Pushchairs and Prams: Know the Difference
Posted by silver cross on Thursday, August 18, 2011
New parents may find the prospect of purchasing a pushchair quite daunting. After all, the market is saturated with all these nifty little units that offer a plethora of features and additional functions. For now, however, ignore the bells and whistles. Most new parents can’t even figure out the difference between a pushchair and a pram, let alone decide which one is best for their child.
Why is it important to know the difference anyway? The truth is that even though all of these units are designed to transport your child safely and comfortably, they do have specific functions and roles that cannot and should not be interchanged. Knowing which is which allows you to choose more wisely and decide what is necessary for your child.
First of all: what is a pram? When we say pram, we are actually referring to the traditional baby carriage. You’ve probably seen one, but you might not know what it’s called. A pram is a traditional carriage, quite like a pushcart, even. It is a carrycot mounted on large wheels, with the hooded cover protecting the child from the elements. Traditional prams are designed with the child facing the person pushing the carriage.
The great thing about prams is that they’re particularly beautiful. The rustic design inspires nostalgia and is great for long, relaxed walks. The child is able to recline fully and can rest even as they are travelling.
One thing about the pram, however, is that traditional models are commonly more expensive. They are also quite bulky and usually don’t fit in the boot of a car. Most important of all, prams can only be used with infants. Once your child gets into his or her toddler years, the pram has got to go.
On the other hand, the pushchair is specifically designed for toddlers and bigger children. Essentially, a pushchair is a chair on wheels. This is its most basic design. In a lot of new models, the “chair” itself is now available for swivelling, meaning you can have the child facing you rather than outwards. It is now also possible to recline the seat as far back as necessary, so that your child can sit in a comfortable position.
Most pushchairs have collapsible hoods that allow you to either put up the shade to protect your child from the sun and rain, or fold down in order to let your child savour the nice weather. Since pushchairs are the most common carriages for bigger children, most models also come with adjustable seatbelts and additional safety features.
Pushchairs offer quite a bit more flexibility than traditional prams in that you can now choose from a variety of wheels, chassis, additional features, etc. A three-wheeler, for example, will be quite easier to manoeuvre when on rough terrain. There’s also the option of purchasing two-seaters and three-seaters. Finally, pushchairs are usually much more flexible and can be stashed away in the boot of your car.
Whether you need a pram or a pushchair, you now know exactly what you’re looking for.
Why is it important to know the difference anyway? The truth is that even though all of these units are designed to transport your child safely and comfortably, they do have specific functions and roles that cannot and should not be interchanged. Knowing which is which allows you to choose more wisely and decide what is necessary for your child.
First of all: what is a pram? When we say pram, we are actually referring to the traditional baby carriage. You’ve probably seen one, but you might not know what it’s called. A pram is a traditional carriage, quite like a pushcart, even. It is a carrycot mounted on large wheels, with the hooded cover protecting the child from the elements. Traditional prams are designed with the child facing the person pushing the carriage.
The great thing about prams is that they’re particularly beautiful. The rustic design inspires nostalgia and is great for long, relaxed walks. The child is able to recline fully and can rest even as they are travelling.
One thing about the pram, however, is that traditional models are commonly more expensive. They are also quite bulky and usually don’t fit in the boot of a car. Most important of all, prams can only be used with infants. Once your child gets into his or her toddler years, the pram has got to go.
On the other hand, the pushchair is specifically designed for toddlers and bigger children. Essentially, a pushchair is a chair on wheels. This is its most basic design. In a lot of new models, the “chair” itself is now available for swivelling, meaning you can have the child facing you rather than outwards. It is now also possible to recline the seat as far back as necessary, so that your child can sit in a comfortable position.
Most pushchairs have collapsible hoods that allow you to either put up the shade to protect your child from the sun and rain, or fold down in order to let your child savour the nice weather. Since pushchairs are the most common carriages for bigger children, most models also come with adjustable seatbelts and additional safety features.
Pushchairs offer quite a bit more flexibility than traditional prams in that you can now choose from a variety of wheels, chassis, additional features, etc. A three-wheeler, for example, will be quite easier to manoeuvre when on rough terrain. There’s also the option of purchasing two-seaters and three-seaters. Finally, pushchairs are usually much more flexible and can be stashed away in the boot of your car.
Whether you need a pram or a pushchair, you now know exactly what you’re looking for.