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

[Ecgwynn]

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!

my car seat fitted my pram - ds wouldn't go in the pram - whilst physically he had no choice he just screamed when in the pram - and it was never for longer than they suggest for car seats - also saved faffing with the bloody carrycot!

If you use a decent sling there will be no pressure on the base of the spine, only modern baby carriers of the Baby Bjorn style, AKA crotch dangler, do this. There are studies suggesting that these are bad for babies spines and hips. I have seen many that don't support the babies body correctly, and can see their chins are on their chest, which could cause a blocked windpipe, I strongly suspect the babies were to small/the carrier was not adjusted correctly. Also the, mostly recalled, bag style carriers cause chins to touch chests and airways to be blocked. The best slings for babies who still need to develop neck strength are stretchy wraps, they sit, knees higher than bum, rather than hang from you and support the full body, they can't slouch down like in a modern carrier or sat up in a car seat or upright buggy. See that's the problem with a baby that is sat up in a seat when the're not ready their airway can be compromised. My 2 DS's varied greatly in when they had head control, so it may be when your child is ready?

ps there are plenty of pushchairs which do newborn - quinny zapp extra, babystyle, bagaboo are ones I looked at (after ditching my 2nd hand my4)

The silver cross 3d in forward facing mode is perfectly fine from newborn as it reclines flat. I never had problems adjusting the harness on mine. Both my DC out grew the cot bit between 8 and 12 wks. You can see through the view bit in the hood. Leave the bottom of the cosey toes on ( extra padding ) and they'll be fine.

At three months a semi recline position is fine, but bolt upright is not a good idea. Lots of 3 month olds enjoy having a bit of a look around and a semi recline position is not placing undue stress or strain on the back, spine or neck. Plus semi recline is helpful for preventing flat head (lying down flat on back is the worst position for increasing the likelihood of this).

Forward facing is fine. Mine did it from birth.

But he needs to be flat (or virtually flat) at that age. His muscles won't be strong enough to hold him up.

Yanbu. my 12 week old went forward facing, more upright yesterday in his pram and he loved it. He's so keen to look around. He appeared supported and comfortable, big padded cosy toes had him cushioned from the sides. Not sure why everyone is saying its unreasonable....

I have a big old-fashioned pram for every day, but a cheap forward-facing buggy if I need to travel. It was only £50 from Toys'r'us (supposedly reduced from £100, but every time I've been in the shop, it's priced at £50), has a flat position for newborns, and a viewing window. It's been great. We used it every day on holidays, and it seems to be hard-wearing. It's called Swift Stroller.

YANBU. I put DS3 in the pushchair bit of our pram as soon as he had head control. It still reclines and he still sleeps in a flat position.

He didn't like being in the pram once he got to about 3 months. He wanted to sit up. Mine is parent-facing but I would also do outward-facing without a second thought.

Most buggies recline enough to be suitable for a newborn anyway.

I never had a pram, just a pushchair and my boy was in it from day one. I just reclined the seat as far as it went. No problems here.