One of the biggest joys of parenthood is being able to take your baby out in a pram, showing them the big wide world and introducing them to your friends and family. But, for new parents in particular, there can be a real lack of confidence when it comes to putting newborn babies into a pram safely.
That’s what we’re going to look at today. Here, you’ll find information on how to put a newborn baby into a pram correctly, the safety measures you need to practice, explore how your baby changes their sitting position as they grow, look at what you need to take with you on an outing with your little one, and more.
Key Points
- Prams for newborns need to have a lie flat seating option that must be used for the first six months of their life.
- Pram suits are a great option for a new baby in a pram, as you shouldn’t swaddle them.
- It is safe for a new baby to go in a pram as soon as you leave the hospital unless a medical professional advises you not to.
- Checks must be made on the pram, including the brakes, folding mechanism, and wheels, before you head outside.
- Specially designed storage compartments should be used to hold a stroller bag, and nothing should be attached to the pram’s frame.
Content in this article:
- How Should A Newborn Sit In A Pram?
- Should You Swaddle A Newborn In A Pram?
- When Can A Newborn Go Out In A Pram?
- How To Safely Prepare A Pram For A Newborn?
- How To Dress A Baby Before They Go Out In A Pram?
- What Should You Put In A Pram For a Newborn?
- How To Keep Baby Safe When They Go Out In A Pram?
- What Other Items Should You Take When Taking Baby Out In A Pram?
- How To Safely Put A Newborn Baby In A Pram?
How Should A Newborn Sit In A Pram?
A newborn baby needs to be placed on their back in a pram until they are able to sit up by themselves, which usually happens at around six months old. By placing them in a lie flat position, air is able to get into your baby’s lungs much easier, and there is a dramatically reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) through suffocation.
Once your baby is able to sit up by themselves, you can move them into a seated position. However, this should not be for more than a couple of hours at a time, and if they fall asleep, they should be moved into a lie flat position.
The easiest way of achieving this while you’re away from home is by choosing a pram with a reclining seat, which will allow you to switch between a seated position and a lie flat position without disturbing your baby.
Should You Swaddle A Newborn In A Pram?
It isn’t a good idea to swaddle your baby while they are in their pram, as you need to keep their arms and legs free to move comfortably while they are lying flat. However, you do need to make sure your baby is kept warm and cosy.
A pram suit can be useful here, and they are a great way of keeping your baby warm on a chilly day while still allowing them to move their limbs. You can also find pram suits made from waterproof fabric, which are ideal if rain is forecast and you’d rather not use a pram rain cover.
When Can A Newborn Go Out In A Pram?
You can take a newborn out in a pram as soon as you are both released from the hospital, as long as a medical professional has not told you otherwise. There are, however, safety precautions you need to take in order to take a newborn out in a pram safely.
This includes avoiding crowded places, washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitiser, and limiting access to who handles your baby. Doing this will help to protect their developing immune system while still allowing you to begin exploring the world with your little one.
You’ll also need to plan ahead and think sensibly, avoiding certain situations where you shouldn’t take your newborn out in a pram. This includes peak sunlight hours (particularly during the summer months), during extreme weather conditions, or if your baby has an illness that leaves them vulnerable to infection.
How To Safely Prepare A Pram For A Newborn?
There is a surprising amount to do when it comes to preparing a pram for an outing with a newborn, and it doesn’t all come down to what you pack, either. Here’s what you need to know:
Inspect For Damage
Before you head out for the day, you need to make sure your pram is safe and in working order. Check it over for any signs of damage, including frayed straps, damage to the mattress, or cracks and dents in the frame.
Check the wheels and the wheel bearings as well, ensuring that there isn’t any damage and that they aren’t causing the pram to veer off to one side while you push it.
Contact the manufacturer if you spot any issues to check you’re covered in your warranty, and, most importantly, don’t take your baby out in the pram.
Clean The Pram
Once you’re satisfied that your pram is safe for your newborn to ride in, make sure that it is clean. Wipe down the mattress, straps, and frame with an antibacterial wipe and wait for everything to dry before placing your baby inside.
It’s worth giving your pram a deep clean once a week if you’re using it regularly as well, as it doesn’t take long for bacteria to start harbouring. This doesn’t only lead to bad smells but could potentially compromise a newborn baby’s developing immune system.
Pack Your Baby Bag
Despite being so small, newborn babies need a surprising amount of items to get through the day! So, before you head out on your adventures with your little one, make sure you’ve packed these things in your baby bag:
- Baby wipes
- Nappies
- Nappy Bags
- Changing Mat
- Bottles
- Hand sanitiser
- Spare clothes
These are just a few suggestions, of course, and you’ll know what your baby needs more than anyone. Just remember to be prepared for any eventuality, as this will make taking your baby out in their pram so much easier.
How To Dress A Baby Before They Go Out In A Pram?
The most important thing to think about when you’re dressing your baby for an outing in their pram is the weather. You need to make sure they are kept warm and cosy when the temperatures are low and are cool during the summer months.
A pram suit is one of the best things you can dress your baby in before they go into their pram during colder weather. Pram suits are designed to keep your baby warm without overheating while also allowing them to move their arms and legs freely.
Some pram suits are hooded, which is great for adding an extra layer of warmth to the top of their head, although you can also use a baby hat to keep their little head warm and protected. Just remember to keep a close eye on the hat, making sure it doesn’t work its way down and cover your baby’s face.
During warmer weather, you can dress your baby in a sleeveless and legless vest suit to keep them cool. You must, however, make sure that you’re using a sun parasol or sunshade on the pram to keep them protected from direct sunlight and prevent them from overheating.
What Should You Put In A Pram For a Newborn?
While it can be tempting to place loads of soft toys and blankets in your newborn’s pram, you need to keep things as clear as possible. All you should really be doing is laying your newborn on their back and making sure they are wearing something that keeps them warm (or cool in the summer) but still allows them to move their arms and legs, such as a pram suit.
The reason you don’t need to add multiple items to the pram bassinet is that you run the risk of them falling onto your baby’s face, resulting in suffocation. They can also block ventilation, making the ambient temperature inside the bassinet rise and causing your baby to overheat.
Of course, a newborn baby comes with loads of items, including extra nappies and a change of clothes. You’ll need to take these things with you on any trip out of the house, but they should be placed in a baby bag and stored underneath the pram.
How To Keep Baby Safe When They Go Out In A Pram?
The first thing you need to do is make sure your baby is positioned correctly. Babies under six months old and incapable of pulling themselves into a seated position need to be placed lying flat on their back. This keeps their lungs and airways open and prevents Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Once they are able to sit up by themselves, you can place your baby into a seat unit rather than lying flat. However, this shouldn’t be for more than a couple of hours at a time, and if they fall asleep, they should be moved into a lie flat position.
Make sure you utilise all of the safety features your pram has to offer in order to keep your baby as safe as possible, too. This includes using straps or harnesses, locking mechanisms, and brakes.
You also need to provide sun protection for your baby in the form of a parasol or a sunshade. Don’t be tempted to cover your baby with a blanket, no matter how thin it is, as this will restrict ventilation and cause overheating. It’s also important that you avoid taking your baby out in a pram during the hottest times of the day, usually between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
It’s important to ensure there is some rain protection in place to keep your baby safe in their pram, too. A rain cover is a good choice for this, but you’ll need to make sure it offers good ventilation and that both you and your baby still have a clear view of each other.
What Other Items Should You Take When Taking Baby Out In A Pram?
As well as all of the essentials that your baby needs when you’re taking them out in a pram, there are things that you need to make life easier as you explore the world together.
Here’s a list of things that you should pack in your stroller bag:
- Nappies
- Baby wipes
- Bottles
- Baby food and snacks (age dependent)
- Toys
- Dummies
- Extra clothing
- Spare blanket
- Phone
- Keys
- Wallet
This may seem like quite a lot of things, but it always pays to be prepared, especially with newborn babies! Remember to use your pram’s storage compartments where you can as well, as this will save you space in your bag and allow you to keep things closer to hand for when you need them quickly!
How To Safely Put A Newborn Baby In A Pram?
We know just how nerve-racking it can be when you are placing a newborn in a pram, particularly for first-time parents. So, to help you feel more confident, we’ve outlined some advice to help you make sure you’re placing your baby in their pram as safely as possible.
Check The Wheels & Brakes
Before you place your baby in their pram, check that the wheels are securely fastened to their bearings, moving smoothly, and not veering off to one side. Take a moment to check the brakes as well, ensuring they hold the pram steady when it is parked and that they don’t loosen when the pram is wiggled.
Position Your Baby Correctly
For the first few months of their life, typically until they are around six months old, a baby needs to be placed in a lie flat position in both their pram and their cot. This keeps their airways clear, allowing them to breathe and reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Once they are able to sit up by themselves, use your pram’s adjustable seat in line with their age and weight, moving them into a semi-position and ensuring that you have strapped them in place using a five point harness. Should they fall asleep in the pram, ensure your baby lies flat again, using the adjustable seat to gently guide them into place.
Keep Things Clear
You’ll need to pack a lot of stuff for a newborn, but everything needs to go in your stroller bag. Don’t be tempted to place anything inside the bassinet with your baby as this could accidentally fall onto them, cover their face, and increase the risk of suffocation. Likewise, any shopping bags you have need to go into the appropriate storage compartment on your pram.
You should also avoid hanging items on your pram as this can add extra weight to it, and should you exceed the weight limit, you could potentially make the pram unstable, which is dangerous for both you and your baby.
Stay Vigilant
You need to keep a close eye on your baby at all times, monitoring their breathing, temperature, and overall well-being. Never leave your child in a pram unattended, and remember, prams and car seats are not designed for long-term sleeping, and you must never leave young babies in a pram overnight.
Final Thoughts
Venturing out with your newborn in a pram is a wonderful experience, and with the right safety measures in place, it isn’t something that needs to be stressful. Just remember to make sure they lie flat until they are able to sit up by themselves, dress them appropriately for the weather, and pack everything you both need for your day out, and you’ll enjoy getting to explore the world with your little one.