What kind of age do kids often stop using a buggy?

[PainAuChocowhat]

Caveat up front: I know all children are different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach but some anecdotal guidance would be much appreciated!

Being a relatively clueless first-timer, I realised I have no idea when my 18 month old DC will, to a certain extent, grow out of using her buggy.

We’ve just bought a lightweight option to cart around London (well, around the ‘burbs anyway cos, covid) and my thoughts have turned to buying a footmuff mainly because the buggy says it will do her til she’s around 4.

However DH reckons she’ll be mostly done with it by the time next winter is over so we should just use blankets & clothing to keep her warm in the meantime.

She’s robustly built, has been a confident walker since 16 months and no additional needs identified.

My DD went off hers completely at 1yo, but by about 20m started to want to use it again, which tbh has been a life saver for big days out/going round shops as it stops her getting in and about everything. She's now 2 and still using it occasionally but generally if I have time then we'll walk as I want her to burn the energy!

It depends on whether you have a car and how far you have to walk!

DD1 refused to be in a buggy from being 2. Now she's 2 and a half. Wants to walk everywhere.. we're now making the transition from pram to buggy for DD2

@RedWingBoots

Surely it depends how much you drive?

Nope.

It depends on the child.

Some toddlers can walk miles others can't.

We walk and use public transport more because it entertains DD and more importantly gets her tired.

I use to drive to a particular large supermarket to get stuff. Then I realised if I walked the scenic route to the supermarket DD would be tired out. Then she decided she could walk and scoot the 6 mile round trip which is up hill for a mile in both directions.

She isn't unusual as one of my nephews and another child I babysat for at the same ages could walk the same distance. Funny thing is like DD they all had a sibling who wouldn't walk anywhere at the same age.

I agree, it absolutely depends on the child. Every time these threads come up you see the posts insisting that anyone who stopped using a buggy at two must drive everywhere.

@BertieBotts

At one? really? Swapping to using a sling doesn't count.

Why doesn't it 'count'? A sling takes up little space in a bag and is no hassle to carry. A buggy for a child who usually walks but might occasionally get tired is just a nuisance.

3 for my first then a buggy board, my 2nd is 3 next week and we still use it. Personally I find nipping to the shop, going for days out etc much easier with a pram so intend to use it for as long as possible.

DD1 had to get out of the buggy at 16 months, as I needed it for DD2 who had just arrived!
She walked on reins beside the buggy.
I ditched the buggy at much the same stage with DD2, as it was a cumbersome nuisance. We live in Perthshire, and the buggy was a pain to try and push through forests, up hills etc. Both DDs soon developed sturdy wee legs and enjoyed hill climbing. DD2 is now a Munro bagger!

Used rarely after 2 and stopped all together at around 2.5.
We walked everywhere though, if we drove probably would have gone completely around 2nd Birthday