What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also known as a stroller or pushchair) is the most popular form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A good pram is a combination of safety, comfort and design that makes walking enjoyable for all family members.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for children from newborns to 3 years old. The reversible handle lets you to tilt the seat so your child can face you or the world around them.
Comfort
You want your baby to be at ease when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure your child isn't apprehensive.
The prams we've selected in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is important for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their spine and hips. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is able to sit up.
For a really high-end experience it's the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position, but has an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also lighter than other prams available at less than 8kg but has solid chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to be used in more rural environments.
If you want something less expensive but with a similar style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams, but it does have a huge storage basket. It also comes with an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby protected and shaded.
If you are a first time parent we suggest that you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat and pram that are attached to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to transfer their child from their car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and practical pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette,' or lie-flat 'pramette, to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.
Safety
A pram must have a five point safety harness to keep your baby safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to trap their legs or heads. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and have signs of wear. Many children are admitted to hospitals every year due to injuries from strollers or prams. The main cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags to the handles or if a wriggling child is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being secured.
Another reason for injuries is falling from the pram or
babiie stroller. If a baby isn't securely fastened in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.
Some prams come with an adjustable shade that can be used to protect your baby in both directions from the sun. This is a useful feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram, or when you are going to and from the shops. Other useful features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and the handlebar locks in place when you are not using it.
You should never leave a sleeping child in their
pram bag unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep, which can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and could result in suffocation or strangulation. A
pram set or a stroller is not an alternative to a cot. It should only be used for short periods of time during the day.
The majority of prams require you to take them apart in order to put them in the trunk of your car therefore it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this procedure before purchasing one. Also, check how easy it is to get the different parts back together before putting to put them back together.
Durability
A pram should be durable enough to endure several years of wear and tear. This includes having to deal with the mud-filled walks and numerous car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice will do the job you need it to. Also, you want your stroller to have a print or colour that doesn't get outdated so that you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.
The
top prams are constructed from high-quality materials and have been designed to last, so look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels, and an effective suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or boot when not when not in use.
All the prams on this list allow your baby to lie down flat. This is essential for babies, because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and improves oxygenation levels. Many of these prams are designed to grow with your child's. Some come with a carrycot, or a reclined seat that can be easily removed and put back on as your child grows.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a travel set that is a complete bundle that includes a lie-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 is a revolutionary feature that lets you raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This allows you to keep eye contact with the baby and keep them in close proximity.
Another alternative is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two kids, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be transformed from a single pushchair a double with 30 different configurations. It also features a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it for more than one child if needed and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the included carrycot.
Style
All prams should permit newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models allow for an all-flat position by using a carrycot that can be fully reclinable, while others feature a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.
The Graco Near2Me works great for this as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She was thrilled that she could raise or lower her baby at the push of a button, keeping him in sight and still maintain eye contact and a closeness.
It's a great pram for those that want to get around town without hassle since the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres allow you to move it off the road and on to rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having another child in future since it is able to convert from a single pushchair to a double or
twin pushchairs pushchair twin.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that is both stylish and comfortable. It's suitable for newborns because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with a car seat in the event that you purchase it separately. You can fold it using the carrycot as a stand - something that not all prams can do, so it's an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find on a high-end model, but the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over various terrains. It's also a great choice for those who live in a large city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks regularly. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. It's available in an extensive variety of colors, as well, so you can pick one that matches your personal style.
