What Makes Good Prams?

A pram for newborn (also known as a stroller travel or pushchair) is the main form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram blends 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 infants to three years old. The Reversible handle lets you flip the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

You want your baby to be at ease when you're out with them. There are prams to make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.

The prams we've chosen in this buying guide all let your baby lie flat, which is essential for babies who are just beginning to crawl. Lying flat improves oxygen levels and supports their developing spine and hips. The seats can be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curved lines and a bucket-shaped seat which does not recline into flat however it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also lighter than other prams on the market at under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather accents and 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 design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as the other prams we've tested but it has an impressively large storage basket, as well as an extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby shaded and protected.

If you're a first time parent, we recommend that you look into a travel system that includes a car seat and pram that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier to transfer your child from the car to the pram without disturbing them and is ideal for parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and functional pram that is able to be easily converted from a 'pramette or a lie-flat 'pramette into a stroller that is toddler-friendly compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.

Safety

The pram should come with a five-point safety harness that will ensure your baby's safety. It must also be free of gaps between their head and legs that are likely to get caught. The straps must be padded and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to inspect the buckles of your harness to make sure that they are not cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year because of injuries caused by strollers or prams. The most common cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most robust prams could fall over if you hang bags on the handles, or if a child with a wriggling can get in or out of the seat without the harness being done up.

Another reason for injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly, it could cause them to fall from the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into place.

Some prams come with an adjustable shade that can be used to protect your baby in either direction from the sun. This is a handy feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram, or when you are to and from the shops. There are also other features that can be useful, like an eating tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. You can also find a shopping basket underneath the seat.

It is not advisable to let a child sleep in their pram unless you are in their sight at all times. Babies are susceptible to wriggling while sleeping, which could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This could result in suffocation and strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for brief periods during the daytime.

The majority of prams require you to disassemble them in order to put them in the boot of your car therefore it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the process before you buy one. Also check how easy it is to get the different sections back together and click to put them back together.

Durability

A pram must be durable enough to endure several years of wear and tear. This includes surviving walking in the rain and many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice is able to fulfill the tasks you require it to. It is also important for your pram to be in an image or color 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 are made of high-quality materials and are built to last, so look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The best prams will also have a compact fold, so they can be easily stored in your garage or the boot when not being used.

All the prams in this list allow a baby to lie flat, which is crucial for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels as well as aids in the development of their hips and spine. A lot of these prams are designed to expand with your child's. Some come with a carrycot, or a reclined seat that can be removed and snapped on when your child outgrows them.

If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you might be interested in a travel set which is a package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. 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 an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of a single button. This allows you to keep your eyes on your child and keep them close.

The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two kids Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be transformed from a single pushchair into a double with 30 different configurations. It also has a 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 using the carrycot included.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie as flat as they can. This will help with their development and boost oxygen saturation in the lungs. Some models allow a completely flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature the seat that can recline to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic in this regard as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her son who was 10 months old. She was thrilled that she could raise or lower her little one with the push of a button to keep him in the view of others while maintaining eye contact and a closeness.

It's a great stroller for those that want to nip around town without hassle since the frame is a great size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres permit you to move it off the road and onto rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a high-end, stylish option. It's suitable for babies because it includes a carrycot which can be folded flat and is compatible with car seats if purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is an option that not all prams have. This is time-saving and makes it more convenient to use.

The pram double's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are things you would expect to see on a high-end model However, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over various terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets or crowded paths frequently. Although it's not cheap, the quality and versatility of this pram make it possible to save you money over the long term by avoiding the need to buy a separate pushchair twin for toddlers. You can pick from a variety of colors that will fit your preferences.