Forget Good Prams: 10 Reasons Why You Don t Really Need It

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for all the family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. 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 designed to ensure your child does not feel anything.

All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby lie flat. This is crucial for newborns as it improves oxygenation and supports their spine and hips. They also have seats which can be transformed to a more upright position when your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It has smooth, curving lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which does not recline into an upright position, but it does have a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. But it is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great option if you're looking for something that has a similar appearance but at a lower price. The sleek, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as the other prams we tested but it has an impressively large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you are a first time parent we suggest that you look into a travel pram system that includes a car seat and pram with car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their child from their car to the pram and travel system without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' that lies flat into a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.

Safety

A pram must have a five point safety harness to keep your baby secure and should not allow any gaps to trap their legs or heads. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Each year, many children are admitted to hospitals because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. The most common reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the sturdiest prams can tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being properly secured.

Another frequent cause of injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If a baby's harness isn't secured correctly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to make sure that the harness buckle is always secured.

Some prams with good quality also have an adjustable canopy that can protect your baby from sun in any direction. This feature is useful because you won't have to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in and out of stores. There are also other features that can be useful, like snacks for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find an extra shopping basket under the seat.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram if you are not in sight. Babies can be prone to wiggle while asleep and could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A stroller or pram should not be used as a substitute for the cot. It should only be used for short periods of time during the day.

It is necessary to take apart most prams in order to fit them in the trunk of your car. This process is something you should know before you buy one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram needs to be able to endure a long time of wear. This includes having to deal with muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, which is why you must ensure your choice can perform the task you want it to. You want to make sure that your stroller is in a color or pattern that will not date easily to avoid looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made from high-quality materials and are designed to last, so you should look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels and an efficient suspension system. The best prams will also feature a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All the prams in this list allow babies to lay flat, which is vital for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their hips and spine. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child, with some of them having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and back on the frame for when your little one outgrows it.

If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you may be looking for a travel system which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our parent tester Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It is a revolutionary feature that lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of a single button. This lets you keep your eyes on them and keep them close.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be transformed from a single pushchair stroller into double in 30 different configurations. It also has a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive, but it can be used for multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot, it can be used as early as.

Style

Newborns need to lie flat as much as they can to help develop and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, so it's important that all prams allow this. Some models allow an all-flat position by using a carrycot that can be fully reclinable, while others have a seat that can recline to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter and it's brilliant at that as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She was enthralled by the fact that she could raise or lower her baby at the touch of a button to keep him in view, while still maintaining eye contact and a closeness.

The frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off road or on rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having another child in future because it easily converts from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat in the event that you purchase it separately. You can even fold it using the carrycot as a stand - something that not all prams can do which is why it's an efficient and easy feature.

The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over various terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded paths on a regular basis. Although it's not inexpensive but the quality and versatility of this stroller make it possible to save you money over the long term by not having to buy an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a wide range of colors, and you can choose one that fits your personal style.