From ‘It’ Bags to ‘It’ Prams

Motherhood brings with it a whole new vocabulary. A few months ago, a Bee, Buffalo or Cameleon (though the spelling is different to our reptilian friends) were not necessarily 4 wheeled Dutch engineering marvels, but now, I know the difference between a Cameleon 2 and 3 😉

Elton John

Okay, let me start from the very beginning. A pram is easily the most expensive part of your baby accessories preparations. And, I’d spent enough time on the Sea Point promenade (every day from around 5-8 pm, weather dependent is designated Yummy Mummy pram parade) to know that a pram is an investment in your sanity. A wobbly pram with bad suspension ruins a good walk for you and baby. I’d also realised that once the preggie hormones kick in, your desire to buy the latest “It” bag or “It” shoes slowly dissipates from your fashionista veins and is replaced by an instinct to forsake rational budgeting thoughts and get whatever baby “needs.”

BugabooLilyAldridge Gwyneth Paltrow and daughter, Apple

But, after taking a few prams for a test-drive (yes, DO test drive your pram and have a clear idea of the terrain you plan to explore with your baby), I was settled on the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 and understood why those who use it are nearly evangelical about it’s “performance.” Yes, it has a very big celeb following – even Prince George is rumoured to have one, if is to be believed and Bugaboo high priestess Gwyneth Paltrow as a gift to Beyonce. Queens of style, Victoria Beckham, Lily Aldridge and Elton John chose this Dutch export as their babies’ mode of transport and even the Kardashians – Kourtney in this instance are avid believers. But, as much as I do enjoy the frivolity of seeing what celebs use for their babies, any purchase as big as this needs to be researched and considered very carefully. And, I’m hoping to add to our clan over the coming years, so I do see a pram as a long term investment.

 Kourtney Kardashian and Family kick off their Holiday Weekend at The Commons at Calabasas Victoria Beckham

There are many reviews available online of this pram, so I’ll leave you to googling them, but if you want to “book a test-drive”, check out their sole stockist in SA, – they’ve just opened in De Waterkant and the lovely Joern and his wife, Sandra, are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable when it comes to all things baby-associated. 🙂

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10 Comments

  1. Ambrose-Brad
    Mon, 14 April 2014
    Reply

    I like I likeJo Anne…

  2. Farren
    Mon, 14 April 2014
    Reply

    Jo I think you are a stunning new mom,I am still a teen but I read your Modern Mommy blog just because you are a rolemodel to me and many other girls even our new Miss SA.I hope we will get to see Glambition soon,since you want to spent a little more quality time with your new born.

    • Sat, 19 April 2014
      Reply

      Thanks, Farren – very blessed and thanks for all the kind messages!

  3. Esmarelda
    Tue, 15 April 2014
    Reply

    Hey Jo-Anne I love this new website of your’s and congratulations I am also a new mommy my son is just about to turn 3 month’s hope you having a blast will keep reading this website.

  4. Inam
    Fri, 18 April 2014
    Reply

    Hi Jo-anne,

    Thanks for the post about the pram. I agree a pram is an investment, but what’s your take on ‘travel systems’? The prams that come with car seats/ baby carriers? Is it wiser to buy the equipment seperately or to splurge on the package? And when you purchased the car seat did you consider how long the baby would use it or are you buying what is suitable now and will purchase a more suitable one as she grows? So is it the 0-3yrs car seat or is it a smaller baby carrier for now and a bigger car seat later?

    Thanks for the advice. 🙂

    • Tue, 01 July 2014
      Reply

      Hi Inam,

      Those are all good questions. These questions can all be answered by Kids Living’s friendly staff. Send us an email and we can call you – [email protected]. I might write a too long reply here if I had to answer all your questions.

      Hope to hear from you soon.

  5. Liza
    Fri, 18 April 2014
    Reply

    Hi Jo-Ann,

    We studied together at Stellenbosch…have been following you since
    you became Miss SA!

    Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

    We’ve been living in the Netherlands for the last 8 years.
    Our beautiful little boy was born August last year. Only
    after we bought our Bugaboo Bee, I realise that it is Dutch & that
    it has quite a celeb following!

    Love our Bugaboo, the Bee is more of a fancy stroller than a proper pram, but chose it because it is the only one that fits folded up into the back of my Fiat 500.

    Enjoy every second with your little one, before you know it he’ll be 8 months old!
    Time just go by too fast!

  6. Sat, 19 April 2014
    Reply

    Hi Inam, I would look at travel systems as a more cost effective option. I received a gorgeous BMW car seat as a gift from BMW and it’s really a beautiful and safe seat. However, as I have the Bugaboo, I did get a MaxiCosi Pebble too and the adaptor for the pram frame (which we’ll keep for the next baby, God-willingly) and will get a Pearl (bigger seat) after probably after a few months. If you purchase a travel system, it might save some costs, but always ensure that everything is fitted correctly. Double-check with your supplier as improperly fitted equipment does not provide maximum (if any) safety in the event of an accident. Also, when buying second hand car seats, make sure that the seat was never in a previous accident as that also impacts how safe it is. I’ll blog more about this soon as car seats are very important. Expensive, yes, but a priceless investment in the safety of your little one.

  7. Sat, 19 April 2014
    Reply

    Hi Liza, time flies when you’re having fun (or sleep-deprived!!!) lol! The Bee is a great option – also very popular here in SA. Enjoy your munchkin 🙂

  8. Kefhilwe
    Tue, 16 December 2014
    Reply

    Hi Jo-Ann
    I really love this blog and its providing me with much needed laughs during my confinement, my daughter is 7 weeks old!
    I did so much research during my pregnancy I’m practically a baby encyclopedia! Lol! With what I felt were limited choices here in Botswana we opted to come shopping in SA! Baby city were brilliant in educating us about prams and car seats and helped us choose a great Joie travel system for our munchkin and even gave us a live crash course on how to instal it in our car!

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