What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or pushchair) is the main form of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends comfort, safety and style to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller makes a great stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. The reversible handle lets you to tilt the seat so that your child can face you or the world around them.

Comfort

Your baby should feel comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child does not feel anything.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide let your baby lie flat, which is essential for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat increases oxygen saturation and supports their developing hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feeling for your baby. It features smooth, curving lines and a bucket-shaped seat which doesn't recline into an upright position, but it does have a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it has a sturdy frame with finely textured leather and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something a bit less expensive but with the same design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The sleek, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as the other prams we tested but it has an impressively large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first time parent, we recommend that you look into a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their child from their car to the pram without having to awake them. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette,' or lie-flat 'pramette, into a stroller that is toddler-friendly compatible with the Graco iSize car seat.

Safety

A pram should have a five point safety harness to keep your baby safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to trap their legs or head. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. You should also check the harness buckles 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. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags on the handles, or if a child who is wriggling is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being properly secured.

Another common cause of injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If a child is not securely fastened in, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the correct position.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This feature is beneficial because you don't have to wake up your baby every time you change their position in the stroller or when you enter and out of stores. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping underneath the seat, and the handlebar locks in place when you're not using it.

You should never let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should only be used for brief periods during the day.

Most prams travel system require you to take them apart in order to put them in the boot of your car so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the process before you purchase one. Also, check how it is simple to put the various sections back together before putting to put them back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes having to deal with the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, which is why you need to ensure that your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is also important for your pram to be in the form of a color or print that isn't prone to fading quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made of high-quality materials, and are designed to last. Look for durable materials, sturdy tires, and an efficient suspension system. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, allowing you to store them in your garage or the boot of your car.

All the prams on this list allow a baby to lie flat, which is vital for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. A lot of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined chair that can be removed and snapped on when your child outgrows them.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may be interested in a travel system which is an all-in-one package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It is a revolutionary feature that lets you raise and lower your child at the touch of a single button. This lets you keep eye contact with them and keep them close.

Another alternative is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 in one pushchair which our tester Jess Bird used with her two children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that converts from a single to double pushchair, with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but it can be used for more than one child if you need to. Similar to 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 lay as flat as possible. This will help with their development and boost oxygen levels in the lung. Some models allow an entirely flat position using a carrycot that can be fully reclined, whereas others feature a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me works great for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She loved the ability to raise or lower her baby at the touch of a button to keep him in view and still maintain the eye contact and closeness.

It's a great pram for those who want to travel around town with ease as the frame is a good size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres let you move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels luxurious. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with car seats in the event that you purchase it separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place, which is an option that not all prams offer. This saves time and makes it simpler to use.

The pram's luxurious fabric large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect in a top model However, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver around different terrains. This is a great choice when you live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or congested pathways frequently. It's not cheap, but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a wide range of colors, and you can pick one that matches your personal style.