20 Irrefutable Myths About Good Prams: Busted

What Makes Good Prams?

A pram, also known as a pushchair, stroller or sling, is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines safety, comfort and style to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a wonderful stroller for newborns and 3-year-old children. The reversible handle lets you to rotate the seat so your child can either face either you or the world around them.

Comfort

Your baby should be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams made to ensure that your baby isn't apprehensive.

All prams featured in this guide let your baby lie flat. This is essential for babies as it increases oxygenation and helps support 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.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram that offers a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curving lines as well as a bucket-shaped seating, which doesn't recline into an upright position however, it does come with padding on the mattress and a liner. It's also lighter than most prams on the market at less than 8kg, but it has an extremely sturdy chassis and grained leather detailing, plus air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and can be used in more rural environments.

The Minu V2 is a great option when you're looking for a model with a similar look but for a lesser price. The swish-looking, one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we tried however it comes with a large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection that'll keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you're the first parent of your child we recommend a travel system bundle which includes a pram and a car seat that can be attached to the same frame. This will make it much 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 is a great example of a stylish and functional pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' that lies flat into a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco i-Size car seat.

Safety

The pram should come with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also have no gaps where their legs or heads could get stuck. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. It is also important to check the harness buckles to make sure that they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams or strollers. The main cause of these injuries is tipping over. Even the strongest prams can topple when you hang your bags onto the handles or if a child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another reason for injuries is falling from the stroller or pram. If the harness of a baby is not secured properly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller and suffer neck or head injuries. It is therefore important to ensure that the buckle on the harness is clicked into the proper position.

A few good prams also come with a canopy that can be reversible to protect your baby from the sun in both directions. This is a handy feature as you can avoid having to wake your baby up when you are changing their position in the pram, or when you are going to and from the shops. There are also other features that could be useful, for example an eating tray for your child or toddler and drink holders. There's also a shopping basket underneath the seat.

It is not advisable to leave a sleeping child in their stroller unless they are within their reach at all times. Babies are susceptible to wiggle during sleep, which could cause them to roll out of the stroller or pram. This can lead to strangulation and suffocation. A pram or a stroller is not a substitute for the cot. It is best to use it for short periods of time during the daytime.

Most prams require you to dismantle them to fit them into the boot of your car so it is an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with this 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 should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You want to make sure that your stroller can withstand slippery walks and also multiple car trips. It is important to ensure that your stroller is in a color or pattern that won't fade easily to avoid looking as if you've slipped out of fashion.

The top prams are constructed of high-quality materials and are designed to last, so you should look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels, and an effective suspension system. The top prams have a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or the boot when not in use.

All the prams in this list allow a baby to lay flat, which is vital for newborns as it improves oxygen saturation levels and aids in the development of their hips and spine. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child and some having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be clicked off and back on the frame when your child outgrows it.

If you're buying a new pram for the first time, you might also be interested in a travel pram set which is an all-in-one package that includes a lie-flat carrycot and car seat. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It comes with an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of one button. This lets you keep your eyes on the baby and keep them in close proximity.

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 pushchair that can be transformed from a single pushchair to double in 30 different configurations. It also has a sun canopy that can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but it can be used for more than one child if you need to. And like our winner iCandy Orange 3, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot is a great option to use right from birth.

Style

Newborns must lay flat as much as they can in order to promote development and increase the oxygen level in their lungs, so it's essential that all prams allow this. Some models provide a flat position using a fully reclineable carrycots, while others have seats that recline to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me works great for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tried it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved that she could raise or lower her child by pressing a button to keep him in the same position and still maintain the eye contact and 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 take it off road and onto rough terrain. It's also a good choice if you're planning on having another child in the near future since it is able to convert from a single pushchair to a double or twin pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels impressive. It is suitable for newborns as it comes with a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car seat if purchased separately. It can be folded by putting the carrycot in place - something that isn't the case with all prams, so it's a time-saving and hassle-free feature.

The pram's luxurious fabrics, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find in a top model However, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver over different terrains. It's also a great option when you live in a city and need to negotiate narrow streets or busy sidewalks regularly. This pram is not cheap but its versatility and quality can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for a separate toddler stroller. It's available in an extensive variety of colors, and you can choose one that suits your personal style.