A pushchair, or travel system, is one of the most expensive baby-related purchases you will ever make. According to Which? Magazine nearly three out of five parents suffer what they call ‘buyer’s remorse’ after buying their pushchair, pram, buggy, or travel system. The problems arise as soon as they take it home and start to use it.

So, let us look at some buggy-buying pitfalls and hopefully these will steer you in the right direction.

1. Too Heavy

Many pushchairs are simply too heavy. If you will have to negotiate stairs or lift a pushchair into a boot, or onto public transport, you will want it to be super light. So, if you are buying online check out the weight before you hit the buy button. Light does not equal poor quality. Pram Brands such as Noordi are strong and super-light, along with being reasonably compact. Remember you will be pushing around a pram, plus a baby, plus shopping etc, so be careful and do not underestimate the load.

2. Too Big

You do not want your travel system to take over your home. So, if space is a problem, in your house or in your vehicle, make sure it folds up neatly. There is simply nothing worse than finding out that your boot is too small to accommodate your travel system. It is an easy mistake to make, especially if you are shopping on-line.

3. Not Suitable for a New-born

Not all pushchairs have seats that are suitable for new-borns. Before you set your heart on a particular buggy make sure it has a lie-flat seat that can be used from birth. Only roughly 65% of the pushchairs have a seat that is suitable from birth. If you are making car journeys of more than half an hour you many want to consider the likes of the multi award-winning JANE Matrix car seat/ carrycot. It is completely lie-flat (keeping the airways open) and has been designed to help combat concerns around oxygen desaturation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Matrix can be used with any of the sturdy JANE range of prams.

4. Bought with Heart, not Head

Some people are prepared to spend up to £1500 or even more on the pushchair of their dreams. And that is their choice. Some brands are expensive. But it is possible to get a good deal if you shop smart. Look for a brand that includes items such as nappy bag, insect net etc. Or you can look for value in other ways by checking if your favourite brand can be bought as part of a bundle deal. That means you can get lots of other baby essentials such as a rocker, baby side crib, or highchair, along with your travel system.

5. Not Suitable for Outdoors

Three-wheeled buggies are sometimes known as jogging buggies. They have larger wheels that make them suited to off-road activities. Four-wheeled pushchairs are much more common, and they are better for urban environments where you will be pushing over pavement rather than rugged terrain. Although three-wheelers are a practical choice for outdoorsy and active parents, they are often longer, and can be too large to use on public transport or bulky to fit in your car boot and store at home. Weigh up the pros and cons of both against your lifestyle before making your decision.

You may also want to consider buying a pram that converts to a double if you are planning to have more than one child.