What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a pushchair, stroller or a Sling, is the main mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram is a blend of safety, comfort and style that makes walking fun for all family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. The Reversible handle lets you flip the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

Your baby should be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.

All the prams in this guide allow your baby lie flat. This is crucial for babies as it increases oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your child is capable of sitting up.

For a really high-end experience it's the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon-like feel for your baby 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 lighter than other prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it still has a sturdy frame with finely textured leather and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great choice to consider if you're looking to buy something 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 come with a large storage basket. It also has an extendable hood that offers UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle which includes a pram and a car seat that attach 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 travel system is a stylish and practical pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette,' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.

Safety

A pram should be equipped with a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps to entrap their legs or heads. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on your harness to make sure they're not cracked and have signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year because of pram or stroller-related injuries. Tipping over is the most common reason for these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you hang your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls in or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.

Another common cause of injury is falling from the stroller or pram. If a baby is not properly secured, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always secured.

Some prams with good quality also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in either direction. This is a great feature because it will prevent having to wake your child up when you are changing their position in the pram, or when you are going into and out of shops. Other useful features include a tray for snacks 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're not using it.

You should never leave a child sleeping in their pram unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this may cause them to fall off the stroller or pram and cause suffocation or strangulation. A pram or stroller is not a substitute for a cot and should be used only for short periods during the daytime.

Most prams require you to disassemble them in order to put them in the car's boot so it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before you purchase one. Consider how easy it would be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You should ensure that your pram can handle the mud of a walk and also multiple pushchairs car seats trips. You also want your babiie pram to be in a print or colour that won't date quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made from high-quality materials and have been designed to last. So, look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, and a well-designed suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold, so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not when not in use.

All the prams in this list allow a baby to lay flat, which is essential for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their spine and hips. A lot of these prams are designed to grow with your child. Some have carrycots, or a reclined seat that can be snapped on and off when your child is outgrowing them.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you might also be looking for a travel system which is a bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. 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 lets you raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This allows you to maintain eye contact with the baby and keep them in close proximity.

Another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two kids, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair with car seat to double pushchair, with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap but you can use it with multiple children, if needed. Similar to our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used as early as.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen levels in the lung. Some models provide a flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature seats that recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for this as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant by pressing a button to keep him in sight while maintaining eye contact and proximity.

It's a great stroller for those who want to travel around town easily as the frame is an ideal size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres allow you to remove it from the road and onto 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 to a twin or double.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish and high-end product that is both stylish and comfortable. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is something that not all prams offer. This saves time and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect to find on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it simple for you to maneuver on different terrains. This is an excellent choice if you live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or congested walkways on a regular basis. This pram is not 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 variety of colors, as well, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.