Although many people use the terms “prams” and “strollers” interchangeably, the two are not exactly the same! Prams and strollers serve different purposes for families; if you want to know whether or not you need a pram or a stroller, consider the following guide that will help you understand the key differences between these two products and which is best for your needs.
Pram vs. Stroller: The Key Difference
The key difference between a pram and a stroller is the intended age of the infant that can use them, as well as how the infant is carried in the product. A pram is designed for newborn babies and young infants who cannot yet sit upright on their own; a stroller is designed for infants and toddlers who are old enough to sit upright on their own.
Pram vs. Stroller: Security and Safety
Strollers are designed with a few key safety measures, such as harnesses and straps that will keep the infant secured in place while they are being pushed around. Prams, on the other hand, do not have seat belts, straps or harnesses. They are designed so that the baby or young infant will lay flat on their back while they are being pushed around.
If you have a newborn baby, then it is advised that you do not use a traditional stroller, as strollers cannot recline far back enough to allow your newborn to lay down flat. On the other hand, if you have an older infant who can sit up on their own, using a pram is not advisable as they will likely try to sit up during the ride. Using a stroller for older infants is recommended because they can be securely strapped in, which will ensure they won’t fall out while they are being moved around.
Pram vs. Stroller: Lifestyle Needs
If you have an infant that is old enough to sit up safely on their own but doesn’t mind lying flat when riding around in their pram, you may still get some use out of a pram until they get too restless to enjoy a pram ride.
However, at this point, you will need to consider whether or not your lifestyle meets match the experience of using a pram. Prams are not meant to be used in areas with lots of traffic or congestion, such as busy city streets or crowded spaces; prams are also not meant to be pushed at anything but a comfortable walking speed, so you can’t use them when you want to go jogging or otherwise get some fast-paced exercise.
Strollers, on the other hand, come in lightweight, compact styles that can be used on crowded streets; there are also jogging strollers which can be used for exercise. If you have an older infant who is capable of sitting up on their own, you should consider whether or not both of you will benefit from using a stroller versus a pram.
Final Thoughts
Strollers and prams service two very different purposes; whether or not you choose to buy a pram so that your newborn can get some fresh air or you wait until your infant is old enough to sit up on their own in a stroller is up to you and you can always consider using a baby carrier instead.
