What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also known as a pushchair or stroller) is the primary mode of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram is a blend of comfort, safety and design that makes walking enjoyable for the entire 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 either face you or the world around them.
Comfort
You want your baby to be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that will ensure that your baby isn't shivering any sensations.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is important for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and supports their developing spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is able to sit up.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feeling for your baby. It is smooth and has curvaceous lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to flat, but it does have padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also lighter than other prams, at a weight of just 8kg. But it is sturdy and has finely textured leather and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.
The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model that has a similar appearance but at a lower price. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as lightweight as other strollers, but it does come with a large storage basket. It also comes with an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a new parent we recommend a travel system bundle which includes a pram and a car seat that attach to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without waking them and is ideal for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette, to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.
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 that could trap their legs or head. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they grow. It is also important to check the harness buckles to ensure they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are admitted to hospitals every year due to injuries from strollers or prams. The primary cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a child who is wriggling is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being done up.
A common cause of injury involves falling from a pram or stroller. If a child is not properly secured the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from sun in any direction. This is a handy feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram or while you go to and from the shops. There are also other features that are useful, for example a snack tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. You can also find an extra shopping basket under the seat.
It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this may cause them to slide off the pram or stroller and cause strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram double is not an alternative to a crib and should be used only for short periods during the day.
Most prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the car's boot therefore it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this process before you buy one. Also, check how it is easy to put the various sections back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram should be durable enough to endure several years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, so you must ensure your choice is able to do the job you need it to. Also, you want your pram to be in an image or color that won't date quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.
The most reliable prams are made of high-quality materials, and are designed to last. Look for durable fabrics with sturdy tires, as well as an efficient suspension system. The best prams are compact and fold easily, so you can put them in your garage or even the boot.
All prams on this list allow infants to lie flat, which is essential for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their spine and hips. A lot of these prams are designed to expand with your child's. Some come with a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on when your child is outgrowing them.
If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time it is recommended to consider a system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat could be worth a look. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It has an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your child by pressing one button. This lets you keep eye contact with your child 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 stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair to double in 30 different configurations. It also comes with a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap however, it can be used for more than one child if you need to. And like our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot can be used right from birth.
Style
All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as they can. This will aid in their development and increase oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models permit an entirely flat position using a carrycot that can be fully reclined, whereas others feature a seat that can recline to a horizontal position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter and it's brilliant in this regard, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her child with a push of an button, keeping him in view, while still maintaining eye contact and proximity.
This frame is perfect to take a stroll around town and the puncture-proof wheels allow you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram to a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish and high-end product that looks and feels impressive. It's suitable for newborns because it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat in the event that you purchase it separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place, which is a feature that not all prams travel system offer. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.
Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tyres are the kinds of features you'd expect to see on a premium pram, but its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on a variety of terrains. This is a great choice if you live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded pathways frequently. Although it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this model mean that it can save you money over the long term by not having to buy a separate toddler pushchair. You can choose from a range of colors that will fit your personal style.