from what age can you use a bike trailer?

[janek]

we have a bike seat and have recently bought a trailer as DD1's legs are a bit too long for the bike seat now.

we also have DD2, who is 18months. It says on the trailer that it shouldn't be used before 18 months (as opposed to 12 months for the bike seat), but i am a bit precious about DD2. She's still in a backwards-facing carseat because she has a big head (same size as DD1's if not bigger...) and because we can still get away with it.

so what are the issues with trailers for those younger than 18 months? do you have any advice and/or experience? please share!

Dunno about any issues for trailers. DS is 6 months and goes in the trailer occasionally but we bought a special insert thing (very comfy sheepskin lined slope effectively) which fits properly into the trailer and he goes on that. I wouldn't put him in the trailer wihtout it until 18mo/2.

We were told when getting the insert that you can use a car seat instead - rear facing one - but then there is only enough room for one child in the trailer.

oh gosh! 18 months? Feeling a bit worried now that we started too soon....
Our DS started travelling in our trailer (Burley Cub) when he was about 8 months. But he was sitting up well, and the harness is really good.

Never noticed any issues with it, except that he tends to fall asleep after about 10 minutes...

Don't worry on my account . We have a ridgeback trailer which is good but definitely a seat and very upright whereas DS um isn't. Hence the insert which keeps him comfortable and out of DD's clutches a bit!

Ds who is one goes in it sat up. His biggest gripe is the back of the helmet doesnt let him sit right back. Instructions just said when child can sit well and comfortably on their own.

The inserts are easier to find now than evena year ago when only one company seemed to do them from my research.

I would use it happily at 18 months

You can use some trailers from birth as long as you use the newborn sling insert...

I asked in my local bike shop and they said from 12 months for trailer. I used a bike seat from 8 months with DS1.

We have a chariot cougar2 trailer and our dd was out in it at 5m with a special insert/sling while we rode some very gentle paved paths. Then we got a special harness (8m) for her when she was old enough to sit up and we rode gravel trails. Now (15m) she goes in it 'regular' with a helmet -as we take her on rougher trails now.

She's always loved it. Giggles away...

this site sells cougars in the uk