What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also known as a stroller or a pushchair) is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A great pram is a blend of comfort, safety and design that makes walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful stroller for newborns and 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.
Comfort
When you're out and around with a baby, you'll want to ensure they're secure. The good news is that there are prams specifically designed to ensure your child doesn't feel a thing.
All the prams listed in this guide let your baby lie flat. This is important for newborns as it improves oxygenation and supports their spine and hips. They also have seats that can be converted to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit up.
For a really high-end feel it's the Venicci egg2 has a cosy cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seating that does not recline to a lying-flat position but does have a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, at a weight of just 8kg. However, it has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.
If you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly but still with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as some of the other prams we tried but it does have a large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you are a first time parent we suggest that you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat and pram that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and practical pram that is able to be easily converted from a 'pramette,' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.
Safety
A pram should have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps to entrap their legs or head. The straps should be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure that they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. The most common reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over if you hook your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling and gets into or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.
A common cause of injury involves falling from a pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby isn't secured correctly, it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to make sure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into place.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This feature is useful because you won't have to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller, or when you go into stores and out. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.
Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without having them within sight. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this may cause them to roll off the stroller or pram and car seat and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram should not be used as a substitute for the crib. It should only be used for short periods during the day.
The majority of prams require you take them apart in order to put them in the trunk of your car so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this process before you buy one. Find out how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.
Durability
A pram should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes the need to endure walking in the rain and numerous car journeys, so you want to be sure your choice will perform the task you want it to. You also want your stroller to have an image or color that isn't prone to fading quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.
The best prams are made from high-quality materials and are designed to last, so look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The top prams feature a compact pushchair fold so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not when not in use.
All the prams on this list allow your baby to lie flat. This is important for infants because it aids in the development of their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams have been designed to grow with your child's. Some come with a carrycot or a fully-reclined chair that can be easily removed and put back on as your child grows.
If you are purchasing a pram for the very first time it is recommended to consider a system that includes both a carrycot and a car seat may be of interest. Our test-driver for parents Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It comes with a clever feature that allows you to raise and lower your child at the push of a button so you can maintain eye contact and keep them close which she claimed was important for her son as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.
Another alternative is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two babies, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair twin that can be converted from a single pushchair to double, with 30 different configurations. It also has a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not expensive however, you can use it with multiple children if necessary. And like our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included is a great option to use from the moment of birth.
Style
Newborns must lie flat as much as they can to help develop and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs, so it is essential that all prams allow this. Some models permit an all-flat position by using a carrycot that is fully reclined, whereas others have a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.
The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son of 10 months. She was enthralled by the fact that she could raise and lower her baby at the press of a button and keep him in sight and still maintain eye contact and closeness.
It's a great pram for those who wish to get around town without hassle since the frame is an ideal size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and onto rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future since it can easily be converted from a single pram into a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that is both stylish and comfortable. It's ideal for infants as it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat when you purchase it separately. It can be folded with the carrycot still in place, which is a feature that not all prams provide. This saves time and makes it simpler to use.
The pram's luxurious fabrics as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find in a top model, but the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over different terrains. It's also a great choice if you reside in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks frequently. 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 stroller for toddlers. It's available in a broad variety of colors, too, so you can choose one that suits your personal style.