What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram is a blend of comfort, safety and design that makes walking enjoyable for all family members.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so your child can either face you or the world around them.
Comfort
When you're out and around with a baby, you want to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that ensure that your baby isn't shivering any discomfort.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is crucial for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and assists in the development of their spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is able to sit up.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feeling for your baby. It is smooth and has curvaceous lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to flat, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, weighing under 8kg. But it has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.
The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model with a similar design but at a price that is lower. 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 that'll keep your baby shaded and protected.
If you're the first parent of your child we suggest you look into a travel system bundle that includes a
pram and car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby out of the car to the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful travel system pram that converts easily from a lie-flat 'pramette' to a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.
Safety
A pram should have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps that could trap their legs or head. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. The most common reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you hang bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.
Another reason for injuries is falling from the stroller or
Pram For Newborn. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.
Some prams have an adjustable shade that can be used to shield your baby in both directions from the sun. This is a great feature as you can avoid having to wake your child awake while you change their position in the pram or when you are going in 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 a handlebar that locks into position when you are not using it.
It is not advisable to leave a child sleeping in their stroller unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies can be prone to wiggle while asleep, which could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This could lead to strangulation and suffocation. A
folding pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods of time during the day.
It is essential to disassemble most prams in order to fit them into the boot of your vehicle. This procedure is something you should know before you purchase a pram. Also check how it is easy to put the different sections back together and then click them into place.
Durability
A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You should ensure that your baby's pram is able to handle muddy walks, as well as multiple car trips. It is important to ensure that your pram is a colour or print that won't fade easily so you don't look as if you've slipped out of style.
The best prams are made of high-quality materials and are built to last. So, look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, allowing you to put them in your garage or even the boot.
All prams on this list allow babies to lie on their backs. This is crucial for infants because it aids in the development of their spine and hips and improves oxygenation levels. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child's. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined chair that can be snapped on and off as your child grows.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you might also be interested in a travel set that is a complete package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our test-driver 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 allows you to raise and lower your child at the touch of one button. This lets you maintain eye contact with them and keep them close.
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 luxury pram that converts from a single pushchair to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not expensive but it can be used for more than one child if you need to. Similar to our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used as early as.
Style
Newborns must lie flat as much as they can to help develop and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, so it's essential that all prams permit this. Some models provide a flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycot, while others have the seat that can recline to an unflat 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 the fact that she could raise or lower her little one with the press of a button, keeping him in the view of others, while still maintaining eye contact and a closeness.
It's a great pram for those who wish to get around town without hassle since the frame is a good size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres allow you to move it off the road and onto rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future because it easily converts from a single pram into a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's suitable for babies as it includes a carrycot which can lie flat and it's compatible with car seats if purchased separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place This is a feature that not all prams provide. This reduces time and makes it more convenient to use.
Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a premium pram, but its sleek frame makes it easy to handle on any terrain. It's also a great option if you reside in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly.