When did you stop using a buggy

[lisa270988]

Hi All
My little boy is 4 years old next Sunday and still uses a buggy almost daily! He does walk a lot but gets tired a lot and I walk a lot so I always take the buggy with me.

Today we went for a walk to the shop and dropped off xmas cards on the way we out walking for about an hour he took his little bike and and was riding all the way there and then sat in the buggy on the way home (husband carried the bike)
And last week I walked into town about 20 minutes he walked there and then got in the buggy round the town.
Another last week he walked to my mums about 20 minutes but was in the buggy on the home.

So he does walk and always encourage him to walk wheb it's just short distance like 10 mins to local shop ect or nursery I leave the buggy, I just worry he should be walking more! He was was born early and very small for his age he still wears 2-3 clothes and they a bit big! So I don't no if that's why he struggle long distance.

Is anyone child 4ish and still use a buggy a lot

Stopped completely at just over two for girl, boy is 18 months and use it when im out with both alone for him. If we all go out with DH we dont use it. Pick boy up for a break, then plonk him back down to toddle more. But we have to drive everywhere due to being remote, so its not like 5 mile treks. More like 10-20 mins. Or if its a designated walk area there's no roads and it safe. If I was by busy roads, on my own and it was miles I probably would use it more.

Two and a half.

I still use the pram for my 2 and 3.5 year old - mainly for safety, ease, and it's like a second pair of hands.

I'll keep using it as long as I can to be honest! They are absolutely full of energy and no issues walking or listening - but sometimes I just need to get stuff done quickly and I don't want to think about who is where. Especially in a busy town centre.

About 2, only used it for long walks or big days out. Definitely not after 3.

Both of mine stopped completely just before they turned 4. It was tricky and it did involve a bit of carrying them. A scooter is helpful. I think if you walk long distances you need a buggy longer than those who drive more but the more you go without it and the less they expect it the quicker they'll gain stamina.

My oldest is 4.5 and still uses it because I walk for pleasure and fitness, and significantly more than 2 miles (which is my 4.5 year old's limit. I expect to use it until they're at school next year.

That makes me feel better

4.5 as needed to get from activity to school pickup in less time than DD would take to walk.

We phased out over time using it less and less over a year.

People who stop early tend to drive more i think.

Day to day - somewhere between 2-2.5. For days out / longer walks / when poorly etc. - somewhere between 3-3.5.
A NT / not disabled 4 year old should not need to use a buggy. It’s a catch 22 situation - he’s not building his muscles and stamina so tires easily. You need to break that cycle.

Both of mine were just under 2. I wish ds2 would stay in longer because the school runs take so long now he walks😂

So he was a premmie and is still small for his age @lisa270988 if he is wearing Age 2-3 clothes that are a wee bit big for him. That has to be a factor.
I wouldn’t stress about it.
You’re not comparing an average size child to others. His little legs are probably shorter than others his age so it takes him more steps/effort to do the same distance.

I think it depends on your lifestyle, we live in london so do a lot of public transport so used it longer, but if we lived somewhere we drove most places and just walked when we got there we'd get rid sooner. Sounds like you will need it longer and he's doing a fair bit of walking. It will be gone before you know it.

I stopped using it on her 4th birthday
And we do walk everywhere (don't drive)
And yes she was also premature and very small for her age

Around the age of 2.5.

When DS was 2 1/2, his older sister needed a special wheelchair (had previously both been in a double buggy), so DS had no option but to walk as I couldn't push a wheelchair and a buggy.
Buggy boards didn't exist then either.

I think about the same age as your child OP. It depends on what people mean by they stopped using it. There’s a big difference between popping to the local park with a 10min walk and going on a 5km walk.

To walk to the park we stopped using it age 2-3ish but longer family walks closer to 4 as going on a 1.5hr walk is alot and half way round they would need a break

DS started walking most places within a 20 minute radius (school, park etc) when he was about 2 and a half. We sold the pram when he turned 3. From then on, he’d do about 30 minutes on foot and several hours of walking at our destination. We just factored in rest stops to sit down (when with me alone) or him being carried on husband’s shoulders.

He’s just turned 4 and easily walks 40 minutes without a break. We just did a 3 day trip to London walking 12,000 steps a day (me, more for him!) and he didn’t need a pram at all.

My DD hasn’t been in a buggy since my DS was born (shortly after her 2nd birthday). We had a buggy board for a few months but she prefers to just walk everywhere.

Hardly used it after 3; maybe a handful of times until 3.5.

I think this depends on whether there’s another baby to force them out! If you only have one child I think they end up in the buggy much longer.

My only dd was like your ds op and she only stopped using the buggy when she started school!

When DD was about 2. Nursery was at the end of our road, school about 5 mins walk away. We live in outer London so use public transport al lot, and the buggy turned into more of a hindrance than a help, when you have a bus stop every 5 mins or so. She’s now 5 and regularly walks the couple of miles to and from the local park.

I'm in a similar boat, my four year was born small and still is now (also wears 2-3 year old clothes). I don't drive due to medical reasons. We don't use it to get to school/shops (all within a 20min walk) or for 'fun walks' e.g. woods etc. However, I'm hesitate to sell mine still as soft play is closer to a 40 min walk (each way) as is swimming so he's fine getting there but is exhausted to get home. If you don't have one already I would definitely encourage a scooter/bike as more fun none buggy options. I think sometimes those with a car don't appreciate how hard it is actually having to walk those distances with a small child in every type of weather.

I think it depends on driving or walking everywhere !!

4.6 for both of mine.

I rarely used the car and needed to get to places on time. Better I walked everywhere and they hopped in and out than using a vehicle.

This may be true for many people, but if you do a lot of walking it's not really feasible to make your 4 yo do it too. My 4.5yo walks 2 miles (hills and tough terrain) which takes about an hour. But I walk 5 miles in one morning walk, sometimes more. They walk some of it and go in the buggy for the rest. I suppose I could give up my walks? I'd be less healthy, fatter, and grumpier though. Probably better for my kids to sit in the buggy for a bit.