What Makes
Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller,
pushchair car seat or Sling, is the main form of transport for babies 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 makes a great stroller for babies to three years old. Its reversible handle allows you to rotate the seat so your child can either face you or the world around them.
Comfort
When you're out and around with a baby, you want to be sure they're comfortable. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child doesn't feel a thing.
The prams we've selected in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is important for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and supports their developing hips and spine. They also come with seats that can be changed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.
For a truly luxurious experience this Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon-like feel for your baby with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seating that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position, but has an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather details, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to be used in more rural environments.
The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model that has a similar appearance but for a lesser price. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as light as some of the other prams we tried but it does have a large storage basket and extended hood with UPF50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you're the first parent of your child we suggest you look into a travel system bundle that includes a
childs pram and a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without disturbing them and is perfect for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly
travel stroller system is a stylish 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
The pram should be equipped with five-point safety harnesses that will keep your baby safe. It must also be free of gaps where their legs or heads are likely to get caught. The straps must be cushioned and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to check the harness buckles to make sure that they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. The main cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a child who is wriggling can get in or out of the seat without harnesses being properly secured.
Another common cause of injury is falling off the pram or stroller. If a baby isn't properly secured the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the proper position.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from the sun in either direction. This is a handy feature since you will not be having to wake your child awake while you change their position in the pram or when you go to and from the shops. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat, and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.
It is not advisable to leave a child sleeping in their stroller unless you are within sight of them at all times. Babies can be prone to wriggling while sleeping and can cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This could result in strangulation and suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods during the day.
It is essential to disassemble the majority of prams to fit them into the trunk of your car. This procedure is something you should know before you purchase one. Also, consider how easy it is to get the different parts back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram must be able endure a long time of wear. You should ensure that your
folding stroller can withstand slippery walks as well as a variety of car trips. It is also important for your
babiie pram to come in the form of a color or print that won't date quickly so you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.
The most reliable prams are made of high-quality materials, and designed to last. Look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an efficient suspension system. The top prams feature a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not being used.
All the prams in this list allow babies to lie flat, which is essential for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their spine and hips. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child's. Some come with a carrycot, or a fully-reclined chair that can be removed and snapped on as your child grows.
If you are buying a pram for the first time you should consider a travel system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat could be of interest. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system that our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a handy feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby at the touch of a button. This way you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close, which she described as being important for her son as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that can be converted from a single to double pushchair, with 30 possible configurations and features luxurious fabrics, an expandable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not expensive but you can use it for multiple children, if needed. Like our top pick model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used as early as.
Style
All prams should permit newborns to lay as flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models create a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot while others feature the seat that can recline to an unflat position.
The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for the latter as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old child. She loved the fact that she could raise and lower her baby at the press of a button to keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and a closeness.
The frame is perfect for nipping around town, and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off the road or on rough terrain. It's a great option for those who plan to have a child in the future since it can be converted from a single pushchair a double or twin.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It is suitable for newborns since it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car-seat when purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is an option that not all prams provide. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.
The pram's luxurious fabrics as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are features you would expect to see on a premium model, but the sleek frame makes it simple for you to maneuver on diverse terrains. This is an excellent choice when you live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded walkways regularly.
