Buying a pram for a newborn baby can be as overwhelming, time-consuming and, in some cases, as expensive as buying a second-hand car. There are so many brands, styles, features, accessories, colours and prices to consider; and that’s before you enter the world of parenting forums to read through pages upon pages of user reviews and opinion. Of course, you’ll want to spend time researching different models to make sure you’re buying the best pram for your precious cargo, but it’s easy to get lost in the details.
The main thing to bear in mind is that newborn babies need to be in a flat position for the first six months to help with lung and spine development. As such, you'll likely want a pram that comes with a carrycot (or bassinet) attachment, or one that you can convert into a seat at a later date. Some carrycots are suitable for overnight sleeps, which means you won't have to fork out for a separate travel cot in the early months.
Beyond that, your decision will largely be determined by your budget and lifestyle. Do you need a compact pram to squeeze onto buses, trains and planes, or a chunkier model with a good suspension for countryside rambles? Do you need to be able to adjust the height of the pram when swapping from person to person, or would you like the facility to convert it into a double pram at some point as your family expands? Be sure to check the dimensions (including its folded size) to ensure it fits into your hallway and car boot, too.
To help narrow down your search, below you’ll find some important points to consider, followed by our pick of the best prams you can currently buy for your newborn baby.
How to buy the best pram for a newborn baby
Why do I need a lie-flat pram?
It's recommended that newborn babies lie completely flat to promote healthy spine and lung development. The NHS advises using a lie-flat pram until babies are able to sit by themselves, which is usually around the six-month mark.
What's the difference between a lie-flat pushchair and a carrycot?
You can get lie-flat pushchairs that recline to 180 degrees, but most first-time parents will opt for a carrycot in which to push their newborn baby around for a number of reasons.
Carrycots are supplied with proper mattresses and padding, and offer much more wriggle room than a pushchair with a harness. You can also use a carrycot for naps and occasional overnight sleeps in place of a travel cot.
In general, carrycots feel more robust and secure than pushchairs when you're out and about. However, they can be bulky and you'll need to find somewhere to store it (or sell it on) after just six months. If space is tight then you might want to consider a carrycot that can be later converted into a seat.
Should I buy a travel system?
It might seem like an expensive purchase, but a travel system (a chassis to which you can attach a carrycot, a pushchair and a car seat) will serve you well from birth right up until three or four years old. Being able to attach a car seat to a pram frame without disturbing a sleeping baby may be worth the investment alone. Travel systems tend to be bulkier than regular pushchairs or buggies, however, so you'll need to figure out where you'll store all the attachments before investing.
What features should I look for in a pram for newborns?
We've already mentioned that you'll need a pram that offers a lie-flat position, but you might also want to consider a carrycot specifically designed for overnight sleeps if you're planning to travel frequently in the first few months. Sunshades with extra ventilation panels are a useful feature for summer-borns; rain covers tend to come as standard – but always check what comes in the box.
A clever one-handed folding mechanism could be just the ticket if you’ll be squeezing the pram in and out of a car boot frequently, or need to store it away when you’re at home to save on space. Pick a size and weight that works for you, your home and your car; and consider how often you’ll need to lift it up and down stairs. Also note the level of storage provided by the pram itself; a sizeable shopping basket can be a handy addition for when you’re stocking up on nappies from the local shop.
The best prams for newborn babies
1. Bugaboo Cameleon 3: Best all-round pram for newborns
Price £849 | Buy now from Mothercare
The iconic Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is a common sight in parks and on pavements up and down the country. It's Dutch design at its finest, and this popular pram combines a quality build, excellent suspension and some cracking colour combinations.
The roomy carrycot is incredibly comfy for newborns and the frame is reassuringly robust. This pram will happily see you through birth to around three years old using the included toddler seat. The small front wheels and large lockable foam-filled wheels are designed to tackle all sorts of terrains, and the pram is praised for its easy handling and manoeuvrability (you can switch the position of the wheels if you need to push it across sand and snow, for example).
The Bugaboo isn’t compact, but it folds neatly and the wheels can be easily removed to save on space. The drawstring fabric on top of the storage basket keeps contents tidy and dry. It isn’t cheap, but it's one of the smoothest rides around.
Key specs – Age range: 0-36 months/17kg; Wheel type: foam-filled tyres; Weight: 9.6kg; Folded dimensions: 90 x 50 x 31cm; Unfolded dimensions: 100 x 59 x 80cm
2. Babyzen Yoyo with Newborn Pack: Best compact pram for newborns
Price:£369 (newborn nest: £175) | Buy now from John Lewis
If you're pushed for space at home, spend time hopping on and off buses or take frequent flights, then this compact pram is a perfect pick.
Its clever folding mechanism is a thing of beauty and, when fully collapsed, this pram is small enough to fit into an overhead compartment of a plane as hand luggage. It even comes with a bag to allow you to sling it over your shoulder.
Once you've nailed the one-handed fold, you'll want to demonstrate it everywhere you go – check out the YouTube vids, it’s truly impressive. To use it from birth you'll need the baby nest (sold separately), which is pretty snug and can only be used up to 9kg. You'll also need to use the five-point harness when you're out and about to keep your baby secure – something that isn’t a concern with larger, sturdier models. It moves smoothly despite its lightweight chassis and small wheels, but it struggles over cobbles and longish grass.
From six months the main seat kicks into action, but bear in mind that it's front facing, so you can’t switch it round to make eye contact with your baby. Conveniently, there’s a handy peephole in the canopy to check on your little one when you're on the move.
Key specs – Age range: 0-36 months/18kg; Tyre type: PU foam; Weight: 6.4kg; Folded dimensions: 52 x 44 x 18cm; Unfolded dimensions: 106 x 86 x 44cm
3. Hauck SLX Trio Travel System: Best budget pram for newborns
Price:£270 | Buy now from Amazon
In the world of prams, anything under £300 is considered a veritable bargain so this complete travel system from Hauck is great if you're on a tight budget.
It comes with a carrycot, a car seat and a rain cover so you're ready for all sorts of outdoor adventures from birth and the main seat features an adjustable foot rest and a removable safety bar to grow with your little one until they're around three years old (or up to 15kg).
It moves smoothly despite the small plastic wheels and the frame only weighs 8.1kg so it can be pushed with one hand (the carrycot adds an extra 4kg).
There's a handy drinks holder attached to the handle (which you'd normally pay extra for with other models) and the shopping basket is massive; perfect for big shops, picnics and lugging half the contents of your toy box around.
Key specs – Age range: 0-36 months/15kg; Wheel type: foam-filled tyres; Weight: 12.2kg (frame and carrycot); Folded dimensions: 93 x 52 x 35cm; Unfolded dimensions: 84 x 52 x 107cm
4. Stokke Xplory: Best newborn pram for style and design
Price £870 (carrycot: £179) | Buy now from Mothercare
This smart piece of Scandinavian engineering will leave a significant dent in your pocket, but the fact that you can adjust the height of the pram to promote bonding between parent and child is priceless. If your budget permits it's a great buy, and its cutting-edge design is quite different from anything else on the market.
The height of both the carrycot and seat can be easily adjusted, so you won't have to stoop down when moving your newborn in and out of the pram and you can enjoy face-to-face interaction in the parent-facing position when your child is a little older. The chunky swivel wheels provide a smooth ride, allowing you to tackle potholes and kerbs with ease.
The handlebar offers a good grip, but its unusual oval design means you can't hook bags over it, plus there's no storage space under the seat. You get a removable zipped bag instead, which although neat doesn't offer much flexibility as a basket. The Stokke Xplory is very pricey, but there’s no doubt you’re getting a premium product for your money.
Key specs – Age range: 0-36 months/15kg; Tyre type: foam-filled; Weight: 12.1kg (frame and carrycot); Folded dimensions: 99 x 34 x 56cm; Unfolded dimensions: 75-102 x 89-123 x 57cm
5. Uppababy Vista Pushchair and Carrycot: Best newborn pram that will grow with your family
Price:£750 | Buy now from John Lewis
Designed in the US, the Uppababy Vista has a huge following on both sides of the Atlantic. It may be pricey but this sturdy travel system offers a range of seating options from birth until around three years old (max. 23kg). It can be adapted for growing families through the RumbleSeat attachment, too, which transforms it into a double pram.
The padded carrycot is one of the cosiest around and with its perforated mattress pad, vented base and water-repellant inner liner, you can use it for overnight sleeps as well. For sunny strolls there's an extendable sunshade that drops right down for SPF50+ protection, and the chunky wheels and shock-absorbing suspension ensure a smooth ride – even across rough terrain.
The pram is pretty wide, which makes it a little tricky to manoeuvre on packed buses and in small shops, plus it's bulky, even when folded; but it collapses into an upright position if storage space is at a premium. Its jumbo shopping basket gets a big thumbs up.
Key specs – Age range: Suitable 0-48 months/23kg; Tyre type: Foam and rubber; Weight: 12.7kg (frame and carrycot); Folded dimensions: 35.5 x 67 x 84cm; Unfolded dimensions: 100 x 67 x 94cm
6. Diono Quantum travel system: Best newborn pram with a convertible carrycot
Price:£499 | Buy now from Boots
Best known for designing car seats, Diono has now moved into the world of prams and the Quantum is the brand's first travel system. Available for less than £500, it offers a lot of bang for your baby buck: it can be used from birth until around four years old (or 22kg).
One of the standout features is the carrycot, which cleverly converts into a seat to use from around six months, so you won't have to make room to store a bulky attachment when you're finished with it. It has a huge canopy for full sun coverage, plus mesh ventilation alongside a peekaboo window for plenty of parent-newborn interaction.
This pram is super-sturdy so there's no chance of it tipping over, but it's the heaviest pram on this list at 14.3kg – something to consider if you'll need to carry it up and down stairs frequently. The easy-to-access shopping basket is massive, and there's a handy pocket at the rear of the seat to store easy-to-grab items. All in all, the Diono Quantum is an affordable and practical buy.
Key specs – Age range: 0-48 months/22kg; Tyre type: foam-filled; Weight: 14.3kg; Folded dimensions: 33 x 61 x 73cm; Unfolded dimensions: 110 x 61 x 94cm