What Makes good prams (great site)?

A pram (also called a stroller or pushchair) is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A quality pram blends safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a great pram for newborns up to 3 year old kids. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so that your child can either face either you or the world around them.

Comfort

When you're out and about with a baby, you need to be sure they're comfortable. There are prams that will ensure your baby doesn't feel any sensations.

All the prams in this guide allow your baby to lie flat. This is important for babies as it increases oxygenation and supports their hips and spine. They also come with a seat that can be converted to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.

Venicci egg2 is a top-of-the-line pram with a cocoon feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curved lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which doesn't recline into flat, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than many prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it has a sturdy chassis with finely textured leather and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

If you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly but with a similar design Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a great option. The stylish, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight as some of the other prams we've tested however it comes with a big storage basket and an extended hood with UPF50+ protection, which will keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a new parent we suggest you look into a travel system bundle that includes a pram and car seat that attach to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby out of the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and useful pram for travel that can be converted easily from a lie-flat 'pramette into a toddler-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.

Safety

A pram must have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is secure and should not allow any gaps that could trap their legs or head. The straps must be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. Check the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not damaged and show signs of wear. A lot of children are hospitalized each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. Tipping over is the main reason for these injuries. Even the sturdiest prams can fall over if you hang bags on the handles, or if a wriggling child can get in or out of the seat without the harness being done up.

Another common cause of injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If a baby is not securely fastened in the pram, they may fall out of the pram and suffer neck or head injuries. This is why it is crucial to make sure that the harness buckle is always secured.

Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can shield your baby from sun in any direction. This is a useful feature since you will not be having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram or when you are going in and out of shops. Other handy features include a tray for snacks 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.

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

The majority of prams require you take them apart in order to put them in the trunk of your car so it is recommended to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you buy one. Also check how easy it is to get the different parts back together and click them into place.

Durability

A pram must be able endure a long time of wear. You want to make sure that your baby's pram is able to handle the mud of a walk, as well as multiple car trips. It is also important for your stroller newborn to have a print or colour that isn't prone to fading quickly so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.

The most effective prams are constructed with high-quality materials. They have been designed to last, so you should look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels, and an efficient suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so they are easy to store in your garage or in the boot when not being used.

All the prams on this list allow infants to lay flat, which is vital for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their spine and hips. Some are made to adapt to your child's needs and some featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be moved on and off the frame for when your child is no longer using it.

If you are considering buying a pram for the very first time it is recommended to consider a system that includes both the carrycot as well as a car seat could be worth a look. We love the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It has an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby with the touch of one button. This allows you to keep eye contact with them and keep them close.

Another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a pram that can be converted from a single pushchair into double in 30 different configurations. It also comes with the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but you can use it with multiple children if necessary. Like our top pick iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot can be used as early as.

Style

Newborns should lie flat as much as they can in order to promote development and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, which is why it is essential that all prams support this. Some models allow an entirely flat position using a carrycot that can be fully reclined, whereas others have a seat that can be reclined to a horizontal or a vertical position.

The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic at what it does as our tester for parents Jaya discovered when she tried it with her son who was 10 months old. She loved the fact that she could raise and lower her little one with the press of a button to keep him in view while maintaining eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for city trips, and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off road or on rough terrain. It's also a great choice if you're planning on having a second child in the future since it is able to convert from a single pram into a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It is suitable for newborns since it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car seat if purchased separately. You can even fold it by putting the carrycot in place - something that isn't the case with all prams which is why it's an easy and time-saving feature.

Its luxurious fabrics, large shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kind of features you'd expect to see on a premium pram, but its sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. This is a great option if you live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded walkways regularly. The pram bag isn't cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for an additional stroller for your toddler. It's available in an extensive variety of colors, as well, so you can pick one that fits your personal style.