What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or foldable pushchair) is the primary mode of transportation for babies and toddlers. A well-designed pram is a combination of safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for all the family.

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

Comfort

If you're out and about with your baby, you want to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that will make sure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.

All the prams in this guide let your baby lie flat. This is essential for newborns since it improves oxygenation and strengthens their spine and hips. They also have seats that can be changed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a really high-end experience this Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seating that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position but does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also lighter than most prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something less expensive but still with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The swish-looking, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as some of the other prams we tested but it does have a large storage basket, as well as an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend the travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without waking them and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is an elegant and practical pram that can be converted easily 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 must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Each year, many children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams and strollers. The most common cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags on the handles, or if a child who is wriggling is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being properly secured.

A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram, or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it can cause them to fall from the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always secured.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This feature is useful because you don't have to wake your baby when you change their position in the stroller or when you go in and out of shops. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a shopping basket 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 are susceptible to wriggling while sleeping and this could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the car's boot so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before you buy one. Also check how easy it is to get the different sections back together and click them into place.

Durability

A pram must be durable enough to withstand many years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, so you must ensure your choice will fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is important to ensure that your stroller is in a color or pattern that will not date easily so you don't look like you've lost style.

The best prams will be constructed from high-quality materials and built to last. You should look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an effective suspension system. The most effective prams are small and fold easily, allowing you to put them in your garage or boot.

All the prams on this list allow the baby to lay on their backs. This is crucial for newborns, as it helps them develop their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to adapt to your child's needs and some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be moved on and off the frame at a time when your child outgrows it.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you may also be looking for a travel system which is a package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby with the touch of one button. This allows you to keep eye contact with the baby and keep them in close proximity.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be converted from a single pushchair a double pram and pushchair with 30 different configurations. It also comes with sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you could use it for more than one child, if you need to and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth using the included carrycot.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as possible. This will aid in their development and increase oxygen levels in the lung. Some models provide a flat position using a fully reclineable carrycots, while others have seats that 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 ability to raise or lower her baby with a push of an button, keeping him in sight while maintaining the eye contact and closeness.

It's a great stroller for those who want to nip around town with ease as the frame is an ideal size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future since it can easily be converted from a single pram to a twin stroller or double twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that looks and feels impressive. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with a car seat in the event that you purchase it separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place This is something that not all prams provide. This is time-saving and makes it simpler to use.

Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a pram of the highest quality and its sleek design makes it easy to handle on any terrain. It's also a great option if you live in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or busy sidewalks frequently. Although it's not inexpensive however, the durability and quality of this stroller will save you money in the long run by eliminating the need to buy an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in an extensive range of colors, as well, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.