What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or Sling, is the main form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram shops near me is a blend of safety, comfort and style that makes walking fun for all the family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns up to 3 year old children. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

You want your baby to be at ease when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child isn't apprehensive.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is essential for infants as lying flat improves oxygen levels and assists in the development of their spine and hips. They also have seats that can be converted to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that offers a cocoon-like feeling for your baby. It has smooth, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shaped seat which does not recline into a flat position however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also a little lighter than the majority of prams on the market at under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather details and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can be used in more rural environments.

If you're looking for something a bit less expensive but with the same design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as light than some of the other prams we've tested however it comes with a large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection, which will keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you're new to parenting we suggest that you consider a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that are attached to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that is able to be easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette, to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

A pram should have a five-point safety harness to keep your baby safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to entrap their legs or heads. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised each year because of pram or stroller-related injuries. The most common reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the strongest prams can topple when you hang bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling and gets out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another reason for injury is falling off the pram or stroller. If a baby isn't securely fastened in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. It is therefore important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the proper position.

Some prams come with an adjustable shade that can be used to shield your baby in any direction from the sun. This is a great feature as you can avoid having to wake your child up when you are changing their position in the pram or when you go to and from the shops. There are also other features that could be useful, for example an eating tray for your child or Baby stroller toddler and drink holders. You can also find a basket for shopping underneath the seat.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram if you are not within sight. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep, which can cause them to roll off the pram or stroller and cause strangulation or suffocation. A pram or a stroller should not be used as an alternative to a crib. It is best to use it for short periods during the day.

Most prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the trunk of your car therefore it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before purchasing one. Check how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes surviving the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice is able to perform the task you want it to. You also want your pram to come in an image or color that won't date quickly to avoid looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The most effective prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They have been designed to last, so you should look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, so you can put them in your garage or boot.

All the prams in this list allow a baby to lie flat, which is vital for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. Some are made to grow with your child, with some of them featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and back on the frame when your little one outgrows it.

If you are considering buying a pram for the first time you should consider a travel system that comes with the carrycot as well as a car seat may be worth a look. Our tester for parents Jaya loved 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 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 & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be converted from a single pushchair to double in 30 different configurations. It also has the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive, but you can use it with multiple children if necessary. Like our top pick model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot, it can be used from the moment of birth.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie as flat as possible. This will help with their development and improve oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models allow for a completely flat position by using a carrycot that can be completely reclined, while others have a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She loved the fact that she could raise and lower her little one with the push of a button, keeping him in view while maintaining eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for city trips, and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off the road or baby stroller on rough terrain. It's a great option for those who plan to have a child in the near future, as it can easily be transformed from a single pushchair to a double pram or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's suitable for babies as it includes a carrycot which can lie flat and it's compatible with a car seat when purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place It's a feature that not all prams offer. This reduces time and makes it more convenient to use.

Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are all the things you'd expect on a high-end pram and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver on a variety of terrains. It's also a great option if you live in a large city and need to negotiate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money over time by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. You can choose from a wide range of colors to suit your preferences.