Every new parent faces a multitude of new decisions before the arrival of their unborn child. For example what colour to paint the nursery? what baby furniture should we buy? should we have the baby at hospital or opt for a home birth? All these questions can seem very overwhelming and none so more than which pram / buggy shall we invest in.

Prams range in cost from £100-£1000, so not a small investment, and with so much choice on the market, making the right choice for you and your pocket can seem a daunting task. Especially as its probably the first time you’ve had to buy one!

To kick start the buying process we recommend asking friends who are already parents what they like and hate about their pram and whether theirs was a good choice. Whether its a spacious basket, lightweight frame or dark fabric it will give you an idea of what to look out for as you shop. Also spend some time visiting baby shops and trying out the demonstration prams to  familiarise yourself with the features on offer and start to prioritise what you want in your pram. Best selling prams are also a good indication of what works for the majority of new families.

Here are some further questions to ask yourself before making the investment:

1. Are you expecting more than one child? Or do you already have a baby or toddler?  If so then you will need to look at what double buggies are available on the market. You can check out Mothercare's range of double buggies here.
   
2. Will you be using a car a lot? And if so, how much space do you have in your boot?  You may choose to look into a travel system if you will be using your car a lot and pay particular attention to the folded dimensions of the pram to ensure it fits in your car boot. Most shops will allow you to take the demonstration pram out to your car to try before buying which is advisable. 
3. If you already own a car seat, will it fit on the pram you are buying?  Travel systems allow you to attach a car seat to the pram frame for extra flexibility. Check whether it’s just the matching car seat which fits your pram or whether you can attach other leading car seat brands. Some prams require adapters to do this which generally cost around £30. Maxi Cosi are one of the leading car seat manufacturers, and their range of car seats tend to fit the majority of prams.
4. Or are you planning to use public transport or mostly walk?  The speed it takes to fold down the pram and its dimensions when folded should be considered. Make sure you pick a pram that maneuvers easily and has a good rain cover and basket. 
5. Where will you store the pram at home?  If space is tight at home, you need to consider how small the pram will fold up and where you can store it whilst at home. You can easily check the folded and unfolded dimensions of the pram. 
6. What is your budget?  This can play a large part in which pram you eventually settle on. Have a clear budget in mind and stick to it. Sales people will inevitably try and up sell a more expensive pram, that's their job after all, but stick to your guns once you have made a decision. 
7. Will you be walking in the countryside with your pram?  3 wheeler prams are easier to maneuver on uneven terrain and can be a wise investment if you enjoy the great outdoors and are likely to spend more time off road. 
8. Does it have adjustable handles? If you and your partner are different heights, adjustable handles are a must. 
9. Is the pram suitable for a newborn? It is important for babies under the age of three months to lie flat for the majority of the day so make sure the seat can fully recline or has a carry cot feature. In addition is there a parent facing option for when the baby is little? As not only do babies benefit from the face-to-face contact you will find as a new parent, you want to keep an eye on your baby at all times.  
10. Pram flexibility?  Can you add a second seat to the pram if required in the future or a hop on stroller platform to transport toddlers.

To get a better idea why not check out Mothercare's range of prams today or visit Kiddicare.com to see what they have on offer.