Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide The Steps To Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or a Sling, is the most popular form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram combines 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. Its reversible handle allows you to turn the seat so that your child can either face either you or the world around them.
Comfort
When you're out and around with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. There are prams that will ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
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 saturation and assists in the development of their spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position when your baby is able to sit up.
For a truly luxurious experience, the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position, but it does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg, but it has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather details as well as tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof and able to handle more rugged terrains.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but with the same design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't 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, which keeps your baby safe and protected.
If you're a first-time parent we suggest you look into a travel system bundle which includes a pram and car seat that are attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without disturbing them and is ideal 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'pramette' that lies flat to a pushchair for toddlers, compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.
Safety
The pram should be fitted with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It must also be free of gaps between their head and legs that can get trapped. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year because of pram or stroller-related injuries. The main cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling and gets in or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.
Another frequent cause of injuries is falling from the stroller or pram. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in both directions. This is a handy feature as you can avoid having to wake your child up when you are changing their position in the pram or while you are into and out of shops. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.
Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without being in sight. Babies are prone to wiggle while asleep, which could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller is not a substitute for the crib. It is best to use it for short periods of time during the day.
Most prams require you to take them apart in order to fit them into the trunk of your car so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before purchasing one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.
Durability
A pram needs to be durable enough to endure many years of wear and tear. This includes surviving muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is also important for your stroller to have the form of a color or print that isn't prone to fading quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.
The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are designed to last, so look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels, and an effective suspension system. The best travel stroller prams will also have a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not in use.
All prams on this list allow babies to lie down on their backs. This is essential for babies, as it helps them develop their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. A lot of these prams are designed to grow along with your child. Some include carrycots, or a reclined chair that can be snapped on and off when your child outgrows them.
If you're purchasing a new pram bags for the first time, you may be looking for a travel system which is an all-in-one package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. 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 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 said was really important to her as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pram that can be converted from a single pushchair to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not inexpensive however, it can be used for multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included is a great option to use as early as.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models allow an entirely flat position using a carrycot that is completely reclined, while others have a seat which reclines to a horizontal position.
The Graco Near2Me works great for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved that she could raise or lower her baby at the touch of an button, keeping him in sight, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.
This frame is perfect for nipping around town, and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having a second child in the future because it easily converts from a single pram into a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that looks and feels impressive. It's suitable for babies because it comes with a carrycot that can lie flat and it's compatible with a car-seat if purchased separately. It can be folded by putting the carrycot in place - something that isn't the case with all prams, so it's a time-saving and hassle-free feature.
The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect on a premium model, but the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over diverse terrains. This is a great option when you live in a city and must navigate narrow streets and crowded paths frequently. While it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this model make it possible to save you money in the long run by not having to invest in a separate toddler pushchair. You can pick from a variety of colors to match your style.