Babies seem to get hungry at the most inopportune moments, and there’s nothing quite like trying to feed your baby while you’re out in public. But just how safe is it to feed your baby in a pram?
Today, we’re going to discuss everything there is to know about feeding a baby in a pram. We’ll explore whether or not it’s safe, how to prevent choking, how to keep your pram clean during and after feeding, and tips on food preparation and feeding. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be well-prepared next time your baby demands food when you’re out of the house!
Key Points
- Keep your baby strapped in to ensure their safety while feeding.
- Position them in a way that makes feeding from a bottle comfortable and easy.
- Make sure the pram is accessible to you while you are feeding.
- Avoid feeding your baby in overcrowded and loud places.
- Gagging is a natural reflex that babies develop when learning to eat.
- Choking is when an external object gets trapped in the throat, creating a life-threatening situation.
- Prepare food well before feeding it to your baby.
- Ensure all baby utensils and bottles are clean.
- When feeding your baby, keep essential items within arm’s reach.
Content In This Article:
- When Is It Safe To Feed My Baby In A Pram?
- How Should A Baby Be Sitting In A Pram When Getting Fed?
- How Do You Prevent Baby Choking When Eating In The Pram?
- What Other Safety Precautions Should I Take To Ensure My Baby Is Secure In The Pram Before Being Fed?
- Am I Allowed To Feed My Baby In Public?
- Can You Breastfeed A Baby In Public?
- How Do I Keep The Pram Clean After Feeding?
- Why Is It Important To Wipe Down A Pram After Feeding?
- What Are Some Safe Food Preparation Tips For Babies?
- What Are Some Tips For Feeding Your Baby On The Go?
When Is It Safe To Feed My Baby In A Pram?
Your baby will move onto solid foods at around the age of six months old, which is the same time they’ll be able to sit up by themselves. At this stage, it is safe to feed your baby in their pram.
Before the age of six months, your baby will need to lay flat in their pram, and feeding them in this position could potentially cause them to choke. This is especially true if they accidentally swallow air while they are feeding.
Can I Bottle Feed A Baby In A Pram?
You can bottle feed a baby in a pram from the age of six months onwards when they are old enough to support themselves in a seated position. You can also give them their bottle to hold and encourage them to feed themselves under supervision once they have developed the strength and motor skills to do so.
Up until the age of six months, it is best to remove your baby from their pram and hold them in a semi-upright position while you bottle feed them, ensuring that you support their head throughout.
Can I Feed A Baby Solids In A Pram?
Yes, it’s absolutely fine to feed your baby solids in a pram. However, there are certain safety measures you should put in place to keep them protected and prevent choking while they feed.
The first thing you need to make sure of is that they are safely strapped into their pram. This will prevent them from tipping out should they suddenly jolt to one side while avoiding a spoonful of food or tipping the pram forward as they eagerly approach for another.
It’s also important that you never give your baby any solids to eat unsupervised. Whether it’s sliced grapes or a packet of chips, you must always make sure you are keeping a close eye on your baby while they feed.
How Should A Baby Be Sitting In A Pram When Getting Fed?
Your baby should be in a seated position when feeding them in a pram, with the harness securely fastened around them. This prevents choking at all points of the oesophagus and ensures that your baby is able to chew and swallow more efficiently.
The only exception to this rule is if you’re bottle-feeding a baby over the age of six months in a pram. In this instance, you can place them in a semi-upright position using the pram’s reclining seat and feed them this way. You will need to remove them from the pram and feed them in your arms if your pram doesn’t have a reclining seat, though.
How Do You Prevent Baby Choking When Eating In The Pram?
The best way to prevent your baby from choking when eating or drinking in their pram is to ensure you always supervise them. You also need to ensure you have prepared their food properly, cutting up large pieces as small as possible. This is really important in children under 20 months old, as they won’t develop back teeth until this point, and larger, chunkier pieces of food can become choking hazards.
You should also avoid feeding your babies and toddlers small, round foods, such as grapes, popcorn, and nuts. While these are undeniably healthy, they are also the most hazardous foods in terms of choking.
It’s important that your baby is placed in the correct position while they are eating, too. For solid foods, they must be seated upright and secured into their pram with the harness. They can bottle feed in a semi-upright position from the age of six months old, but it’s usually best to remove them and feed them in your arms.
What’s The Difference Between Choking And Gagging
You can hear the difference between gagging and choking sounds, and it’s vital to know them to respond immediately. A choking baby is silent because no air can pass around the obstruction in their airway. A gagging baby will cough and possibly cry due to becoming upset.
Gagging is a normal side effect of learning to eat, while choking is a potentially life-threatening hazard.
What Other Safety Precautions Should I Take To Ensure My Baby Is Secure In The Pram Before Being Fed?
As well as making sure your baby is seated in the correct position and they are secured into their pram using their harness, you should also make sure you’ve done the following before feeding them:
- Secure the brakes on the pram.
- Find a quieter area, if possible, away from other people and distractions.
- Remove any toys or pram blankets before feeding.
- Try to calm them down before feeding, as this will reduce the chances of them guzzling down their food and choking as a result.
Am I Allowed To Feed My Baby In Public?
Yes, you are allowed to feed your baby in public. Many public places offer quiet areas for you to feed your baby in as well, giving you some extra privacy and allowing you to remove as many distractions as possible so your baby concentrates on feeding rather than on what’s going on around them!
Can You Breastfeed A Baby In Public?
Yes, you can breastfeed a baby in public, and the right is legally protected by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. As with feeding solids, many restaurants and other public places provide private, quieter areas to offer you peace and privacy while you breastfeed. However, using these areas is not mandatory, and you have the right to breastfeed wherever you like.
How Do I Keep The Pram Clean After Feeding?
It’s always better to prevent mess than have to clean it up, and using pram liners when feeding your child is a great way of keeping things as clean and food-free as possible. Pram liners are also wipe clean and reusable, so they aren’t only ideal for keeping things clean, but they are a great eco-friendly choice.
It’s also a very good idea to provide your baby with a bib when you are feeding them. This won’t only prevent food from falling onto the pram but will protect your baby’s clothing should they decide to spit something out that they don’t like the taste of!
Many prams have removable, washable seat covers, and these are a great way of cleaning any food that has found its way onto the pram. You can also get any loose fallen crumbs from the smaller crevices by using your vacuum cleaner’s attachments.
Why Is It Important To Wipe Down A Pram After Feeding?
Wiping down a pram after feeding is really important as it stops bacteria from forming, which can turn into mould and potentially harm your baby’s health. It also keeps the pram smelling and looking good and prevents it from becoming a magnet for pests, such as flies and wasps, while you’re out with your baby.
Cleaning your pram after feeding also helps to extend its longevity. As you likely know, prams are pretty expensive, and keeping yours clean is much cheaper than having to buy a brand-new pram altogether.
What Are Some Safe Food Preparation Tips For Babies?
Just as you would when preparing food for yourself, it’s important that you prepare your baby’s food safely and hygienically, especially as their body and stomach are constantly adapting to new foods.
Here are some things to do when preparing your baby’s food safely:
Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands before you start preparing your baby’s food, as well as throughout. By doing this, you can avoid cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked ingredients and prevent harmful bacteria from entering your baby’s food.
Sterilise Equipment And Utensils
Make sure that all of the equipment and utensils you plan to use for your baby’s food are cleaned and sterilised before you start cooking. Likewise, once you’re finished, place them straight in the dishwasher so they can be cleaned and sterilised again.
Use Fresh, Natural Ingredients
It’s best to avoid giving your baby anything with artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Instead, use the freshest natural ingredients possible to give your baby all of the nutrients their little body needs to grow strong and healthy.
Cook Food Thoroughly
It is essential that you ensure any food you prepare for your baby is thoroughly cooked, as this will kill any bacteria or parasites that may be lurking. This is especially important when preparing meats, poultry, and fish, all of which should be cooked until they no longer have any signs of pink.
Store Food Properly
Allow cooked food to come to room temperature, and then immediately store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Doing this will halt bacteria growth and keep it fresher and safer for longer. Remember to always check the food for signs of mould or bad smells before feeding it to your baby, too.
What Are Some Tips For Feeding Your Baby On The Go?
Whether breastfed, bottle-fed, or on solids, having to stick to your baby’s feeding schedule can often make getting things done difficult. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Here are a few things you can do to make feeding your baby while you’re on the go a little easier:
- Pack a cooler to keep your formula, breast milk, or solids fresh while you’re out with the pram.
- Always try and plan your route before you leave so you can find places to stop and feed your baby if necessary, such as parks, rest areas, or baby-friendly cafes.
- Find a private place to feed your baby and choose a safe spot to feed your baby away from a lot of foot traffic.
- Prepare everything you need ahead of time, especially for formula-fed babies. This can include pre-measuring the powdered formula and packing cooled boiled water into individual containers.
- Bring extra bottles, nipples, baby cutlery, and bibs in case your baby needs to feed more often than usual or if something breaks (or gets thrown) along the way.
- Keep all of your essentials within reach. Pack a small bag with everything you will usually need, like a burp cloth and a few baby wipes, so that they will be close by and you won’t have to scramble around for things.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, when you’re out for your walk with your baby, they’ll get hungry, but it’s completely safe to feed them while they’re in the pram. Just remember that your baby shouldn’t be lying down when you feed in the pram, so you’ll have to wait till they are strong enough to sit up by themselves.