Austin Bowie

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or pushchair) is the primary 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 Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so your child can face you or the world around them.

Comfort

When you're out and about with a baby, you want to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is crucial for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and assists in the development of their spine and hips. The seats can be adjusted to a more upright position once your child is able to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines as well as a bucket-shaped seating, which does not recline into flat however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than the majority of prams on the market at under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather details and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof, and can handle more rugged terrains.

If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but still with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as light as other prams but it does have a huge storage basket. It also has an extendable hood that offers UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and protected.

If you're a first time parent we suggest that you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat and pram with car seat that are attached to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to transfer their baby from the car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful travel system pram that converts easily from a'pramette' that lies flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.

Safety

The pram should be equipped with five-point safety harnesses that will keep your baby safe. It should also not have any gaps in which their heads or legs are likely to get caught. The straps should be padded and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. The main cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being secured.

A common cause of injury is falling from a pram, or stroller. If a baby isn't properly secured the pram, they may fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the harness buckle is always locked in place.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from sun in any direction. This is a useful feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram, or when you go into and out of shops. There are other features that could be useful, for example a snack tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. You can also find a basket for shopping underneath the seat.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a childs pram if you are not within sight. Babies can be prone to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This could result in suffocation and strangulation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should only be used for brief periods during the daytime.

It is necessary to take apart the majority of prams to place them into the trunk of your car. This process is something you should know before you buy one. Also check how it is simple to put the different parts back together and then click to put them back together.

Durability

A pram must be able endure several years of wear. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, so you want to be sure your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is also important for your stroller to have the form of a color or print that won't date quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are designed to last, so you should look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, and an efficient suspension system. The top prams - stay with me, feature a compact stroller fold so they are easy to store in your garage or the boot when not when not in use.

All prams on this list allow babies to lay on their backs. This is important for infants as it helps them develop their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child. Some have carrycots, or a reclined seat that can be easily removed and put back on as your child grows.

If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a travel system which is a package that includes a lie-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 comes with a clever feature that raises and lowers 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 as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.

Another option is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two babies, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double, with 30 different configurations. It also features a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it with multiple children, if needed. And like our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included is a great option to use from the moment of birth.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as possible. This will help with their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature a seat that reclines to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She loved the fact that she could raise or lower her child with the press of a button to keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and closeness.

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

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 a car seat when you purchase it separately. It can be folded with the carrycot still in place, which is something that not all prams offer. This is time-saving and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect on a premium model, but the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on diverse terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded pathways on a regular basis. While it's not cheap, the quality and versatility of this model mean that it can save you money in the end by eliminating the need to purchase a separate pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a broad selection of colors too, so you can choose one that matches your personal style.