Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide For Good Prams

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a pushchair, stroller or a Sling, is the most popular form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good 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 is a fantastic stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. 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. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel anything.

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 supports their developing spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It features smooth, curving lines as well as a bucket-shaped seating, that doesn't recline to a flat position however, it does come with a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, at a weight of just 8kg. However, it still has a sturdy chassis with the grained leather accents and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly but with the same style 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 have a huge storage basket. It also has an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're the first parent of your child we suggest you look into a travel system bundle that includes a pram and a car seat that attach to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without waking them and is perfect for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional travel system pram that converts easily from a lie-flat 'pramette' to a toddler-friendly pushchair that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.

Safety

The pram should be fitted with five-point safety harnesses that will keep your baby safe. It should also not have any gaps in which their heads or legs could get stuck. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and have signs of wear. Every year, a lot of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. Tipping over is the most common cause of these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams can tip over when you hang bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling and gets in or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another reason for injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. It is therefore essential to make sure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into place.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This feature is beneficial because you don't have to wake your baby when you change their position in the foldable stroller or when you go in stores and out. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping underneath the seat, and a handlebar that locks into position when you're not using it.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without being within reach. Babies are prone to wiggle while asleep and this could cause them to fall out of the pram or stroller. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram or a stroller is not an alternative to a cot. It is best to use it for short periods during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car therefore it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this procedure before purchasing one. Also, consider how it is simple to put the different sections back together and then click them into place.

Durability

A pram should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes having to deal with walking in the rain and many car journeys, so you want to be sure your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. You want to make sure that your pram is in the right color or design that will not date easily so you don't look as if you've slipped out of fashion.

The most effective prams are constructed from high-quality materials and are built to last, so you should look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The best prams are compact travel pram and fold easily, so you can put them in your garage or boot.

All prams on this list allow babies to lie down on their backs. This is essential for babies, because it aids in the development of their spine and hips and improves oxygenation levels. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child. Some include a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on when your child is outgrowing them.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a compact travel stroller set which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a clever feature that raises and lowers your child with the click of a button so you can maintain eye contact and keep them close, which she described as being important to her since he was in an exploratory stage.

Another alternative is 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 pram that can be converted from a single to double pushchair and has 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap but you could use it for more than one child, if you need to and, as with our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth with the included carrycot.

Style

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

The Graco Near2Me features the latter and it's brilliant in this regard 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 child with a push of the button to keep him in sight and still maintain the eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect to take a stroll around town, and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off the road or on rough terrain. It's also a great choice if you're planning on having another child in future because it easily converts from a single pram into a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's suitable for newborns because it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats in the event that you purchase it separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand which is something does not happen with all prams which is why it's an easy and time-saving feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket and puncture-proof tyres are the kind of features you'd expect to see on a pram of the highest quality and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also a great choice for those who reside in a city and must navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a wide selection of colors and you can pick one that suits your personal style.