How long can a baby ride in a stroller?
Start writing a post
Friendships

How long can a baby ride in a stroller?

55
How long can a baby ride in a stroller?

Until what age can a baby ride in a stroller? When is a baby ready to be weaned off the stroller? Is it convenient for the baby or the parent? I suspect that the comments won't be clear about that, and the truth is that a lot depends on… the child and the parents. A preschooler doesn't need a stroller, but there are certainly moments when such stroller comes in handy. How long to push a kid around in a stroller, then?I have to admit that whenever I see a 3-to-4-year-old in a stroller, it feels like taking it too far, but then comes a reflection that it's absolutely not up to me to judge why a preschooler is riding in that stroller. Since they are, there must clearly be some reason. And there might be a lot of them: getting tired, not being used to longer strolls, younger siblings, parents' convenience, the necessity to get somewhere fast, fatigue, falling asleep in the car, vacation or a million other reasons :) Either way, the problem with a stroller for bigger kids is that most of the time it just rolls along empty.

Still, unless it's some emergency/convenient situation, it's a good idea to try teaching the baby early to walk on their own. BUT on their own doesn't mean that you end up carrying the child, a toy, the bike, the helmet and groceries :) If that's what it's going to look like, it's better to choose the stroller. Seriously. Don't rush it.

Baby stroller, how long – the theory

Most baby strollers go up to 15 kg, some of them up to 18 kg. Statistically speaking, although many kids weight about 12 kg after a year, their weight doesn't go up quite as fast from there, so they reach 15 kg between the age of 2 and 3. Which I think is a pretty neat determinant :)


How long in a stroller – the practice

In my view, there is a time when the stroller is mostly a convenience to the parent. Sometimes it's a good idea to suck it up and try to walk more and observe the child to see if they can handle it. Just don't force it and make sure you don't end up as a beast of burden :) I can tell you how it was with us (and I'm waiting for your own stories).

The bigger one had been riding in the stroller until he was more or less 2.5 years old, while the younger one until about 20 months old. Why the difference? First of all, the older one started walking at the age of 18 months, which is pretty late, then came the younger one (we all know how it makes the kids want to be like the baby). The turning point was a trip when it simply turned out that he could easily walk around all day and then he kept getting better day by day. The truth is that during all-day strolls the only problem was napping during the day, and the solution was to nap in a shawl or on a blanket :) Still, as recently as few months ago I would sometimes give the kid a ride along the car-to-house route, when we were back home late.

Sometimes I will jog with the Joovy Zoom 360 (you can find its review at babygeartested.com) – it gives me freedom, sometimes I will give my sleeping child a ride, I still keep testing strollers, because I like that, but these are things I do because I want to, and not because the child needs it.

The bottom line is: there are no rules :) Watch your child. If they have started walking late, they're not likely to quit the stroller soon, as everyone grows at their own pace and everyone needs to strengthen their muscles and perfect their achievements. On top of that, a child's spine needs to rest, too.

Hints that it's a good idea to quit the stroller

  • you mostly push air
  • the stroller's wheels go sideways
  • you only bring it along to carry groceries in it

Hints that you don't need to quit the stroller

  • you have a child younger than 2 years
  • you are a stroller addict (haha)
  • you come back from strolls burdened like a mule
  • you're going on vacation someplace with a lot of walking
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

43571
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27395
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952292
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

146734
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments