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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put a 3 month old in an upright, forward facing pushchair?

60 replies

Ecgwynn · 27/07/2012 15:55

I noticed today that my 3 month old DS's feet are touching the end of his pram. We have a silver cross 3D which converts into a forward facing pushchair. Is he too young to face forwards? He can't sit up yet but loves looking at the world. He's 60cm long and 5.5kg. There is no 'half reclined but facing the parent' option that some other travel systems have.

Sorry, I know this isn't really an AIBU, but I wanted some advice!

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 27/07/2012 17:22

It always used to be at around 3 months, that babies went into forward facing prams, but the pushchair would recline enough so the head was supported.

Whoneedssleepanyway · 27/07/2012 17:26

Mine were both in forward facing Maclarens at 3 months, the Quest which reclines to about 45 degrees, both were fine and the Quest specifically says it is suitable from 3 months. The forward facing bit isn't an issue at all, just as long as it does recline sufficiently to support the head and they are secure in the harness and can't slip out.

TooManyDaisies · 27/07/2012 17:32

The Maclaren Techno XT fully reclines flat. If I were you I'd get one of those because you're bound to need an easy fold Maclaren (type thing) when he's older anyway. £180 new or very cheap on eBay!

John Lewis assured me if was fine for a newborn (although I bought it when my baby was about 7 months old - I still like to be able to lie him flat if he's sleeping in the garden or whatever)

Hope that's helpful!

onebigwish · 27/07/2012 17:32

Mine was a Quest too whoneedssleep, and I'm certain it was advertised as suitable from 3 months as I bought it when DD1 was about 3.5 months and I was very pFB about researching everything and doing everything properly.

Luckily, that was before all the hysteria about parent-facing prams. Though I do think it's bollocks that you have to have a parent facing pushchair unless you really do spend hours a day pushing around a non sleeping baby. Mine were in the buggy either to sleep whilst walking the dog or on a short journey as a means of getting from A to B, exactly as if they were in the car and I never beat myself up about the DC not being able to see me from their car seats.

I hate the whole parent-facing pressure actually, it just seems like another stick to beat mother's with. It's not enough that you're caring from their needs 24 hours a day, but god forbid you should push them across a shopping centre in a buggy without having to interact with them.

onebigwish · 27/07/2012 17:33

argh, apols for stray apostrope in mothers!

MarysBeard · 27/07/2012 17:34

I put DDs in Maclaren Quest from about 5 months - it's ok from 3 months though.

nickelbarapasaurus · 27/07/2012 17:37

actually, I've just put DD in to see how bad it looks, and it looks okay - the booster lining thing has a head hugger iirc, and it might be alright.
Not convinced she wouldn't slide down when in, but at least the hood hooks under the bottom of the seat/headrest part when it's all the way down, so she couldn't wriggle upwards (although, I'm not guaranteeing that one)

I've taken a pic and i'll put it on my profile.

nickelbarapasaurus · 27/07/2012 17:43

okay, it's on there.
no so obvious.

i'll put it on photobucket too, i think.

nickelbarapasaurus · 27/07/2012 17:46

here

it doesn't look flat, but it is.

LubileeJubileeJayde · 27/07/2012 18:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Ecgwynn · 27/07/2012 18:20

Thanks guys, I will try him in it tomorrow in the reclined position. Fingers crossed he doesn't fall out of the harness!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ecgwynn · 27/07/2012 18:52

I just tried it, he looks ridiculously small. I'll wait a bit and hope he doesn't grow too much. Cheers for the advice.

OP posts:
MigGril · 27/07/2012 19:58

YANBU, DD went forward facing I'm our silver cross 3D at 8 Weeks. not because she grew out of it but because she hated being flat and would just screen in the pram mode.

The 3D can be used from birth forward facing and has a head hugger with it (ours did). We put her a flat as she would tolerate but was much happier being able to view the world. much better then a screaming baby, was so glad I hasn't bought a fancy pram with a carry cot.

MigGril · 27/07/2012 19:59

oh and I don't remember having any problems with the harness at all.

Mintyy · 27/07/2012 20:02

Forward facing absolutely not a problem. The "need" for babies and toddlers to be facing you is a very new invention. What clever people these pram manufacturers are!

ScottLass · 27/07/2012 21:17

I too have this pram and moved my DS into the pushchair at 4.5 months - either in the lie flat mode or on the next setting, which is only just slightly sitting up. He is a big boy and we have never had any problems with the harness if you adjust it properly.

Ours does have a small viewing window but it is an older version with a different fabric to what is now advertised. Nothing wrong with forward facing IMO, my little one loves to look out when he can after looking at me all day!

NotAnotherNewNappy · 27/07/2012 23:26

YANBU. Both mine had reflux and were therefore miserable lying flat. I moved them both into outward facing slightly inclined buggies at around 10 weeks and they were both much happier for it. Wrap a towel round his head for support and don't leave him in his buggy for too long. Lots of people are saying YABU bt no one bats an eye lid at upright baby car seats.

nickelbarapasaurus · 28/07/2012 10:47

Nappy - true, but you are told not to leave the baby in the car seat for long periods - most people expect babies to be in the pram for longer, esp for naps.

LeandarBear · 28/07/2012 11:28

Ecgwynn I know nothing about babies, I'm surprised they let me have one Grin. This made me larf, I was also very surprised they let me have one.

My three all went into forward facing at 4'ish months (I think later for my DD as she wasn't such a bruiser as my DS's). The pushchair reclined and they seemed to like looking about. It was a maclarens umbrella stroller. It was very light and manoverable.

I think people are crazy to spend so much on prams or should I say travel systems, ahem It is ok if you have spare cash but I think a lot of new Mums think they need a posh pram but you really dont. The pram manufacturers are stringing everyone along very nicely.

Empusa · 28/07/2012 12:08

DS has been in a forward facing buggy from birth And never been totally flat due to reflux, don't see the big issue with it

valiumredhead · 28/07/2012 12:49

Ds went into a 'buggy' at 3 months which is when Maclaren recommended.

valiumredhead · 28/07/2012 12:50

Out of interest if you used a sling all the time a baby wouldn't be lying flat - what's the difference? Is it the pressure on the base of the spine?

PenisVanLesbian · 28/07/2012 15:32

So what if his feet touch the bottom, thats not going to harm him. Propping him upright will though.

usualsuspect · 28/07/2012 15:37

I wouldn't give the fact it's forward facing a second thought TBH.

usualsuspect · 28/07/2012 15:37

If the buggy reclines then I would go for it.

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