What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or a Sling, is the main mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines safety, comfort and style to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for newborns and 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so that your child can look at you or the world around them.

Comfort

Your baby should be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure your little one isn't apprehensive.

All the prams listed in this guide let your baby lay flat. This is important for babies as it increases oxygenation and helps support their hips and spine. The seats can be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is able to sit up.

For a luxurious feel, the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon-like feel for your baby with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seating that does not recline to a lying-flat position but does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than other prams available at less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof, and can handle more rugged terrains.

If you want something more affordable, but still with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The stylish, one-hand steer model isn't as light as the other prams we tested but it has an impressively big storage basket and an extended hood with UPF50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we suggest you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to move their child from the car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette, to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It should also have no gaps where their legs or heads can get trapped. The straps should be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a lot of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the main reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can tip over if you attach bags on the handles, or if a child with a wriggling can get in or out of the seat without harnesses being secured.

A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram, or stroller. If a child is not properly secured the pram, they may fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to make sure that the harness buckle is always locked in place.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This is a useful feature as you can avoid having to wake your child awake while you change their position in the pram or while you go into and out of shops. Other useful features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping underneath the seat, and a handlebar that can be locked into place when you are not using it.

Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without being within sight. Babies can be prone to wriggling while sleeping and could cause them to fall out of the pram or stroller. This could lead to suffocation and strangulation. A folding stroller or pram is not a substitute for a cot and should be used only for short periods during the day.

The majority of prams require you dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car therefore it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with this procedure before purchasing one. Also, consider how it is easy to put the different sections back together and then click to put them back together.

Durability

A pram and car seat needs to be able to endure several years of wear. This includes the need to endure walking in the rain and many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. You want to make sure that your pram is in a colour or print that isn't prone to fading to avoid looking as if you've slipped out of fashion.

The best prams will be made of high-quality materials, and designed to last. Look for durable fabrics with sturdy tires, as well as a well-designed system of suspension. The top prams have a compact travel pram 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 babies to lie down on their backs. This is essential for newborns, because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to adapt to your child's needs with some having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be moved off and back on the frame for when your child is no longer using it.

If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a travel system which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lie-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 baby at the touch of a button, so you can keep eye contact and keep them close, which she claimed was important to her as he was in an exploratory stage.

Another alternative is 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 folding stroller that can be converted from a single pushchair a double with 30 different configurations. It also comes with sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive however, it can be used for multiple children, if needed. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included, it can be used right from birth.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and improve oxygen levels in the lung. Some models allow a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot, while others have seats that recline to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me is a great device for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her 10-month-old daughter. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her baby at the touch of a button to keep him in view while maintaining the eye contact and closeness.

It's a great stroller for those who want to travel around town with ease as the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres allow you to move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's an excellent choice for those who plan to have another child in the future, as it can easily be converted from a single pushchair into a double or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It is suitable for newborns as it includes a carrycot which can lie flat and it's compatible with a car seat when purchased separately. It can be folded by putting the carrycot in place which is something isn't the case with all prams and is an efficient and easy feature.

The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect on a premium model However, the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on diverse terrains. It's also an ideal choice for those who live in a large city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks frequently. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality could save you money over time by avoiding the need for an additional stroller for your toddler. It's available in a wide range of colors, too, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.