Pushing baby on rough terrain.

[Strawberry06]

Please can someone tell me if I'm overreacting?

My son is nearly 1 month old and today we went out to a local national trust park but we came straight home cause I felt that when I was pushing him in the pram (and I was going VERY slowly on purpose) his little head was constantly bouncing/vibrating due to the rough terrain paths and it got me really worried that it will damage him?

I do have a sling and in hindsight I wish I'd took that instead. DH thinks I'm overreacting but I'm not sure. To me it didn't look good/comfortable.

I'm upset about it as I made a real effort to sort myself to leave the house and was all geared up to feed and change him while out (which I've not done yet) and also have a nice family day but I feel so deflated now that we've come home :-(

I don't think it would have been very comfortable for him, but he would have let you know if he was upset. I doubt he will be damaged - babies are far more robust than you think. At least you know now to take a sling with you and expect rough ground even if there are paths.
Also, you know that you can get organised for a day out. It's not easy at first!

If you were going slowly, he would have been fine. Pushing a buggy on bumpy ground used to be the only way I could get my little one to nap!

Sounds like you did a great job getting up and out - please don’t let it put you off! x

I remember doing this OP, 15 years later it’s still a running joke in the family. There would need to be significant impact to cause any issues and if baby was upset, I’m sure you would know!

It might not have been comfortable for him, but is unlikely to have been dangerous for him.

My DC was very underweight as a small baby and the lack of 'padding' did seem to make it uncomfortable for them to go over rough terrain - they'd cry and need to be carried but then be absolutely calm once a bit comfier. (These days they just hurl themselves off things, climb hills and generally cause mayhem as a much sturdier 2 yr old).

If you think he might be uncomfortable, you could try having the sling as a back-up (I took it everywhere for months) and check that your pram has decent suspension (it makes a difference) and is suitable for 'off road' walks. The nice collapsible carryable ones often aren't built for rough terrain. I love our Uppababy Vista for 'off road' stuff, it's huge but really sturdy and comfortable. We still keep it as a back-up for when DC gets tired.

Don't be disheartened. I promise you you'll laugh about this in years to come.

The sling will be easier for those kind of walks but your baby will be absolutely fine x

This is one of those things you will look back on and smile about in years to come. He would have let you know if he was unhappy, just think of all the bumpy, cracked, stony paths that people have no choice but to use and things going up and down kerbs too. I totally get the random worries you have when your baby is so young though.

I live rurally and go on long walks with baby in pram and in sling. We bought a 3 wheel of road pram but it does bounce him loads especially when he was little! I've definitely worried that other people are judging me pushing pram down bumpy track but the more bumps the better he sleeps !!
Most of the time I use a sling though and find this much easier although I like using the pram at times to give my shoulders a rest.
I don't think you will have done any damage but try walk with sling and see if you find it easier. Don't be disheartened and the more you practise the easier it is getting out ect

Don’t worry, he would let you know if he was unhappy. We took our Uppababy Cruz over lots of rough territory with no problems. Even the paths in our local park are very bumpy. I have also noticed bumpy is better for naps if they are resisting sleep.

Its totally normal to worry like that in the early days and it will ease off. I used to worry about lots of even sillier things like losing control if the pram going down a small hill or it rolling away from me into the street.

Remember when you were pregnant how much he probably jiggled around as you walked.
I was the same though at the beginning I thought I might give him shaken baby syndrome but the health visitor assured me that bumpy prams are fine!

Does your buggy have ok suspension ie it's not a yoyo etc ? If so you're fine.

You've just given me flashbacks to fretting I'd give my baby brain damage by shaking her about in the carry cot on rough ground...

I found a big blanket tucked around her stopped her bouncing about so much, but then i fretted she'd overheat or suffocate. Even though I was looking at my mamazing newborn the whole time.

I assure you that these fears do get easier to manage.

My baby, incidentally is now a rampaging toddler showing no signs of harm.

Well done for getting out of the house, it is so hard at first.