What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or a Sling, is the most popular form of transport for babies and toddlers. A quality pram is a combination of safety, comfort and design that makes walking fun for the entire family.

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

Comfort

When you're out and about with a baby, you want to ensure they're secure. There are prams to ensure that your baby isn't shivering any discomfort.

All the prams in this guide allow your baby to lie flat. This is important for babies as it increases oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. They also come with a seat which can be transformed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a truly luxurious feel it's the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position but does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, weighing under 8kg but still has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather accents and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof, and can handle more rugged terrains.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we've tested but it has an impressively big storage basket and an extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend the travel system bundle that includes a pram and car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car to the pram without having to awake them. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' lying flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.

Safety

The pram should be equipped with five-point safety harnesses that will keep your baby safe. It should also not have any gaps in which their heads or legs could get stuck. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Every year, a lot of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the most common cause of these injuries. Even the most robust prams could 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 secured.

Another reason for injury is falling from the pram sale or stroller. If a baby is not properly secured the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. It is therefore essential to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into place.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This is a handy feature since you will not be having to wake your baby awake when you change their position in the pram or while you are to and from the shops. There are also other features that are useful, like a snack tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. You can also find an extra shopping basket under the seat.

It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies are susceptible to wriggling while sleeping and can cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should be used only for short periods of time during the day.

Most prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car so it is recommended to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you buy one. Also check how it is simple to put the different parts back together and click to put them back together.

Durability

A pram needs to be durable enough to endure many years of wear and tear. You want to make sure that your pram can handle muddy walks as well as a variety of car trips. You also want your pram to come in an image or color that doesn't get outdated so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made from high-quality materials and are designed to last. So, look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and an efficient suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold, so they can be easily stored in your garage or the boot when not when not in use.

All the prams on this list allow babies to lie flat. This is essential for infants because it allows them to develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. Some are made to adapt to your child's needs and some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and back on the frame for when your little one outgrows it.

If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time, a travel pushchair system that has an infant carrycot and car seats could be a good idea. Our parent tester 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 child at the touch of one button. This lets you keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double, with 30 different configurations. It also features a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive but it can be used for multiple children, if needed. Like our top pick iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included is a great option to use from the moment of birth.

Style

Newborns need to lay flat as often as they can in order to promote development and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs, which is why it's important that all prams permit this. Some models permit a completely flat position by using the carrycot which is completely reclined, while others have a seat which reclines to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard as our tester for parents Jaya discovered when she tried it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the ability to raise or lower her baby with a push of an button, keeping him in the same position and still maintain the eye contact and closeness.

This frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off the road or on rough terrain. It's an excellent choice when you are planning to have a second child in the near future since it can be transformed from a single pushchair to a double or twin.

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

The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect to find on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on different terrains. It's also a great choice for those who reside in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks frequently. It's not cheap, but its versatility and quality could save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for an additional stroller for your toddler. You can pick from a wide range of colors to match your personal style.