What age to stop taking pushchair on hols?

[TheCraftyBeaker]

We are going away next month, considering taking a pushchair for DD - it’s a beach holiday, we are going to Turkey. She’s not really a daytime napper, so thinking it would be handy to have in the evenings if she’s tired.

Thoughts?

*Shes just turned 4

Would she sleep in a buggy in the evening if you were out past her bedtime? Many would but my DC would be too distracted by the lights and noise! And we got rid of the buggy by the time they were 3.

we didn’t ever use the buggy again past 2 year 11 months, gone by 3. We wouldn’t have taken it as they wouldn’t have got it in - ‘buggies are for babies’

She definitely would! DD would sleep anywhere when she’s tired thankfully

Our son stopped using the buggy after our Sicily holiday when he was 2.5. He is a very good walker though.

Mum of 3 here and my 4 year old would still use a buggy for a late night or long walk on holiday if tired. Great for carrying beach bags and supplies even if the child doesn't always use it! Not all buggys are for babies.

I’m thinking it will be more for the late nights! If she’s tired and we are out at least she can snuggle down in the buggy

Definitely take one, we took my DSD last holiday in May 24 aged 4.5 and it was needed.

I would definitely take it at that age for the evenings

Take it! It is individual to the child and if you think you need it , take it.
I found it useful for evening meals out or long walks up until at aged 5. One of my DC had low stamina for walking and staying up late. Always asked to go to bed very early which was a problem on holidays where culturally meals are eaten late and restaurants hours start at 8pm. My DC has dyspraxia amongst other hidden disabilities but we didn’t know that at the time. Was still taking the buggy to school pick up in yr 1 which earned myself a fair few judgey playground parent looks. Thrown in were some comments to DC along the theme of
being lazy, needing exercise. It didn’t cross my mind to not take it…life was very difficult without it.

I would definitely take it. She can sleep when you go out in the evenings
she may get more tired in the heat
if she doesn’t need it, you can put your bags in it!
i always took one for my 3, whenever their routines would differ

We took a buggy on holiday abroad until age 5. Meant we could stash all our equipment on it and walk a lot further than we would otherwise have done with a young child.

Not really helpful when responses are along the lines of 'mine stopped using a buggy when they were newborn'. It doesn't matter what random mum on Mumsnet did. Would she use it to sleep in the evenings? Then take it. It isn't relevant if someone else has a child that loves walking and never sleeps in a buggy!

You should see Italian towns at midnight in summer. Heaving with people, with kids as old as 5 or more asleep in their buggies. Totally normal. I had a City Mini Baby Jogger that folded totally flat. Kept it out in Italy for DS to use when we went out at night (we wouldn’t be eating until 10pm or so). When he got too old, his cousin then used, and DS would sleep on my back in the carrier.

Exactly. We’re in southern Italy during the summer. Dinner doesn’t start until around 10pm then! 9pm is the earliest we’d eat out … and that’s just in winter. When DS was little, I’d effectively ‘put him to bed’ in the buggy, so we could go out with the family. Otherwise I’d have been stuck in all night!

5ish.

A bit before or a bit after would be my cut off.

Our youngest is 2.5 and I haven’t used a pushchair at all for at least 4 months now. My eldest was the same, barely used it after age 2. I do feel this is young though and not the norm! They just refuse to sit in it, even when tired and will prefer to walk.

On my last holiday abroad, I took a buggy for my 1.5 year old and my nearly 5 year old ended up sleeping in it every evening while we were out. She was too big to snuggle up comfortably on me. So I’d take the buggy if I were you.

Thanks everyone! Will definitely be taking one

It's worth having even if you find she doesn't use it, it's better than regreting not having it.

This !! My children had a buggy on holiday aged 4 for all of them.It was great for the evenings or if walking any distance in the hot weather.
I personally found life a lot easier the longer they used their buggy.

at 4&2 i still had them in a double buggy for ease, if the elder wanted to walk its a handy place to put stuff, in the evening one or other or both would often fall asleep (it reclined) so meant we could stay out far later. The following year (5&3) i used the larger single one as the double had buckled from the combined weight, at some points both climbed in with younger sat on older, handy at Disney world! Other times only the bags were in it. Sad times when I finally got rid of it once youngest was 5, nowhere for my bags!

We used a double buggy in florida last year and my 9 year old hopped in occasionally. Holiday life styles are very different amin terms of timetable, activity and heat too.

As a pp said, also great for carrying stuff when they're not being used

They are all so different, my nearly 3 year old hasn’t been in a buggy for over a year but my eldest did still at 4 at times

I think most children no longer use buggies at home after the age of two or three but many will still use one abroad where it’s hot for a couple of years after this.

I know on here you will hear people saying my child didn't use a buggy past one etc etc but take no notice you know your own child best. Last year when my youngest was five was our first buggy free holiday in 12 years . Prior to that we would have needed one if we went to a theme park for example it made all our lives easier. Also they are bloody great for storing and carrying stuff. You'll miss it for that part .