What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a pushchair or stroller) is the main form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram is a combination of safety, comfort and design that makes walking enjoyable for all the family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful stroller for newborns and 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 a baby, you want to be sure they're comfortable. The good news is that there are prams specifically designed to ensure your child does not feel anything.

The prams we've chosen in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is crucial for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and helps support their growing spine and hips. They also have a seat which can be transformed to an upright position once 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 is smooth and has curving lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to flat however, it does come with a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it has a sturdy chassis with the grained leather accents and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great choice if you're looking for something that has a similar appearance but for a lesser price. The swish-looking, one-hand steer model isn't as light as the other prams we've tested however it comes with a big storage basket and an extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you are a first time parent We suggest you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it much easier for parents to transfer their baby from the car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that is easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

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 cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not cracked and have signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the main reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags to the handles or if a wriggling child can get in or out of the seat without harnesses being done up.

A common cause of injury involves falling from a pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it can cause them to fall from the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always secured.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in either direction. This feature is useful because you won't have to wake your baby when you change their position in the stroller or when you go in and out of shops. Other handy features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat, and a handlebar that locks into position when you're not using it.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without having them in sight. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to roll off the pram or stroller and can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should only be used for short periods during the daytime.

Most prams require you to take them apart in order to put them in the boot of your car so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this process before you buy one. Also, check how it is easy to put the different parts back together before putting them in place.

Durability

A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You should ensure that your stroller can withstand the mud of a walk and also multiple car trips. You should ensure that your pram for newborn is in a color or pattern that will not date easily to avoid looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The most effective prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are built to last. So, look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels, and an effective suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold, so they can be easily stored in your garage or boot when not in use.

All prams on this list allow babies to lie flat. This is essential for newborns, because it allows them to develop their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of these prams are designed to grow along with your child. Some come with carrycots, or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on as your child grows.

If you are purchasing a pram for the very first time you should consider a travel system that comes with the carrycot as well as a car seat could be of interest. We love the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It has a nifty feature that raises and lowers your child at the push of a button so you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close which she claimed was important for her son as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that converts from a single pushchair to double pushchair and has 30 different configurations, and comes with luxurious fabrics, an expandable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you can use it for more than one child in the event of need and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the included carrycot.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lie as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models allow an all-flat position by using a carrycot that can be fully reclined, whereas others have a seat that reclines to a horizontal position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature, and it's fantastic at what it does, as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her infant by pressing a button to keep him in view, while still maintaining the eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for city trips and the puncture-proof wheels permit you to take it off the road or on rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having another child in future because it easily converts 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 includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat in the event that you purchase it separately. You can fold it with the carrycot in place which is something does not happen with all prams which is why it's an efficient and easy feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a high-end pram however, its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also a great option if you live in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks regularly. While it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this model make it possible to save you money in the end by not having to invest in a separate toddler pushchair. It's available in a broad variety of colors, as well, so you can choose one that matches your personal style.