What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or Sling, is the most popular method of transport for infants and toddlers. A great pram combines safety, comfort and style that makes walking enjoyable for all family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

You want your child to be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure that your baby does not feel anything.

All the prams in this guide allow your baby to lie flat. This is important for babies as it increases oxygenation and supports their spine and hips. They also come with seats which can be transformed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a truly luxurious experience, the Venicci egg2 provides a warm feeling of a cocoon for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seating that does not recline to a lying-flat position, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also a little lighter than other prams on the market at less than 8kg but has a sturdy chassis and grained leather accents as well as tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof and able to be used in more rural environments.

If you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly but with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams, but it does come with a large storage basket. It also has an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and protected.

If you're a new parent, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle which includes a pram and a car seat that attach to the same frame. This will make it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional travel strollers 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

The pram should be fitted with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It should also have no gaps between their head and legs that could get stuck. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they grow. Also, you should examine the buckles on your harness to make sure that they aren't damaged or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a lot of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams can topple when you strap your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling and gets into or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.

A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram or stroller. If a child's harness is not fastened properly, it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. It is therefore important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is locked into the proper position.

A few good prams also come with an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from the sun in any direction. This is a useful feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake when you change their position in the pram or while you go in and out of shops. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat, and the handlebar locks in place when you're not using it.

It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their stroller unless they are in their sight at all times. Babies are prone to wiggle during sleep, which can cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This could result in suffocation and strangulation. A 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 put them in the car's boot so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you buy one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram must be able to last through several years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure walking in the rain and many car journeys, so you want to be sure your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. Also, you want your pram to be in the form of a color or print that won't date quickly to avoid looking like you've gone out of fashion.

The best prams are made with high-quality materials. They are built to last, so you should look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an efficient suspension system. The best prams will also feature a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All the pushchairs prams on this list allow your baby to lie down on their backs. This is crucial for infants because it aids in the development of their hips and spine, and boosts oxygen levels. Many of these prams have been designed to expand with your child's. Some have carrycots, or a reclined chair that can be easily removed and put back on when your child outgrows them.

If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you may be interested in a travel set that is a complete package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. Our test-driver for parents Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It comes with an innovative feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby with the touch of one button. This allows you to keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.

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 pram that can be transformed from a single pushchair to a double with 30 different configurations. It also comes with the sun canopy which 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, as with our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth using the carrycot included.

Style

Newborns need to lay flat as much as they can to help develop and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs, which is why it's important that all prams support this. Some models allow a completely flat position by using a carrycot that can be fully reclinable, while others have a seat which can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter and it's brilliant at that as our tester for parents Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant by pressing an button, keeping him in the same position and still maintain the eye contact and closeness.

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

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's suitable for newborns because it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats, if you buy it separately. You can fold it using the carrycot as a stand - something that does not happen with all prams which is why it's an efficient and easy feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a high-end pram however, its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver across a variety of terrains. This is a great choice if you live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or congested paths regularly. While it's not cheap, the quality and versatility of this stroller will save you money in the end by not having to purchase a separate toddler pushchair. You can choose from a range of colors that will fit your style.