A new pram is an essential piece of equipment for any parent who needs to get their newborn, young babies, or toddler from point A to B. But, there are time limits on how long a baby should stay in a pram or stroller, with most experts agreeing that your child should be out of their pram by the age of three.
There are also different stages throughout your child’s development that determine what type of stroller they need and how much time they should spend in a pram. We’re going to look at these today, as well as explore the dangers of stroller overuse and how to transition your child out of their pram.
Key Points
- Babies should be out of their pram by the time they are three years old.
- 4 years old is generally thought to be too old for a child to use a pram.
- Spending too much time in a pram can lead to a strain on your baby’s spine & restrict airflow to the lungs
- Benefits of getting your kid out of their pram include exercise and stronger development of their bodies
- Older kids should only use a pram when you are in a rush, need to keep close supervision or are in crowded places
- Patience & persistence are key to transitioning your child out of their pram.
Content In This Article:
- How Long Can A Baby Use A Pram Or Stroller?
- How Old Is Too Old For A Pram?
- Can A Baby Spend Too Much Time In A Pram?
- What Are The Dangers Of Stroller Overuse?
- What Are The Benefits Of Getting Kids Out Of The Pram?
- When Is It Okay For Older Kids To Use A Pram?
- How Can I Transition My Child Out Of A Pram?
How Long Can A Baby Use A Pram Or Stroller?
The first thing to know here is that while the terms “pram” and “stroller” are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two, with prams being designed for newborn babies and strollers for older babies.
In general terms, a baby should be transitioned to a stroller or pram with an adjustable seat at around six months of age. Toddlers should be fully out of their pram by their third birthday.
But what’s the difference here? Put simply, newborn babies aren’t able to support themselves in a seated position until they are typically six months old and, as such, need to lie flat for the first few months of their lives.
The lie flat position also dramatically reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in newborns, which is why they should never be placed into a seating position in a stroller before they are six months old.
Car Seats
It’s important to take a moment here to talk about car seats. In Australia, the current laws state that children younger than six months of age must be placed in a rear-facing infant car seat, and they must continue to remain in this seat when travelling until they outgrow it.
Many parents find that travel systems are best for this. However, your child may outgrow them before their first birthday, in which case you’ll need to move to a stroller.
Children between the ages of four and seven years must use a forward facing car seat with a built-in harness, while children over the age of seven years old must use a booster seat until they are 145cm tall.
How Old Is Too Old For A Pram?
It is best for most children to be out of a pram or buggy by the age of three years old. By this point in their growth, they will have developed enough muscle strength to enable them to walk a reasonable distance without the assistance of a stroller.
Age is just one factor, though. As your child grows, they will gain weight, and all buggies are only capable of withstanding so much weight in order to work properly. Most strollers and prams have a maximum weight limit of between 22kg and 35kg. So, it’s best to move them out of their buggy altogether if your child has exceeded their pram’s weight limit.
Can A Baby Spend Too Much Time In A Pram?
Most experts agree that parents should follow the 2-hour rule when it comes to the amount of time their baby spends in a pram. Put simply, this means that your baby shouldn’t be in their pram for any longer than two hours at a time, with at least a 1-hour break in between.
The main reason for this is that sitting in an upright position for too long can put a strain on your baby’s spine while it is still developing. It can also restrict the airflow to your baby’s lungs, especially if they fall asleep in a seated position with their head forward.
This rule does differ for children under the age of six months though, as babies this old should never be placed in a seated position while in a pram. Babies under the age of six should always be in a lie flat position in a pram, and since they’ll spend the majority of their time sleeping, there is no limit to the amount of time they can spend in a pram.
What Are The Dangers Of Stroller Overuse?
There’s no doubt that a pushchair is an indispensable item for many parents, and, in some cases, it is used to make life easier when trying to navigate the outside world. But, too much time in a stroller can lead to some real problems for your child.
Growth Issues
Your child may develop weak muscles if they spend too long in their pushchair. This is because they aren’t using their legs as often as they need to in order to give them the strength and tone needed to walk long distances over time.
Being in a seated position for a prolonged period of time may also lead to spinal issues for your child and affect their posture.
Obesity
A growing child naturally gains weight as they age. But, it’s still very important that they get enough exercise in order to not become overweight. Children who spend too much time in their pushchair are more likely to become obese as they become reliant on sitting and being wheeled around rather than using their feet to get around.
We all know that tantrums can be easy to give into and that it’s often much easier to stop the tears by giving in and letting your child ride in their buggy. But, encouraging them to walk instead will dramatically reduce the chances of them suffering from obesity and the health concerns associated with it.
This is, of course, much easier for more active parents, but you can always make things fun by taking walking adventures as a family or building a walking activity into your daily routine.
Passive Observation
This is something that is easy for a parent to overlook, but a child who spends too much time in their pram may eventually succumb to passive observation. This basically means that they see everything from one perspective and haven’t been given the opportunity to explore the world with their hands and feet.
Passive observation also comes with the hidden risk of your child becoming used to a sedentary lifestyle. This, in turn, can lead to them gaining too much weight as they age, even when they’re out of their pram.
What Are The Benefits Of Getting Kids Out Of The Pram?
While your child may take some convincing at first, there are loads of benefits to getting your kids out of their buggies. Most are beneficial to them, but there are some that will make life much easier for you as well.
Development
The biggest benefit of getting your kids out of their prams is that their bodies will continue to grow strong and healthy without any risk of affecting posture or causing muscular or skeletal weaknesses. This is because they won’t be held in a seated position for most of the day, and as they move, most of the muscles in their body will tone and strengthen. In turn, this means they’ll be strong enough to walk for a longer distance without getting tired.
Exercise
Kids who spend less time in their prams will also get more exercise than those who are strapped into their buggies for most of the day. This means that they will be far less susceptible to becoming overweight or obese, and both their cardiovascular and muscular health will improve. When this happens, your child will continue to grow and develop more healthily as well.
Exploration
Another benefit to your child getting out of their pram is that they’re given the ability to explore their surroundings and, in the process, learn more. This takes away the risk of them becoming passive observers as well, which, in turn, reduces the chances of them becoming used to a sedentary lifestyle.
Easier For The Parent
This may come as a surprise, but while you’re fully reliant on a pram when your baby lies flat for the first six months of their life and in the months that follow before they take their first steps, encouraging your child out of their pram when they’re strong enough to walk some distance can also make life much easier for you as parents.
For instance, it can make getting on and off public transport much easier as you won’t have to worry about negotiating with doorways and platforms or trying to fold your buggy flat. You’ll also be able to navigate your way through shops, cafes, and anywhere else your adventures take you without having to maneuver a clunky pram.
You’re also offered the opportunity to bond with your child in different ways when you’re out and about by discovering new things together without the hassle of a pram getting in the way. It can also make talking to your child much easier as you won’t have to worry about them not hearing you, which can often be the case in forward facing prams.
When Is It Okay For Older Kids To Use A Pram?
There may be some situations where you have no choice but to use a pram, such as safely moving through an airport or in a crowded space in which you need to keep your child as close to you as possible. In this instance, a child under the age of three can be placed in a pram but should not be in it for more than two hours at a time.
When in the pram, the same safety rules apply. They should be secured in place with a five point harness, and you should also ensure that the pram is able to safely hold their size and weight. If travelling, you may find a travel system or specially designed travel pram an easier option for an older child.
How Can I Transition My Child Out Of A Pram?
When the time comes to move your child out of their pram, you may find that you’re met with some protest! But there are some things you can do to make the transition as smooth and easy as possible.
Take It Slowly
There’s no point in going cold turkey as your child is likely to find this a jarring way of transitioning out of their pram. Instead, for the first couple of weeks, take the stroller out with you and encourage them to get out and explore things.
Slowly increase the amount of time they are out of their pram over time until they feel more confident and capable of walking longer distances without the need to return to their seat unit.
You can also try using a buggy board that will allow your child to ride on board their pram without actually being seated. This is a great way to get them used to being out of it while still allowing their legs to rest a little when they get tired.
Make It Clear Why They Aren’t In The Pram
Most parents will know there’s one word that kids love more than anything: “Why?” Make it clear to your little one that they’re simply too old to be in their pram full time now and that it is important for them to spend more time walking if they want to grow big and strong!
Make It Fun
You can also make the transition from pram to walking fun by offering little pit stops along the way. This could be a trip to their favourite coffee shop or a game that you’ve designed that can only be played on foot. Doing this will make it fun and exciting for them and distract them from the fact they aren’t in their pram.
Practice The Art Of Distraction
It’s only natural that tantrums will occur as you make this transition, and the better equipped you are to deal with them, the better. Distract them with something that brings them happiness if your child starts kicking up a fuss and insisting that they can’t go without their buggy. This could be blowing bubbles, their favourite toy, or the promise of a game.
You must make it clear, however, that you aren’t rewarding their tantrum with this. These distractions are better used as bargaining tools, and if your child does manage to walk as you’d like them to, their reward will follow.
Be Consistent
Finally, consistency is key when it comes to transitioning from pram to walking. There will be many pitfalls along the way, and at times, you will feel like giving in. But stay consistent and follow our advice above, and you’ll find that you’re getting by without a buggy at all.
Final Thoughts
Prams are usually usable until six months until your little one no longer needs to lie flat and can sit up unaided. Strollers can be used for much longer, usually being retired around the age of three years old. However, each child is different, and it’s essential to consider your baby’s unique needs when deciding the appropriate time to stop using any specific baby gear.