Buying a Pram Newborn

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

A pram newborn is designed for infants and newborns. It comes with a a deep, sturdy carrycot with soft and safe walls.

A pram is typically equipped with a bassinet. However, it can be transformed into a stroller seat once baby is ready.

Safety

Newborns are extremely fragile and need to be kept as safe as is possible. A pram or stroller equipped with safety features will keep your baby secure and comfortable while traveling. The essential requirements for any stroller or pram are a functioning brake, a five-point safety harness (2 shoulder straps, two waist straps, and the Crotch strap) and the wrist tether strap that is for the person who is 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 position recommended for lying flat. This position supports your baby and prevents a dangerous spinal curve which could lead to spinal issues. By keeping the airways open, it lowers the chance of SUID (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or Asphyxiation). The majority of prams that can be used from birth will have the seat unit, which will recline into a lie-flat pram mode for infants and convert into a pushchair seat unit for older children.

The suspension on a pram is important because it can affect the smoothness of the ride. A pram that has many suspensions is likely to be more expensive but it may be worth the cost of this feature if you intend to use your pram every day for a few years or longer.

You should always make sure to read the instruction manual and check the warning labels for your pram or stroller. It is also important to ensure that your pram is parked in a safe spot free of bicycles, traffic or any other dangers when it's not being used. Also, you should 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 your baby is asleep, it's never a good idea to leave a stroller or pram pushchair unattended. They could wriggle into the pram and get trapped, or it could be pushed away and cause injuries. Hanging bags, or other items from the handles is not a good thing since they could fall and strike your child in the head.

Comfort

Possibility of lying flat seating is an absolute essential for infants as it promotes better lung and back development. Cocoons or carrycots are available on many prams. They create a nest-like space that is a comfortable place for your baby and can be removed easily from the frame. Some seats, like the bucket-style seat on egg2, aren't able to recline completely flat, but provide a comfortable ride for your child.

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 the requirements of your baby. This is often called a "travel system" and is the first configuration that you should try out with your newborn.

Find a pram that has two shoulder straps that are ideally padded and a five-point safety harness. It must fit your child's body perfectly. Check that there are no gaps or areas where fingers can be trapped. Also, ensure that the buckles are easy for older children to operate. Also, think about if you would like a parent-facing pram. It is ideal to keep an eye on your child and makes them feel more secure by having their parents around.

Some prams pushchairs, such as the Graco Near2Me, have a handy raise and lower function that can bring your baby close to your face with the push of a button, which our parent testers loved! This is a great way to stay in touch with your baby, especially if they're sleeping. If you're looking for a travel system, make sure to check the frame is compatible with the car capsule you've chosen and this will prevent you from having to wake them up while changing between car, pram and back again.

Convenience

When buying a pram newborn it is essential to consider your baby's needs for transport. Some prams have a carrycot or bassinet, that allows your baby to lay flat (essential for their development of their spine and breathing) while others come with a seat that can recline to a lying-flat position. It is also a good idea to look at what other accessories the pram has like the footmuff and changing bag which are essential for keeping your baby warm in colder months.

Some prams and strollers can be converted into travel systems. You can connect an auto pod to the frame with adaptors so that you can move your child from the car to the pram without waking them up. These are useful if your lifestyle is busy or you don't have enough space your car boot to fit the pram. However, you should be aware that you'll need wait until your child is old enough to sit on their own before you change them from a car capsule into a pushchair.

Another feature you may want to consider is the ability to raise and lower the infant's seat from a low to a high setting, which keeps eye contact with them and keeps them close to you. This is something our parent facing pushchair tester found was extremely useful for her 10-month-old boy! One example is the Graco Near2Me, which allows your child to 'glide up' to you with the push of a button.

Also, ensure that your pram newborn has a sturdy base and wheels that can withstand potholes and bumps. Also, make sure you can fold it down with ease and make sure the safety harness is functional that fits comfortably and securely (five-point rather than three-point) and is adjustable as your child grows. It should be possible to store bags for shopping and changing under the pram (but keep in mind that too much weight can cause it to topple over). If you're not sure which model to choose, try out a few different models at the local retailer.