Spotlight: Courtney @itscourtneydow and why she loves her Era!

I’ve had a lot of prams since becoming a mum. I think this is the 4th brand I’ve had and so when it comes to what’s great and not great about prams, I have experience and you can bet I have opinions.

There's lots of considerations to make when choosing a pram. Size, weight, functionality, colour… but how often do we think about the materials they are made with and how they can impact the health of our babies? I know I didn’t the first time around.

 

Let’s look at some of the common offenders:

❌ Chemical flame retardants: despite recommendations to ban use in baby products, many brands still use these. Linked to endocrine and thyroid disruption, reproductive problems, cancer, and neurotoxicity.

❌ PVC: dubbed the most toxic plastic, but commonly found in children and baby products (for example, pram rain covers). PVC health risks include dermatitis, asthma attacks and respiratory problems, kidney disease, and liver damage. It is also a known carcinogen.

❌ Phthalates: if you’ve been here for a while you’ve heard me talk about phthalates. And here’s yet another place they might be hiding. Often found in plastics, linked to a slew of health issues including hormone disruption and cancers.

❌ Polyurethane foam: a petroleum based product that is almost always coated with flamer retardants (see above). Additionally it breaks down over the course of time and gives off toxic fumes that can cause skin irritation, lung irritation, and even cancer.

Unfortunately most brands won’t even disclose whether they use these chemicals, which makes the decision process even harder. We picked a Bumbleride Era because they are actually transparent about their production and are:

• Free from chemical flame retardants
• Free of polyurethane foam
• Free from PVC, phthalates, and BPA
• PFC-free, using a plant-based oil for water repellency instead
• Cork handlebar and up to 25% recycled plastic
• Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) certified
• OEKO-Tex 100 certified

But it’s not just the low-tox aspect that has me loving my Bumbleride (and recommending to all my mummy friends!). The functionality is the best I’ve used.
 

I’m a mum of three now, and am often running around juggling all the kids. I absolutely love that the Bumbleride Era is lightweight - can flick it open one handed half the time - and really quick and easy to pack up. It folds up easy enough to not have to stress about what else I can fit in the car and the large sized basket below means there is room for the million items my kids require me to carry.

The toddler board attachment makes my life so much easier too having multiple kids. My middle child is so happy jumping on the board so we can zip through the shops, or make it through our walk without stopping every 3 steps to pick up another stick (haha!).

We love our adventures as a family with our Bumbleride Era, and love that it can handle various types of terrain. For a family that loves to get outdoors this is important.