Guide To Good Prams: The Intermediate Guide For Good Prams
From Shiapedia
What Makes Good Prams?
A pram, also known as a stroller, pushchair or a sling, is the primary form of transport for babies and toddlers. A good pram combines comfort, safety and design to make walking enjoyable for the whole family.
The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby compact stroller is a great pram for newborns up to 3 year old kids. The adjustable handle can be turned around to allow you to turn the seat to face your child or the world.
Comfort
If you're out and about with your baby, you need to ensure they're secure. There are prams to ensure your baby doesn't feel any discomfort.
All the prams listed in this guide allow your baby lie flat. This is essential for babies as it increases oxygenation and helps support their spine and hips. They also come with a seat which can be transformed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit.
For a truly luxurious experience, the Venicci egg2 has a cosy feeling of a cocoon for your baby with smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shape seats that doesn't recline into a lie-flat position but does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams on the market at under 8kg but still has solid chassis and grained leather detailing and air-filled tyres that are puncture-proof and able to handle more rugged terrains.
If you're looking for something more affordable, but with a similar design, the 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 tried however it comes with a big storage basket and an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby protected and shaded.
If you're the first parent of your child, we'd recommend considering a travel system bundle that includes a pram and a car seat that are attached to the same frame. This will make it much easier to get your baby out of the car to the pram without having to wake them up and is perfect for busy parents who are always on the move. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a fashionable and practical pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' lying flat' to a toddler stroller-friendly pushchair compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.
Safety
A pram should be equipped with a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and secure. It should not have any gaps that could trap their legs or heads. The straps must be padded, and easily adjustable as your child grows. It is also important to examine the buckles on your harness to ensure that they aren't cracked or showing signs of wear and tear. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year because of injuries from strollers or prams. The primary cause of these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the most sturdy prams could tip over when you strap bags to the handles or if the child is wriggling and falls out or in the seat before the harness has been tightened.
A common cause of injury involves falling from a pram or stroller. If a baby isn't securely secured in the pram, they could fall out of the stroller and sustain neck or head injuries. It is therefore essential to ensure that the buckle on the harness is locked into the proper position.
Some good prams also have an adjustable canopy that can protect your baby from the sun in either direction. This feature is helpful since you don't need to wake up your baby when you change their position in the triple stroller or when you go into stores and out. Other useful features include a tray for snacks and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a shopping basket under the seat and the handlebar can be locked into place when you are not using it.
Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram without being within reach. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this may cause them to fall off the pram or stroller and cause suffocation or strangulation. A stroller or pram should not be used as an alternative to the crib. It is best to use it for short periods during the day.
The majority of prams for sale require you dismantle them to put them in the car's boot therefore it's recommended to familiarize yourself with this procedure before you purchase one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.
Durability
A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. You want to make sure that your stroller can withstand the mud of a walk as well as a variety of car trips. It is important to ensure that your pram is in a colour or print that will not date easily so you don't look like you've fallen out of style.
The best prams are constructed from high-quality materials and are designed to last. Look for durable materials, sturdy tires, and an efficient suspension system. The most effective prams are small and fold easily, so you can store them in your garage or boot.
All the sale prams on this list allow babies to lay flat. This is important for newborns, because it aids in the development of their hips and spine and improves oxygenation levels. Some are made to adapt to your child's needs and some featuring a carrycot, or a fully reclined seat that can be moved off and back on the frame at a time when your child is no longer using it.
If you're purchasing a new pram for the first time, you may be looking for a travel system which is a bundle that includes a lying-flat carrycot and car seat. Our test-driver for parents Jaya loved the Graco Near2Me system that she used with her 10-month-old son. It comes with an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your child at the touch of a single 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 children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair into double in 30 different configurations. It also features the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap but you can use it for multiple children, if needed. Similar to our winner model, the iCandy Orange 3 with its included carrycot is a great option to use from the moment of birth.
Style
Newborns must lay flat as often as they can in order to promote development and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs. Therefore, it's important that all prams support this. Some models permit an all-flat position by using a carrycot that can be fully reclinable, while others have a seat which reclines to a horizontal position.
The Graco Near2Me is a great device for both, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved the ability to raise or lower her child with a push of the button to keep him in the same position, while still maintaining the eye contact and closeness.
It's a great pram for those that want to travel around town with ease as the frame is a good size for maneuvering, and the puncture-proof tyres let you take it off road and on to rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in future since it can easily be converted from a single pram to a twin or double pushchair.
The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish premium option that looks and feels luxurious. It's ideal for infants as it comes with a lie-flat carrycot and is compatible with car seats when you purchase it separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place, which is a feature that not all prams offer. This reduces time and makes it simpler to use.
Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of things you'd expect on a premium pram and its sleek design makes it easy to maneuver on any terrain. This is an excellent choice for those who live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or congested pathways frequently. While it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this pram will save you money in the end by eliminating the need to buy a separate toddler pushchair. You can pick from a range of colors that will fit your personal style.
