Buying a Pram Newborn

Prams and cheap pushchairs are the multi-functional, flexible companions of caregivers and parents. They are the co-pilots for your child's next adventure.

A pram newborn is a dedicated stroller for infants and newborns. It has a solid, deep carrycot that is soft, safe walls.

A pram typically comes with a bassinet, but it can be converted into a stroller seat once baby is ready.

Safety

Newborns need to be secured to the greatest extent possible. Purchasing a stroller or pram equipped with safety features will ensure that your baby is safe and secure while traveling. The most essential requirements for any pram or stroller are to have a working brake, a five-point safety harness (2 shoulder straps, 2 waist straps and a Crotch strap) and an adjustable wrist tether strap for the person pushing the pram. Check that your chosen pram is in compliance with these requirements before purchasing.

Find a pram that allows your baby to travel in the recommended lying-flat position. This position helps support the baby and prevents the risk of a dangerous spinal curve that can cause spinal problems. By keeping the airways open, it decreases the risk for SUID (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or Asphyxiation). Most prams are able to be used right from birth. They have an adjustable seat that reclines to lay flat for infants. It can also be converted to a pushchair for older children.

The suspension of a pram will determine how smoothly it rides. A pram with many spring suspensions will be more expensive however it is worth the extra cost when you intend to use your pram every day for a couple of years or more.

Always read the directions and carefully read the warning labels on your stroller or pram. When not in use, keep your stroller away from dangers like traffic, bicycles or other people. You should also remove any bags or other items that are not removed from the handles, as they could cause your baby to get caught or suffocate.

Even if the baby is asleep, it's never recommended to leave a stroller or pram unattended. They could wriggle into the pram and become stuck, or roll away and cause injury. It's also not a good idea to hang bags or other things from the handles because they could fall and hit your baby in the head.

Comfort

Possibility of lying flat seating is an absolute necessity for babies, because it helps improve back and lung development. Many prams have cocoons or carrycots that creates a cozy nest-like atmosphere for your baby and is able to be removed from the frame. Other models, such as the egg2's bucket-style seat, do not recline to lie flat, but they still provide a comfy ride for your baby.

Some prams also feature an additional bassinet, infant inset or stroller seat so you can easily switch between sleeping and sitting modes depending on your bub's requirements. This is often referred to as a "travel system" and is the first setup you should test out with your newborn.

Choose a stroller with two shoulder straps (ideally with padding) and a functional five-point safety harness that fits your child's body safely. Be sure to check for gaps or places where fingers could become trapped. Also, ensure that the buckles are safe for older children to use. It's also worth considering whether you'd prefer a parent facing pram or not. It's perfect for keeping an eye on your child and helping them feel secure by the familiarity of their parents.

Some prams, such as the Graco Near2Me, have a nifty raise and lower function that allows your baby to come up to your face at the push of a button, which our parent testers loved! This is a fantastic method of keeping eye contact with your baby, and stay in touch, especially when they're asleep. If you're looking to purchase a travel system, be sure that whether the frame is compatible with your chosen car capsule, as this will save you having to wake them up while changing between pram, car and back.

Convenience

When buying a pram newborn it is essential to consider the needs of your baby's transportation. Some prams include a bassinet or carrycot, that allows your baby to lay flat (essential for their spinal development and breathing) while others have a seat that can recline to a lying-flat position. You should also check the other accessories that are included in the pram, like a footmuff or a changing bag. These are essential for keeping your baby warm when it's cold.

Some prams and strollers can be converted to travel systems. You can connect a car pod to a frame with adaptors so that you can move your child from the car to the pram without disturbing them. These are useful for those who have a hectic lifestyle or don't have a big enough boot for a pram capsule, although it is worth bearing in mind that your child must be old enough and able to sit on their own before you can switch between the car capsule and pram.

Another feature to consider is the ability to raise and lower your infant's seat from a low setting to a high setting, which helps maintain eye contact with them and keeps them close to you, something that our tester for parents found very useful for her 10-month old boy! One good example is the Graco Near2Me which can lower to allow your baby to glide into your arms with the push of the button, and remain in constant eye contact.

You should also be able to keep bags for shopping and changing in the basket beneath. It should be possible to store bags for shopping and changing beneath the pram (but remember that too much weight could cause it to topple over). If you are unsure of what to choose, try different models at your local retailer.