12 Companies Leading The Way In Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary method of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines safety, comfort, and design to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller is a great stroller for babies to 3 years old. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so your child can either face you or the world around them.
Comfort
When you're out and about with a baby, you need to be sure they're comfortable. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure your child doesn't feel a thing.
The prams we've selected in this buying guide let your baby lie flat, which is essential for newborn babies as lying flat increases oxygen saturation and supports their developing hips and spine. They also have seats which can be transformed to an upright position once your baby is old enough to sit up.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that offers a cocoon-like feeling for your baby. It has smooth, curvaceous lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which doesn't recline into a flat position however, it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also lighter than the majority of prams available at less than 8kg but has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather accents, 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 the same design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is another excellent choice. The one-hand steer model, swish, isn't as light as other prams, but it does have a huge storage basket. It also has an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby protected and shaded.
If you're new to parenting we suggest that you consider a travel system that includes a car seat as well as a pram that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to transfer your child from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional travel system pram that converts easily from a lie-flat 'pramette to a pushchair for toddlers that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
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 head. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not cracked and show signs of wear. Many children are hospitalised each year because of pram or stroller-related injuries. The most common reason for these injuries is tipping over. Even the most robust prams could tip over if you hook bags on the handles, or if a child who is wriggling gets into or out of the seat without the harness being secured.
A frequent cause of injury is falling from a pram, or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to make sure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This feature is beneficial since you don't need to wake up your baby when you change their position in the stroller or when you go into and out of stores. Other handy features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat, and the handlebar can be locked into place when you are not using it.
It is not advisable to leave a sleeping child in their pram unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies are susceptible to wiggle during sleep and can cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A stroller or pram should not be used as a substitute for the cot. It is best to use it for short periods of time during the day.
The majority of prams require you dismantle them to fit them into the boot of your car so it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the process before purchasing one. Find out how easy it will be to put the parts back together.
Durability
A pram must be able to last through several years of wear and tear. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through numerous car journeys, so you must ensure your choice is able to perform the task you want it to. It is also important for your pram to be in the form of a color or print that isn't prone to fading quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.
The most reliable prams are made of high-quality materials, and are designed to last. Look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an effective suspension system. The best prams are lightweight and fold easily, allowing you to store them in your garage or even the boot.
All prams on this list allow a baby to lay flat, which is essential for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. Many of these prams have been designed to grow along with your child's. Some have a carrycot or a reclined seat that can be snapped on and off when your child outgrows them.
If you are buying a pram for the first time it is recommended to consider a system that comes with a carrycot and car seats could be worth a look. Our test-driver 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 can raise or lower your child at the push of a button so you can keep eye contact and keep them close which she described as being important to her since he was in an exploratory stage.
stroller compact Pushchairs And Prams is another option that our test-driver Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxury pram that can be converted from a single pushchair to double pushchair and has 30 different configurations, and 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 if needed and, just like the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth thanks to the included carrycot.
Style
All prams should permit newborns to lie as flat as possible. This will help with their development and improve oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models permit an entirely flat position using the carrycot which is fully reclinable, while others feature a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic at that as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved that she could raise or lower her infant by pressing an button, keeping him in the same position, while still maintaining closeness and eye contact.
It's a great stroller for those that want to get around town with ease as the frame is a good size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres allow you to remove it from the road and into rough terrain. It's an excellent choice for those who plan to have a child in the near future because it can easily 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 newborns because it includes a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats, if you buy it separately. You can fold it by putting the carrycot in place - something that not all prams can do which is why it's an efficient and easy feature.
Its luxurious fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are all the features you'd expect to find on a premium pram and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver across a variety of terrains. This is a great option for those who live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets or congested walkways on a regular basis. Although it's not cheap but the quality and versatility of this pram mean that it can save you money in the long run by not having to purchase a separate toddler pushchair. You can choose from a variety of colors to match your style.