What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or a Sling, is the most popular method of transport for infants and toddlers. A well-designed pram is a combination of comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby triple stroller is a wonderful stroller for newborns and 3-year-old kids. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.
Comfort
Your baby should feel comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is crucial for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. They also have a seat that can be converted to more upright positions 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 seat that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position but does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than the majority of prams available at under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather details, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof, and can be used in more rural environments.
The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model with a similar look but at a price that is lower. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams, but it does have a large storage basket. It also has an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a first-time parent, we recommend you consider a travel strollers system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and practical pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette, or a lie-flat 'pramette' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.
Safety
The pram should come with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It must also be free of gaps where their legs or heads are likely to get caught. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. You should also inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure that they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the most common cause of these injuries. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags on the handles, or if a child who is wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being secured.
Another reason for injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it could cause them to fall out of the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into the proper position.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from the sun in any direction. This is a handy feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby awake when you change their position in the pram or while you are going to and from the shops. There are other features that can be useful, like an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find an extra shopping basket under the seat.
Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram if you are not within sight. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this can cause them to roll off the stroller or pram and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should only be used for short periods during the daytime.
It is essential to disassemble the majority of prams to fit them in the trunk of your car. This procedure must be mastered before you purchase a pram. Also, check how it is easy to put the various sections back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram needs to be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes surviving the mud-filled walks and numerous car journeys, so you want to be sure your choice can do the job you need it to. It is important to ensure that your pram is in a colour or print that will not date easily to avoid looking as if you've slipped out of style.
The best prams will be made of high-quality materials, and built to last. Look for durable fabrics with sturdy tires, as well as an efficient suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or boot when not when not in use.
All the prams in this list allow infants to lie flat, which is vital for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. A lot of these prams are designed to grow with your child's. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined seat that can be easily removed and put back on when your child outgrows them.
If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you might also be interested in a travel system that is a complete package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system that our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It has an innovative feature that allows you to raise and lower your child by pressing one button. This lets you keep eye contact with them and keep them close.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that converts from a single to double pushchair and has 30 different configurations, and comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you can use it for more than one child if needed and, as with our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth using the included carrycot.
Style
Newborns need to lay flat as often as they can in order to promote development and increase the oxygen level in their lungs. Therefore, it's important that all prams permit this. Some models permit an entirely flat position using a carrycot that is fully reclinable, while others have a seat which can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.
The Graco Near2Me has the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her 10-month-old son. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her child at the touch of a button to keep him in sight, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.
It's a great stroller for those that want to travel around town easily as the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres let you remove it from the road and on to rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having a second child in the future since it can easily be converted from a single pram sets to a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels impressive. It's ideal for infants as it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats in the event that you purchase it separately. You can even fold it by putting the carrycot in place and it's something that does not happen with all prams and is an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you would expect to see in a top model However, the sleek frame makes it simple for you to maneuver on different terrains. It's also a great option when you live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality could save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. You can choose from a range of colors that will fit your preferences.