20 Misconceptions About Good Prams: Busted

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or a sling, is the primary mode 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 to 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so your child can either face either you or the world around them.

Comfort

You want your baby to feel comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your little one does not feel anything.

All the prams in this guide allow your baby lay flat. This is essential for babies as it increases oxygenation and supports their spine and hips. They also have a seat which can be transformed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a really high-end feel this Venicci egg2 has a cosy cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seats that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but has an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, weighing less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather accents and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to take on more rural settings.

The Minu V2 is a great choice to consider if you're looking to buy something that has a similar appearance but for a lesser price. The sleek, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as the other prams we've tested but it does have a large storage basket, as well as an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you're new to parenting we suggest you consider a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that are attached to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to move their child from the car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful pram for travel that can be converted easily from a'pramette' that lies flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.

Safety

A pram must have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps to entrap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned and easily adjustable as your child grows. Also, you should examine the buckles on your harness to make sure that they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are hospitalised every year due to injuries caused by strollers or prams. The main reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you strap bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls out or in the seat before the harness has been tightened.

A common cause of injury involves falling from a pram, or stroller. If a child is not securely secured in, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the harness buckle is always locked in place.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in both directions. This feature is beneficial because you won't have to wake your baby every time you alter their position in the stroller, or when you go into and out of shops. There are other features that could be useful, like an eating tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. There is 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 wiggle during sleep, which could cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods of time during the daytime.

It is necessary to take apart most prams in order to put them in the boot of your vehicle. This process is something you should know before you purchase one. Also, consider how it is easy to put the different parts back together before putting to put them back together.

Durability

A pram must be able endure several years of wear. 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 should ensure that your stroller is in a color or pattern that won't fade easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best travel pushchair prams are made of high-quality materials, and designed to last. Look for durable materials, sturdy tires, and a well-designed system of suspension. The top prams have a compact fold, so you can store them easily in your garage or boot when not when not in use.

All prams pushchairs prams on this list allow your baby to lie down on their backs. This is important for newborns, because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and improves oxygenation levels. A lot of them are designed to adapt to your child's needs, with some of them having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame when your child outgrows it.

If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you might be looking for a travel system that is a complete bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It is a revolutionary feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This lets you maintain 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 babies, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair 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-proofed tyres. It's not cheap but you could use it for more than one child in the event of need and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the carrycot included.

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 position using a fully reclineable carrycots, while others have the seat that can recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for this as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She was thrilled that she could raise and lower her baby at the push of a button to keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof wheels permit you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a good 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 is a stylish and high-end product that looks and feels luxurious. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. It can be folded by putting the carrycot in place which is something does not happen with all prams which is why it's an efficient and easy feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are the kind of things you'd expect on a high-end pram, but its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also a great option if you live in a large city and have to navigate narrow streets or busy sidewalks frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a broad selection of colors as well, so you can pick one that matches your personal style.