Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide On Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller, triple pushchair or Sling, is the main form of transport for babies and toddlers. A great pram combines comfort, safety and design that makes walking fun for all family members.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby babiie stroller is a great pram for newborns up to 3 year old kids. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.
Comfort
When you're out and about with your baby, you need to be sure they're comfortable. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure that your baby does not feel anything.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is crucial for infants as lying flat increases oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your child is able to sit up.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It features smooth, curved lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which doesn't recline into an upright position however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also a little lighter than other prams available at less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can be used in more rural environments.
If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with a similar style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams but it does have a huge 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 are new to parenting we suggest that you look into the travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This will make it much easier to transfer your child from the car into 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 into a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.
Safety
A pram should have a five point safety harness to keep your baby safe and free of any gaps to entrap their legs or heads. The straps must be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. You should also inspect the buckles of your harness to ensure they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a lot of children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams or strollers. Tipping over is the most common cause of these injuries. Even the strongest prams could tip over when you strap your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls in or out of the seat before the harness has been tightened.
A common cause of injury involves falling off a pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into place.
Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from sun in either direction. This is a useful feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram or when you are going in and out of shops. There are other features that could be useful, such as snacks for your toddler or child and drink holders. There is also a shopping basket underneath the seat.
Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within reach. Babies are prone to wiggle while asleep, which could cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This could lead to strangulation and suffocation. A stroller or pram is not a substitute for a cot and should be used only for short periods of time during the daytime.
It is essential to disassemble most prams in order to fit them into the trunk of your car. This process is something you should know before you purchase one. Find out how easy it will be to put the sections back together.
Durability
A pram must be durable enough to endure several years of wear and wear and tear. You need to ensure that your pram can handle muddy walks and also multiple car trips. You also want your pram to come in the form of a color or print that doesn't get outdated to avoid looking like you've gone out of style.
The best prams for newborns are constructed from high-quality materials and are designed to last. Look for durable materials with sturdy tires, as well as an efficient suspension system. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, allowing you to put them in your garage or the boot of your car.
All the prams in this list allow your baby to lie flat. This is crucial for babies, as it helps them develop their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. Many are designed to adapt to your child's needs with some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame for when your child outgrows it.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you might also be interested in a travel system which is a package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It is a revolutionary feature that lets you raise and lower your baby by pressing one button. This lets you keep eye contact with your child and keep them close.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pram that can be converted from a single pushchair to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap however, you can use it with multiple children if necessary. Like our top pick, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot, it can be used right from birth.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models allow an entirely flat position using a carrycot that can be fully reclinable, while others have a seat which can recline to a horizontal position.
The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She loved that she could raise or lower her baby with a push of an button, keeping him in sight, while still maintaining the eye contact and closeness.
The frame is ideal for nipping around town, and the puncture-proof tires permit you to take it off road or on rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in future since it is able to convert from a single pram into a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's suitable for newborns because it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with a car seat, if you buy it separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand and it's something that not all prams for sale can do which is why it's a time-saving and hassle-free feature.
The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find on a premium model however, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over different terrains. It's also an ideal choice if you reside in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. You can choose from a wide range of colors to suit your style.