Buggy training!

[mrsmacguffin]

My DS is 7.5 months old now and has never taken to a buggy! We have tried all sorts of options, carrycot/car seat options when he was first born, then a pushchair attachment for our travel system. None of them worked (all up for sale if anyone is interested! Lol).

My mum bought me a collapsible pushchair which worked for 15 minutes or so, but then he screamed and screamed!

I've done all the obvious things such as give him toys, experimented with front/rear facing, sung songs, made sure he is comfortable etc...no luck!

He's always been a clingy baby. Never likes being put down. I carry him everywhere. The trouble is, although I'm happy to do that and actually think it's good for him, I'm concerned that we might struggle if I end up going back to work and we need childcare. They can't be expected to carry him.

Any thoughts? I'm willing to accept it might be a lost cause/all my fault!

The baby that can't bear a buggy at 7.5 months can naturally become a ten month old who rather likes being pushed.

Don't blame yourself. He's tiny, (although I appreciate he won't feel tiny when you're carrying him!) and he could still grow out of this. Can he bear baby bouncers?

I really wouldn't worry about it they change quickly and they quickly adapt to childcare, plus once he is on the move I think you will find he is happier to be away from you and getting himslef into mischeif.

Ds was the same, I was the crazy mum jiggling up and down with tthe sleeping sling baby at every NCT catchup, some of the others assumed I was just super into attachment parenting he didn't really like it until he'd got a bit older and more able to take everything in - and having a snack to hold onto also helped! Now at 2 it's the only way he'll sleep....

Anyway, I agree with the others not to worry too much, and don't force it, or you may make it worse. In our case, we just tried every so often and when the omens looked good (not tired, interesting things to see, short trip, tasty food), and one day he liked it! Also, could you try with a grandparent or other carer? Often it seems like babies have different rules for different people, just because he prefers to be carried close to his mum (who can blame him?), he might not be so fussed when it comes to others, so childcare is still likely to be fine! Good luck

Have you tried a little snack like a rice cake or something not too messy?

I'm afraid my DD is 21 months and still doesn't like the buggy and never did. The good news is she can be happy in it for short periods. She'll tend to be ok then cry to get out then settle so much better than when she was younger and would just cry constantly. I do often give her snacks for longer trips in it to try to distract her but generally just have avoided using it as much as poss.

DD hated anything to do with prams or buggies pretty much from birth. I now have am extensive collection of slings

The upside was that she walked early and is happy to walk what others would consider long distances for a 2 year old. Probably not what you wanted to hear!

The best snack we have discovered is a big pot of raisins. Anything else she'll just demolish in ten seconds flat then start whining again! Also the older they are the more you can chat about things you see on the way.

(Trying to be more positive after my previous negative post!)

DD hated the pram and and buggy and we happily carried her in a sling instead. Still do at 2.8 when she gets too tired to walk. She went to a childminder and nursery from around 11mo and happily had her naps in a buggy for both. I was worried in case she wouldn't settle but she adapted to it really easily and now takes herself off to the pushchair at the CM if she's feeling sleepy! She's also been doing school runs with the CM since she started and has been in a buggy for those no bother.