What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or Sling, is the most popular 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 flip 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 that ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide let your baby lie flat, which is essential for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and helps support their growing spine and hips. They also have a seat which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit.

For a really high-end feel, the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seating that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position but does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. But it has a sturdy frame with grained leather details and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight stroller as the other prams we tested but it does have a large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend a travel system bundle which includes a pram and a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to move their child from their car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful travel system pram that converts easily from a'pramette' that lies flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.

Safety

A pram should have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps that could trap their heads or legs. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure that they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are hospitalised each year because of injuries caused by strollers or prams. Tipping over is the most common reason for these injuries. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags to the handles or if a child who is wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being secured.

Another common cause of injury is falling from the stroller or pram. If a child is not securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into the proper position.

Some prams with good quality also have a reversible canopy that will shield your baby from the sun in either direction. This feature is beneficial because you don't have to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in stores and out. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler stroller, a basket for shopping underneath the seat, and the handlebar locks into position when you're not using it.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within reach. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep and this may cause them to slide off the pram or stroller and could result in suffocation or strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should only be used for short periods during the daytime.

It is necessary to take apart the majority of prams to put them into the boot of your vehicle. This process is something you should know before you purchase a pram. Find out how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to last through many years of wear and tear. This includes the need to endure walking in the rain and many car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice can perform the task you want it to. It is important to ensure that your pram is in the right color or design that will not date easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of fashion.

The top prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They are built to last, so look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, and an efficient suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All prams on this list allow babies to lie flat, which is essential for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their spine and hips. A lot of these prams are designed to grow along with your child's. Some come with a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be easily removed and put back on when your child outgrows them.

If you are considering buying a pram for the first time it is recommended to consider a system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat may be of interest. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System she used with her 10-month-old son. It has an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This lets you keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.

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

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will help with their development and increase oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models permit an all-flat position by using the carrycot which is fully reclinable, while others have a seat which can recline to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter feature, and it's fantastic at what it does, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her 10-month-old son. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her child by pressing an button, keeping him in view and still maintain eye contact and proximity.

The frame is ideal for city trips and the puncture-proof wheels permit you to take it off road or on rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in future since it can easily be converted from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish and high-end product that looks and feels impressive. It's suitable for babies as it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with car seats if purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place, which is an option that not all prams have. This reduces time and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are features you would expect to see on a high-end model However, the sleek frame makes it easy for you to maneuver on diverse terrains. This is an excellent choice for those who live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets and crowded paths frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate stroller for toddlers. You can choose from a variety of colors to match your style.