Have you been using the infant car seat for a while and are looking to move your baby to the stroller? Knowing when your baby can sit in a stroller is essential.

As you may already know, strollers make life easier for parents especially when traveling. A baby stroller comes in handy when you’re taking a trip and as a mom or a dad, you won’t get exhausted carrying your baby around.

So, if you’re ready to explore what’s the right time to have your baby sit in a stroller, let’s get started.

 

When Can a Baby Use a Stroller?

Every child develops at their own pace. This means that there isn’t a specific age that all babies can sit in strollers. Moving from the car seat to the stroller greatly depends on the stage of your child’s development.

For instance, you can put your stroller into a sitting position when your baby can hold up their head without support. For many infants, that’s at 4 months. 

Before this age, it’s recommended to use a stroller where your baby lies flat. Only adjust the back of the stroller when you notice they’re starting to raise their head. Once they have steady head control, they can comfortably sit in a stroller.

Again, growth varies from one child to another. All you need to do is pay attention to your baby’s development and make the changes when the right time comes.

 

What to Consider When Buying a Stroller

It’s best to pick a stroller that suits your baby as they grow but it should also meet your requirements. So, it’s time to explore some things to consider before purchasing a baby stroller.

 

Your baby’s age

A stroller that can fully recline is great for babies aged less than 3 months. If you need a stroller for your baby from birth to his or her toddler year, choose a convertible one. It’s possible to use such strollers with a car seat.

 

Your lifestyle

You need to consider if you’ll be using the car or taking public transport and walking in most cases. Your preferred mode of transport determines which stroller you need to buy.

If it’s your car, it’s best to go for a stroller that can fit well in the trunk. In case you’re into outdoor activities, choose a sturdy stroller with a great suspension. As for public transport, it helps to go with models that are light in weight and can be folded easily.

 

The size of the stroller

Keep the size of your desired stroller in mind when folded and unfolded. Can it go through all the doors it’s supposed to and in your car trunk? Does it fit where you want to store it?

Also, no one wants a stroller that’s too heavy to be lifted up the stairs. Considering these factors when picking a stroller saves you from future troubles.

 

How can you help your infant in their development?

You may be wondering if it’s possible to enhance your infant’s muscle growth and make them stronger. Some exercises can help with that.

Don’t let your baby spend all their time on their back. Start putting him or her on their tummy. A little tummy time helps babies build neck, shoulder, arm, stomach, and back muscles. Try it for a couple of minutes (like three to five).

Remember to lie on your stomach too and keep his or her company. Engage with them the way they like. It can be smiling, making faces, talking, or singing.

This simple move can enable your baby to quickly develop the muscles necessary for sitting up on their own and on  a stroller.

Newborn babies commonly have turbulent sleep patterns in their first weeks. One of the first challenges new parents face is training their baby to fall asleep all by themselves. Sleep training can seem like a daunting experience at first, but with patience and perseverance you can train your baby to become a super sleeper. To ensure more restful nights for your baby and yourself, read our 10 tips for baby sleep training.

 

Create a sleep routine

It’s important to get the baby ready for sleep with a soothing and enjoyable routine such as a bath, feeding and story. This will help the baby to learn to relax and switch into a bedtime mode. Ideally, this routine should last less than 45 minutes.

 

Offer baby a suitable sleeping environment

A dark room at about 65° is ideal for your baby’s sleep. For a more relaxing and soothing atmosphere, the room should be tidy and clutter-free. And naturally, a comfortable and attractive crib is a must for a good night’s sleep.

 

Know your baby

Learn to read the signs that your baby is tired or sleepy. These signs may consist in yawning, rubbing the eyes or crankiness. However, don’t wait until your baby gets too tired as this can possibly disturb his or her sleep.

 

Choose a sleep training method

There are several sleep training methods to choose from. Some are gentler than others. The most well-known method is the Cry-it-out method which basically consists of letting the baby cry him or herself to sleep. The Ferber method and the fading method are also possible alternatives. The main thing is to choose a method that’s right for you and your baby.

 

Choose the right time

You need to find the right time to begin sleep training. Most pediatricians agree that sleep training should begin between 4 and 6 months. However, you should avoid beginning sleep training during periods of change for your baby such as a new babysitter or a move to a new home. Likewise, it’s not a good idea to start sleep training when your baby is sick or not feeling well.

 

Put baby to bed while awake

Sleep training is all about teaching a baby to fall asleep all by him or herself. Therefore, it is suggested not to hold and rock the baby to sleep at night. On the contrary, get in the habit of putting the baby in his or her crib while awake. That way, he or she can learn to wind down and fall asleep without any assistance.

 

Don’t constantly hover over baby

It’s normal for new parents to want to go and confort their baby when he or she cries. However, if you rush over at every little cry or sound he or she makes, this might actually prevent them from calming down and falling asleep.

 

Consistency is key

Sleep training can seem hard and requires a lot of patience. It will also most likely involve some crying. However, once you have chosen your routine and method, you have to stick with it and remain consistent in order for the sleep training to be successful.

 

Keep a sleep log

Keeping a sleep log will allow you to make sure your baby is getting enough sleep. It will also allow you to discover your baby’s sleep patterns and trends. In a sleep log you can keep track of things such as put down times, asleep times and awake times for both naps and nighttime.

 

Momma knows best

Remember, only you know what’s best for your baby. No matter what method you choose, confidence is key for successful sleep training. Your baby will pick up on your confidence and this will help make the sleep training a more positive experience for him or her.

Transporting twins all day long can be quite a juggle. Just like buying a car, choosing a stroller isone of the most important decisions that you will have to make, especially when you have twins. A good stroller will allow you to safely transport your babies on all your short walks and long trips and since your double stroller will probably come in handy for several years, quality is very important. Keep reading to learn more about what you need to consider when choosing a stroller.

 

Tandem vs side-by-side

In terms of double strollers, you can choose either a tandem or a side-by-side model. Tandems are popular because they are easier to maneuver through narrow doorways or aisles. Tandems are also commonly chosen by families with two young toddlers. Many models come with a non-reclining seat for the older sibling. This can be an issue for infants who are unable to hold their heads up or who like to nap during trips. On the other hand, side-by-side strollers are more traditionally used for twins and work best with two infants of equal weight and age. Twins can sit comfortably next to each other and enjoy the same viewpoint. However, the width of these strollers can make it difficult to navigate in constricted spaces. 

 

Age, weight and height

Your choice of double stroller will largely be determined by the age, weight and height of your children. When choosing a double stroller, think of your needs in the long term. For babies, your stroller will need to be equipped with car seat adapters and bassinets whereas for older children, these attachments are no longer necessary. Nevertheless, your twins can outgrow their stroller depending on their weight and height. Taller twins might feel more comfortable in a large side-by-side stroller rather than in a narrow tandem.

 

Your daily terrain

Will you be walking mostly on paved sidewalks, or will you venture out on uneven terrain ? If you plan to use your double stroller on bumpy terrains, there are two features that you need to look for in a stroller. The first is front-locking wheels which keep the wheels in a front-facing position. This will give your stroller more stability and make the ride safer and more enjoyable for your baby. The second feature you need to look for in a stroller is a suspension system. Just like with a car, this kind of system will provide your baby with more comfort by absorbing all the shocks from rolling over uneven roads.

 

Wheels

When shopping around for your new double stroller, you also need to consider the size, construction, guarantee and replaceability of the wheels. Stroller wheels usually come in four varieties. Standard rubber tires are suitable for smooth surfaces such as those that you can find in stores and shopping malls. Air-filled tires, which are like bicycle tires, are good for city streets. Pneumatic tires with reinforced rubber and compressed air will allow you to comfortably stroll or jog on different paths. However, air wheel tires with sealed ball bearings are good on any terrain. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the wheels, the smoother the ride.

 

Trunk space

Last but not least, you need to make sure that your double stroller will easily fit into your car trunk. Measure the width and depth of your trunk and keep those measurements in mind while you shop for your new stroller. Compare your trunk space with the folded size of the stroller. Make sure that your trunk can easily accommodate the stroller and still have room left over for shopping bags, tools, sports equipment or other gear.