There is no clear answer to this question and the moment when we give up the stroller is actually an individual matter. In this post, we will tell you when to carry your baby in a pram, when in a pushchair, how to recognize that it is ready to give up the stroller and what to do when the child still wants to move in a buggy.
Until when to carry a child in a carrycot?
The carrycot, i.e. a classic, multifunctional pram for a child, is used to transport it for the first few months of life. Children up to 3 months of age are absolutely transported in the carrycot. The recumbent position is the healthiest for a child, especially for long walks. In addition, the prams has covers to protect against strong wind and rain. The carrycot can be used as long as the child can easily straighten his arms and legs in it or his weight does not exceed 9 kg. However, it is the moment when the infant starts to sit down that determines the time to change from a deep pram to a pushchair. The toddler does not want to ride in a lying position anymore and loudly manifests the need to sit and closely observe the surroundings, and walks in the carrycot annoy him. In addition, transporting a sitting child in the carrycot does not ensure its safety - it may tip over and fall out at any time. This usually happens around the age of 6 months.
Until when to carry a child in a stroller?
If the child is already too big for the carrycot, but is not yet sitting on its own, you can start transporting it in a foldable pushchair. It allows you to adjust the backrest in such a way that the baby can be in the stroller in a sitting, half-sitting and lying position. Transporting a child in a sitting position for too long, which is not yet sitting steadily, puts a lot of strain on its still forming spine. There is no limit to which a child can be transported in a pushchair. A lot depends on the development and temperament of the toddler. Most children as early as 2-3 years old, when they can move freely on their own legs, prefer walking and do not allow themselves to be put in a buggy. Many parents indicate around the age of 3 as the moment when they give up using a stroller. This is related both to reaching the stroller's weight limit, usually 15 kg (or according to the newest standard - 22 kgs), as well as shaping the child's independence and preparing him for preschool walks.
What if the child does not want to give up the stroller?
There are also children who, although perfectly able to walk, still want to walk only in a pushchair. They prefer not to tire their feet and move comfortably, and the walks are full of complaints and protests from the toddler. A stroller may still be useful when we have a longer distance to travel, there is a risk that the child will get tired and will have to be carried on our hands, and when the haste is important. For toddlers who do not want to part with the stroller or despite reaching a certain age and weight limit, parents still find it necessary to move efficiently, there are special strollers with an increased weight limit. There are also pushchairs up to 22 kg on the market, compliant with the latest EN1888-2: 2018 standard. Examples include the Joggy or Jokko strollers.
If and how to wean a child from a pram?
The moment when we give up walking in a puschair, it is not worth accelerating significantly, nor can it be postponed indefinitely. As each child is different and develops differently, the decision to wean them from the stroller should be made individually. If the child expresses the will to walk on foot and does not get tired over long distances, there is no point in using force in the stroller. However, if the child does not want to leave the stroller, and we, the parents, feel that it is high time to say goodbye to the puschair, we can help the child smoothly go through this change. It is worth starting with short walks. We can gradually increase them so that the toddler does not get tired and mobilize him to overcome longer distances. Do not rush during walks - let the child walk at his own pace. Additional attractions may be helpful, thanks to which we will distract the toddler from the stroller. It is worth letting the child take their favorite toy for a walk, reward them for the distance traveled or start learning to ride a bicycle, which will be an attractive alternative for the child.