Countdown to Christmas...1 day to go!

Its Christmas Eve

It happens every year, Christmas sneaks up on us so quickly! 

We have had a great year at heybaby* We are so lucky to have such wonderful, loyal customers. The team here really work together to deliver the best service we possibly can. I think this shows just by the fact that we are still here after 10 years, and going strong!

All that remains is to thank you all for your support. We really do value your custom and your feedback which all helps us become better at what we do.

We would like to wish you all a happy and healthy 2013. Have a great holiday season!

Our sale starts in store on 27th December. See you there x

Countdown to Christmas...5 days to go!

Christmas Cake!

With 5 days to go until the big day I have finally managed to ice the Christmas Cake. It has been hectic here this year and so my mum very kindly offered to make the cake for me (thanks mum!) 

I have to admit I also had help icing the cake from my very clever friend Kirsty who is an expert at all things baking related. I am very pleased with the results and think I may have found myself a new hobby!

Countdown to Christmas...6 days to go!

6 days to go...is your shopping done? There's still time!

Today is the last day we stand a good chance of getting your orders to you in time for Christmas. So place your order by lunch time today and as long as we have goods in stock we will get them to you for Christmas.

We have also had a few enquiries about when the shop is open over the festive period so here are our opening hours until we are back to normal (whatever that is) in the New Year:

Christmas Eve - open 9.30am-12.30pm

Christmas Day - closed

Boxing Day - closed

December 27th - open 9.30am -5pm

December 28th - open 9.30am -5pm

December 29th - open 9.30am-5.30pm

December 30th - closed

New Year's Eve - open 9.30am -12.30pm

New Year's Day - closed

January 2nd - back to normal

If you would like to check our stock levels of anything in particular please just call us on 01305 259929

Countdown to Christmas...8 days to go!

8 days to go...keeping warm?

Continuing on our theme of keeping warm, we thought we should mention the new 3.5 tog Winter Warmer Grobag. 

We have been selling Grobags for over 10 years now and have used them on all three of our own children. They are a great way of making sure your little ones stay warm and cosy all night, without overheating. The 3.5 tog rating is a new addition to their collection this Winter and means you can keep your baby warm and safe in temperatures between 12-15ºC (brrrr...)

Grobags are recommended by FSID (the Foundation for Sudden Infant Death) and are approved for the British Safety Standard BS 8510:2009

They also make it much easier to make the bed (a little Christmas bonus for mum and dad!)

Countdown to Christmas...9 days to go!

9 days to go...Snuggle In

We are getting ever closer to the big day and the atmosphere is starting to change in the shop. There is a real buzz in the air at this time of year. Everybody is busy, keen to get things done and excited that Christmas is nearly here.

We love to help, offering advice, last minute ordering, product demos and more! 

This year one of our best selling products has been the Buggy Snuggle. A really practical warm and cosy lining for a buggy that does away with the problems associated with trying to keep little ones warm whilst out and about.

Available in a variety of designs and made to fit most buggies they make a great Christmas gift and will last for years to come.

Countdown to Christmas...10 days to go!

Our Nativity Scene

We have a big box of wooden figures and animals that the children have all loved to play with in different ways. 

The last few years we have realised that we have the basic makings of a nativity scene and now it has become one of our Christmas rituals to arrange the wooden figures in their places. Each year it varies slightly. We have had a crisis this year because we could not find the figure that represents Mary but this evening she was found (in the dolls buggy!) and returned to her rightful place at the manger.

The fun we have arranging the animals and re-telling the Christmas story is a memory I will treasure for years to come. The image below shows this year's nativity complete with the guiding star (stuck to the radiator!) 

The figures are mostly Ostheimer and each one is a work of art. They are hand shaped and simply painted which encourages children to play imaginatively and the figures become instruments of an exciting world in which there are no limits. Magical!

Countdown to Christmas...11 days to go!

11 Days to Go...Stocking Fillers? 

I was talking to a couple of mums whilst waiting for the kids at school this week and we were discussing how strange it is that Father Christmas brings all the presents in some houses and in others only fills the stockings. 

Our house is in the latter category and every year I really enjoy watching the children's faces as they delve deep into their stockings to see what he has left for them.

For all you parents out there who occasionally 'top up' your little ones stockings in case Father Christmas has forgotten something (not that he would....!) We have a great range of toys under £5.00 available on our website, and even more in store.

If there is something in particular you are after, give us a  call on 01305 259929 and we will help if we can.

For the record, our last posting date for Christmas is 19th December...

Countdown to Christmas....12 days to go!

What a performance!

We have had a lovely day today. Our youngest was in her school's Christmas production entitled 'The Hopeless Camel'. I don't know what it is about children singing but it melts my heart every time!

For me this is definitely one of the defining moments of Christmas. The build up, the rehearsals, the costumes, the excitement. So much work goes into organising the children and putting on the performance. It is all worth it when you see the pleasure it brings to both the children participating and their families and friends watching. 

If your children have not started school yet you can look forward with eager anticipation to these Christmas performances. It does not matter if they are small scale nativities, carol services or large scale full productions, the sense of pride and the smiles say it all!

Countdown to Christmas...13 days to go

13 days to go...Taking care of delicate skin

I am writing this sat in my warm and cosy lounge. But outside it is freezing (quite literally). New babies have very delicate skin that actually needs very little in the way of cleaning, but protecting them from extremes of weather is a good idea. 

Nothing is gentler on the skin as Weleda's Calendula Baby range. Mild, gentle and made with pure plant ingredients, the complete range is tailored towards young, delicate skins (great for new mums too).  

We have the perfect stocking filler for all bumps and babies out there. Who would not be happy with a Weleda Mini Calendula Baby Starter Kit? It is the ideal way to introduce and new mum and baby to the range and each product is a handy size to tuck in a bag when visiting friends and family. 

Perfect for the holiday season!

Countdown to Christmas...14 days to go!

14 days? That is 2 weeks...I am trying not to panic!

The humble Christmas card...ours have started arriving both at home and at the shop. So far, I have only written the ones that needed to be sent to Australia. 

I wonder if the days of the Christmas card are numbered.  At my daughter's school each child is encouraged to write a Christmas message to all of their friends, stick it on a big Christmas tree and take a small donation for the nominated charity instead of buying cards. Each year we receive an increasing number of e-cards, or messages via social networking sites instead of cards.

Only today I had a conversation with someone who said she is only writing cards for people to whom she can hand deliver, and family of course. 

I have mixed feelings on this. Part of me would love to have written all my cards, got the job done. Postage is getting expensive, there are a lot of charities out there who could make use of the money we will spend on cards this year. And if you don't see someone form one year to the next, why do they need to receive a Christmas card from you?

The other part of me says that it is precisely because I do not have time to visit everyone I would like to, that I need to make the effort to write Christmas cards. That there are some people on our Christmas card list who only hear from us at Christmas...doesn't that make it more important that they get our Christmas wishes?

So, having thought it through, I have decided that the Christmas card still has a place in our lives. I love to receive them and hear people's news. It is nice that someone has taken the time to write a card to you and think of you as they do it. Without our Christmas cards we would have no gift tags for the following year's pressies. 

 With this in mind, rather than dreading writing my cards, and seeing it as a 'job' I will take my time. I will light the fire, pour a drink and enjoy writing Christmas wishes to family and friends.

Countdown to Christmas...15 days to go

15 days to go...Christmas Crafts

Christmas is a great time to indulge in some crafty activities. I won't suggest any clever ideas, there are plenty of people far more creative than me to do that.

I just wanted to include the pleasure of 'making stuff' at Christmas in our Countdown to Christmas because in our house it is a definite part of the process. 

Glitter, tinsel, sparkle, more glitter...

Cards, gift tags, sweets, paper chains, Christmas decs... the list is endless and the pleasure it brings undeniable.

Countdown to Christmas...16 days to go

16 days to go

This morning my youngest and I have been on a Santa Fun Run in aid of a local charity. For those of you who do not know, this involves dressing in a Santa suit and running (2.5 miles for us). Our route took us through our local town and the run was in aid of our local Hospice, the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. 

The Weldmar Hospice is a wonderful place, full of lovely people who work tirelessly to help those in need. Their services are open to everyone who needs them and in our small town, the majority of people know of someone who has benefited from the amazing work they do. 

At Christmas we get asked a lot, as a local business, to support numerous charity fundraising events. Please don't take it personally when we decline, it is not that we don't want to help, just that we choose to focus our support on a couple of charities that mean something to us.

So, the Santa Fun Run was a great way to spend the morning. Lots of people dressed in Santa Suits, a bit of exercise, a rendition of 'Jingle Bells' on the way round followed by coffee and mince pies. And we raised money for charity which is a great way to feel warm inside.

Happy Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas...17 days to go

Pacapod

One of the brands we sell in store only is Pacapod. They make a great range of nappy change bags that have a clever and unique design element. 

Contained inside each stylish bag are two self contained pods, the feeder pod and the changer pod. The pods attach to the outer bag and have their own section in which they sit easily and neatly. The feeder pod includes space for food, cutlery, bibs and wipes. The changer pod has plenty of space for nappies, wipes and any creams as well as hand sanitiser.

The pods help organise your baby paraphernalia and make it easy to access, but also mean that in a split second (and single handedly) you can grab everything you need to feed or change your little munchkin.

Stylish and practical? What a great Christmas present for any new mum! 

Countdown to Christmas...18 days to go!

Christmas Music

We love music in our house, though we all have differing music tastes ranging from ACDC to Elgar. Diverse but interesting!

One of the things that marks our countdown to Christmas is the playing of the Christmas CDs. As soon as December arrives we excitedly retrieve them from the drawer. My husband audibly groans when they come out, but I love them and so do the kids (well, the youngest two anyway!) 

We had a vote last night on our favourite Christmas songs and the top 3 were:

1) Jingle Bells 

2) Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade

3) The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

I will leave you to decide who voted for which song, but it was an interesting debate.

Let us know your favourite Christmas song and we will make sure it gets played!

Countdown to Christmas - 19 days to go...

19 days to go...

We had a big delivery today from our friends at Charlie Bears.

Everyone who sees our collection of cute cuddlies from Charlie Bears loves them. Because they are available in 3 different sizes, and a variety of characters they are perfect for collecting. The little ones make a great newborn or first Christmas present and come in their own gift box. Toddlers just love to tuck the medium size critters under their arms and the big ones are great for snuggling up to at night!

How could anyone be disappointed to find a Charlie Bear sat under their tree?

Countdown to Christmas, 20 days to go...Handy!!

20 days to go...

If you have not realised yet, I should state, for the record, that we are big Stokke fans at heybaby*

We love their design, functionality, longevity, philosophy and their great service. 

In the run up to Christmas we are offering a great giveaway on one of Stokke's best selling products.

While stocks last, we are giving away a free Stokke Handysitt portable highchair with every Tripp Trapp purchased. All you have to do is use the voucher code on our website to claim your free HandySitt.

We reckon this offer is perfectly timed! Most of us will be eating out, at friends', with family or having visits from friends with babies over the festive period. 

The combination of the Stokke Handysitt and Tripp Trapp mean that wherever your family is eating, the smallest person in your family can sit at the table in complete comfort. We reckon that will make your meal more comfortable too... Perfect!

Countdown to Christmas...21 days to go!

Cosy and cute baby hats

When the weather turns cold it is really important to keep little heads warm. We have a great selection of cute baby hats in store but here are our top 3:

1) Greidy Baby: these hand knitted, 100% merino wool baby hats are soft and cosy as well as being fun and funky. Merino wool helps your baby keep warm without over heating and is not at all itchy. Greidy Baby hats are an updated version of the traditional bobble hat for your baby!

2) Frugi Christmas Hat: made from 100% organic cotton jersey, Frugi's Christmas hat has been a real hit! It looks super cute with the matching baby grow. It has an all over design of reindeer, stockings and Christmas trees, so is suitable for baby boys or girls (perfect if you don't know what it is yet!) 

3) Merry Berry Snowflake Hat: Merry Berry make an extensive range of knitted cotton hats for babies, and have a choice of Christmas designs including a very cute reindeer and a Christmas pudding but htis red snowflake design is new for this year and is a favourite of ours. So cute, very Christmassy but will look great all  through the Winter. Let it snow!

These hats would all make great stocking fillers or presents for little ones this Christmas. Cute and cosy...what more could a baby ask for?!

All featured hats are available in our shop (or call us on 01305 259929) while stocks last.

Countdown to Christmas...22 days to go!

Make the Mincemeat

A delicious reminder that Christmas is on the way, the humble mince pie.

They appear in the shops as early as the beginning of November and I have heard people comment that they have had enough before December arrives.

For me, the mince pie is one of those things that is definitely better home made. I make my mincemeat every other year and then use half and store half for the following Christmas.

The recipe I use is Delia Smith's Homemade Christmas Mincemeat. I find it has a great depth of flavour with plenty of fruit and is not too sweet. Perfect!

I have used it to make traditional mince pies with short crust pastry, mincemeat swirls made with puff pastry and even a mincemeat cheesecake (a great alternative to Christmas Pudding).

If you love mince pies, have a go at making your own, you won't regret it!

23 days to go...

Today on our Countdown to Christmas we have decided to feature a product that we think would make a great Christmas present for a soon to be mummy or daddy, or a new baby.

ERGObaby have just released their Limited Edition Winter Edition baby carrier.

Apart from looking great, the design is ingenious!

Available in a beautiful Winter white colour, the ERGObaby Winter Edition carrier has a removable fur trimmed, padded lining to keep baby warm and snug, and for mum, a fur trimmed hand muff in just the right place to keep your hands cosy. Both the lining and the hand muff are removable, leaving behind a carrier that, due to the lightweight fabric, is ideal for Summer holidays.

We are often asked by parents whether their baby will be warm/cool enough in their baby carrier. The ERGObaby Winter Edition carrier offers complete flexibility, whatever the weather!

Here it is on our mannequin in the shop:

Why not add the ERGObaby Carrier Winter Edition to your Christmas list?!

Countdown to Christmas...24 days to go

24 days to go...

What better way to start our countdown to Christmas than to show you our beautiful Christmas Tree?!

The lights will be lit for the first time today to add a bit of sparkle in the shop!

Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree, we are all feeling very festive...

Count Down to Christmas!

We have decided to use our blog as a count down to Christmas throughout December.

Each day we will post something related to Christmas. It might be a product we want to shout about, an image we like, a recipe we think you should know about or a thought for the day.

We would love this to be a joint effort so if you have anything you would like us to include, please let us know, via email (cheryl@heybabyshop.co.uk), by commenting on this blog post or via Facebook http://www.facebook.com/heybabyshop

Christmas is such a magical time, especially when there are little ones around, let us know your family traditions, favourite products, best recipes, crafty ideas....anything that you think other families should know about to help make their Christmas more sparkly!

Thanks in advance......

Cheryl x

Rainy days?

Rainy Day Fun

In the South of England we have had so much rain this week that everyone is talking about it. Even by our English weather obsessed standards, there is a lot of talk of the weather!

I don't know many people who like the rain, but we would be pretty stuck without it. Of course when you have small children, constant rain can be a deal breaker. So, I have been thinking of some simple ways of having fun with your little ones despite the rain. 

Here are our top 5:

1) Make play dough: get out the rolling pin and biscuit cutters and go crazy...

2) Build a den: clear your kitchen table, drape a double flat sheet over the top and let their imaginations run wild. 

3) Invite friends round, let them do the travelling and get wet. Resign yourself to the explosion of toys and enjoy the chat and company!

4) Baking: find a simple biscuit recipe and let the kids do as much as they can, let them really get involved and enjoy the pride on their faces when they offer the fruits of their labour to everyone. 

5) Get wet: If all else fails, get your wellies and waterproofs on and go splash in the puddles!

Have fun!

Our favourite portable high chairs

Portable/Travel High Chair Solutions

I am sure I am not the first to point out to you that Christmas is on the way.  If you are looking forward to a busy and sociable Christmas and you have little ones that will be with you, you need to consider how they will join you at the table for mealtimes. Here are our top 3 travel high chair solutions!

1) The Gro Company Chair Harness RRP £12.99

A soft fabric device that allows you to create a pocket for your little one to sit in and be tied securely to pretty much any type of chair. We have used one of these and would not recommend it on folding chairs or chairs with an open back.
Pros: cheap, lightweight, great for long distance travel, washable, fits in your hand bag
Cons: very little support for young babies, they need to be sitting well unaided, does not raise your child to table level (not a booster).

2) Phil & Teds Lobster RRP £64.99

A fabric seat on a frame that clamps quickly and easily to most table tops to provide a seat at the table for your child. A lot of people think this looks precarious but when you see one in action it feels really solid.
Pros: Will fit on most tables, takes very little room and needs no chair.
Cons: Does not work on lightweight 'cafe style' tables or tables with a deep top.

3) Stokke HandySitt RRP £65.00

A wooden, folding chair that attaches to most adult chairs and provides a table height seat for your baby or toddler. Has a range of optional extra accessories including cushions and 'stand alone legs' which allow you to use the HandySitt at floor level as an independent chair (handy for feeding when there are no adult chairs available).
Pros: provides good support, a really solid chair that is comfortable enough for frequent and prolonged use.
Cons: a little on the bulky side for long haul travel.

We hope this helps of you are looking for a portable seat, let us know if you have any feedback!

Customer service?

How important is customer service to you?

If you are reading this you probably know that I own and run a small business. It is my belief that as a small business, one of the things we can do to encourage customers is to offer great, personal service. Buying something, whatever it is, should be a pleasurable experience, or at the very least straightforward and simple. As a customer you should feel valued and happy with your purchase.

I have recently had an experience with Marks and Spencer that really disappointed me. I will spare you the details (it is a very long story) but suffice to say that I will be using their services as little as possible in the future. 

It has left me wondering why big, multiple outlet retailers and services think they can get away with offering such appalling service. And how much people will put up with if they think they are getting a bargain? Or need/want something they can only buy in one place. At what point would you decide that you would rather give your money to a business that values your custom and listens to you if you have feedback? 

There are a lot of small businesses out there trying to make a go of things. If you have used one and have been pleased with their products/services, let them know. See if you can write a review for them to encourage other people to buy from them. If we all decided to support the good businesses (never mind the size or location) those that cannot be bothered commit to good service and products will not survive and the world would be a better place. Well, mine would anyway! 

Rant over thanks for listening, I feel better now!

When a baby carrier is best...

When a baby carrier is best....

We have not long been home from an evening firework display on the beach. It was very busy and the majority of the people there were family groups. Whilst watching some people struggle through crowds and on the beach with their tired toddlers and bulky buggies, it did make me think that there are some occasions where a baby carrier is definitely the way to go.

Here are my top 5:

• Airports: I don't know why but I always get a little freaked out by airports. Some instinct makes me want to keep my kids closer than I normally do. It could be the proximity to flights that could take them anywhere in the world, or the anonymity of the crowds. I just know that I feel happier if my baby/toddler is firmly secured to me! Plus, there is no issue about when the buggy is going to get checked, stowed etc.

• Evenings out with the family: you know those times when the whole family is invited but you are not sure how the youngest is going to cope and you don't want to be limited by their bedtime? Pop them in the carrier and party on! They can sleep, you can can decide when it is time to go home...

• Festivals: not everyone's cup of tea but if you want to go to a festival with your little one, a baby carrier is definitely the way to go. Avoid mud, no worries about where to leave the buggy when not in use and ditto all the points above about bedtime!

• Crowds: has it ever occurred to you how scary it must be to sit in a buggy and be surrounded by legs and shopping bags? In a baby carrier your little one can see what is going on and be reassured by you. Without a buggy you will move through the crowd much faster too!

• At home: busy day out. Loads to do when you get home but your little one just won't be put down? Put them in the baby carrier and carry on! My sanity as been saved by being able to get vital jobs done with one of my babies in a carrier, perfectly happy to watch or sleep. Everyone's a winner.

These are just my ideas but I would love to hear your ideas about when your baby carrier saved the day!

Top 3 baby bath toys

Bath time is, in many family routines, a pivotal point in the day. It becomes the transition for babies from day to night, and for parents from work to home.

It is a great time to play and bond with your baby and with the aid of a few simple toys everyone can have fun!

Here are our favourite toys for baby's bath time (in no particular order!):

1) Skip Hop Dunck: colourful stacking bath toys that also float! Great multi-purpose toy for bath time that can be used to rinse hair and pour water too! £9.99

2) The Real Rubber Duck: No bath is complete without a rubber duck and this one is made out of real, natural rubber (no plastic in sight!) A classic that will last for years! £7.99

3) Sophie the Giraffe: A favourite character that now comes in a version specially for the bath. Sophie is universally loved by babies and this version will squirt water at them when squeezed. She even has her own rubber ring! £7.99







The other favourite in our house is an empty shampoo bottle...great for squirting and pouring. Save a few of different sizes and your baby can learn as they play.

Have fun!

Wear your baby with pride!

We just wanted to give a big shout out to all you baby wearing mummies, daddies and carers out there during International Babywearing Week.

If you have a little person to look after, or are expecting one soon, take a look at Babywearing International. The benefits of babywearing for both child and carer are huge and there are so many lovely carriers to choose from these days it is hard to resist!

Our top tips for babywearing are:

• Make sure you try before you buy (everyone is different and you need to make sure the carrier you choose is the right one for you and your child) If you do not have a local stockist try your friend's carriers or find a retailer who is happy to send a couple of types of carriers to you and then accept returns of the ones you do not choose.

• Persevere. If you don't get on with babywearing at first, have a break and try again the next day. It can take a bit of practise, as with everything that is worthwhile.

• Do not accept discomfort. You should be comfortable whilst carrying your baby and so should they. If you are not, get help and advice someone who knows what they are doing. An experienced friend, Babywearing International, your nearest carrier stockist. You may need to change your carrier but it will be worth it!

• Make sure you are aware of babywearing safety...safety is paramount.

• Enjoy having your baby close and exploring the world with them.

Happy Babywearing Week!

Food Glorious Food!

After the birth and early weeks of a new baby, the breast/bottle debate and the struggle for everyone to get enough sleep, comes the next hotly debated topic....weaning.

What to feed them, when to feed them and how to feed them must be one of the most talked about subjects at mother and baby groups the world over. 

I have had very different experiences of weaning my three and thought I would share them with you!

When my eldest was born, the advice was to begin weaning at around 16 weeks and start off with a bit of baby rice mixed with their usual milk. Not knowing any different I dutifully did as advised and soon found myself plunged into pureeing organic vegetables into suitable purees that could be frozen and used when necessary. 

His mealtimes consisted of me (or his dad) spooning the food into his mouth whilst trying to distract him from the job in hand. We quickly progressed onto the spoon grabbing game and realised that if he had a spoon of his own we might manage to get a bit more food in. As most parents do, we had all the usual worries about whether he was getting enough food , the right nutrients and was his diet leaving enough room for him to get the milk he also needed.

With the second child we were undoubtedly more relaxed. We were used to the mess, he loved his food and we were less focussed on the distinct 'stages' of weaning and let him guide us as to what he was going to eat and how/when. Consequently, he was definitely feeding himself sooner and I don't remember the same anxiety about whether he had eaten enough. As long as he was healthy and growing I knew he was OK.

By the time number three came along I thought I knew what I was doing, until I read a magazine article about Baby Led Weaning. The concept made perfect sense to me and I was intrigued enough to buy a book and explore further.

In a nutshell, the concept of baby led weaning is that you provide a variety of foods (almost anything goes!) and your baby explores them and eats them how and when he/she is ready.

We decided to give it a go and I have to say that I wish we had discovered the idea sooner. Forget purees, ice cube trays and weaning spoons. All you need is a decent high chair, a clean surface for them to eat from and a sense of humour at the clearing up stage! (Essentials for us were the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair and Table Top and a good supply of Cheeky Wipes).

We found it absolutely fascinating to watch our child explore the foods presented with her eyes, her nose, her hands and her mouth. We were confident that she was getting all the goodness she needed from her milk and so never worried about how much she was actually eating. Our mealtimes were family based, stress free and messy!

The bigger picture is that all three of our children have healthy appetites and enjoy a variety of foods but if I could go back I would definitely do baby led weaning again. In retrospect it just seems like a more baby friendly, relaxed and easier way to get them enjoying food!

The book I read is called: Baby-led weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett and is well worth looking at if you are interested in using baby led weaning for your family.

Choosing a buggy

We see lots of expectant parents (and grandparents) in the shop. When you are pregnant one of the big decisions is which pram/buggy to buy. It is an interesting one because it seems to be one thing that everyone has an opinion on. The grandparents are often consulted because they are buying or contributing and of course the choice these days is overwhelming, even to an expert!

Families often stare wide eyed at the choice and ask 'which one is best?!' Of course that is not a question that can be answered because every family is different and has different expectations and priorities.

I always suggest to people that perhaps the best way to make a decision is to look at the practicalities first. For example, if you drive your buggy needs to fit in the car. You also need to be able to get it in the house easily, so check doorways, alleys and garden gates before buying anything too big! If you need to get up and down stairs go for something lightweight or try to negotiate a safe place to leave your chassis downstairs and buy something with a detachable carrycot.

Next, have a good think about what you will be doing once you have had your baby. Will you be in and out of the car several times a day? On public transport? Walking....through town or off road? Where will you store your buggy when it is not in use? 

There is one more thing I always mention. It may seem obvious but it is, I believe, a common mistake when buying your first pram/buggy. Try to think beyond your baby's first 6 months. It is so easy when you are pregnant to focus on your newborn baby and, of course, you should! But try also to remember that your tiny bundle will very quickly grow into a bonnie baby and throughout their first year, what you and they need from their wheels will change drastically! It is very common for a second buggy to be bought when the baby reaches around 6-8 months of age because the first choice is too heavy or cumbersome. 

Of course, it can be helpful to talk to other families about their choices, particularly if they have a similar lifestyle to you. What have they been pleased with, anything they regret? But do remember that what works for one family may not be suitable for yours. 

If you focus on your everyday routine and what you want your buggy to do for you and your family, you should make a good decision!