What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also known as a pushchair or stroller) is the main form of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and style to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful pram for newborns to 3-year-old kids. The reversible handle lets you to rotate the seat so your child can face you or the world around them.
Comfort
When you're out and around with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. The good news is that there are prams specifically designed to ensure your child isn't apprehensive.
All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby to lay flat. This is essential for newborns as it improves oxygenation and helps support their hips and spine. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your child is able to sit up.
For a luxurious feel it's the Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position, but it does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than other prams, weighing under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather detailing as well as tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof, and can handle more rugged terrains.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but still with the same design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The stylish, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as some of the other prams we tried however it comes with a big storage basket and an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a first-time parent we recommend the travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional travel system pram that converts easily from a'pramette' lying flat to a pushchair for toddlers compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
Safety
A pram should be equipped with a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps to entrap their legs or head. The straps must be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the main cause of these injuries. Even the sturdiest prams can tip over if you hook bags onto the handles, or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being done up.
A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram or stroller. If a child is not securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This feature is beneficial because you won't have to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in stores and out. There are also other features that are useful, for example an eating tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. There's also an extra shopping basket under the seat.
You should never leave a child sleeping in their pram unless you are within sight of them at all times. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep, which can cause them to slide off the stroller or foldable pram and cause strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to the cot. It should only be used for short periods during the day.
The majority of prams require you dismantle them to put them in the trunk of your car so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the process before you purchase one. Also check how it is simple to put the different sections back together and then click them in place.
Durability
A pram should be durable enough to withstand several years of wear and wear and tear. You want to make sure that your baby's triple pram is able to handle slippery walks, as well as multiple car trips. You should ensure that your pram is a colour or print that won't fade easily to avoid looking like you've lost fashion.
The most effective prams are constructed from high-quality materials and are built to last, so you should look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The most reliable prams have a compact fold, so they are easy to store in your garage or boot when not in use.
All the prams in this list allow babies to lie down on their backs. This is crucial for babies, because it allows them to develop their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. Many of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some come with a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on when your child is outgrowing them.
If you are considering buying a pram for the very first time you should consider a travel system that includes both a carrycot and car seats could be a good idea. Our parent tester Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It is a revolutionary feature that allows you to raise and lower your baby at the touch of one button. This lets you keep your eyes on your child and keep them close.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be converted from a single pushchair into double in 30 different configurations. It also comes with a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but it can be used for multiple children if necessary. And like our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included can be used from the moment of birth.
Style
All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will aid in their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models allow for an entirely flat position using the carrycot which is fully reclinable, while others have a seat which can recline to a horizontal position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter and it's brilliant in this regard, as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She was thrilled that she could raise and lower her child with the push of a button, keeping him in the view of others while maintaining eye contact and a closeness.
It's a great choice for those who want to nip around town without hassle since the frame is an ideal size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres allow you to move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's an excellent choice for those who plan to have a second child in the near future because it can easily be converted from a single pushchair to a twin or double.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's suitable for newborns because it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand which is something does not happen with all prams which is why it's an easy and time-saving feature.
The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect to find in a top model However, the sleek frame makes it simple for you to maneuver on different terrains. It's also an ideal choice for those who live in a large city and need to negotiate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks regularly. While it's not cheap pushchairs, the quality and versatility of this pram will save you money in the long run by not having to purchase an additional folding pushchair for toddlers. You can pick from a variety of colors that will fit your style.
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