Why We Why We Good Prams And You Should Too
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also referred to as a foldable stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary method of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so that your child can either face either you or the world around them.
Comfort
If you're out and about with your baby, you want to ensure that they're safe. There are prams to ensure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.
All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby to lie flat. This is important for newborns since it improves oxygenation and strengthens their hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to a more upright position when your baby is capable of sitting up.
Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which doesn't recline into flat, but it does have padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also a little lighter than most prams, weighing less than 8kg but has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can take on more rural settings.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly but still with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The one-hand steer, swish model isn't quite as light as other prams but it does have a large storage basket. It also has an extended hood that provides UPF 50+ protection to keep your baby safe and protected.
If you're a first time parent, we recommend you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that attaches to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their baby from their car to the pram and travel system without having to get them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful travel system pram that converts easily from a lie-flat 'pramette' to a toddler-friendly pushchair that is compatible with the Graco I-Size car seats.
Safety
A pram should be equipped with a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps that could trap their heads or legs. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are hospitalised because of injuries caused by prams and strollers. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can topple when you strap your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling or squirming and falls out or in the seat before the harness has been tightened.
A common cause of injury is falling off a pram or stroller. If a child's harness isn't secured correctly, it could cause them to fall from the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. Therefore, it is important to always ensure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the proper position.
Some prams have a reversible shade which can be used to shield your baby in any direction from the sun. This feature is useful since you don't need to wake up your baby every time you change their position in the stroller or when you go in and out of stores. There are other features that could be useful, like a snack tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. There is also an extra shopping basket under the seat.
You should never leave a sleeping child in their pram unless you are within their reach at all times. Babies can be prone to wiggle while asleep, which could cause them to fall out of the stroller or pram. This could result in strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller is not an alternative to a crib. It should only be used for short periods during the daytime.
The majority of prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the trunk of your car therefore it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with this procedure before purchasing one. Also check how it is simple to put the different sections back together and then click them in place.
Durability
A pram sets needs to be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, which is why you need to ensure that your choice can do the job you need it to. Also, you want your stroller to have the form of a color or print that isn't prone to fading quickly to avoid looking like you've fallen out of style.
The top prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They are designed to last, so look for durable fabrics, sturdy wheels, and an effective suspension system. The top prams feature a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or boot when not when not in use.
All the prams on this list allow your baby to lie down flat. This is important for infants because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and improves oxygenation levels. Many of these prams are designed to expand with your child. Some include a carrycot, or a reclined chair that can be removed and snapped on when your child is outgrowing them.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may be interested in a travel system that is a complete package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We are awestruck by the Graco Near2Me system that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with a handy feature that raises and lowers your child with the click of a button so you can maintain eye contact and keep them close which she claimed was important for her son as the baby was still at an exploratory stage.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two children Effie & Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be transformed from a single pushchair twin into a double with 30 different configurations. It also has the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not inexpensive but you can use it for multiple children, if needed. And like our winner, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot included, it can be used right from birth.
Style
Newborns must lie flat as much as they can in order to promote development and improve oxygen saturation in their lungs. Therefore, it's important that all prams support this. Some models allow a completely flat position using a fully reclineable carrycot, while others have the seat that can recline to a flat position.
The Graco Near2Me has the latter feature, and it's fantastic at that as our tester for parents Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the fact that she could raise or lower her baby at the press of a button, keeping him in the view of others while maintaining eye contact and closeness.
It's a great pram for those who want to travel around town easily as the frame is an ideal size for manoeuvring, while the puncture-proof tyres permit you to take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future since it is able to convert from a single pram into 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 when purchased separately. You can fold it using the carrycot as a stand - something that not all prams can do and is an efficient and easy feature.
The pram's luxurious fabric large basket, spacious interior, 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 around various terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or congested walkways regularly. The pram isn't cheap stroller, but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of an additional stroller for your toddler. You can pick from a variety of colors that will fit your preferences.