What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or a sling, is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram is a combination of safety, comfort and design that makes walking fun for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller makes a great stroller for children from newborns to three years old. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

If you're out and about with a baby, you'll want to be sure they're comfortable. The good news is that there are prams specifically designed to ensure your little one isn't apprehensive.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide allow your baby to lie flat, which is crucial for infants as lying flat improves oxygen levels and assists in the development of their hips and spine. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your child is able to sit up.

For a truly luxurious feel, the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seats that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but it does have an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than other prams, weighing less than 8kg, but it has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can handle more rugged terrains.

The Minu V2 is a great option when you're looking for a model 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 have a large storage basket. It also has an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby protected and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we suggest you look into the travel system bundle that includes a pram and car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it much easier to get your baby from the car to the pram without waking them and is ideal for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and practical pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette, or a lie-flat 'pramette' into a toddler-friendly stroller 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 between their head and legs that could get stuck. The straps must be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not cracked and have signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. The primary reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams can tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls into or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.

A frequent cause of injury is falling off a pram or stroller. If a baby is not securely secured in, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always locked in place.

A few good prams also come with an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in either direction. This feature is helpful because you won't have to wake up your baby when you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in stores and out. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without being within reach. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep and this may cause them to fall off the stroller or pram and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to the crib. It should only be used for short periods during the day.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to put them in the trunk of your car so it is an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you purchase one. Find out how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure several years of wear. This includes the need to endure the mud-filled walks and numerous car journeys, so you must ensure your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. You should ensure that your pram is the right color or design that will not date easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams will be made of high-quality materials, and are designed 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 pushchair fold, so they are easy to store in your garage or in the boot when not when not in use.

All the prams on this list allow babies to lie flat, which is crucial for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. Many are designed to grow with your child with some featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be moved off and on the frame for when your little one outgrows it.

If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time you should consider a travel system that has the carrycot as well as car seats could be worth a look. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with an innovative feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby with the touch of one button. This lets you keep eye contact with them and keep them close.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be transformed from a single pushchair to double in 30 different configurations. It also features a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive however, it can be used for more than one child if you need to. Like our top pick iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used from the moment of birth.

Style

Newborns must lay flat as much as they can to help develop and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, which is why it's essential that all prams support this. Some models allow an entirely flat position using a carrycot that is fully reclined, whereas others have a seat that can recline to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for this as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her child who was 10 months old. She loved that she could raise or lower her child by pressing an button, keeping him in sight and still maintain closeness and eye contact.

It's a great choice for those who want to nip around town without hassle since the frame is a good size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to remove it from the road and onto rough terrain. It's a great choice if you plan to have a second child in the near future because it can easily be converted from a single pushchair into a twin or double.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish and high-end product that looks and feels luxurious. It is suitable for newborns because it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with car seats if purchased separately. It can be folded with the carrycot still in place This is a feature that not all prams provide. This is time-saving and makes it easier to use.

The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect to find on a high-end model, but the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver around different terrains. This is an excellent choice when you live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or congested pathways frequently. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality could save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. You can pick from a variety of colors that will fit your style.