Buying a Pram Newborn

Prams and pushchairs are the multifunctional, versatile allies of parents and caregivers. They are the co-pilots for your child's journey.

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

A pram is equipped with a bassinet, but it can be converted to a stroller once the baby is ready.

Safety

Newborns are incredibly fragile and must be kept as secure as you can. A stroller or pram that has safety features will keep your baby secure and comfortable while traveling. A pram or stroller must have a break that works and a 5-point harness (2 shoulder straps; 2 waist straps; and a crotch belt) and a wrist tether for the person pushing it. Check that the pram you choose meets these standards.

Look for a pram that allows your newborn to ride in the recommended lie-flat position. This position supports the baby and prevents the risk of a dangerous spinal curve that could cause spinal issues. By keeping the airways open, it decreases the chance of SUID (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or Asphyxiation). Most prams that can be used from birth will come with an infant seat that can recline to a lay-flat pram mode for younger babies and then convert into a pushchair seat unit for older children.

The suspension of prams is vital as it will affect how smooth the ride is. A pram with many suspensions is likely to cost more but it might be worth it to purchase this feature if you plan on using your pram everyday for a couple of years or more.

Always read the instructions and read the warning labels on your stroller or pram. It is also important to ensure that your stroller is placed in a secure location free of bicycles, traffic or any other dangers when it's not being used. It is also important to remove any bags or other objects from the handles as they could cause your baby to get trapped or even suffocate.

A stroller or pram should not be left unattended with a child in it even if they are asleep. They can get wriggling and become trapped, or the pram may be thrown away and the child could be injured. Hanging bags, or other items from the handles is not a good thing as they can fall and hit your child in the head.

Comfort

It is essential that newborns have the option to lie flat as this aids in lung and back development. Carrycots or cocoons are found on many prams. They create a cozy environment that is comfortable for your baby and can be removed easily from the frame. Others, like the egg2's bucket-style seat, do not recline to lay flat, but provide a comfy ride for your baby.

Some prams come with a separate seat or bassinet for a newborn. This allows you to easily switch between sleeping and sitting positions depending on what your baby needs. This is often called a "travel system" and is the initial configuration that you should try out with your baby.

Find a pram that has two shoulder straps (ideally cushioned) and a functional five-point safety harness that fits your baby's body securely. Be sure that there aren't any gaps or loose areas in which fingers can get caught and that the buckles are comfortable to use, especially for older children. It's also worth considering whether you'd like a parent facing pram or not. It's perfect to keep an eye on your little one and helps children feel secure with the familiar sight of their parents.

Some prams, such as the Graco Near2Me have an awesome raise and lower feature that can bring your baby close to your face with the touch of the button, which our parent testers absolutely loved! This is a great method to keep eye contact with your baby, and stay in touch, especially when they're asleep. If you are looking for a travel system that is compatible with the car capsule you pick, you will not have to wake your baby to switch between the car and pram.

Convenience

It is important to consider the needs of your baby's transportation when purchasing a baby pram. Some prams include carrycots, a bassinet or seat that reclines to a flat position. This is crucial to ensure your baby's spinal development and breathing. It's also a good idea to check out the other accessories are included in the pram like the footmuff and changing bag that are essential to keep your baby warm in colder weather.

It's important to note that some strollers and prams can be transformed into travel systems which allows you to connect a car capsule with the frame using adaptors so that you can easily move your baby between the car and the running pushchair without having to get them up. These can be 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 baby will need to be old enough and able to sit on their own before you can switch between the car capsule and pram.

Another feature to look out for is the possibility of raising and lowering your newborn's seat from a low setting to a high setting, which keeps eye contact with them and keeps them close to you, something that our tester for parents found extremely useful for her 10-month-old boy! A good example is the Graco Near2Me which can be lowered to allow your child to 'glide' up to you at the press of an button and maintain constant eye contact.

Make sure that your newborn pram has a sturdy base and wheels that can handle bumps and potholes and that you are able to fold it down with ease and make sure the safety harness you use is safe that fits comfortably and securely (five-point instead of three-point) and is adjustable as your child grows. It should be possible to store bags for changing and shopping under the pram (but be aware that excessive weight could cause it to topple over). If you're not sure what model to go with, try out a variety of models at your local store.