What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a pushchair or stroller) is the most popular form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A well-designed pram is a combination of 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 to 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to rotate the seat so that your child can look at you or the world around them.

Comfort

When you're out and about with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure your child isn't apprehensive.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide all let your baby lie flat, which is important for infants as lying flat improves oxygen levels and assists in the development of their spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.

For a luxurious experience it's the Venicci egg2 provides a warm feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but has an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it still has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

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

If you're a first-time parent, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle that includes a pram and a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette or a lie-flat 'pramette' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.

Safety

A pram must have a five point safety harness to keep your baby secure and should not allow any gaps that could trap their heads or legs. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized every year due to pram for newborn or stroller-related injuries. The primary reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could tip over if you hook bags on the handles, or if a child who is wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being secured.

A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram or stroller. If a child is not securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the pram and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is important to make sure that the harness buckle is always secured.

Some prams have a reversible shade which can be used to protect your baby in either direction from the sun. This is a handy feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram or when you are going into and out of shops. There are also other features that are useful, like snacks for your toddler or child and drink holders. There is also a shopping basket underneath the seat.

You should never let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies are susceptible to wiggle while asleep and this could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A foldable stroller or pram is not an alternative to the crib. It should only be used for short periods of time during the day.

It is necessary to disassemble the majority of prams to fit them into the trunk of your car. This process is something you should know before you purchase one. Check how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram needs to be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes the need to endure the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice can do the job you need it to. Also, you want your stroller to have the form of a color or print that doesn't get outdated so you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.

The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and have been designed to last, so you should look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The most reliable prams feature a compact fold so they are easy to store in your garage or in the boot when not when not in use.

All prams on this list allow your baby to lie down on their backs. This is essential for babies, because it aids in the development of their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams have been designed to grow along with your child. Some come with a carrycot or a fully-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 might be interested in a travel system which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System she used with her 10-month old son. It has an innovative feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby at the touch of one button. This lets you keep eye contact with the baby and keep them in close proximity.

Another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that converts from a single to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations and features luxurious fabrics, an expandable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you can use it for more than one child if needed and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth with the included carrycot.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen levels in the lung. Some models provide a flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have a seat that reclines to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her 10-month-old child. She loved the ability to raise or lower her child at the touch of an button, keeping him in view and still maintain closeness and eye contact.

This frame is perfect for city trips and the puncture-proof wheels allow you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a smart choice if you're planning on having another child in the near future since it is able to convert from a single pushchair to a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it includes a lie-flat carrycot push chairs and prams is compatible with a car seat when you purchase it separately. It can be folded using the carrycot as a stand and it's something that isn't the case with all prams which is why it's an easy and time-saving feature.

The pram's luxurious fabrics as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect on a high-end model, but the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on different terrains. This is a great choice when you live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded paths on a regular basis. It's not cheap, but its versatility and quality can save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. You can choose from a variety of colors that will fit your style.