What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also referred to as a pushchair, stroller or Sling, is the main form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram is a combination of comfort, safety and design that makes walking fun for all the family members.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic stroller for babies to 3 years old. The reversible handle lets you to turn the seat so your child can face 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 that your baby isn't apprehensive.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is essential for newborn babies as lying flat improves oxygen levels and supports their developing hips and spine. They also come with a seat which can be transformed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit.

For a truly luxurious feel it's the Venicci egg2 offers a cozy cocoon feel for your newborn with sleek, curvaceous lines and a bucket-shape seating that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, weighing under 8kg. But it is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something more affordable, but still with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as light as some of the other prams we tested however it comes with a large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first time parent, we recommend that you consider a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that are attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to transfer your child from the car to the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette or a lie-flat 'pramette into a stroller that is toddler-friendly compatible with the Graco iSize car seat.

Safety

A pram should be equipped with a five-point safety harness to keep your baby safe and secure. It should not have any gaps to trap their legs or heads. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised every year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. The primary cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a child who is wriggling is able to get into or out of the seat without the harness being done up.

Another reason for injury is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby isn't securely secured in the pram, they may fall out of the stroller and suffer head or neck injuries. This is why it is important to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always clicked into place.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from the sun in any direction. This is a great feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram, or when you go to and from the shops. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a shopping basket 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 if you are not within reach. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to slide off the stroller or pram and could result in strangulation or suffocation. A stroller or pram is not a substitute for a cot and should only be used for short periods of time during the day.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the boot of your car so it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the process before purchasing one. Check how easy it will be to put the sections back together.

Durability

A pram needs to be able to last through several years of wear and wear and tear. You need to ensure that your stroller can withstand muddy walks, as well as multiple car trips. It is also important for your pram to be in an image or color that doesn't get outdated so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of fashion.

The best prams are made with high-quality materials. They are built to last, so look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels, and a well-designed suspension system. The best travel stroller prams are compact and fold easily, so you can store them in your garage or the boot of your car.

All prams on this list allow the baby to lie on their backs. This is crucial for infants because it allows them to develop their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child with some having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be moved on and off the frame when your child is no longer using it.

If you are buying an infant stroller for the first time, a travel system that includes both the carrycot as well as a car seat could 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 lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of one button. This allows you to maintain eye contact with them and keep them close.

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 pushchair to a double pushchair with 30 different configurations, and comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not inexpensive but you can use it for multiple children if necessary. Similar to our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot can be used right from birth.

Style

All prams should allow newborns to lie as flat as they can. This will help with their development and increase oxygen levels in the lung. Some models create a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot while others feature seats that recline to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me comes with the latter feature and is fantastic at that as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her son of 10 months. She loved the fact that she could raise and lower her baby at the touch of a button and keep him in sight, while still maintaining eye contact and closeness.

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 let you move it off the road and into rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having another child in future since it can easily be converted from a single pushchair to a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a premium, stylish option. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat baby carrycot and is compatible with a car seat when you purchase it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place, which is something that not all prams provide. This reduces time and makes it easier to use.

Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tyres are all the features you'd expect to see on a premium pram and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. It's also an ideal choice when you live in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or overcrowded sidewalks regularly. Although it's not cheap but the quality and versatility of this stroller mean that it can save you money in the long run by eliminating the need to invest in an additional pushchair for toddlers. It's available in a wide variety of colors, and you can pick one that fits your personal style.