What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or Sling, is the most popular mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A great pram combines comfort, safety and design that makes walking fun for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful pram for newborns to 3-year-old kids. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

You want your baby to feel comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child isn't apprehensive.

All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby lie flat. This is essential for babies as it increases oxygenation and supports their hips and spine. They also come with seats which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

For a truly luxurious experience, the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seating that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but it does have padding on the mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, at a weight of just 8kg. However, it has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as light than some of the other prams we've tested but it has an impressively large storage basket and extended hood with UPF50+ protection that'll keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you're a new parent, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without waking them and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a fashionable and practical travel system pram that converts easily from a'pramette' lying flat into 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 must also be free of gaps in which their heads or legs are likely to get caught. The straps must be cushioned and easily adjustable as your child grows. Also, you should examine the buckles on your harness to ensure they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a lot of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams and strollers. The most common cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams can topple when you strap your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling and gets into or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.

Another reason for injury is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby is not securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the pram and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always locked in place.

Some prams have a reversible shade that can be used to shield your baby in both directions from the sun. This feature is useful since you don't need to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller or when you go into stores and out. There are other features that can be useful, such as a snack tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. There is also a basket for shopping underneath the seat.

Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without having them in sight. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep and this can cause them to fall off the pram or stroller and cause strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should only be used for short periods during the day.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the boot of your car so it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before you purchase one. Find out how easy it will be to put the sections back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure several years of wear. You need to ensure that your stroller can withstand slippery walks and also multiple car trips. Also, you want your stroller to have an image or color that doesn't get outdated so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.

The top prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They have been designed to last. So, look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The top prams feature a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not when not in use.

All the prams in this list allow the baby to lie down on their backs. This is important for newborns, because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child and some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame at a time when your child is no longer using it.

If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you might be interested in a travel set that is a complete bundle that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a handy feature that raises and lowers your child at the push of a button. This way you can keep eye contact and keep them close, which she said was really important to her since he was in an exploratory stage.

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

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and increase oxygen levels in the lung. Some models allow a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot, while others have the seat that can recline to a flat position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old child. She was enthralled by the fact that she could raise and lower her baby at the touch of a button, keeping him in the view of others while maintaining eye contact and a closeness.

It's a great choice for those that want to travel around town easily as the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pushchair to a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish and high-end product that looks and feels luxurious. It's suitable for babies because it comes with a carrycot that can be folded flat and is compatible with car seats when purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place It's an option that not all pushchairs prams have. This saves time and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you would expect to see in a top model, but the sleek frame makes it simple for you to maneuver on diverse terrains. This is a great choice when you live in a city and must navigate narrow streets and crowded walkways on a regular basis. While it's not cheap but the quality and versatility of this model make it possible to save you money in the end by not having to purchase an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a wide selection of colors and you can pick one that suits your personal style.