Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide On Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or Sling, is the most popular form of transport for babies and toddlers. A great pram is a blend of safety, comfort and style that makes walking fun for all family members.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for babies to three years old. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so that your child can look at either you or the world around them.
Comfort
You want your baby to be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your little one does not feel anything.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is crucial for newborn babies as lying flat increases oxygen saturation and helps support their growing hips and spine. They also come with a seat that can be changed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit up.
Venicci egg2 is a top-of-the-line pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It has smooth, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to an upright position however it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams on the market at less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can take on more rural settings.
If you're looking for something a bit less expensive but with a similar style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The stylish, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we tried however it comes with a large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you're a new parent we recommend the pushchairs travel systems system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to move their child from their 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 foldable pushchair for toddlers that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
Safety
The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also have no gaps between their head and legs that can get trapped. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on your harness to make sure they're not cracked and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. The primary cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the strongest prams can tip over if you hook bags on the handles, or if a wriggling child is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being secured.
Another frequent cause of injury is falling off the pram or stroller. If a baby isn't securely fastened in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have a reversible canopy that will shield your baby from sun in both directions. This feature is useful because you don't have to wake up your baby when you change their position in the stroller or when you go into and out of stores. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and a handlebar that locks into position when you're not using it.
You should never leave a sleeping child in their stroller unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep, which can cause them to fall off the pram or stroller and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a crib and should only be used for brief periods during the day.
It is necessary to disassemble most prams in order to put them into the trunk of your car. This process should be familiarised with before you buy one. Also check how easy it is to get the different sections back together before putting them into place.
Durability
A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice will fulfill the tasks you require it to. Also, you want your stroller to have an image or color that won't date quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.
The most reliable prams are constructed from high-quality materials and are designed to last. Look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an efficient suspension system. The most reliable prams have a compact fold so they are easy to store in your garage or the boot when not when not in use.
All prams on this list allow your baby to lay on their backs. This is essential for newborns, as it helps them develop their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. Some are made to grow with your child with some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be moved off and on the frame for when your child is no longer using it.
If you are considering buying an infant stroller for the first time, a travel system that includes both an infant 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 comes with a handy feature that can raise or lower your child at the push of a button. This way you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close which she claimed was important to her as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.
Another option is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two kids, Effie and pram sets (more..) Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that can be converted from a single pushchair to double pushchair and has 30 possible configurations and features premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proofed tyres. It's not cheap, but you can 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 with the carrycot included.
Style
All pushchairs prams should permit newborns to lay as flat as possible. This will help with their development and increase oxygen levels in the lung. Some models permit an entirely flat position using a carrycot that can be fully reclined, whereas others feature a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the ability to raise or lower her infant by pressing the button to keep him in view while maintaining eye contact and proximity.
It's a great choice for those who wish to get around town with ease as the frame is an ideal size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's also a smart choice if you're planning on 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 is a stylish, high-end option that looks and feels impressive. It's suitable for newborns because it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat, if you buy it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place, which is an option that not all prams have. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.
The pram's luxurious fabric large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect to find on a premium model, but the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver around diverse terrains. This is an excellent choice when you live in a city and must navigate narrow streets or congested pathways regularly. While it's not cheap pushchairs, the quality and versatility of this stroller will save you money in the end by not having to invest in an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a broad variety of colors, as well, so you can pick one that matches your personal style.