How to Choose a Pram or Pushchair

TL;DR: For a newborn, the single most important thing is that the pram can lie completely flat, because babies are safest resting flat on their backs. Look for a five-point harness, working brakes, and a label showing it meets the pushchair safety standard. Then choose the weight, fold, and wheels that fit your real life, whether that means stairs, a crowded bus, or a small car boot.

Choosing a pram can feel like a huge decision, partly because there are so many on the market and partly because everyone has an opinion. The good news is that you do not need to memorise brand names or chase the newest model. You need a short list of things that genuinely matter for safety and for your daily life. This guide walks through those criteria so you can look at any pram, new or used, and judge it for yourself. It is general information, not medical advice, and if you are unsure about your baby's needs, your midwife or health visitor is the right person to ask.

Start with lie-flat for a newborn

Newborns cannot hold up their own heads or sit upright, so the first question is whether the pram lets your baby lie completely flat on their back. A slight recline is not the same as flat. The Lullaby Trust advises that when babies sleep in a pram they need to be fully flat, not propped or tilted, and on a firm, flat surface (The Lullaby Trust). RoSPA makes the same point, noting that children should travel flat on their backs until around six months, when they are strong enough to support their own heads, and that non-reclining seats are not suitable for a baby under six months (RoSPA). A carrycot or a seat unit that reclines fully both work. What matters is the flat position, not the label on it. If you are also setting up a place for your baby to sleep at home, our guide on how to choose a cot safely covers the same firm, flat principle.

Check the safety standard and the harness

Every pram sold in the UK should carry a permanent label showing it meets the pushchair safety standard, usually printed on the frame or the seat pad. The current standard is BS EN 1888, which sets out safety requirements and test methods for prams and pushchairs (BSI). You do not need to understand the testing, only to see that the label is there.

Next, look at the harness. It should have five points, meaning straps over both shoulders, both hips, and one between the legs, so your baby cannot slide out or slump sideways. RoSPA advises checking that harnesses have five straps and that they are in good working order (RoSPA). Do it up and give it a gentle tug to feel that the buckle holds.

Test the brakes and stability

Before you trust any pram, work the brakes. Lock them, unlock them, and then try to push, so you know they actually hold. This simple check is one RoSPA recommends every time, not just at the shop (RoSPA). Stability matters too. A wider wheelbase is harder to tip, and you should be wary of hanging heavy shopping bags on the handle, which can pull the whole thing over backwards. Give it a light nudge from different angles to see how steady it feels before your baby is ever in it.

Weigh it against your real life

This is where the right pram becomes personal. A model that suits someone with a car and a driveway may be miserable for someone carrying it up three flights of stairs every day. Think honestly about your routine. If you climb stairs to a flat or use buses and trains often, weight and a one-handed fold matter enormously. If you drive, measure your car boot before you commit, because plenty of prams simply do not fit. For diaspora families who travel between cities or countries, a compact fold that meets cabin or hold requirements can save real stress. There is no single best answer here, only the best fit for how you actually move through your week. Working this out early, alongside the rest of your list, pairs well with sorting out how to pack your hospital bag so the last weeks feel calmer.

Match the wheels to your terrain

Wheels are easy to overlook and quick to regret. Small, hard wheels are light and neat but struggle on uneven ground, unpaved roads, sand, or broken pavements, which describes a lot of real streets across African cities and beyond. Larger wheels, or air-filled or foam-filled tyres, handle rough terrain far better and give a smoother ride, though they add weight and bulk. Swivel front wheels help you turn in tight spaces like markets and shops, while a lockable straight position steadies the pram on rough or open ground. Picture the surfaces you cross most days and choose for those, not for a perfectly smooth pavement you may rarely see.

Buy second-hand safely

A used pram can be a sensible, affordable choice, and RoSPA supports buying second-hand as long as you take care (RoSPA). Before you buy, check it against a few points. Look for the safety standard label and confirm it is still there. Inspect for damage such as sharp edges, cracks in the frame, or torn fabric, since a damaged or modified pram may no longer be safe. Test the harness and the brakes yourself. Crucially, check the exact model has not been recalled by searching the UK product safety alerts and recalls list, and walk away if it has (GOV.UK). If a seller cannot tell you the model or the pram is missing its label, it is safer to pass.

Choosing a pram is really just a series of small, calm checks: flat for a newborn, a proper harness, brakes that hold, the right weight and wheels for your life, and a careful eye if it is second-hand. If the weeks ahead feel heavy in other ways too, you are not alone, and our guide on postpartum depression is there when you need it. You can also ask Amara inside Asele to talk any of this through, at your own pace.

References

1. The Lullaby Trust. "Sleeping position." lullabytrust.org.uk
2. RoSPA. "Pushchairs and buggies safety." rospa.com
3. BSI. "Child care articles. Wheeled child conveyances. Pushchairs and prams (BS EN 1888)." bsigroup.com
4. RoSPA. "Second-hand goods safety." rospa.com
5. GOV.UK. "Product safety alerts, reports and recalls." gov.uk