What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also called a stroller or a pushchair) is the primary mode of transportation for babies and toddlers. A well-designed pram is a combination of safety, comfort, and style to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for babies to three years old. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so that your child can look at either you or the world around them.
Comfort
You want your child to feel comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that will ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
All the prams in this guide let your baby lay flat. This is essential for babies as it increases oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. They also come with a seat which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit.
For a really high-end feel it's the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position, but has a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, at a weight of just 8kg. But it is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.
The Minu V2 is a great choice to consider if you're looking to buy something that has a similar appearance but at a price that is lower. The swish-looking, one-hand steer model isn't as light as some of the other prams we tried but it does have a large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a first-time parent, we'd recommend considering the travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to transfer your child from the car to the pram without disturbing them and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful pram that can convert easily from a lie-flat 'pramette to a pushchair for toddlers compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
Safety
The pram should come with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also have no gaps between their head and legs that are likely to get caught. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. It is also important to examine the buckles on your harness to ensure they aren't damaged or showing signs of wear and tear. A lot of children are hospitalized every year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. The primary reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling and gets in or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.
Another frequent cause of injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If a baby's harness is not secured properly it could cause them to fall from the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. This is why it is important to make sure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in both directions. This feature is useful because you don't have to wake up your baby every time you change their position in the stroller or when you go in and out of stores. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and a handlebar that locks in place when you're not using it.
Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without being within sight. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to roll off the pram or stroller and could result in suffocation or strangulation. A stroller or pram is not a substitute for the crib. It should only be used for short periods of time during the daytime.
It is essential to disassemble most prams in order to fit them in the boot of your vehicle. This procedure must be mastered before you purchase one. Also, consider how it is simple to put the different sections back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram needs to be durable enough to endure many years of wear and wear and tear. This includes surviving muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, so you must ensure your choice can do the job you need it to. Also, you want your stroller to have a print or colour that doesn't get outdated so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.
The most effective prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They are designed to last, so look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, 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 your baby to lay on their backs. This is crucial for newborns, because it aids in the development of their spine and hips and boosts oxygen levels. Some are made to grow with your child with some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be moved off and on the frame at a time when your child is no longer using it.
If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you might be interested in a travel set that is a complete package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It has an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This lets you keep eye contact with the baby and keep them in close proximity.
pushchair pram is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two kids, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double pushchair, with 30 different configurations, and comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not expensive, but it can be used for more than one child if you need to. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot can be used right from birth.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models allow a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature seats that recline to a flat position.
The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter feature, and it's fantastic at that as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the fact that she could raise and lower her child with the push of a button, keeping him in the view of others, while still maintaining eye contact and a closeness.
It's a great pram for those who wish 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 great option if you're thinking of having another child in future since it can easily be converted from a single pram into a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. You can fold it using the carrycot as a stand and it's something that isn't the case with all prams and is an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you would expect to see on a high-end model However, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over diverse terrains. This is a great option for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets and crowded pathways on a regular basis. Although it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this pram make it possible to save you money in the end by eliminating the need to buy a separate pushchair for toddlers. You can pick from a wide range of colors that will fit your preferences.