Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide Towards Good Prams

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller travel or Sling, is the most popular method of transport for infants and toddlers. A great folding pram is a blend of comfort, safety and design that makes walking fun for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller makes a great stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so your child can either face either you or the world around them.

Comfort

You want your child to feel comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is essential for newborn babies as lying flat improves oxygen levels and helps support their growing spine and hips. They also have seats that can be changed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a luxurious experience, the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seat that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but it does have an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also lighter than other prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it is sturdy and has finely textured leather and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with a similar style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we've tested however it comes with a large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you are new to parenting, we recommend you consider a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This allows parents to move their child from their car to the pram without having to awake them. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful pram that can convert easily from a lie-flat 'pramette into a toddler-friendly pushchair that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.

Safety

A pram should have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to trap their heads or legs. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised every year due to injuries caused by strollers or prams. The main cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the sturdiest prams for newborns can tip over if you attach bags onto the handles, or if a wriggling child can get in or out of the seat without the harness being secured.

Another frequent cause of injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby's harness is not secured properly it can cause them to fall from the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into place.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from sun in both directions. This feature is beneficial because you won't have to wake up your baby when you change their position in the stroller or when you go into stores and out. There are other features that can be useful, like snacks for your child or toddler and drink holders. There's also an extra shopping basket under the seat.

Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without being within reach. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep and this can cause them to slide off the pram or stroller and could result in strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a crib. It should only be used for short periods of time during the day.

It is necessary to disassemble most prams in order to put them in the trunk of your car. This process must be mastered before you purchase a pram. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You want to make sure that your baby's pram is able to handle slippery walks and also multiple car trips. You should ensure that your stroller is in the right color or design that will not date easily to avoid looking as if you've slipped out of fashion.

The best prams are made of high-quality materials and are designed to last, so look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The most effective prams are small and fold easily, so you can put them in your garage or the boot of your car.

All the prams on this list allow babies to lie down on their backs. This is essential for babies, because it allows them to develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams are designed to grow with your child. Some come with a carrycot or top Prams a reclined chair that can be snapped on and off as your child grows.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may be interested in a travel system which is a bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a clever feature that raises and lowers your baby at the touch of a button so you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close, which she said was really important to her as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double pushchair, with 30 different configurations, and comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not expensive, but it can be used for more than one child if you need to. And like our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot, it can be used right from birth.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen levels in the lung. Some models allow a completely flat position by using a carrycot that is completely reclined, while others have a seat that reclines to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature, and it's fantastic at that as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She was thrilled that she could raise and lower her little one with the touch of a button and keep him in view, while still maintaining eye contact and a closeness.

It's a great pram for those who wish to get around town with ease as the frame is an ideal size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and into rough terrain. It's a great choice when you are planning to have a second child in the future, as it can easily be converted from a single pushchair to a double or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's ideal for babies as it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with car seats when purchased separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand which is something does not happen with all prams, so it's an easy and time-saving feature.

The pram's luxurious fabric as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on various terrains. It's also a great option when you live in a large city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks regularly. Although it's not inexpensive however, the durability and quality of this model make it possible to save you money in the end by not having to invest in a separate pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a wide selection of colors and you can pick one that suits your personal style.