What Makes Good Prams?

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

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for babies to three years old. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

If you're out and about with your baby, you want to ensure that they're safe. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure that your baby does not feel anything.

All the prams listed in this guide let your baby lie flat. This is important for babies as it increases oxygenation and supports their hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a top-of-the-line pram that offers a cocoon-like feeling for your baby. It is smooth and has curved lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to a flat position however it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, at a weight of just 8kg. However, it still is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great option when you're looking for a model that has a similar appearance but for a lesser price. The sleek one-hand steer model isn't as light as the other prams for newborns we tried but it has an impressively big storage basket and an extended hood with UPF50+ protection, which will keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you're a first time parent we suggest you consider the travel system that includes a car seat and pram double that attaches to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their baby from their car to the pram without having to awake them. 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 stroller that is toddler-friendly compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

A pram must have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps to entrap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to examine the buckles on your harness to ensure they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a large number 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 robust prams could tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if a wriggling child is able to get into or out of the seat without harnesses being properly secured.

Another common cause of injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly, it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into place.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This feature is beneficial because you don't have to wake up your baby every time you alter their position in the stroller, or when you go in and out of stores. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat and a handlebar that locks into position when you are not using it.

It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep, which can cause them to slide off the pram or stroller and could result in suffocation or strangulation. A stroller or pram is not a substitute for a cot and should be used only for short periods during the day.

Most prams require you to take them apart in order to put them in the car's boot so it is an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before you purchase one. Check how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram must be durable enough to withstand several years of wear and tear. You should ensure that your stroller can withstand muddy walks and also multiple car trips. You should ensure that your stroller is in the right color or design that won't fade easily so that you don't appear like you've fallen out of style.

The best travel stroller prams are made of high-quality materials and have been designed to last. So, look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The best prams are compact and fold easily so that you can store them in your garage or boot.

All prams on this list allow a baby to lie flat, which is vital for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their hips and spine. Some are made to grow with your child with some featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame for when your child is no longer using it.

If you are buying a pram for the very first time, a travel system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat may be a good idea. Our tester for parents Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me System she used with her 10-month-old son. It is a revolutionary feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This allows you to maintain 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 & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be converted from a single pushchair double, with 30 different configurations. It also features sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but it can be used for multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot, it can be used from the moment of birth.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models create a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot, while others have a seat that reclines to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me has the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard, as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She loved the ability to raise or lower her baby by pressing the button to keep him in view and still maintain closeness and eye contact.

It's a great stroller for those who wish to get around town without hassle since the frame is a great size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres allow you to move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram and car seat to a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's suitable for babies because it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car-seat when purchased separately. It is able to be folded with the carrycot still in place It's an option that not all prams offer. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.

Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kind of features you'd expect to see on a pram of the highest quality however, its sleek frame makes it easy to handle on any terrain. This is an excellent choice for those who live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets and crowded pathways regularly. It's not cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money over time by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a broad selection of colors and you can choose one that suits your personal style.