Good Prams: A Simple Definition

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or a sling, is the primary form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to tilt the seat so your child can look at either you or the world around them.

Comfort

Your baby should feel comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that ensure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is crucial for infants as lying flat increases oxygen saturation and supports their developing spine and hips. They also have a seat that can be changed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines and a bucket-shaped seat which does not recline into flat however, it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also a little lighter than other prams on the market at less than 8kg, but it has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather accents as well as tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof, and can take on more rural settings.

The Minu V2 is a great option if you're looking for something with a similar look but at a price that is lower. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as light than some of the other prams we tested but it has an impressively big storage basket and an extended hood with UPF50+ protection to keep your baby shaded and protected.

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

Safety

A pram should be equipped with a five-point safety harness to keep your baby safe and free of any gaps to entrap their heads or legs. The straps must be cushioned and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. The primary reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the sturdiest prams can fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without the harness being properly secured.

Another common cause of injury is falling from the stroller or pram. If a baby's harness isn't secured correctly, it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into place.

A few good prams also come with an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This is a useful feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram, or when you go in and out of shops. Other useful features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat, and a handlebar that locks in place when you're not using it.

It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their pram unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies are susceptible to wiggle during sleep, which could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This could lead to suffocation and strangulation. A stroller or pram should not be used as an alternative to the cot. It is best to use it for short periods during the day.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to put them in the trunk of your car so it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before purchasing one. Find out how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes surviving walking in the rain and numerous car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice can do the job you need it to. It is also important for your pram to come in 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 fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made from high-quality materials and are built to last, so look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an efficient suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

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

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you might be looking for a travel system which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our test-driver for parents Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It has a nifty feature that can raise or lower your child with the click of a button. This way you can keep eye contact and keep them close which she said was really important to her since he was at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be converted from a single running pushchair double, with 30 different configurations. It also comes with the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap however, you can use it with more than one child if you need to. Like our top pick model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot, it can be used from the moment of birth.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will aid in their development and boost oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have a seat that reclines to a flat position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her 10-month-old daughter. She was thrilled that she could raise or lower her child with the press of a button, keeping him in the view of others, while still maintaining eye contact and a closeness.

The frame is perfect for city trips, and the puncture-proof tires permit you to take it off the road or on rough terrain. It's a great choice if you plan to have another child in the near future, as it can easily be transformed from a single pushchair to a double pushchair or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels impressive. It's suitable for newborns because it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat, if you buy it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is an option that not all prams offer. This is time-saving and makes it simpler to use.

The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect to find on a premium model however, the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on different terrains. This is a great option for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets and crowded walkways frequently. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality can save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. You can choose from a wide range of colors to match your personal style.