What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or a pushchair) is the main form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram blends comfort, safety and style to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful pram for newborns up to 3 year old children. Its reversible handle allows you to rotate the seat so your child can look at you or the world around them.

Comfort

You want your child to be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

All the prams listed in this guide let your baby lie flat. This is essential for newborns since it improves oxygenation and helps support their spine and hips. The seats can be adjusted to a more upright position when your baby is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It has smooth, curving lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which does not recline into flat however, it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also a little lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg but has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to handle more rugged terrains.

The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model that has a similar appearance but for a lesser price. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams, but it does have a huge storage basket. It also has an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection, which keeps your baby protected and shaded.

If you are a first time parent we suggest that you look into a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that attaches to the same frame. This will make it much easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without waking them and is perfect for busy parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional pram for travel that can be converted easily from a'pramette' lying flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.

Safety

A pram should have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps to trap their heads or legs. The straps should be padded and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure they are not cracked and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year due to injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the most common reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can topple when you strap your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling or squirming and falls into or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.

A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram for newborn or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it could cause them to fall from the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. It is therefore important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the correct position.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from sun in both directions. This is a great feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram or when you go into and out of shops. There are also other features that can be useful, such as an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find a shopping basket underneath the seat.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within sight. Babies can be prone to wiggle during sleep and this could cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This could lead to strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller should not be used as a substitute for the crib. It should only be used for short periods during the daytime.

Most prams require you to dismantle them to put them in the car's boot therefore it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you purchase one. Check how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to last through several years of wear and tear. You should ensure that your stroller can withstand slippery walks, as well as multiple car trips. You should ensure that your pram is in the right color or design that will not date easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of style.

The best prams will be constructed from high-quality materials and designed to last. Look for durable materials with sturdy tires, as well as an efficient suspension system. The best prams are compact and fold easily, allowing you to store them in your garage or the boot of your car.

All the prams in this list allow infants to lie flat, which is essential for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels as well as aids in the development of their hips and spine. Many of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some come with a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be snapped on and off when your child is outgrowing them.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may be interested in a travel system which is a bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our tester for parents Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me System that she used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a handy feature that can raise or lower your child at the push of a button. This way you can maintain eye contact and keep them close which she claimed was important for her son as he was in an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair into double in 30 different configurations. It also has 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 using the included carrycot.

Style

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

The Graco Near2Me works great for the latter, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her child who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant with a push of a button to keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and proximity.

It's a great pram for those that want to nip around town without hassle since the frame is an ideal size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres let you remove it from the road and into rough terrain. It's also a smart 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 pushchairs or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat, if you buy it separately. You can even fold it with the carrycot in place - something that not all prams can do and is an efficient and easy feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are all the features you'd expect to find on a premium pram and its sleek design makes it easy to handle on any terrain. It's also a great choice 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 quality could save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for an additional stroller for your toddler. It's available in a wide range of colors, as well, so you can choose one that fits your personal style.