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

5 and a half for my first and 4 and a half for my second. My first is sen. My youngest wouldn’t walk very far at all when she turned 4 but by the time she turned 5 she could easily cover 4-5 miles of hilly walking. I think many people of get rid of the buggy at 2 don’t walk very far or for very long. If you’re out all day and not stopping much a buggy is essential until they’re older

One before he was two. One at 2.5 and one just before she was three. It did mean walks were very slow as they stopped to look at every stone, stick, insect, etc...

Just before he turned 2. He’s now in reception and I’ve not seen a single parent using one there.

If the child was 4+ and still using a buggy I’d assume there was a disability of some sort.

We stopped at 3yr10 months, as had to give the double back. That was around 6 weeks ago. She now walks 0.6 mile, but big hill most of it back from nursery twice a week. When she's already walked over a mile to/from gymnastics as part of nursery, she does complain on the hill.

This week had our first full day out, walking themepark 10.30-4.30. Only mentioned wanting pushchair at 4pm & went on my shoulders briefly.

Tho I won't walk to playgroup 20min away yet, as walk there, 1.5hr running around, would not be ok on the mostly uphill walk back, which is more than double the nursery distance.

Youngest is 2yr8 months. Hoping to do away wuth it for nursery runs altogether come spring (Youngest is a liability with regards to road safety atm)

Still using one for our almost 3 year old and will be for some time as we go a lot of places on foot. It's not just about their ability to walk but how fast you want to get somewhere. You get judgment for using one from people who think nothing of hopping in their car for similar journeys.

We used ours with decreasing frequency until each child was five, and I think we kept it for emergencies (trips to the doctors/hospital etc) for another year just in case. We don't drive, and sometimes you need to be able to get to appointments at a walking pace a three or four year old just can't sustain for a long enough time to cover the distance.

Using a pushchair meant that my kids walked far more than most children of that age do, because we could walk them to the point where they needed the pushchair. The difference in their walking stamina compared to the children whose parents used cars for similar journeys was really obvious on school trips.

2.5 but we weren’t walking extremely long distances. I think if you’re doing a fair amount of walking you would need it more

About 2. He’s 4 now and we walk everywhere but if it’s a decent distance away he goes on his bike or scooter. We kept a basic pushchair that is never used normally but has been a godsend on occasions when he’s been too sick to walk to the doctor’s surgery. I walk him there in it.

Sold it when she turned 2 as she hated getting in it and I didn’t have the space for it (mid terraced cottage, no hallway) so was glad to finally be rid. We have a dog so are out walking a lot and she just built up stamina over time. She’s 3.5 now and will walk for miles at a snails pace for snacks

All 3 have been done by 3 yo.

DS was prem and wearing age 2 clothes at 5. We lived in NYC for sine of his toddler/preschool years. We contemplated not taking a buggy, but thought it might be useful for longer walks. This was definitely true and it helped us explore and get him over the jet lag. New York pre schoolers were definitely in strollers -as they call them there - until 4+. These were just pre smart phone days and there were loads of kids on game boy type devices in strollers which I found odd. One other reason the stroller was useful was that reins were met with outraged looks. We only had one of those Little Life backpack things but Americans really bought out all the judgmental looks I hoped I was suppressing for the game boys 🤣

To answer in more detail. The buggy was useful until 3 and beyond. We didn't use it much beyond 4. However, being small and premmie does factor in for even the most energetic early baby. I have a 20 yr old that's over 6ft now but - as a mum - I can't ever forget how he was almost too tiny to hold as a baby.

Between 4 and 5. You just kind of gradually use it less and less.

We used ours at age 4, sometimes 5. Our DD needed afternoon naps until starting reception, and she could hardly nap whilst standing up, so we brought the buggy out so she could have a nap on the go. We're in inner London and all our days were long and busy days out as she did loads of activities and we didn't use a car. I didn't find it a problem taking it on public transport as we had a Yoyo and I could fold and go quickly if needed.

We’ve mostly stopped with my DD who is 3.5 now. But, I have an 11-month old too, so DD tends to use the buggy board on his pram. We live in London and there’s just no way of navigating the city safely and efficiently without (still tiny and erratic) DD hitching a lift. She’s a slow walker and seems to tire easily, but I think it’s actually boredom with her as she has boundless energy otherwise! She can be properly knackered after preschool and obviously when ill, so I might use the ‘holiday buggy’ (our YoYo) for those times when she and I are without DS. Her favourite mode of travel is ‘shoulders.’ DH’s not mine, thank god!

I think it depends on the child, but I’d try to taper use down to and then to avoid it when primary school begins (especially on the journey to and from). It’s a bit arbitrary but school just feels like a new phase for them.

About 4 for both of mine. The last year I often ended up
pushing an empty buggy, but they are handy for storage
so I didn’t have to lug all that toddler stuff around! Then they hop in when needed.

both are now older and perfectly normal muscles and skeletons.

Two and a half. DD liked walking and would tantrum if put in it. Shes just turned 3 and we've got rid of it.