What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or a Sling, is the main method of transport for infants and toddlers. A great running 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 makes a great stroller for babies to 3 years old. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so that your child can face you or the world around them.

Comfort

When you're out and about with your baby, you need to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that make sure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lie flat, which is important for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. They also have seats that can be converted to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.

For a truly luxurious feel this Venicci egg2 has a cosy cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seat that doesn't recline to a lie-flat position, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also a little lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg, but it has a sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to be used in more rural environments.

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, but with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as light than some of the other prams we've tested but it has an impressively large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend a travel system bundle that includes a triple pram and car seat 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 travel system is a stylish and practical pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette, or a lie-flat 'pramette' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seats.

Safety

A pram must have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps that could trap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Check the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not damaged and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the main reason for these injuries. Even the most sturdy prams can topple if you hook bags to the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls in or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another frequent cause of injury is falling from the pram bags or stroller. If a child is not securely secured in, they could fall out of the pram and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into place.

Some good prams also have a canopy that can be reversible to shield your baby from the sun in either direction. This feature is beneficial because you won't have to wake your baby every time you change their position in the stroller, or when you go into and out of shops. There are also other features that are useful, such as an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. You can also find an extra shopping basket under the seat.

Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within sight. Babies are prone to wiggle during sleep and this can cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This could result in strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller is not an alternative to a cot. It should only be used for short periods during the day.

It is necessary to take apart the majority of prams to place them into the boot of your vehicle. This process should be familiarised with before you purchase a pram. Also, consider how it is simple to put the different sections back together before putting them into place.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure a long time of wear. You need to ensure that your pram can handle slippery walks as well as a variety of car trips. You should ensure that your stroller is in a colour or print that will not date easily so that you don't appear like you've fallen out of style.

The most reliable prams are made of high-quality materials, and built to last. You should look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and a well-designed system of suspension. The most reliable prams feature a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or the boot when not in use.

All the prams on this list allow a baby to lay flat, which is crucial for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. A lot of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some come with a carrycot, or a fully-reclined chair that can be removed and snapped on as your child grows.

If you're looking to purchase a brand new pram for the first time, you might also be looking for a travel strollers system which is a bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our tester for parents Jaya was a fan of the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It has a nifty feature that allows you to raise and lower your child at the push of a button. This way you can keep eye contact and keep them close which she claimed was important to her since the baby was still at an exploratory stage.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram and travel system that converts from a single to double pushchair, with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with premium fabrics, an extendable sun canopy, and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you could use it for more than one child in the event of need and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth with the included carrycot.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lay as flat as possible. This will aid in their development and improve oxygen levels in the lung. Some models allow a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot, while others have the seat that can recline to an unflat position.

The Graco Near2Me has the latter feature and is 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 baby with a push of an button, keeping him in view while maintaining eye contact and proximity.

It's a great stroller for those who want to nip around town without hassle since the frame is a good size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to remove it from the road and on to rough terrain. It's an excellent choice if you plan to have another child in the near future since it can be converted from a single pushchair to a twin or double.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's suitable for babies as it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car seat if purchased separately. You can even fold it with the carrycot in place - something that not all prams can do and is a time-saving and hassle-free feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket, and puncture-proof tyres are the kind of features you'd expect to find on a pram of the highest quality and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver on a variety of terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets and crowded paths regularly. While it's not cheap, the quality and versatility of this pram make it possible to save you money over the long term by not having to buy a separate toddler pushchair. It's available in a wide range of colors, and you can pick one that matches your personal style.