One of the momental moments in preparing for baby has to be buying the stroller. I spent countless hours researching the different brands and makes, and reading through a massive number of reviews. While I was pregnant, I headed into the baby shops with my mum, determined to try a few different types out to see what I liked best.
I knew in advance what I wanted from a stroller. I wanted a three-wheeled style, with big air-filled tires that could handle off road and the rough pavements around where we live. I also didn’t want anything too large or bulky, as I’m quite petite and I didn’t want to struggle putting a stroller up and down and in and out of the back of the car. It also had to be nice and easy to manoeuvre for those days where we headed up to the city for shopping.
I sort of had in my mind that I’d perhaps like a Phil and Ted or a Baby Jogger stroller as these seemed to have good reviews. After trying a few of the Phil & Ted ones out, I found them to feel a bit cheap and flimsy and not as easy to navigate around the store as I had hoped. The Baby Jogger ones were much the same, and some of the three wheelers had such huge wheels that they hit into everything as I moved it around the store.
I was then drawn to a Mountain Buggy Swift. This compact stroller ticked all the boxes for me – it was easy to navigate and push around (even one handed), and while it had large air-filled tires, they weren’t too massive that they took up all the space. It’s compact feel also makes it very friendly for those of us on the shorter side, and the adjustable handlebars mean that anyone taller finds it easy to push too. It folds up and down with one hand, and is super light meaning I can put it in the back of the car easily.
It’s easy to see why I fell in love with this stroller, and after Googling reviews for it, it seems many others have too. I feel like it’s the perfect mix of being tough for off road and rougher conditions, yet still easily managed in tight spaces in the city – really the perfect all rounder! It was the first stroller I felt really confident pushing around, and after nearly four months of use in various settings, it’s never failed me. I’ve taken it to town more times than I can count, pushed it around the uneven pavements and gravel roads around our house, and even had it on the beach. Every single time it was super easy to move around and you don’t really ever feel like you have to exert much energy to actually push it!
When Jack was a newborn we had him lying down, and as he has gotten older and is more interested in looking around than sleeping, we have propped him up. The seat is really easy to adjust with just a couple of straps, meaning it’s a great stroller from newborn right through to toddlers. The hood actually comes quite far down, protecting him from some weather, or it can be pushed back so he can have a look around. There’s also a little flap in the cover that you can lift up to have a peek at your bubba, and I love this feature as I can check on Jack while we are on the move.
This pram isn’t compatible with a capsule, which some people might not like, but I didn’t find it an issue at all. Jack used this buggy right from day one and we never had any issues. In fact, Jack only lasted about 6 weeks in his capsule carseat before we got him a proper fitted carseat. Capsule carseats, while great in theory, are very awkward and heavy to carry around and can be a pain to clip in and out of the car (although that’s a whole other story!!) There is a carry cot attachment that you can get for this pram which faces towards you and can be used for younger babies. Although again, we didn’t bother with this as it’s an additional $300 and we didn’t think we’d use it for very long.
The only tiny downside I have to this pram is there is not a lot of storage underneath (which is what you would expect from a compact pram anyway). I usually keep my baby bag under the pram and that doesn’t mean there’s a lot of space for any shopping etc. However I generally tie my shopping (as long as it’s light) around the handles of the pram, or you can also pop light stuff on the hood.
The Mountain Buggy Swift also allows you to attach a Freerider Buggy Board which clips on to the stroller and allows a toddler or older child to ride on the back. This is great if you are planning on having a second child at some stage or already have an older child who still can’t walk around all the time. The scooter option is super cute, and allows the child to also use the product as a stand alone scooter, so it’s really a great buy!
We got our Mountain Buggy Swift in the colour Marine which is a fun bright blue. I also ended up purchasing the Storm Cover (which I haven’t actually used yet) and the Mountain Buggy Sleeping Bag (in the grid pattern), which I love. The sleeping bags help to keep baby warm and mean you don’t have to bother with pram covers or blankets which can fall or be pushed off. The harness clips in through the sleeping bag, keeping it and baby nice and secure. I’m also planning on getting the Sun Shade for summer.
Strollers are probably one of the most expensive purchases you will make for baby, and I was actually really surprised at how much they cost. You are looking around $500-$800 for a decent stroller, with many going for closer to $1,000! That is why it’s so important to do your research and work out what you need in a stroller before you buy. I personally recommend going in and looking at strollers in the first trimester/early second trimester as this gives you enough time to make up your mind, and also allows you to place the stroller on lay-by.
Here’s a few things to think about when buying a stroller…..
- Will you be mainly using it around town or off road?
- How tall are you – make sure it has adjustable handles and you feel comfortable behind it
- Is it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces?
- Is it easy to fold down one handed?
- Will it fit in the back of your car along with groceries, shopping etc?
- Is there an option for a second child (if you plan on having one)?
- Do you feel confident pushing it?
- What parts/accessories can you get for your stroller? Eg, sleeping bags, storm covers, cup holders etc
- Can you click in/out a capsule carseat (if you want something integrated)?
