Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide In Good Prams
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also referred to as a stroller, pushchair or sling, is the primary method of transport for infants and toddlers. A great pram combines safety, comfort and design that makes walking enjoyable for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic pram for newborns up to 3 year old kids. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.
Comfort
You want your child to be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams that will ensure that your baby isn't shivering any discomfort.
The prams we've picked in this buying guide let your baby lie flat, which is essential for newborn babies as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. They also come with a seat that can be changed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit up.
For a truly luxurious experience this Venicci egg2 provides a warm cocoon-like feel for your baby with sleek, curved lines and a bucket-shape seating that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position but does have an upholstered liner and mattress. It's also a little lighter than other prams on the market at less than 8kg, but it has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to take on more rural settings.
If you're looking for something less expensive but still with the same style Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we tested but it has an impressively large storage basket and the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby safe and shaded.
If you are new to parenting, we recommend that you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram that can be attached to the same frame. This allows parents to transfer their child from the car to the pram without having to get them up. 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 toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.
Safety
The pram should come with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also not have any gaps where their legs or heads are likely to get caught. The straps should be padded and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on your harness to ensure they are not cracked and have signs of wear. Every year, a lot of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams or strollers. Tipping over is the primary reason for these injuries. Even the strongest prams can tip over if you hook bags on the handles, or if a wriggling child gets into or out of the seat without harnesses being properly secured.
A common cause of injury involves falling off a pram or stroller. If a child's harness isn't secured correctly, it could cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer 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 shield your baby from the sun in both directions. This is a handy feature because it will prevent having to wake your baby awake while you change their position in the pram or while you are into and out of shops. There are also other features that can be useful, like an eating tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. There's also a shopping basket underneath the seat.
Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram if you are not within reach. Babies are susceptible to wriggling while sleeping and this can cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This can lead to suffocation and strangulation. A pram sale or stroller is not a substitute for a cot and should only be used for brief periods during the day.
Most prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the boot of your car so it's an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the process before purchasing one. Find out how easy it will be to put the pieces back together.
Durability
A pram must be durable enough to withstand several years of wear and wear and tear. This includes the need to endure the mud-filled walks and many car journeys, which is why you want to be sure your choice is able to perform the task you want it to. You also want your pram to be in a print or colour that doesn't get outdated so you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.
The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and have been designed to last. So, look for strong and durable materials, robust wheels and a well-designed suspension system. The most reliable prams have a compact fold, so they can be easily stored in your garage or the boot when not in use.
All the prams on this list allow babies to lay flat, which is vital for infants since it increases oxygen saturation levels as well as aids in the development of their hips and spine. Many are designed to adapt to your child's needs, with some of them featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked off and on the frame at a time when your little one outgrows it.
If you are considering buying an infant stroller for the first time it is recommended to consider a system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat could be a good idea. Our parent tester Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month old son. It has a nifty feature that raises and lowers your child with the click of a button. This way you can keep your eyes on them and keep them close, which she described as being important to her as he was in 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 stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair a double with 30 different configurations. It also comes with a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but you could use it for more than one child, if you need to 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 boost oxygen saturation in the lung. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have seats that recline to an unflat position.
The Graco Near2Me works great for both as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She was enthralled by the fact that she could raise or lower her little one with the press of a button and keep him in sight while maintaining eye contact and a closeness.
It's a great stroller for those who want to get around town with ease as the frame is a great size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres let you move it off the road and onto rough terrain. It's a great choice when you are planning to have another child in the near future since it can be converted from a single pushchair stroller to a double or twin.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's ideal for babies since it comes with a carrycot that can be folded flat and is compatible with a car-seat when purchased separately. You can fold it using the carrycot as a stand and it's something that does not happen with all prams, so it's a time-saving and hassle-free feature.
The pram's luxurious fabrics large basket, spacious interior, and puncture-proof tires are things you'd expect on a premium model however, the sleek frame makes it easy to maneuver over diverse terrains. It's also a great choice for those who reside in a city and have to navigate narrow streets or busy sidewalks regularly. It's not cheap, but its versatility and high-end quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the purchase of a separate stroller for toddlers. It's available in a wide variety of colors, too, so you can choose one that matches your personal style.
