What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also known as a stroller or folding pushchair) is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram is a blend of safety, comfort and design that makes walking fun for all family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns 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

You want your child to feel comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams to ensure that your baby isn't shivering anything.

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

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curvaceous lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to a flat position however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it has a sturdy frame with finely textured leather and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great choice when you're looking for a model with a similar look but at a lower price. The sleek one-hand steer model isn't as light as the other prams we tested but it has an impressively large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection to keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you're the first parent facing pram of your child, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle that includes a pram sale as well as a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to move their child from the car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco iSize car seat.

Safety

A pram should have a five-point safety harness to keep your baby secure and should not allow any gaps that could trap their heads or legs. 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. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. The main reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could tip over if you attach bags onto the handles, or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without the harness being properly secured.

A common cause of injury is falling from a pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it could cause them to fall from the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into the correct position.

Some prams have a reversible shade that can be used to protect your baby in any direction from the sun. This is a great feature since you will not be having to wake your baby 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 infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and the handlebar locks into position when you're not using it.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without being within sight. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep, which can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and could result in strangulation or suffocation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should be used only for short periods of time during the day.

It is necessary to disassemble the majority of prams to place them in the trunk of your car. This process must be mastered before you purchase one. Find out how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram needs to be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes surviving the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, which is why you need to ensure that your choice is able to do the job you need it to. Also, you want your pram to be in the form of a color or print that won't date quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.

The most effective prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are built to last, so look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and an efficient suspension system. The best prams are compact and fold easily so that you can put them in your garage or even the boot.

All the prams in this list allow the baby to lie down flat. This is important for babies, as it helps them develop their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some have carrycots, or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on as your child grows.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you might also be interested in a travel set which is a package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with a clever feature that can raise or lower your child with the click of a button. This way you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close which she claimed was important for her son as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be converted from a single pushchair double in 30 different configurations. It also features sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not expensive, but you can use it with multiple children, if needed. And like our winner model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot is a great option to use from the moment of birth.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lie as flat as they can. This will help with their development and increase oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models provide a flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycot, while others have seats that recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved that she could raise or lower her child with a push of a button to keep him in sight while maintaining closeness and eye contact.

The frame is ideal for nipping around town and the puncture-proof wheels permit you to drive it off road or on rough terrain. It's a great option when you are planning to have a second child in the near future, as it can easily be transformed from a single pushchair into a twin or double stroller.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that looks and feels luxurious. It's suitable for newborns because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with car seats, if you buy it separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand which is something isn't the case with all prams and is a time-saving and hassle-free feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a pram for newborn (look at this website) of the highest quality however, its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also a great option for those who live in a large city and need to negotiate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks frequently. It's not cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. It's available in an extensive variety of colors, too, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.