Like scarves and belts for your favourite outfit (or so HE can understand, tinted windows and cool roof racks on the car) accessories are much more than optional extras – they can be vital for the comfort and easy passage for all. Plus accessory shopping is always the most fun because the pressure’s off, and the big ticket item is bought.

The number of accessories you can buy to pimp your pram is overwhelming – from cup-holders and fluffy inserts to educational toys and a special holder for your smartphone that clips to your pram handle.

Most of the major brands have their own range of added extras custom-made for each style. We’re particularly loving the stylish accessories from Mountain Buggy, iCandy, Stokke and Baby Jogger

Here is some of the stuff you won’t be able to live with out:

• Weather protection – sun and rain covers
• Net insect protection cover
• Tyre pump (for pneumatic tyres)
• Boot cover or footmuff for cold weather
• Newborn padding inserts or sheepskins
• Drink holders
• Pram toys to make baby smarter

Should your baby face you when you head out for a walk, or the big wide world? It’s a question that not only mothers have asked themselves – it was recently the subject of scientific research.

In what seems to be an exercise in inspiring more guilt in mums, a study suggested that the popular front-facing strollers could  “emotionally deprive” babies of their first lessons in life by discouraging their parents from talking to them.

This University of Dundee study of 2722 sets of parents and their baby in a pram went on to say that infants facing forwards were less likely to be sleeping, laughing or interacting with their parents.

The report concluded: “If it can be confirmed, in future research, that ‘turning the buggies around’ makes a different to child development, then the manufacturing of ‘emotionally healthy’ baby buggies could be an easy, affordable, and achievable means of facilitating long-term mental and physical health.

Hmmmm… Surely there are times in your child’s life for looking at you, and times when the world would be more appealing? For example, a little baby might get comfort from seeing mum’s face while a two-year-old would get a bigger kick out of looking for puppies.

Looks like a good reason to get a second set of wheels or one of those prams with reversible carriages or handles

Our pram chooser tool [http://www.prams.com.au/chooser/] can help you find a pram with a reversible seating in the style and price range that suits you. Here are some of our faves:

1. The ABC Design 3-Tec [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/3-tec/]
2. Hauck Pluto 11 [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/pluto-11-stroller/]
3. Mamas and Papas Mylo [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/mylo/]
4. Silver Cross Surf [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/surf-pram/]

Can’t get “dad” excited about any of the baby stuff shopping? Well, the pram may be the one item that actually gets him actively involved in the selection process ­– provided you use the right language.

That’s the beauty of prams today – they share terminology with that other popular male fascination, the car. So drop terms like “suspension”, “pneumatic tyres” and “off-road performance” and he should be hooked.

And if that doesn’t work, just subtly hint to him that his lack of involvement could end up with him pushing a low-handled pram with a flowery canopy.

Once he’s agreed to come along and road-test a few prams, get him to hit prams.com.au and do his homework (he’ll love using our pram choosing tool [http://www.prams.com.au/chooser/]). Here is his pre-expedition preparation:

• you’ve already seduced him with sexy car terms, now get him to swot up on what he thinks are pram essentials (e.g extendable handle, a pram he can jog with).

• ask him what he hopes to use the pram for.

• talk to him about the different styles.

• tell him you’ll expect him to road-test different prams and practice one-handed collapsing and expanding of the unit.

Here are some of the prams and strollers we’re loving for dad:

• iCandy apple jogger {[http://www.prams.com.au/prams/apple-jogger/]

• Phil & Ted’s explorer [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/explorer/]\

• Mountain Buggy Swift Stroller [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/swift/]

• Quinny Zapp [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/zap-stroller/]

• The Joolz Day Pram [http://www.prams.com.au/prams/day-pram/]

There are so many variables when buying a pram and where do you start? As a first-time mum I jumped at the first pram I saw. It looked great and seemed to have everything I needed. I thought would live up to all my needs… sadly did not.

It was too heavy for me to lift into the boot and took up the whole boot space. The storage basket was too small, and it didn’t have an adjustable handle for my rather tall husband. If only I had taken on board what I had read.

It’s a common trap by most first time parents and is not too dissimilar to buying a car… you need to consider your families needs, your lifestyle and your budget when choosing a pram. We have a full list of tips and hints on buying a pram under Pram Tips.

Welcome to prams.com.au – Australia’s No.1 dedicated prams reviewing and selection website and blog. Here you’ll find out everything you need to know about buying, replacing or upgrading your pram, stroller or buggy.

Your pram is one the important buys for baby. As one of bub’s big ticket items, it’s
essential you get the style of baby transport that suits you and your individual needs.

Our team of specialist road-testers (i.e. mums and dads like you) have sifted through all the prams and strollers on the market. Our tech gurus have then put all the information on the individual products into our unique and easy-to-use “pram chooser” web tool to help you compare what’s on the market.

Prams.com.au has made it even more user-friendly by coming up with our own “prams app” for mums and dads to use in-store.

Make sure you connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to receive up-to-the-minute alerts and news about what’s happening in the world of prams and strollers.

Push your child around in the latest must-have pram – the extremely stylish iCandy Peach. To celebrate our launch, Prams.com.au is giving mums and dads the chance to win an iCandy Peach, valued at $1299.95.

Released last year in the UK, this highly anticipated baby-mover is the ultimate stroller travel system. The Peach offers all the functionality you need, from compact one hand folding to being able to convert into a double mode of transport – making it a great investment from the outset knowing you can grow your stroller with your growing family! See full Peach review in our blog

Entering is so easy. Just fill in our short survey on Facebook and you’re in the draw! Competition will end at 3pm on the 28th November and the winner will be announced on the 30th of November here, on our blog, on our Facebook page and contacted via email. Good luck!

iCandy Peach offers modern parents a stylish travel solution of the highest quality and design.

The Peach combines sleek curves, stunning fabrics and simplistic styling. It offers great functionality and is available in a choice of three modern colour’s – sweet pea, tomato and black jack.

The Peach is easy to manoeuvre with all-around suspension, front fixed or swivel wheels and an ultra lightweight chassis that folds quickly and easily with one hand.
It has a carrycot that’s suitable from birth for overnight sleeping and also comes with a padded mattress and washable liner.

A major plus is that the Peach can be upgraded as the family grows with the addition of the “Peach Blossom Converter”.

Special Peach features include:
• 3 position forward and rearward facing seat unit
• ultra lightweight chassis
• one hand fold chassis – freestanding when folded
• all-around suspension
• swivelling or fixed lockable front wheels
• quick release, large, low profile rear wheels
• raincover included
• option to upgrade to the peach blossom
• 2-year manufacturing warranty
• carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping, includes padded mattress and washable liner
• carrycot raincover included
• carrycot folds flat for easy storage
• sun cover included

Accessories available include:
• infant carrier car seat adaptors
• large changing bag
• sun parasol
• drinks holder
• luxury fleece footmuff
• travel bags

For those keen to know the dimensions and so on:
Folded dimension (chassis with wheels): 30 x 60 x 70cm
Unfolded dimension (chassis with wheels): 73 x 60 x 106cm
Weight (chassis with wheels): 8.9kg

For stockists call 03 8555 2431 or email info@tobil.com.au

Q. I have a toddler and am pregnant with a baby. What features should I look for in a twin pram?
A. Make sure you road-test a few so you find one that’s easy for you to manoeuvre, but is still comfortable for your toddler, and offers a carrycot or full lie-back seat for your new baby. Many parents prefer a tandem, so that they can get through doorways and along pavements easily, and they like the fact that a tandem, with its separate seat units, keeps their new baby away from an inquisitive older brother or sister. Consider a versatile tandem buggy that can convert easily from a single to a twin tandem, and then back to a single buggy again, when your toddler has grown out of needing to be pushed around. These are a great investment.

Q. My mum wants to buy a pram to keep at her house. What essential features should I look for in a cheaper, occasional-use stroller?
A. Comfort for your baby is still a priority, but the stroller should also be practical, in that it needs to be easy to put up and collapse and can fold compactly so that it takes up minimum space when not being used. Your stroller also needs to be light and manoeuvrable and also easy to push around.

Q. Is it really worth investing in a travel system?
A. A travel system is a pram that comes with an infant car seat, and either a carrycot, which can be used from birth, or a seat unit that can lie completely flat to carry a newborn baby. They are a great buy if your lifestyle involves using your car, as well as taking your baby out for walks, or to the shops, as you can easily transfer your sleeping baby still in the infant car seat straight onto the pram chassis, or click the carrycot or lie-flat seat unit onto the chassis, and use that instead. However, remember that babies should not be left in an infant car seat for more than two hours as it can affect their growing spines and lungs. If you give birth in hospital and will be going home by car, you will not be allowed to leave the ward until your baby is safely strapped into a car seat, so it makes sense to buy a car seat that fits your car, and can also be used with a pram to make a travel system.

Q. I’ve read a lot about rear- and forward-facing prams. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
A. Research has shown that babies and toddlers that face their parent when out in their pram suffer less stress as they are comforted and reassured being able to see their parent(s). It is a good idea to buy a pram with a reversible seat so that for the first months your baby can face you, and then when they are old enough, turn the seat unit around so that a more confident toddler can explore the world around them.

Q. What should I look for to ensure my partner can also use the pram safely and comfortably?
A. As most couples are a different height, one of the main features you should look for is a multi-height adjustable handle that’s ergonomically designed with a cushioned handle so both of you feel comfortable pushing it. And here’s a great tip: get Dad involved in the purchase of the pram – he’ll love being included in road-testing such a visible, necessary and quite blokey (hey, it has wheels, a chassis and suspension!) baby item.

Q. What style of pram would suit a rural environment?
A. If you’re going to be walking along uneven tracks or muddy tracks, the best pram for you would be one with good suspension and a seat unit that is comfortable with plenty of padding and support for your baby. There are three-wheelers and four-wheelers available with good off-road capabilities along with the added feature of reversible seat units.

Q. What’s the essential checklist for buying a pram?
A. It is important when choosing your pram to look out for the following:
1. Light and easy to fold?
2. Versatile and good value for money?
3. Can it be used as a safe option for newborns through to toddlers?
3. Do you want reversible seating options?
4. Will it fit in the boot of your car?
5. Does it have a conversion kit to add additional seat options for growing families?
See our full list of pram buying tips here

Mima, the stroller for the most cosmopolitan and stylish parents, has arrived in Australia.

If you are looking for a stroller that wraps your baby in a world of comfort, that cradles their dreams and ensures their safety, Mima is the brand for you. Its groundbreaking and patented unique designs offer style and reliability. [FYI: Mima is from the Spanish verb “mimar” which means “to pamper”.]

Mima is bringing two strollers to Australia:
1. Kobi – this is an intelligent stroller that truly grows along with your family. The use of the second optional seat allows Kobi to change with your needs from one baby, toddler, baby + toddler or two toddlers. Thanks to the patented “Bassinette inside” system, the seat can convert into a bassinette in 15 seconds, and vice versa.
2. Xari – this compact single stroller also uses the same “Bassinette inside” system.

The choice of innovative materials, attention to detail and soft elegant curves give both models a unique feeling that breathes elegance.

Available in a selection of sophisticated colours Mima strollers are available Nursery Elegance (ph: 1300 131 477).