Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide On Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram (also known as a pushchair or stroller) is the most popular form of transport for infants and toddlers. A well-designed double pram pushchair is a combination of comfort, safety and style to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic pram for newborns to 3-year-old kids. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so that your child can either face you or the world around them.
Comfort
You want your baby to be at ease when you're out with them. There are prams to make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is important for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and supports their developing hips and spine. They also have seats that can be converted to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.
For a really high-end experience, the Venicci egg2 has a cosy cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position but does have padding on the liner and mattress. It's also lighter than other prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. However, it has a sturdy chassis with the grained leather accents and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as light as other prams, but it does come with a large storage basket. It also comes with an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby protected and shaded.
If you are new to parenting we suggest that you consider a travel pushchair system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that are attached to the same frame. This will make it much easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without disturbing them and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly pushchairs travel systems system is a stylish and practical pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette, to a stroller for toddlers compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.
Safety
A pram should have 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 every year due to injuries from strollers or prams. The main reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the strongest prams can topple when you hang bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling and falls into or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.
A common cause of injury is falling from a pram or stroller. If a child's harness isn't secured correctly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. This is why it is important to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always locked in place.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This feature is helpful since you don't need to wake your baby when you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in and out of stores. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a shopping basket underneath the seat, and the handlebar locks into position when you're not using it.
It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their stroller unless you are within sight of them at all times. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep, which can cause them to fall off the stroller or pram and cause 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.
It is necessary to take apart most prams in order to place them into the boot of your vehicle. This process should be familiarised with before you purchase a pram. Also check how it is simple to put the various sections back together before putting them in place.
Durability
A pram needs to be able to last through many years of wear and tear. This includes having to deal with walking in the rain and numerous car journeys, so you must ensure your choice will fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is important to ensure that your pram is in a color or pattern that will not date easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of fashion.
The best prams are constructed of top-quality materials and are designed to last. Look for durable materials, sturdy tires, and a well-designed system of suspension. The most reliable prams have a compact fold, so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not being used.
All the prams on this list allow infants to lie flat, which is essential for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their hips and spine. Many are designed to adapt to your child's needs, with some of them having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be moved off and on the frame when your child is no longer using it.
If you are considering buying a pram for the first time you should consider a travel system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat may be of interest. Our tester for parents 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 child with the touch of one button. This lets you keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.
Another alternative is another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two babies, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious pram that can be converted from a single to double stroller pushchair, with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not expensive however, it can be used for multiple children if necessary. And like our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot can be used from the moment of birth.
Style
All prams should allow newborns to lie flat as they can. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models create a completely flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature seats that recline to an unflat position.
The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter and it's brilliant at what it does, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son of 10 months. She loved that she could raise or lower her baby by pressing an button, keeping him in the same position, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.
It's a great stroller for those who want to nip around town easily as the frame is an ideal size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres allow you to take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's an excellent choice for those who plan to have another child in the near future because it can easily be converted from a single pushchair to a double pram or twin.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat, if you buy it separately. You can even fold it by putting the carrycot in place which is something not all prams can do which is why it's a time-saving and hassle-free feature.
Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are the kinds of things you'd expect on a pram of the highest quality however, its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. This is a great choice if you live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets and crowded pathways on a regular basis. While it's not cheap, the quality and versatility of this stroller will save you money in the end by avoiding the need to buy a separate toddler pushchair. It's available in a broad range of colors, as well, so you can choose one that fits your personal style.