Advice on pram / stroller.

[Horsesforcourses23]

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone has any advice please. DD is 4 months old and from birth has disliked her pram. At best you could get a 30 min walk this has been getting worse and worse. Anyway long story short I changed it to the stroller type attachment thing so she was still facing me but not laid flat like she was. She was ok for 1 walk. Since then I can't walk more than 5 mins before the crying starts!!! I have tried everything thinking she might be too hot / too cold. Played music for her and nursery rhymes, tried talking to her on the walk.

Has anyone got any advice at all or suggestions on anything I could try.

Thank you

have you tried the stroller facing out maybe? or a little toy for on the handbar thing for her to play with?

No I've not tried facing out, but yep tried toys and it made no difference. I really can't work out why she dislikes it so much.

What is she wearing? My DS had a week of suddenly hating the pushchair. Turned out he was too cold despite being in a thick fluffy jumper, hat and cozy toes. He didn't feel / look cold but would get fussy and stressed after 5-10 minutes. I now put him in a snowsuit and he's loving it again (mostly).

Have you timed it when she is tired to try and get her to sleep during the walk?

Have u tried white noise? I use a dream egg on walks and at night and baby associates it with sleep time.

Some babies just don't like being in the buggy. Ours has never been that keen - 30 mins tops before we hit meltdown and she's 15 months now. Try different things but it may just be their character. You have my sympathy - it is such a pain and I still really envy those who seem to be able to walk with a quiet contented baby!

Thanks everyone, I don't think it is a temperature issue as I have tried to work on the assumption of both either a) being too hot or b) being too cold - but to be fair she has never liked the pram from the beginning.

In re to sleep time, I have tried that as well but that seems even worse, like she is livid I am taking her out when she is tired honestly it is exhausting.

I think I might have to resign myself to the fact she just doesn't like it.

I will try the sound machine thing though as I have not done that before.

My DS hated the pram too and mostly wanted to be in the sling. Have you tried it? You can borrow different kinds from sling libraries.

Yeah I have a sling, she loves that and quite happy in it but my back is so sore I don't think I would be able to walk far... maybe though?

I had an ergobaby and could walk for an hour with it no problems. I still back carry a 2 year old. Recommended! I was always getting my little ones out of the pram when they were crying and they’d settle happily into a sling. Some people can handle lots of crying in a pram but I am not one of them.

Oh fab, ok I'll try a walk in the sling

Mine is nearly 6 months and we have the exact same issue. I tried him in the pram facing outwards and he was fine for one walk, then the screaming started again. I now just use the sling and console myself by thinking it will help me get stronger after pregnancy. But he can’t do more than 45’ - 1hr in that either. He also despises the car seat. He just hates being confined I think. I’ve just given up on it and I’m just waiting for him to walk. It’s tough because it can make you feel isolated as going out whenever you like isn’t an option. I always think that if he liked the buggy I’d be out all day but you get what you’re given with babies! I feel for you, maybe things will change as as time passes.

Just want to say I'm here with you. My 3MO is the same. She hates the pram. Hated the basinet attachment. Hates the car seat and I probably only get the odd walk out of it but she has to have been fed, burped, nappy change, wearing comfy clothes. I have to make sure I haven't upset her while putting her hat on, make sure I don't spend too long doing up the straps... the list goes on. She basically needs to be in the best mood possible and we need to be out the door and on the move within 0.56 seconds of her being strapped in. She loves the carrier but my back is struggling (I'm a relatively strong person!!) and baby is a big baby for her age 😅

I can joke about it with people but deep down it's left me feeling isolated and anxious. It's made me feel angry and frustrated with my baby because we end up trapped at home. I've taken to asking friends to come on walks with me so I feel less paranoid when she starts crying (comments from strangers are always harder when you're on your own)

@kitty1993 Im sorry that sounds so wretched! What sling are you using? I really really recommend trying some more from a sling library. I can and did have my babies in for hours and I’m not fit or strong. It really helped me meet up with friends, go to classes etc. Baby starts whimpering, pop them in the sling, still pushing the pram, all goes quiet.

(Also if you are ever with someone, back carrying is easier on your back, you just need someone to get them on for you)

@pjani that's a good idea, we have a really good sling library in town. I found our fabric sling was great until she reached 10lbs and now she sags in it after 30 mins. I have the baby bjorn carrier which is more robust but doesn't have a strap round the middle.

I'd echo @pjani, @kitty1993. With the right sling you'll be fine. Some despite being expensive/popular are not ergonomically great for the human doing the carrying! I have only just stopped carrying our daughter in ours (age 15 months, approx 11kg) and swapped to a backpack carrier. I could carry her for hours up to 7/8 months, the last few months it's been max an hour or so.