Musings

I write this blog for the benefit of a visitor who asked a question about our pram. :)

I only realised that raising a child these days can be so costly when we looked into the various items required for Hannah’s arrival. These were our major purchases: cot, playpen (this item turns out to be not that expensive), car-seat, pram and breast-pump (optional). There’s one other item which is also on the expensive end but we got it as a gift. It is a latex mattress (cooling as Singapore’s weather can be so hot!).

Initially, we visited shops such as Baby Hypermart and Baby Kingdom for these items as I read from various forums that they have better deals as compared to elsewhere. However, we found out that their prices were not exactly competitive. As it turned out, Kiddy Palace was selling similar items at similar pricing. Their service was good and delivery prompt. Moreover, they have this membership card thingy which gives you 10% discount on many of their items. And during certain months, members get 20% discount! Imagine how much you can save if you buy big-ticket items! Since it is close to home, it has been our one-stop shopping outlet for Hannah’s needs. :)

Our Combi Urban Walker has been satisfactory so far. It is user-friendly; easy to open and close, light-weight and has a spacious basket for holding a big bag with baby things. The reversible handle is also easy to flip. As for comfort, the cushion and safety straps are reasonably soft. (Note: Initially, I deemed it important to get a separate seat liner to prevent baby from soiling the actual pram cushion. But Hannah didn’t soil on her pram at all – may be her diaper was very absorbent. Now I realise that letting Hannah sit on the original pram cushion is the best as its material is really cooling, easy to wash and dry. See my comment below.). Besides being a little costly (there are prams that cost 4-digits!), it is a good buy.

Hannah didn’t really get to use the pram within the first month as she hardly needs to go out unless it was to go for her check-up with her pediatrician. I was also not very keen to bring her out to shopping malls due to the recent H1N1 situation. So far, she has only gone on a stroll around our condo pool area and the nearby park. Although the pram was easy to push around, it can get a bit awkward if you reverse the handle (so that the baby is facing you as you push it along) as only one pair of wheels can turn 360 degrees. The forward push (baby facing away from you) is fine though. There’s another Combi model called Miracle Turn which allows for better mobility as all four wheels can turn 360 degrees. Of course, it will cost more.

There is another brand called Cappella which looks similar to Combi but when you feel the material, you know it is inferior. I think its cushion is less comfortable too (There’s one model with a horizontal bar beneath its seat. How uncomfortable for the baby!). A couple using this brand told us not to buy it.

There are many parents using Maclaren too. The reviews were generally positive. As for other brands, I can’t say much.

Come to think of it, these big ticket items are actually worthwhile purchases as they can last for a few years and even be used by the next child if they are still in good working condition. If you feed your baby with formula milk, gosh, it is going to be even more expensive leh. (Hannah can finish a $40 tin of Similac milk powder within 10 days. And the no. of days will only get lesser.) And if your baby ‘prefers’ expensive diapers hor, then greater monthly expenditure too.

Good thing that our government is giving out better baby bonus. But now I know it can run out quickly too looking at the stuff we spend on Hannah. Hee hee :) The moral of the story? Have more than one kid lah. Can recycle these items and get better baby bonus (3rd and 4th kid got $6k each wor). Aiyah, who am I kidding yeah? Now one kid already struggling here. Hee hee. :P