What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or a sling, is the primary form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for infants to 3 years old. Its reversible handle allows you to turn the seat so that your child can face either you or the world around them.
Comfort
Your baby should be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that will ensure that your baby isn't shivering any discomfort.
All the prams listed in this guide let your baby lay flat. This is important for newborns since it improves oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. They also have seats that can be changed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.
For a really high-end feel this Venicci egg2 has a cosy feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seat that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but has an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also lighter than other prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it is sturdy and has finely textured leather and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.
If you want something more budget-friendly but still with the same design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we tested however it comes with a large storage basket, as well as an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby shaded and protected.
If you're the first parent of your child, we'd recommend considering the travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without waking them and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that is able to be easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.
Safety
A pram should have a five point safety harness to keep your baby secure and should not allow any gaps that could trap their legs or heads. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on your harness to make sure they're not damaged and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the primary cause of these injuries. Even the strongest prams could tip over when you strap bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling or squirming and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.
Another common cause of injury is falling off the pram or stroller. If a baby is not securely secured in, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is locked into the correct position.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to shield your baby from the sun in both directions. This is a useful feature since you will not be having to wake your child awake when you change 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 shopping basket underneath the seat, and the handlebar can be locked into place when you're 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 tend to wriggle while asleep, which can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and cause suffocation or strangulation. A stroller or pram is not a substitute for a cot and should only be used for brief periods during the daytime.
It is necessary to take apart most prams in order to fit them in the trunk of your car. This procedure must be mastered before you purchase a pram. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.
Durability
A pram must be able endure several years of wear. You need to ensure that your stroller can withstand the mud of a walk and also multiple car trips. You should ensure that your pram is a color or pattern that won't fade easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of style.
The best prams will be constructed of top-quality materials and built to last. Look for durable materials, sturdy tires, and a well-designed system of suspension. The most effective prams are small and fold easily, so you can store them in your garage or boot.
All the prams in this list allow babies to lay flat. This is crucial for infants because it allows them to develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of these prams are designed to grow with your child's. Some have a carrycot, or a fully-reclined chair that can be easily removed and put back on as your child grows.
If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may be looking for a travel system that is a complete bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our tester for parents Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System that she used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with an innovative 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 another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be transformed from a single pushchair double, with 30 different configurations. It also comes with a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it with multiple children if necessary. And like our winner model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot can be used right from birth.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and increase oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot, while others have seats that recline to an unflat position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature, and it's fantastic in this regard as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. pushchairsandprams.uk loved the ability to raise or lower her baby with a push of an button, keeping him in view while maintaining eye contact and proximity.
It's a great stroller for those who wish to travel around town without hassle since the frame is a good size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to move it off the road and on to rough terrain. It's also a great choice if you're planning on having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pushchair to a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that is both stylish and comfortable. It is suitable for newborns as it comes with a carrycot that can lie flat and it's compatible with a car seat if purchased 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 as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect on a premium model However, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver around various terrains. It's also a great choice when you reside in a city and must navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. Although it's not inexpensive, the quality and versatility of this stroller make it possible to save you money in the end by not having to invest in a separate pushchair for toddlers. You can pick from a variety of colors to match your style.