What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a pushchair, stroller or Sling, is the main mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and style to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

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

Comfort

You want your child to be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child doesn't feel a thing.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is essential for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. They also come with seats that can be changed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram with a cocoon feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines as well as a bucket-shaped seating, that doesn't recline to flat however it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also a little lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg but has solid chassis and grained leather details, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to handle more rugged terrains.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with a similar design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as light as other prams but it does come with a large storage basket. It also has an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and protected.

If you are a first-time parent, we recommend that you look into a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents on the go. 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 toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

A pram should be equipped with a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to trap their legs or head. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. Also, you should check the harness buckles to ensure they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a lot of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can tip over if you hook your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls in or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.

A frequent cause of injury is falling off a pram or stroller. If a baby is not securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. It is therefore important to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into the correct position.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from the sun in either direction. This is a handy feature since you will not be having to wake your baby awake when you change their position in the pram, or when you go to and from the shops. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat and the handlebar can be locked into place when you are not using it.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without having them in sight. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this can cause them to fall off the pram or stroller and can lead to suffocation or strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should be used only for short periods of time during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you take them apart in order to put them in the car's boot therefore it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with this process before you purchase one. Check how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes having to deal with walking in the rain and numerous car journeys, so you must ensure your choice will fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is important to ensure that your pram is a colour or print that will not date easily to avoid looking as if you've slipped out of style.

The best prams are made of high-quality materials, and are designed to last. Look for durable fabrics, sturdy tires, and an effective suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so they are easy to store in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All the prams on this list allow the baby to lie down flat. This is crucial for newborns, as it helps them develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of these prams are designed to grow with your child. Some have a carrycot, or a fully-reclined chair that can be easily removed and put back on when your child is outgrowing them.

If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time, a travel system that has the carrycot as well as a car seat may be a good idea. We are awestruck by 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 child at the touch of a single button. This allows you to keep your eyes on them and keep them close.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that converts from a single to double pushchair twin, with 30 possible configurations and features luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you can use it for more than one child in the event of need and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth using the carrycot included.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen levels in the lung. Some models permit an entirely flat position using a carrycot that is fully reclinable, while others feature a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for both as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved the ability to raise or lower her baby with a push of an button, keeping him in sight, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.

The frame is ideal to take a stroll around town, and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's a great option when you are planning to have a second child in the future because it can easily be transformed from a single pushchair a double or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It is suitable for newborns because it comes with a carrycot that can lie flat and it's compatible with car seats when purchased separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place It's something that not all prams offer. This is time-saving and makes it easier to use.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a premium pram, but its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also a great option for those who reside in a city and must navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. Although it's not inexpensive but the quality and versatility of this stroller will save you money in the long run by not having to purchase a separate toddler pushchair. You can pick from a variety of colors to suit your preferences.