20 Myths About Good Prams: Busted

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a folding stroller, pushchair or Sling, is the main form of transport for babies and toddlers. A quality pram for newborn is a combination of comfort, safety and design that makes walking enjoyable for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. The Reversible handle lets you flip the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

If you're out and about with your baby, you'll want to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel anything.

All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby lay flat. This is crucial for newborns as it improves oxygenation and helps support their spine and hips. They also have a seat which can be transformed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.

For a really high-end feel it's the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon-like feel for your baby with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position, but it does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also lighter than many prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it still has a sturdy frame with the grained leather accents and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great option to consider if you're looking to buy something with a similar look but at a price that is lower. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams, but it does have a large storage basket. It also comes with an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend the travel system bundle that includes a pram and a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without disturbing them and is perfect for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a fashionable and practical travel system pram that converts easily from a'pramette' lying flat to a pushchair cheap for toddlers compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.

Safety

A pram must have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps to trap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. It is also important to inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure that they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a large number of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags to the handles or if a wriggling child is able to get into or out of the seat without harnesses being done up.

Another reason for injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If a baby isn't securely secured in, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to make sure that the buckle on the harness is locked into the proper position.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from the sun in either direction. This is a handy feature because it will prevent having to wake your child awake when you change their position in the pram or while you go in and out of shops. Other useful features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.

It is not advisable to leave a sleeping child in their stroller unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies can be prone to wriggling while sleeping and this can cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This could lead to strangulation and suffocation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should only be used for short periods of time during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car so it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before you purchase one. Consider how easy it would be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram must be able endure a long time of wear. This includes having to deal with muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, which is why you must ensure your choice will do the job you need it to. You also want your pram to come in an image or color that isn't prone to fading quickly so you don't end up looking like you've gone out of fashion.

The best prams will be constructed from high-quality materials and designed to last. Look for durable fabrics with sturdy tires, as well as a well-designed system of suspension. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, so you can store them in your garage or even the boot.

All the prams in this list allow your baby to lay on their backs. This is essential for babies, because it allows them to develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. Some are made to adapt to your child's needs, with some of them having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and back on the frame when your child outgrows it.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may also be looking for a travel system that is a complete bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our parent tester Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me System that she used with her 10-month old son. It comes with a handy feature that raises and lowers your child with the click of a button, so you can keep eye contact and keep them close which she described as being important to her as he was in an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be converted from a single pushchair a double with 30 different configurations. It also features the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap however, you can use it with more than one child if you need to. Like our top pick model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included is a great option to use as early as.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and increase oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models allow for a completely flat position by using the carrycot which is fully reclined, whereas others have a seat which can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her 10-month-old daughter. She was thrilled that she could raise or lower her baby at the touch of a button and keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and a closeness.

The frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off road or over rough terrain. It's an excellent choice if you plan to have another child in the near future, as it can easily be converted from a single compact pushchair into a double or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's ideal for infants as it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place This is an option that not all prams have. This is time-saving and makes it easier to use.

The pram's luxurious fabrics as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect to find on a premium model However, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver around various terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded paths on a regular basis. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality could save you money over time by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. You can pick from a wide range of colors to suit your personal style.