Baby Strollers, Prams and Carriers for Getting Around Nigeria

Getting out of the house with a baby in Nigeria

Two questions decide what you buy here. Where are you going, and who is carrying the baby when the wheels stop being useful?

On foot and on stairs, carry. A baby carrier costs ₦20,000 to ₦25,000 and goes everywhere a stroller cannot: a market aisle, a staircase in a walk-up flat, a danfo, an uneven road after rain. Look for fabric that lets air through, because Lagos heat builds up fast between two bodies, and a clasp you can release with one hand so you are not stuck when you are alone.

On a smooth surface, push. A lightweight stroller at about ₦63,000 folds small and can be lifted with one arm, which is the one that matters if you park on the street and climb stairs. A full-size stroller at ₦80,000 to ₦90,000 gives you a bigger canopy, a proper storage basket and wheels that cope with rough ground. A 2-in-1 with a detachable carry cot is about ₦170,000 and covers a newborn who must lie flat. A twin stroller for two children side by side is ₦220,000.

Measure your boot before you pay. This is the mistake we see most often. A twin stroller and most full-size strollers fold flat but stay long. Open your boot, measure it, and check the folded length on the product page. A saloon car boot will usually take a lightweight stroller with room left for shopping, and will fight a twin.

For the car, use a seat. A carry cot at ₦80,000 fits with the car's own seat belt and doubles as a rocker and a chair at home. Fit it every time, on every journey, including the short ones.

Read baby carrier or wrapper if you already tie a wrapper and are wondering whether a carrier is worth the money.