What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or Sling, is the most popular method of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

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

Comfort

When you're out and around with a baby, you need to ensure that they're safe. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your little one does not feel anything.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lie flat, which is crucial for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and helps support their growing spine and hips. They also come with seats that can be converted to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.

For a truly luxurious feel, the Venicci egg2 provides a warm feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position, but it does have a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than the majority of prams available at less than 8kg but has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can handle more rugged terrains.

The Minu V2 is a great choice if you're looking for something with a similar look but at a price that is lower. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as light as other prams, but it does come with a large storage basket. It also has an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and shaded.

If you are a first time parent we suggest you consider a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that are attached to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their child from their car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette or a lie-flat 'pramette to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It must also be free of gaps in which their heads or legs are likely to get caught. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Each year, many children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the primary cause of these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams can topple if you hook bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.

A common cause of injury involves falling off a pram or stroller. If a child is not properly secured, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the correct position.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from sun in either direction. This is a useful feature since you will not be having to wake your child up when you are changing their position in the pram, or when you are going to and from the shops. There are other features that can be useful, such as an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. There's also a shopping basket underneath the seat.

It is not advisable to leave a child sleeping in their stroller unless they are within their reach at all times. Babies are prone to wriggling while sleeping and could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller should not be used as a substitute for the cot. It is best to use it for short periods of time during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this procedure before you buy one. Find out how easy it will be to put the sections back together.

Durability

A pram should be durable enough to withstand several years of wear and wear and tear. You need to ensure that your pram can handle slippery walks and also multiple car trips. It is also important for your pram to come in the form of a color or print that won't date quickly to avoid looking like you've gone out of style.

The best prams are constructed from high-quality materials and are designed to last. You should look for durable fabrics, sturdy tires, and a well-designed system of suspension. The most effective prams are small and fold easily, so you can put them in your garage or even the boot.

All prams on this list allow your baby to lie down on their backs. This is essential for babies, as it helps them develop their spine and hips and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams are designed to expand with your child's. Some have a carrycot, or a reclined seat that can be easily removed and put back on as your child grows.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you might be looking for a travel system which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lying-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 handy feature that can raise or lower your child with the click of a button, so you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close, which she described as being important for her son as he was in an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair into double, with 30 different configurations. It also has sun canopy that 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 using the carrycot included.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as they can. This will aid in their development and increase oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models permit a completely flat position by using the carrycot which is fully reclinable, while others have a seat that reclines to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter and it's brilliant at that, as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her son who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her baby by pressing an button, keeping him in sight while maintaining the eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off the road or on rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having another child in future because it easily converts from a single folding pram to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. You can even fold it with the carrycot in place which is something does not happen with all prams and is a time-saving and hassle-free feature.

The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find on a premium model However, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver around different terrains. This is an excellent choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded pathways frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate stroller for toddlers. You can pick from a range of colors to suit your style.