What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a pushchair, stroller or Sling, is the main method of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram combines comfort, safety and design that makes walking enjoyable for all family members.

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

Comfort

You want your baby to feel comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure your little one doesn't feel a thing.

The prams we've chosen in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is essential for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is able to sit up.

For a really high-end experience, the Venicci egg2 has a cosy cocoon-like feel for your baby with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position but does have a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams on the market at less than 8kg but has solid chassis and grained leather accents as well as tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof and can handle more rugged terrains.

The Minu V2 is a great choice if you're looking for something with a similar look but at a price that is lower. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as lightweight as other strollers, but it does have a large storage basket. It also has an hood that can be extended, which provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby pram protected and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent, we recommend you consider a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it much easier to transfer your child from the car to the pram without having to wake them up and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a fashionable and practical pram that can convert easily from a lie-flat 'pramette' to a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.

Safety

The pram should be fitted with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also not have any gaps in which their heads or legs are likely to get caught. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not cracked and have signs of wear. Many children are admitted to hospitals every year due to injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the primary cause of these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you strap your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another common cause of injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby is not properly secured the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into place.

Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will shield your baby from sun in both directions. This feature is helpful because you don't have to wake up your baby every time you alter their position in the babiie stroller or when you go into 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 the handlebar locks into position when you are not using it.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within sight. Babies are known to wiggle when asleep and this can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and could result in strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a crib. It is best to use it for short periods during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you dismantle them to put them in the boot of your car so it is an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before purchasing one. Check how easy it will be to put the parts back together.

Durability

A pram should be durable enough to withstand several years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is also important for your stroller to have a print or colour that doesn't get outdated so you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.

The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are built to last. So, look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and an effective suspension system. The top prams feature a compact travel pram fold so you can store them easily in your garage or the boot when not when not in use.

All the prams on this list allow the baby to lie down flat. This is important for babies, because it allows them to develop their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. Many are designed to adapt to your child's needs with some featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame at a time when your little one outgrows it.

If you are considering buying an infant stroller for the first time you should consider a travel system that has a carrycot and a car seat may be a good idea. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with a handy feature that can raise or lower your baby at the touch of a button so you can keep 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 children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that converts from a single pushchair to double pushchair, with 30 possible configurations and features luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap however, you can use it for multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot, it can be used right from birth.

Style

Newborns need to lie flat as much as they can in order to promote development and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, so it's important that all prams permit this. Some models provide a flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have seats that recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature, and it's fantastic in this regard as our tester for parents Jaya discovered when she tried it with her 10-month-old son. She was thrilled that she could raise or lower her little one with the press of a button and keep him in sight, while still maintaining eye contact and closeness.

This frame is perfect to take a stroll around town and the puncture-proof tires permit you to take it off road or over rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future since it can easily be converted from a single pram to a twin pushchairs or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's ideal for babies since it comes with a carrycot that can lie flat and it's compatible with a car seat if purchased separately. You can even fold it by putting the carrycot in place which is something not all prams can do and is an easy and time-saving feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are the kinds of features you'd expect to see on a high-end pram and its sleek design makes it easy to handle across a variety of terrains. It's also a great choice for those who live in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality could save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. It's available in a broad variety of colors, too, so you can pick one that suits your personal style.