10 Key Factors On Good Prams You Didn't Learn At School
What Makes Good Prams?
compact strollers (also called a stroller or a pushchair) is the main form of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design that makes walking fun for the entire family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Stylish Baby Stroller makes a great stroller for infants to three years old. Its reversible handle allows you to tilt the seat so that your child can face you or the world around them.
Comfort
If you're out and about with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. There are prams to make sure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
The prams we've selected in this buying guide all allow your baby to lay flat, which is important for newborn babies as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and supports their developing spine and hips. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your baby is capable of sitting up.
Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that has a cocoon-like feeling for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines and a bucket-shaped seat that doesn't recline to flat however it does come with a padded mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, at a weight of just 8kg. However, it still is sturdy and has the grained leather accents and tyres with air-filled tires that are puncture-proof.
If you're looking for something less expensive but with a similar design, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The swish-looking, one-hand steer model isn't as light as some of the other prams we've tested but it has an impressively large storage basket and extendable hood with UPF 50+ protection, which will keep your baby shaded and protected.
If you are new to parenting We suggest that you look into a travel system package which includes a car seat and pram that are attached to the same frame. This will make it easier to get your baby from the car into the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel system is a stylish and practical pram that is able to be easily converted from a 'pramette' or lie-flat 'pramette,' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco iSize car seat.
Safety
A pram should have a five-point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps to entrap their legs or heads. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they expand. Examine the buckles on the harness to make sure they're not damaged and show signs of wear. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year due to pram or stroller-related injuries. Tipping over is the main cause of these injuries. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags to the handles or if a child with a wriggling gets into or out of the seat without the harness being properly secured.
Another reason for injuries is falling from the pram or stroller. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly, it could cause them to fall from the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the buckle on the harness is securely clicked into the correct position.
Some prams have a reversible shade that can be used to protect your baby in any direction from the sun. This feature is helpful since you don't need to wake your baby when you change their position in the stroller, or when you go in and out of shops. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your baby or toddler, a shopping basket underneath the seat, and a handlebar that locks into position when you are not using it.
You should never leave a child sleeping in their stroller unless they are within sight of them at all times. Babies tend to wriggle while asleep and this may cause them to fall off the pram or stroller and could result in suffocation or strangulation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods during the daytime.
Most prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the boot of your car therefore it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the process before you buy one. Also check how it is easy to put the different sections back together and then click them into place.
Durability
A pram needs to be able to endure several years of wear. This includes the need to endure muddy walks and getting through numerous car journeys, so you need to ensure that your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. You want to make sure that your pram is the right color or design that isn't prone to fading so you don't look like you've fallen out of fashion.
The best prams will be constructed from high-quality materials and built to last. Look for durable fabrics, sturdy tires, and a well-designed system of suspension. The top prams have a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or boot when not being used.
All the prams in this list allow a baby to lie flat, which is crucial for newborns because it improves oxygen saturation levels and supports the development of their hips and spine. Some are made to grow with your child, with some of them having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be moved on and off the frame when your child is no longer using it.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may also be interested in a travel set which is an all-in-one bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. We are awestruck by 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 child at the touch of one button. This allows you to keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.
The Bugaboo Fox 3 is another option that our tester Jess Bird tried with her two babies Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair into double, with 30 different configurations. It also comes with sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but it can be used for multiple children if necessary. And like our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its carrycot can be used as early as.
Style
Newborns must lay flat as much as they can in order to promote development and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs. Therefore, it is essential that all prams allow this. Some models provide a flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature the seat that can recline to a flat position.
The Graco Near2Me features the latter feature and is fantastic at what it does as our parent tester Jaya found when she tested it with her 10-month-old son. She loved the fact that she could raise or lower her child with the push of a button and keep him in view, while still maintaining eye contact and closeness.
The frame is perfect to take a stroll around town, and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off road or on rough terrain. It's also a smart option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future because it easily converts from a single pram to a double or twin pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels impressive. It's ideal for babies because it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car-seat when purchased separately. It can be folded with the carrycot still in place, which is a feature that not all prams offer. This reduces time and makes it simpler to use.
The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are features you'd expect on a high-end model however, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over various terrains. It's also a great choice for those who live in a large city and have to navigate narrow streets or busy sidewalks frequently. The pram isn't cheap, but its versatility and quality can save you money over time by avoiding the purchase of a separate toddler stroller. You can pick from a variety of colors to match your personal style.