What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or sling, is the primary method of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram is a combination of safety, comfort and style that makes walking enjoyable for all family members.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby folding stroller is a great stroller for babies to three years old. Its reversible handle allows you to rotate the seat so your child can look at you or the world around them.
Comfort
Your baby should be at ease when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams specifically designed to ensure that your baby doesn't feel a thing.
All the prams in this guide let your baby lay flat. This is important for newborns since it improves oxygenation and helps support their hips and spine. They also have a seat which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curved lines and a bucket-shaped seat which doesn't recline into flat however it does come with a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, weighing under 8kg. But it has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but still with the same design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams but it does have a huge storage basket. It also comes with an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a first-time parent we recommend a travel system bundle which includes a pram as well as a car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their baby from the car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' that lies flat to a pushchair for toddlers compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
Safety
The pram should be fitted with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also have no gaps in which their heads or legs could get stuck. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not cracked and have signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised each year because of pram or stroller-related injuries. Tipping over is the main reason for these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams can topple when you strap bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.
A common cause of injury involves falling off a pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby isn't secured correctly it could cause them to fall out of the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to make sure that the harness buckle is always locked in place.
Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from sun in either direction. This is a handy feature since you will not be having to wake your child awake when you change their position in the pram or while you are going into and out of shops. There are other features that can be useful, like a snack tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. There's also an extra shopping basket under the seat.
You should never leave a sleeping child in their stroller unless they are in their sight at all times. Babies are susceptible to wiggle during sleep and can cause them to roll out of the foldable stroller or pram. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should only be used for short periods of time during the day.
It is necessary to take apart the majority of prams to fit them in the boot of your vehicle. This process should be familiarised with before you buy one. Also check how it is easy to put the different parts back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram must be able endure a long time of wear. You need to ensure that your stroller can withstand muddy walks as well as a variety of car trips. Also, you want your pram to be in an image or color 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 of high-quality materials and are built to last, so you should look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, and a well-designed suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or the boot when not in use.
All the prams on this list allow babies to lay flat, which is essential for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their spine and hips. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child, with some of them having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and on the frame at a time when your child is no longer using it.
If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a travel system that is a complete bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System that she used with her 10-month-old son. It is a revolutionary feature that allows you to raise and lower your child by pressing one button. This allows you to keep your eyes on your child and keep them close.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 in one pushchair is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair into double, with 30 different configurations. It also comes with a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it for more than one child if needed and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the carrycot included.
Style
Newborns must lay flat as often as they can to help develop and improve oxygen saturation in their lungs. Therefore, it's important that all prams support this. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have the seat that can recline to an unflat position.
The Graco Near2Me has the latter feature and is fantastic at that as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the ability to raise or lower her infant at the touch of the button to keep him in view, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.
The frame is perfect to take a stroll around town and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a great choice if you're planning on having another child in the near future since it is able to convert from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's suitable for babies as it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car seat if purchased separately. You can even fold it with the carrycot in place which is something not all prams can do, so it's an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are things you would expect to see in a top model, but the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver around diverse terrains. It's also an ideal choice when you live in a city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks regularly. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality could save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. It's available in a wide selection of colors and you can choose one that suits your personal style.