Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide To Good Prams

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also known as a pushchair or stroller) is the primary mode of transportation for babies and toddlers. A well-designed pram is a combination of safety, comfort, and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for babies to three years old. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

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

The prams we've chosen in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is important for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and supports their developing spine and hips. They also have seats which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines as well as a bucket-shaped seating, which does not recline into a flat position, but it does have padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also a little lighter than the majority of prams, weighing under 8kg but still has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can handle more rugged terrains.

If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The sleek, one-hand steer model isn't as light than some of the other prams we tried however it comes with a large storage basket, as well as an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby protected 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 will make it much easier to transfer your child from the car to the pram without waking them and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that is easily converted 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 a five-point safety harness that will ensure your baby's safety. It must also be free of gaps where their legs or heads could get stuck. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Many children are admitted to hospitals every year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. The most common reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you hang your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls in or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.

A common cause of injury involves falling off a pram or stroller. If a child's harness is not fastened properly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller, causing neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the harness buckle is always locked in place.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from the sun in either direction. This is a useful feature since you will not be having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram or while you go into and out of shops. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat, and the handlebar locks into position when you're not using it.

Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without being within reach. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this may cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A pram for newborn or a stroller should not be used as an alternative to the crib. It is best to use it for short periods of time during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the trunk of your car so it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you buy one. Check how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to last through several years of wear and wear and tear. You should ensure that your stroller can withstand the mud of a walk as well as a variety of car trips. Also, you want your pram to come in an image or color that isn't prone to fading quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.

The most reliable prams are constructed from high-quality materials and built to last. You should look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an efficient suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold, so they are easy to store in your garage or in the boot when not in use.

All the prams in this list allow a baby to lay flat, which is crucial for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their spine and hips. A lot of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined seat that can be snapped on and off as your child grows.

If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time, a travel system that comes with a carrycot and car seats could be worth a look. Our test-driver for parents Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me System she used with her 10-month old son. It comes with a clever feature that can raise or lower your child at the push of a button. This way you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close which she said was really important to her as he was at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pram that can be converted from a single to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxurious fabrics, an expandable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not inexpensive but you can use it with multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner model, the iCandy Orange 3 in 1 pram with its carrycot included is a great option to use right from birth.

Style

Newborns need to lie flat as much as they can to help develop and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, which is why it's important that all prams permit this. Some models create a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot while others feature the seat that can recline to a flat position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter and it's brilliant in this regard as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her 10-month-old son. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant at the touch of the button to keep him in view, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.

It's a great pram for those who wish to travel around town without hassle since the frame is a great size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres let you remove it from the road and into rough terrain. It's also a great choice if you're planning on having another child in future because it easily converts from a single pushchair to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats, if you buy it separately. It can be folded with the carrycot still in place This is something that not all prams have. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.

The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect to find on a premium model however, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over diverse terrains. This is a great option if you live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets and crowded paths regularly. While it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this pram for newborn will save you money in the long run by eliminating the need to invest in an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a broad selection of colors as well, so you can choose one that matches your personal style.