What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or a pushchair) is the main form of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for babies to three years old. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so that your child can look at you or the world around them.

Comfort

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

All the prams in this guide allow your baby lie flat. This is essential for newborns since it improves oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. They also come with a seat that can be converted to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram with a cocoon feeling for your baby. It features smooth, curvaceous lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which doesn't recline into flat however it does come with a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, at a weight of just 8kg. But it has a sturdy chassis with the grained leather accents and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.

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

If you're a first-time parent we recommend a travel system bundle that includes a pram and a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their baby from their car to the pram without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish 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

The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It should also not have any gaps between their head and legs that can get trapped. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not cracked and have signs of wear. Every year, a lot of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams or strollers. The primary reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you strap your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness has been tightened.

Another common cause of injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby's harness is not secured properly it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is vital to make sure that the harness buckle is always secured.

Some prams come with an adjustable shade that can be used to protect your baby in both directions from the sun. This feature is beneficial because you won't have to wake up your baby every time you change their position in the stroller or when you enter and out of stores. There are also other features that could be useful, for example an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find a basket for shopping underneath the seat.

It is not advisable to leave a sleeping child in their stroller unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies can be prone to wiggle while asleep and this could cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram or a stroller should not be used as an alternative to a crib. It is best to use it for short periods during the daytime.

Most prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the car's boot so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this process before you purchase one. Find out how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes having to deal with muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, which is why you need to ensure that your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. Also, you want your pram to be in an image or color that won't date quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made from high-quality materials and are built to last, so look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The top prams feature a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All the prams in this list allow the baby to lie down on their backs. This is important for newborns, as it helps them develop their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child's. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined chair that can be easily removed and put back on when your child is outgrowing them.

If you are purchasing a pram for the very first time you should consider a travel system that comes with an infant carrycot and a car seat could be of interest. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System that she used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a handy feature that allows you to raise and lower your child at the push of a button, so you can maintain eye contact and keep them close which she described as being important to her as he was at an exploratory stage.

Another alternative is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two babies, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair double, with 30 different configurations. It also has a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive, but you can use it for multiple children, if needed. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used right from birth.

Style

Newborns must lie flat as much as they can to help develop and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, which is why it's important that all prams permit this. Some models create a completely flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have the seat that can recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me has the latter and it's brilliant at what it does as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son of 10 months. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant at the touch of the button to keep him in sight and still maintain closeness and eye contact.

The frame is ideal to take a stroll around town and the puncture-proof wheels permit you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram to a twin or double 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 car seats, if you buy it separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place It's an option that not all prams have. This is time-saving and makes it easier to use.