How long did the buggy refusal stage last?

[genesis92]

My 17 month DS has started hating being in the pram for any extended periods. It's almost impossible to get him in sometimes and he'll just scream and scream once he's in it.

I know it's all fairly normal for this age, but just wondering how long this phase lasted for you? I'm starting to dread and now avoid going anywhere that's too far from my house or car. It's a real shame cause I love long pram walks.

You have to be realistic, once you have an interactive toddler as opposed to essentially a potato, for most long buggy walks are gone. I guess how long is long? Our daughter hasn't tolerated more than 20-30 mins in the buggy max (with snacks as bribery) since she was 15 months or so. We have always held firm that it's either walk or buggy, no carrying if we have the buggy with us. Ditto when I have the dogs with me she has to be in the buggy. We've had a few screaming matches over it but we've never given way and it really has only been a handful, but that is with us being very realistic on distance as it is just too boring for her to be restrained for long now. Have you got a set of reins so they can get out and walk intermittently? We similarly insisted on reins, no negotiation, had a few screaming matches and then she got over it and happily accepted them from then on.

Ds has just turned 2 and is very much still like that. Since he could walk he has no interest in his buggy at all (which is fine for everyday but not ideal for big days out like the zoo etc)
Even if he’s exhausted he won’t want to be in his buggy (and would never nap in it)

if we’re in a shop he’s happy in the trolley seat, otherwise he walks. One of those trikes with a seat and a parent handle might be a good compromise to try (but we haven’t tried yet!) as you can push it like a buggy but I suppose it doesn’t feel like a buggy.

I obviously can't bargain or rationalise with my son right now regarding walking etc as he's too young. Yes I think I'll have to dig my reins out.

I live about a 20/25 min walk from town so I guess waking there, having a mooch and walking back is off the cards now. It's very hard to carry him and push the pram all whilst being 5 months pregnant.

I'm not sure I mentioned bargaining or rationalising anywhere?! We've never bargained and still don't attempt rationalising much age 3...

What you're describing sounds like it should be within the realms of feasible but only if hes able to get out safely, go to a cafe or similar to break it up. Yes I don't think expecting him to be in the buggy that whole time is realistic.

Mines about to turn 2 and has wanted to walk since he started at 10mo. Reins are good but I've been toying with the idea of those trikes with parent handles myself. We need someone who uses one to post and let us know if they're worth the money 😂

Get a minimicro scooter with a seat attachment and a parent strap. A 2yo can do normal standing scooting along safely next to you with you holding the strap. At 17 months your DC is a little small for that but it won't be long.

Long pram walks are a baby thing. You have an active toddler now.

You could attach a buggy-board to the pram for DC to stand on, leaving the pram empty but available if DC gets tired.

When I was 18 months my baby brother was born and I wasn't allowed in the pram any more, I was just expected to walk alongside holding the side of the handle. Source of traumatic memories of being surplanted.

We got a buggy board around that age and it helped. It meant we could give them a choice. ‘You can go on the back or you can go in the pushchair’.