Why Nobody Cares About Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for all the family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller makes a great stroller for babies to 3 years old. The reversible handle lets you to rotate the seat so that your child can look at you or the world around them.
Comfort
If you're out and about with your baby, you want to ensure that they're safe. There are prams that ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
All the prams in this guide allow your baby to lay flat. This is essential for newborns since it improves oxygenation and strengthens their spine and hips. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your child is capable of sitting up.
For a really high-end feel it's the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon feel for your newborn with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position but does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it still has a sturdy frame with the grained leather accents and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.
If you want something less expensive but with the same design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as lightweight as other strollers, but it does come with a large storage basket. It also has an extendable hood that offers UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and protected.
If you're new to parenting We suggest that you consider a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that can be attached to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their baby from their car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a fashionable and practical pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' lying flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.
Safety
A pram should have a five-point safety harness to keep your baby secure and should not allow any gaps to entrap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned and easily adjustable as your child grows. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year due to injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the main cause of these injuries. Even the strongest prams can tip over when you hang your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.
Another common cause of injury is falling from the stroller or pram. If a child's harness isn't secured correctly it could cause them to fall from the stroller, causing neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to make sure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to shield your baby from sun in either direction. This is a useful feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram pushchair or when you are going into and out of shops. There are also other features that could be useful, for example snacks for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find a shopping basket underneath the seat.
You should never leave a sleeping child in their pram for newborn unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this can cause them to slide off the pram or stroller and could result in strangulation or suffocation. A pram or a stroller should not be used as a substitute for the crib. It should only be used for short periods during the daytime.
The majority of prams require you take them apart in order to put them in the car's boot so it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before you buy one. Also, check how it is easy to put the different sections back together and then click them into place.
Durability
A pram must be able endure a long time of wear. You need to ensure that your pram set can handle slippery walks as well as a variety of car trips. You also want your pram to come in the form of a color or print that isn't prone to fading quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.
The best prams are made from high-quality materials and have been designed to last, so look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and an effective suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold, so you can store them easily in your garage or boot when not being used.
All prams on this list allow the baby to lie down on their backs. This is essential for infants as it helps them develop their hips and spine, and improves oxygenation levels. A lot of these prams are designed to grow with your child's. Some come with a carrycot, or a reclined chair that can be removed and snapped on when your child is outgrowing them.
If you are considering buying a pram for the first time it is recommended to consider a system that has a carrycot and car seats could be of interest. Our test-driver for parents Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System she used with her 10-month-old son. It is a revolutionary feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This lets you keep your eyes on your child and keep them close.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double, with 30 different configurations. It also features the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but you could use it for more than one child if needed and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the included carrycot.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lie flat as they can. This will aid in their development and increase oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models provide a flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have a seat that reclines to an upright position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic at what it does as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her son who was 10 months old. She loved the ability to raise or lower her infant at the touch of the button to keep him in view and still maintain closeness and eye contact.
It's a great choice for those who want to get around town without hassle since the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to move it off the road and onto rough terrain. It's also a smart choice if you're planning on having another child in future since it can easily be converted from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that looks and feels luxurious. It is suitable for newborns as it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car seat when purchased separately. You can even fold it by putting the carrycot in place and it's something that not all prams can do and is an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabrics as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are all features you would expect to see in a top model however, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over various terrains. It's also a great option for those who reside in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or busy sidewalks frequently. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a wide range of colors, too, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.