The shops are stuffed with bewildering ranks of prams and pushchairs, and sooner or later a new set of wheels for your baby is bound to come top of the shopping list. Don't be tempted to decide purely on looks and price, as there's so much more to take into account.

Your lifestyle
Where and how you live counts for a lot:

• How wide is your doorway and how big is the boot of your car? Measure up to make sure the pram fits
• If you live in a town or city and travel by car or bus, a

  lightweight buggy that folds easily is the most useful

• If you live in the country, air-filled - rather than solid - tyres handle better over rough ground
• You'll sometimes be caught in the rain and cold, so check your chosen pushchair comes complete with a hood, rain cover and apron, or budget for them as an additional accessory

Your comfort
Make sure that the handles are the right height for you, your husband and anyone else who might take your baby out for a walk. Some pushchairs come with adjustable handles, which might be useful if you or your partner are taller than average.

Check that the pushchair is light to push and easily manoeuvrable. Swivelling wheels make a huge difference - it is very tiring pushing a stiff pushchair with fixed wheels for any length of time.

Your baby's comfort
The needs of a small baby and an active toddler are very different, but many prams are designed to last your child through several stages. In the first few months of your baby's life you'll need a pram that she can lie flat in, with enough padding to keep her well protected. As your baby grows, she'll enjoy being propped up to face forwards and take in the view. When she can sit by herself, she won't need as much support.