australian standard. We rarely see prams fail this test so now we only conduct it on brands we haven’t tested before. Three-wheel strollers that look like they might be used for jogging are tested for a further 10 hours at 10km/h to see how they stand up to faster speeds.

Kerb mounting test

We also have a machine that continuously simulates the action of mounting a kerb, which each stroller is subjected to. These tests show whether anything breaks, falls off or stops working properly after regular use. We conduct this test on all models we review.

Ease of use

To assess ease of use, our testers check and rate:

• ease of using the adjustments, such as the reclining functions and the safety harness
• how easy it is to load and unload the basket
• how easy it is to use the brakes and lock the front wheels
• how easy it is to fold and unfold the prams
• how easy it is to push them over rough terrain, up and down stairs, and through doorways
• how easily they fit into the boot of a family car.

Test criteria explained

We rate children’s products a bit differently to other product tests. Since children’s products require a strong emphasis on safety and we test according to Australian or international safety standards, we rate them according to whether they pass or fail the standard.Ìý

Models marked with a blue ‘recommended’ label in our pram and stroller reviews pass all key safety tests.ÌýOur experts regularly review how we score any failures, but generally anything that could be a limb or head entrapment hazard, strangulation hazard or fall risk, will be a serious failure.

Performance score

Prams or strollers that are recommended have passed all our safety and durability tests. They may have some very minor failures – areas or elements that don’t meet the Australian Standard but are not significant enough failures to affect the recommendation (for example, not meeting information labelling requirements).

• No failures: 100%
• Very minor failures: 80%
• One minor failure and no serious failures: 65%
• Multiple minor failures but no serious failures: 60%
• One serious failure: 40%
• More than one serious failure: 20%

Models worth considering

Prams and strollers that are worth considering pass all the key safety and durability tests, but may have some minor safety failures such as finger entrapment hazards. Their performance score will fall in the 60–65% range.

Not recommended

Prams and strollers that are not recommended have at least one serious safety hazard and will have a performance score of 40% or less. Serious safety failures can include detachable small parts, snagging/strangulation hazards, or limb or head entrapment hazards. Some hazards might only arise from incorrect use.

Safety and durability tests

Strollers and prams can only pass or fail these tests.

Ease of use score

This test score is made up of:

• various adjustments (safety harness, seat recline and more) (25%)
• loading and unloading the basket, using the swivel wheel lock, applying and releasing the brakes (25%)
• manoeuvring through doors, up and down stairs, turning a tight corner, going over rough terrain (25%)
• unfolding, folding and carrying, including fitting into a car boot (25%).

Our test lab

We maintain a lab that is up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools for our testers to bring you the right results.

Convertible tricycle strollers (that start off as a stroller and progress to a trike) must also adhere to safety standards. We test and rate these slightly differently to ‘dedicated’ prams, basing our performance scores on whether the tricycle stroller meets mandatory safety and design requirements (AS/NZS 2088:2000 CPN 8 of 2007).

The post How we test prams and strollers appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

But which model is best for you, and do you have to spend hundreds to get a good one?

We give expert advice on how to buy your everyday pram in our pram and stroller review, but here are some tips to help you buy the best lightweight travel stroller for your holiday.

1. Weigh it up: The lighter, the better

It’s a no brainer, but when you’re juggling luggage, a baby and all your other travel paraphernalia, hopping on and off trains or buses, you’ll want a stroller that’s light and easy to carry.Ìý

The lightest travel strollers from our tests are:

• GB Gold Pockit Air All Terrain: 4.9kg ($379)
• Phil & Teds Go V2: 5.9kg ($480)
• Mountain Buggy Nano 3.0: 6.3kg ($599)
• Babyzen Yoyo2*: 6.5kg ($720)
• Baby Jogger City Tour 2: 6.8kg ($599)
• Childcare Jax V2: 7kg ($199)

*The Babyzen Yoyo2 is popular both for travel and everyday use due to its light weight (just 6.5kg). However, it failed our safety tests and poses a potential head entrapment and fall risk. Plus, when it’s fully loaded, the wheels move when the parking brake is on. (Babyzen disagrees with our results but ÌÇÐÄVlog stands by its findings.)

But check the cost

Compact models (such as the Phil & Teds Go V2) are often cheaper than standard prams, but some certainly don’t come in cheap when you consider that a travel stroller is often a secondary buy on top of an everyday pram.Ìý

The Babyzen Yoyo 2, which weighs 6.5kg, costs an eye-watering $720 – but it scores a poor 35% overall.Ìý

2. Check restrictions with your airline

Most strollers have to be checked in with flight attendants at the gate, but if you have a compact folding stroller, you can take it all the way to your seat (which also means you won’t have to wait for it when you get off).Ìý

You should always double check any restrictions with your airline though – some Australian domestic airlines state that carry-on sized prams count towards your carry-on luggage allowance, which won’t give you a great deal leftover for your other cabin bags.Ìý

Most airlines specify that if you’re taking a travel stroller in the cabin it needs to be in a bag, and it will need to meet carry-on baggage weight and dimension criteria.Ìý

When choosing a travel stroller, take a look at the dimensions for how small it folds up, and if it comes with accessories like a carry bag or handy strap that’s a big plus as it’ll be easier to lug around.Ìý

Some strollers (such as the Baby Jogger and Edwards & Co) come with a bag, but for others (such as the GB Gold Pockit) you’ll need to pay extra for a travel bag.

3. Be sun smart

It’s all well and good to buy a travel stroller that folds up into a tiny bundle, but with some models, this usually means you sacrifice things such as a generous canopy shade. Not great news if you’re going to be out and about in the sunshine a lot on your trip.Ìý

Regardless of the brand, bear in mind that you won’t often get the same coverage as you do with a bigger, standard pram so plan ahead to make sure your little one is protected from the sun.Ìý

4. Check if the stroller reclines

This is a biggie if on-the-go naps are an issue for your child. Compact strollers are not always suitable for newborns and can have limited recline options, which can be tricky if your bub likes to lie back when they have a nap.Ìý

The ultra-compact foldable models usually have a hammock-like seat, such as the Childcare Jax V2, and some are more conducive to comfy snoozing than others.

5. Put safety first

Look for a five-point seatbelt harness that will keep your bub safe and secure, and check our pram and stroller reviews to ensure your model passes key safety tests.Ìý

“When it comes to travel, many people opt for a cheap $20 stroller,” says Kim Gilmour, one of ÌÇÐÄVlog’s resident pram experts.

“But past tests suggest they don’t always meet our key safety requirements, have little storage or features, and may not be suitable for newborns if they don’t recline. Paying a bit more can still get you a safe stroller that’ll see your child from birth to toddlerhood.” 

The latest ÌÇÐÄVlog-tested compact strollers

GB Gold Pockit Air All Terrain $379 (suitable from 6 months to 17kg)

Phil & Teds Go V2 $480 (suitable from newborn to 15kg)

Mountain Buggy Nano 3.0 $599 (suitable from newborn to 20kg)

Babyzen Yoyo2 $720 (suitable from 6 months to 22kg)

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 $599 (suitable from newborn to 20.5kg)

Childcare Jax V2 $199 (suitable from newborn to 17kg)

Edwards & Co Otto $449 (suitable from newborn to 20kg)

Childcare Vogue Lite $599 (suitable from newborn to 20kg)

Bugaboo Butterfly $799 (suitable from 6 months to 22kg)

The post 5 tips for buying a compact travel stroller appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

It can be an expensive purchase, so it’s one you’ll want to get right. Here, we share some advice from seasoned ÌÇÐÄVlog parents to help you avoid making the same mistakes we made as wide-eyed first-time parents.

A tale of two Bugaboos

Alice, mum of a lively little girl, tells of her short-lived love affair with her Bugaboo.

Alice’s story

When I was pregnant, buying a pram seemed like *the* moment that made it all real. I only really seriously looked at buying a Bugaboo, because it was The Brand You Had to Have.Ìý

I briefly flirted with an elegant Joolz, a quirky Stokke and a sensible Mountain Buggy, but in my heart of hearts I knew the Bugaboo was The One.Ìý

When it was first set up, I marvelled at its seeming sturdiness and designer-ness. I loved its solid wheels, its nifty design and the logo that proudly declared to the world that we were a Family of Taste. I was in love, and couldn’t wait to show my new beau off to the world.

But once the baby arrived (and swiftly turned my life upside down), the cracks started to appear. The Bugaboo wasn’t quite as perfect as I’d first thought. It was huge, difficult to fold up, heavy (not ideal for c-section recovery) and it actually felt much less substantial than I’d imagined a $1500 pram would feel. I hated taking it to the shops because it was like driving a tractor and I was always bumping into door frames and cafe tables because of its sheer size.Ìý

In the end, the clincher was that I couldn’t walk my dogs with it. I have two lovely but exuberant Border Collies, and it was just impossible to keep them in check while steering a heavy pram with one hand. The love affair was over. We were incompatible.Ìý

I quickly took up with a Manduca baby carrier and my Bugaboo was left lonely in the back of the car, gathering dust. I’d occasionally take it out for trips on the train but the spark just wasn’t there any more.Ìý

Finally, it was over: just before my child turned four, I sold the pram and scarcely thought about it again. Occasionally I look back at it with fondness (on those days when my kiddo wants to be carried everywhere), but for the most part, breaking up with my Bugaboo was the best decision I ever made. My only regret now is that I didn’t buy a secondhand pram to begin with and save myself all that money and heartache.Ìý

Kate’s story

Kate, a mum of two, had almost the opposite experience.

“I bought a Bugaboo and used it all the time, and totally regretted buying baby carriers as I hated babywearing!” she says.Ìý

After her daughter was born, she developed vestibular neuritis [acute vertigo and dizziness] and couldn’t drive for three months. “My Bugaboo Cameleon saved me! The only remedy suggested by my doctor was walking, so I went out every day with my Bugaboo and my baby and it was like a walking frame – it kept me stable and helped me recover.”

Kate found her Bugaboo was handy when wrangling two small children.

“It was pretty sturdy with the skateboard/seat attachment, which came in handy because my eldest child’s daycare was walking distance from our house. It made dropoff and pickup easier – sometimes the baby would sleep through the whole thing,” she says.

The moral of the story

Here’s the thing: you can’t possibly know what your experience of parenthood is going to be until you’re in the thick of it. You won’t know if you’re going to end up with a velcro baby who wants to be close to you every second of the day (in which case babywearing will save your sanity and free up your hands), or a more independent spirit who likes their own personal space.Ìý

You could even end up with a non-sleeping terror who only naps in the pram and has to be pushed around the neighbourhood for hours on end.Ìý

In some ways you’d be better off waiting a couple of months to buy a pram once you know what your needs are. But we know how exciting a purchase it is and we wouldn’t want to deny you the milestone of bringing home the pram for the first time. Plus, you’ll probably need at least something to put the baby in to get out of the house once you come home from hospital.Ìý

We can’t tell you what your experience will be, so instead we asked the seasoned parents of ÌÇÐÄVlog to share what they wish they’d known before they bought their first pram.

Top tip: make sure it fits with your lifestyle

“My top tip would be to consider your lifestyle and where you live. If you are mainly using it for walking and running errands by foot and you live in a suburban area, a pram with decent-sized wheels that can handle bumpy footpaths and grass is worth it. This type of pram is usually bulkier and can’t be folded one-handed but has big baskets for storing stuff,” says Kate.

“If you’ll mainly be jumping in the car and using it on flat surfaces, a compact, easy-fold stroller is better. (They usually have small wheels and are not great on bumpy footpaths or grassy, muddy paths.) I ended up buying a small Maclaren stroller once she was six months old for travelling and going in the car.”

“Don’t buy something that’s too wide so you can still navigate cafes and small stores and not be a pariah,” says Ren.

The grandparent test

Julia has a good rule of thumb for buying a new pram: “If the grandparents can use it easily, it’s a good sign.”

(I can attest to this: my mother had to ask some friendly passersby how to collapse the Bugaboo when she was out with my kiddo. She just couldn’t figure it out and, to her credit, it really was not at all intuitive to use.)

To capsule or not to capsule

“The most valuable tip I got when buying a stroller was the saleperson who advised me against buying a stroller with the capsule that you take out,” says Pru.

“She had a fake baby in the store (that weighed the same as a real baby) and she put it in the capsule and got me to carry it around the store. I’m only small, but I could barely carry it.

“She also made the point that people buy those detachable capsules as they think they can just take their baby inside from the car and leave them asleep, but due to safety issues you shouldn’t leave them sleeping in a capsule or car seat.”

A weighty issue

“The larger models are MUCH heavier than you think and you need to be able to lift it easily into the back of your car,” says Pru.Ìý

“Bear in mind you also might be doing this while recovering from surgery or injury associated with birth.”

ÌÇÐÄVlog dad Tom thought he was doing the right thing by buying a pram based solely on reviews, but didn’t consider how heavy it was.

“We bought a ÌÇÐÄVlog safety approved pram – and it weighs a tonne! Not a great thing for a new mum to deal with. Luckily we’re on the ground floor so it could be left assembled,” says Tom.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog tip: check the weight of the pram or stroller before you buy. They can range in weight from 4 to 16kg. You can filter our pram reviews by weight if you’re looking for a lighter pram.Ìý 

“Think about where you are going to store the stroller. We lived in an apartment with quite a narrow entrance hallway and there was nowhere else to park the stroller when it wasn’t in use, so we had to make sure it was narrow enough to fit,” says Pru.Ìý

“Be careful about buying a bulky stroller if you are going to take it on buses and trains etc.”

Have pram, will travel

“Buy a cheap umbrella pram as a second pram to check into baggage on flights (so they won’t wreck your good one), and for any places you need to leave it outside (so the good one doesn’t disappear),” says Ren.Ìý

“Use a second easily-opening pram for holidays – we were given a friend’s stroller which we used for travel/flights and there was less concern when it got scratched or knocked about,” says Danny.

“If you’re long-haul flying, consider whether your pram would pass as hand luggage. If it’s small enough, it’s great to have for your child to sleep up until boarding, and can help you transition across large airports quickly,” says Tom.

Thinking of travelling? Here are our top tips for buying a compact travel stroller.Ìý

The post Things to consider before buying your first pram appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

There’s no denying that children can be expensive, but just how much is reasonable to hand over for a pram? And what’s worth paying extra for?

How much should you pay for a pram?

Some of the more expensive models in our latest review were also top performers, so you could argue that there is something of a correlation between price and performance. But (and it’s a big but) that doesn’t mean you should go out and buy the most expensive pram on the market.

Of the 12 prams our experts recommend, three of them cost less than $700 and five of them cost less than $1200.Ìý

And if you want to spend upwards of $2000 because you like the brand or the bells and whistles, it’s a good idea to check our reviews first: one of the most expensive in our test only scored 67%, so it’s a lot of money to spend on a decidedly average pram!

Not to mention the number of $1000+ models lurking in the bottom scorers. In other words, if you buy based on price alone, there’s a good chance you could pick a substandard pram.Ìý

“With the rising cost of living, price is an important consideration when choosing a pram. You don’t necessarily need to spend big money on a safe pram that’ll serve you well for years,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog pram expert Kim Gilmour.

What to look for when buying a pram

At ÌÇÐÄVlog, we regularly find that a higher price doesn’t necessarily guarantee better performance – and while that’s definitely true of prams, it does come with some caveats.Ìý

Yes, price is important, but when you’re buying a pram you need to find the sweet spot between price, function and safety.Ìý

Although you can pick up a cheap pram on the internet for a couple of hundred dollars, you might regret your decision if it turns out to be a nightmare to steer, or if (heaven forbid) the brakes fail or it injures your baby in some way.Ìý

Similarly, spending top dollar doesn’t always buy peace of mind. Even expensive prams are sometimes poorly designed and are either difficult to use or pose potential safety risks.Ìý

And while the idea of a designer pram might be appealing, you’re probably not going to care what brand your pram is when you’re juggling a spewy baby on four hours’ broken sleep (and neither will anyone in your parents’ group).Ìý

Ultimately, your best bet is to forget about brand names and price tags (within reason) and go with a pram that meets safety standards, is easy to use, and suits your needs.Ìý

Buying solely for aesthetics or social status isn’t always a good choice. Read all about what ÌÇÐÄVlog parents wish they’d known before buying their first pram.Ìý

Ways to save when buying a new pram

Don’t resign yourself to paying the recommended retail price for a pram: there are plenty of ways to get a good deal. Here are some ideas.Ìý

Ask for a deal

Some retailers will offer discounts if you buy multiple products from them, so it’s worth asking what kind of deal they can do on a bundle.Ìý

Pay it off in instalments

At ÌÇÐÄVlog, we’re generally not fans of buy now, pay later schemes, but if you’re shopping now for a baby that won’t be arriving for another six months, paying in instalments or using lay-buy could be an option for you.Ìý

Just make sure you read the fine print first, and buy within your means – make sure you can really afford it before you commit.Ìý

Look for an older model

Like cars, pram manufacturers regularly roll out new models – and they’ll need to clear the old stock to make way for the new. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you might be able to pick up last year’s model for a great price. Sale periods such as end of financial year, Black Friday and Boxing Day sales can be a great time to pick up a good deal.

Don’t get sucked into all the accessories and add-ons (unless you want to!)

While you’ll need to ensure your baby has a safe bassinet attachment for your pram to use from birth that you can convert into a stroller seat when they get older, that’s pretty much the only ‘accessory’ you really need. (And potentially a second seat if your pram has that capacity and you plan on having another baby.)

Modern prams come with all the mod cons: drink holders, hoods with different colours/materials, wet weather covers, pram liners, organisers… While some of these can be handy or fun to have, the prices quickly add up and they’re certainly not essential. You can always buy them later, too.Ìý

If you’re trying to save money but you really want something, wait until you start using the pram to see if it’s actually going to be useful before deciding to spend the money.

Buying second-hand

While buying a second-hand pram is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact, we advise that you exercise caution. If you go down this path you need to ensure you’re buying a safe model that meets current safety standards and is in relatively good working condition

Here are a few things to consider:

• If you’re buying a pram that’s been discontinued, you can check our reviews to see how it performed and to make sure it meets the safety standards. Select the “Related products” dropdown on the bottom left-hand side of the review page and select “Discontinued”.Ìý
• Check over all the pram components, but especially the brakes and the harness, to ensure nothing is damaged and it’s all in good working order.
• Ask an experienced friend to come along with you to see the pram before you buy it – they may be able to offer some advice on whether it’s in good condition and if everything looks to be in order.Ìý
• Even if it’s a bit grubby, you’d be surprised how well a pram can come up with a good clean. (There are even pram cleaning services out there so you don’t need to do it yourself.) Check very carefully for mould as this will be very difficult to remove.
• Make sure the stroller comes with full instructions, has working parts (such as brakes and wheels) and can be unfolded and folded properly. Double check that it hasn’t been involved in an accident and make sure the warning and safety labels are still intact and that the safety features are still working well.Ìý
• Keep in mind that second-hand goods bought from a private seller usually aren’t covered by consumer guarantees.Ìý

What kind of pram should you buy?

There are so many types of prams on the market, all with different features and pros and cons, so there’s no hard-and-fast rules about what pram will be best for you. Here are a few things to consider:

• Size: How big is the pram? It might sound obvious, but make sure that it’ll fit through your front door and won’t block the hallway. If you’re going to take it out shopping or walking down narrow footpaths, make sure it’s not too wide.Ìý
• Terrain: What kind of terrain will you be using it on? Bigger wheels make for a more comfortable ride if you’re using it on rough ground or uneven surfaces. If you’re doing a lot of jogging or walking then inflatable tyres are a good idea.Ìý
• Weight: How much does it weigh? A big pram might seem like a good idea, but if it’s too heavy you’ll struggle to get it in and out of the boot of your car (which is especially problematic if you’re recovering from a c-section or birth injury).Ìý
• Transport: If you’re catching public transport often, then you’ll want something that’s light and easily foldable – and preferably that you can fold down and open up one-handed while you’re holding the baby.Ìý

Our pram and stroller buying guide will help you decide which type of pram is best for you.Ìý

The post How much do you really need to spend for a good pram? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

When Storm Frees’ 20-month-old son Saxon was riding his Valco Rover Sit and Stand Toddler Board on 25 March, one of the metal arms that attach to the pram broke.

“The Rover just gave way,” Storm told ÌÇÐÄVlog. “The arm bit that connects to the board buckled, and it caused it to flip to the side and ricochet forward, so Saxon ended up being pinned underneath the pram as well.”

Tradies working nearby immediately stopped to help.

“It was just an awful situation. They actually had to help to lift the pram and get him back out. He was well and truly stuck under there,” Storm says, the emotions of the day still showing in her voice.Ìý

“We managed to get him out, and then it was a matter of calling my husband, packing the car and going straight to the hospital.”   

Saxon had broken his arm in two places and sustained a concussion, and his arm was also dislocated. He had abrasions on his face and head.

Like many children’s products, the Valco Rover is not within the scope of the mandatory safety standards that apply to prams and strollers, but there are a set of voluntary Australian/New Zealand standards that the manufacturer, Valiant, could have chosen to adhere to.

The voluntary standards are more comprehensive than the mandatory ones, and cover things like durability and the secureness of locking and latching devices.

COVID-19 makes medical attention that much tougher

Storm also has twin daughters, who were about eight weeks old and with her at the time of the accident. That complicated things when it came to getting medical attention for Saxon. Since COVID-19 lockdown rules were in effect, her daughters and husband were not allowed in the examination room.

Saxon’s arm was in pretty bad shape and the doctors in the emergency department said it was hardly the first time they’d handled a toddler board accident.

The orthopaedic team thought surgery might be necessary to get the arm back in place but decided against it in the end.

“It was quite awful. They drugged him up and I had to hold him. They had to manually manipulate his arm back into place while he was on my lap. They couldn’t get to a perfect degree, but it was within enough range that hopefully age will help as he grows and it will straighten back out. At this point in time it’s still a little bit bowed,” Storm says.

Storm and Saxon had to have weekly appointments at the hospital but her daughters were not allowed to come because of the pandemic.

“Every time we had to go to the hospital for an appointment my husband had to take a day off work. That was another nightmare in itself.”

Saxon had the cast on for about a month and it was changed several times. That was no fun either.

Valco Rover manufacturer calls it parental failure

Shortly after the accident, Storm got in touch with the store where she bought the product. “They were pretty disgusted, actually,” Storm says.

Storm then contacted the head office of Valiant, which manufactures the toddler board.

“This is where I’ve been really ticked off,” Storm says. “I sent them an email on the eighth of April to explain what happened and they replied to me on the 24th of April. So it took quite a few weeks.”

When a woman from the head office finally did call Storm, she told her it must have been user error.

“The emergency room doctors told me they’d had quite a few accidents come through with these boards,” Storm says. “They see it quite regularly. As soon as they said that, I just thought oh my gosh, that’s a product that I thought was safe. You see them all the time.”

But according to Storm, the woman from Valiant told her the Valco Rover is very safe and that there hadn’t been any other such incidents.

When Storm challenged her on this, the woman quickly qualified the statement and said when accidents had occurred the parents were at fault, not the product.Ìý

The way Valiant sees it, “it’s not them, it’s always been other people,” Storm says.

The accident has made parenting three young children that much tougher.

“Newborn twins, add a toddler, and with COVID and what-not happening, just to be able to get out for a walk each day is all I need for myself, my sanity, and I haven’t been able to do that since the accident happened. Saxon wouldn’t go anywhere near the pram. He’s quite switched on. He knows what happened to him. The accident traumatised him,” Storm says.

When Storm brought this predicament up with the woman from Valiant, she suggested she use a baby carrier.

“Baby wearing’s not for everyone. Baby wearing’s not for me,” says Storm.

Children’s product safety a work in progress

While the safety profile of toddler boards appears to be a work in progress, there is a long history of failure when it comes to prams and strollers.

In December 2018, ÌÇÐÄVlog revealed that 18 models from brands including iCandy, Stokke, Phil & Teds and Mountain Buggy had failed the safety test in our labs.

In December 2019, we reported the failure of 85% of the 47 double prams we tested.

And in March this year, two-thirds of convertible tricycle strollers we tested failed mandatory safety standards.

In February 2017, the ACCC launched a review of safety standards for children’s toys, and in late June 2020 it announced an updated mandatory safety standard for aquatic toys, after announcing an upgraded standard for projectile toys (think bow-and-arrow sets and toy guns) earlier that month.

But Australia remains an outlier among similarly advanced countries in its lack of mandatory product safety requirements, which is why ÌÇÐÄVlog has long lobbied for a General Safety Provision – the assurance that manufacturers have tested the product for safety before selling it.

As it stands, product safety defects in Australia often come to light when people get hurt.

Valiant Brands responds 

ÌÇÐÄVlog has not tested toddler boards recently, so we asked Valiant if it had adhered to the voluntary standards.

Valiant Brands Marketing Manager Ave New told ÌÇÐÄVlog that the product ‘has been independently tested to meet voluntary safety standards” and that the accident has been reported to the ACCC, as is required by law.Ìý

“We are confident on the safety of the Rover Toddler board. It has been sold all over the world under various brand names since 2016,” New says.

However, the Valco Rover was tested according to European standards. Certification in Australia is “currently pending”, New says.Ìý

The company didn’t respond to our question about whether it was aware of other malfunctions or accidents with the Valco Rover or similar products.Ìý

On request, Valiant sent through the voluntary standards certification docs from Intertek, a testing facility in China, and GST, a facility in Taiwan.

We ran the documents by our in-house testing experts to see whether they indicated compliance with the Australian/New Zealand voluntary standard.Ìý

Our children’s product testing expert Antonio says they appear to do so, though the test reports didn’t include information on the test lab’s accreditation as is usually the case (such as the Australia-based National Association of Testing Authorities or the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation).

Also, it’s not clear from the test reports that the part that broke on Saxon’s Valco Rover is the same as the corresponding sample tested in the labs.Ìý

How about a toddler board upgrade?

The woman  from Valiant had another solution for Storm’s inability to resume her normal walking habits when they spoke earlier this year. She offered to put aside a new and fancier Valiant toddler product for Storm, the Vee-Bee Co-rider, which retails at something like $230, Storm remembers.Ìý 

The offer fell flat. “I hadn’t taken any compensation. My point was just, you need to get this product checked, because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Storm says.

Valiant did offer Storm a refund, but she had to take the broken Valco Rover back to the store.Ìý

She checked her emails for confirmation that the product had made it back to the manufacturer, but it hadn’t come at the time of publication. “So no testing has been done,” Storm says.

Though many weeks have passed since the store where she bought the toddler board assured Storm that they had sent it back to the manufacturer, Valiant apparently still hasn’t received it.Ìý

“We are aware of the alleged incident,” Ave New from Valiant told ÌÇÐÄVlog. “We are still waiting to receive the product back for evaluation and inspection. We cannot comment further until this has occurred.” 

Eventually, Valiant also sent Storm the Co-Rider for free. It remains unused.

More than three months after the accident, you can still hear the fear and worry in Storm’s voice.

“I know it happened back in March, but it’s my baby. You never want to see your children hurt, not like this. He’s got his little zest back, which is good, because we lost that for quite a while.”

The post Valco Rover pram toddler board accident raises safety questions appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

When you have a child, it seems like you’re constantly buying something new each time your child grows a bit. A convertible tricycle stroller might seem like a smart way to avoid buying multiple products: it starts out as a stroller and then, with a few modifications, voilà — it’s a tricycle that your toddler can cruise around on independently.Ìý

But what you might gain in flexibility you could lose in safety. When ÌÇÐÄVlog recently tested nine convertible tricycle strollers, we found that six of them failed basic safety requirements – and in some cases we’re talking very basic safety features like brakes.

The convertible tricycle strollers that fail the mandatory safety standard

• Achieveyourdream (eBay) Convertible Tricycle Stroller 
• Liang_zn (eBay) Convertible Tricycle Stroller 
• Supacheapa (eBay) Convertible Tricycle Stroller 
• Metradingco (eBay) 3 in 1 Folding Trike
• Babycore 4 in 1 Progress Trike 
• Q Play Rito 

Bear in mind that other sellers on eBay and Amazon may also sell these models (or ones very similar to them), which is another reason to avoid buying on those online marketplaces – or do some thorough research before you buy.

For full reviews for all these models and to find out which models we recommend, see our convertible tricycle strollers review.Ìý

Why is a tricycle covered by the stroller safety standard?

Convertible tricycle strollers must comply with the mandatory Australian Standard for prams and strollers (AS/NZS 2088:2000). In 2019, the Standard was clarified to include convertible tricycle strollers.Ìý

Despite the ACCC cracking down on retailers selling unsafe convertible tricycle strollers ( for selling products that didn’t meet the mandatory standard), unsafe strollers continue to be sold on marketplaces like eBay and Amazon – often by international sellers who are harder to police. But that’s why it’s so important for Australian consumers to be informed about safety issues with regards to products for babies and kids.Ìý

Product safety laws need work

Here at ÌÇÐÄVlog we think that unsafe products should never actually make it to market.Ìý

“It is unacceptable that these products have been allowed to reach Australian families. Parents expect the products they buy for their children to be safe, and rightly so,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog product safety campaigner Amy Pereira.Ìý

“Unfortunately we’ve been let down once again by manufacturers shirking their responsibility to ensure their products are safe. This is yet another example of why the Australian government needs to introduce tighter product safety laws.”

Who’s selling unsafe convertible tricycle strollers?

The worst offenders tended to come from online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and catch.com.au, so we recommend you buy from a larger, mainstream retailer to avoid buying a dud.Ìý

Some sellers advertise these tricycle strollers as ‘toys’, even carrying warning signs saying that “this is not a stroller”.Ìý

But if you’re using it to transport your child and it has similar characteristics to a stroller, then it needs to comply with the safety standard.

“Think twice before ordering a convertible tricycle stroller from an online marketplace,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog baby and kids products expert Kim Gilmour.

“We found many examples of dodgy products which failed even the most basic stroller safety standards such as a suitable harness. Some had torn or missing instructions, a lack of warning labels and unsuitable parking brakes. It would be dangerous to transport an infant in them.”

Why did these models fail safety tests?

Some of the convertible tricycle strollers we tested had serious safety failures, such as:

• missing brakes
• missing tether strap, which presents a risk of it rolling away when in stroller mode
• no harness, or harness itself not meeting the standard.

Other models had minor safety failures, such as warning labels not being prominently displayed, brake pedals not coloured red (making them harder to find in a hurry), and harnesses that break easily.Ìý

The instruction manuals that came with the strollers often weren’t very useful. Many were poorly translated with small pictures, some weren’t written in English, and in one case the instructions were missing altogether. Models bought from mainstream retailers tended to be more comprehensive, with diagrams.Ìý

What safety features should a convertible tricycle stroller have?

To comply with the Australian Standard, convertible tricycle strollers must have:

• parking brakes to prevent it from rolling away (these need to be red for visibility)
• a permanently fixed harness with waist and crotch straps to secure your child
• a tether strap on the handle as added security against the stroller rolling away
• clear warning notices for safe use.

Other features you might consider include:

• 5-point safety harness
• large parking brakes
• lockable or removable front handlebars
• lockable or removable pedals
• foot rest
• canopy/sun shade
• basket
• parent handle.

For more information on safety features, read our convertible tricycle stroller buying guide.Ìý

The post Two-thirds of convertible tricycle strollers tested failed mandatory safety standards appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

A double stroller is a necessity if you have double trouble in the form of twins, or it might be an option worth considering if you have two little ones close in age.

Either way, you want to choose a pram that’s not only going to be easy to use, but also safe for you and the bubs. Surely a manufacturer wouldn’t sell you a product for a child that’s potentially unsafe, right?

Unfortunately, of the 47 double prams we’ve tested from 2012 to 2019, 40 have failed the safety tests conducted in our ÌÇÐÄVlog labs. That’s a shocking 85%, and it includes leading brands such as Phil & Teds, Baby Jogger and Joie.

In our latest test, 15 of the 24 models failed our safety tests.

“There is a mandatory safety standard that pram manufacturers in Australia must adhere to,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog baby product expert, Rebecca Ciaramidaro. “However, it’s outdated. A newer version was written in 2013, but it’s only voluntary and manufacturers aren’t obliged to adhere to it.”

“We believe the 2013 version should be made mandatory, so our test experts go above and beyond, by not only testing against the mandatory requirements but also testing against the voluntary standard and basing our recommendations off of it,” she says.

Why are double prams failing safety tests?

Some of the prams had serious safety failures such as straps that posed serious strangulation risks or designs that have entrapment hazards. Other prams had minor safety failures, such as if the harness does not meet all the requirements for properly securing the child.

We carry out various tests on all the prams, including checking that the harness straps are adjustable and of adequate length; the child is securely restrained; folding mechanisms are safe and secure; and there are no sharp edges or possible entrapment points for fingers or limbs. We also test the stability of the stroller and that the brakes work well. A stroller that meets these crucial tests is worth considering.

The latest double prams that fail our key safety tests

• Thule Urban Glide 2
• BOB Revolution Pro Duallie
• Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double
• Babyhood Doppio 2018 model with Second seat
• Joie Aire Twin
• Phil & Teds Sport Buggy (+ double kit)
• Vee Bee Doubletake
• Baby Jogger City Select Lux
• Baby Jogger City Mini Double
• Love N Care Hi-Rise Tandem
• Silver Cross Wave with Tandem seat
• Phil & Teds Dash V6 with Double kit V6
• iCandy Orange
• Phil & Teds Dot V6 with Double kit V6
• Phil & Teds Dot with Inline double kit for Dot

View full reviews for all these models and to find out which models we recommend, see our double pram and stroller reviews.

What to look for when buying a safe stroller

• Look for certification to Safety Standard AS/NZS 2088, preferably the 2013 version, which is the latest and safest.Ìý
• Check for sharp or protruding parts or ones that could pose a choking risk, and gaps that could trap fingers or limbs.Ìý
• Check that the child can be securely restrained in the harness with no gaps they can slip through and a buckle that’s not too easy to undo.Ìý
• Folding mechanisms that are safe and secure.Ìý
• Is there a child-resistant mechanism for locks? 
• Is the stroller stable enough not to tip easily? 
• Neither child in the stroller should be able to reach any moving parts like wheels or brakes. If the pram/stroller comes with wheel guards to help prevent this, be sure to install them.

The post 85% of double prams fail ÌÇÐÄVlog safety tests: Phil & Teds, Baby Jogger and more appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.