What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or pushchair) is the primary mode of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and style to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for babies to three years old. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

When you're out and about with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. There are prams to make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide allow your baby to lay flat, which is essential for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat increases oxygen saturation and helps support their growing spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position once your baby is able to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a top-of-the-line pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It has smooth, curvaceous lines, a bucket-shaped seat, that doesn't recline to a flat position however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams available at under 8kg but still has a sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can be used in more rural environments.

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

If you're the first parent of your child we suggest you look into a travel system bundle that includes a pram and car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without disturbing them and is ideal for parents on the go. 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 seat.

Safety

The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will keep your baby safe. It should also have no gaps in which their heads or legs could get stuck. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised each year due to injuries caused by strollers or prams. The main reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could tip over if you hook bags to the handles or if a child who is wriggling can get in or out of the seat without harnesses being done up.

Another frequent cause of injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If the harness of a baby is not fastened properly it can cause them to fall from the stroller, causing neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the buckle of the harness is always secured.

Some Good Prams; Olderworkers.Com.au, also have a reversible canopy that will shield your baby from sun in either direction. This is a great feature because it will prevent having to wake your child awake when you change their position in the pram or while you are to and from the shops. There are other features that could be useful, for example a snack tray 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 without having them in sight. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this may cause them to roll off the stroller or pram and cause suffocation or Good Prams strangulation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a crib and should be used only for short periods during the daytime.

Most prams require you to disassemble them in order to fit them into the boot of your car so it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this process before you purchase one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram should be able to last through many years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure walking in the rain and many car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice is able to perform the task you want it to. You also want your pram to come in a print or colour that isn't prone to fading quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.

The best prams will be constructed of top-quality materials and designed to last. Look for durable materials as well as sturdy tires and an effective suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold so they are easy to store in your garage or boot when not being used.

All prams on this list allow your baby to lay flat. This is important for newborns, because it aids in the development of their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to adapt to your child's needs and some having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be clicked off and on the frame for when your little one outgrows it.

If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may be looking for a travel system which is a package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with a clever feature that raises and lowers your baby at the touch of a button. This way you can keep eye contact and keep them close, which she described as being important to her since he was at an exploratory stage.

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 pushchair that can be converted from a single pushchair to double, with 30 different configurations. It also comes with sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it for more than one child if needed and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the included carrycot.

Style

Newborns must lie flat as much as they can to help develop and improve oxygen saturation in their lungs, which is why it is essential that all prams permit this. Some models allow for a completely flat position by using the carrycot which is fully reclined, whereas others have a seat which can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for both as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her child who was 10 months old. She was enthralled by the fact that she could raise and lower her little one with the press of a button and keep him in view and still maintain eye contact and a closeness.

It's a great pram for those who wish to get around town easily as the frame is a great size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's a great option when you are planning to have another child in the near future because it can easily be converted from a single foldable pushchair to a double or twin.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with a car seat when you purchase it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is something that not all prams offer. This reduces time and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram's luxurious fabric as well as the spacious basket and puncture-proof tires are features you would expect to see on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over various terrains. It's also a great choice if you reside in a city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded sidewalks frequently. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for an additional stroller for your toddler. You can choose from a range of colors to match your personal style.