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Parenting

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Original poster

What age/size for move from flat pram to upright buggy?

27 replies

TakeLovingChances · 24/04/2010 21:22

Right, I'm a reasonably well-educated and informed woman, but for some reason pram/travel systems/buggies etc really confuse me!

I'm a first time mum to an 8 week old DS and need advice from others more in the know....

We have a Silver Cross 3D pram www.silvercross.co.uk/our-range/pram-systems/3D/
and up until now it's served him well when we're out and about. But, we are starting to have a bit of a problem.

DS is quite nosey and likes to look around him, and he's starting to get more and more upset when in the pram (when it's lying flat) and he screams and screams his head off.

I know that this pram converts to a forward facing stroller/buggy thing, but my question is: from what age can DCs use it in this way? Do they have to be a certain age, size and weight for it to be suitable for them? DS is tall for his age and weighs almost 12lbs, but his head control isn't great yet.

I don't think he's enjoying the pram when it's flat and I'd like walks to be a bit more enjoyable for us both and if sitting upright will help him then I'd like to do that.

Advice please?

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EldonAve · 24/04/2010 21:30

get a toy bar to hang across so he has something to look at

CarGirl · 24/04/2010 21:33

YOu could turn him around and prop it up one notch, wouldn't damage him provided he wasn't in the buggy for hours at a time.

I would try the toy bar first though.

Pluto · 24/04/2010 21:37

Yes - agree with Eldon. IMO babies should lie flat when out and about until they are 5 or so months at least, can support their heads and sit up reasonably well if supported. It's much better for their backs if they lie down I think. The pram instructions might tell you if the buggy is suitable from birth - the fact it come with a separate pram attachment suggests to me that the manufacturers have probably made the buggy attachment for an older baby.

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Pluto · 24/04/2010 21:40

I'm sure you have thought of this - but is he protected from the sun and light by pulling the hood fairly well over? If he is looking straight up at the bright sky and sun then this might be why he's crying. If you hang a little cellular blanket over the hood this might help - or you could get him some baby shades!

EldonAve · 24/04/2010 21:43

in general they can be upright from 6 mths

midway between upright and flat from 3 mths

Original poster

TakeLovingChances · 24/04/2010 21:45

I have a toy attached to the top of the hood, but it doesn't keep his attention for long.

DH bought the pram 2nd hand, so we don't have the instructions

I might call into Mothercare or another shop that sells prams and ask what they say, or ask if I can have a look at an instruction leaflet.

We don't use the pram very much, just a short walk most days and longer walks sometimes.

OP posts:

Original poster

TakeLovingChances · 24/04/2010 21:46

Btw, yes the hood is pulled up, sometimes I use the parasol if it's sunny.

OP posts:

CarGirl · 24/04/2010 21:49

with the 3d you usually keep them in the flat pram mode rear facing until 6 months and then put it forward facing.

Shaz10 · 24/04/2010 21:52

Do a google search, chances are the instructions are online.

thisisyesterday · 24/04/2010 21:52

i think it would be fine to use it as a pushchair, just not completely upright, you can just put it almost flat, but not quite

you might miss being able to see him though!

ReneRusso · 24/04/2010 21:53

I've got the same pram. I think in pushchair mode it reclines fairly flat, so it should be ok. It's probably suitable from about 3 months (just guessing), but I hardly think it would do any harm to give it a try forward facing - and recline it so that he is almost flat but he can see his surroundings. You might need a head hugger type thing to keep him well supported.

DorotheaPlenticlew · 24/04/2010 21:55

Just as an aside, could you try taking him out for walks in a sling so he can have a different POV sometimes?

I know slings are not for everyone, just a thought

ReneRusso · 24/04/2010 21:56

Instructions are available here but I don't think it tells you the age suitability of the pushchair mode.

Original poster

TakeLovingChances · 25/04/2010 10:27

Thanks for all the advice

Dorothea IMO one of his problems with the pram is that when my DH takes him out he uses the harness and carries him across his chest, whereas when I go out I prefer the pram.

DS likes being held and cuddled (like all babies) and I think he feels lonely in the pram I've tried to stop every few meters to speak to him or touch his face. Sometimes if he's really crying I'll stop to pick him up for a hug then put him back in. When he's being held he's happy, but starts crying again the minute he's put back in pram.

I always try to make sure he isn't too hot/too cold/uncomfy etc. But I really think it's feeling alone and bored that makes him cry, which is why I thought putting the pram a bit more upright so he can look out would help.

Will try to do that in its almost-flat-but-not-quite setting when we go out tomorrow.

OP posts:

caen · 25/04/2010 11:32

DD did this from 5 weeks. Nothing made her happy except being carried or in the sling so I never went anywhere without it. She only stopped at about 12 months.

grapesandmoregrapes · 25/04/2010 19:33

both my DD's did the same. DD1 always cried when she was in the pram, but was fine if i used the carseat instead (as travel system), does your carseat fit in the pram? if it does you could try that, as they tend to be a bit cosier than the pram when they are small. DD2 was carried in a sling for the first 3 months, then after that was fine in the pram. I would of thought it is just because the pram is a bit spacious while he is so small, so should get better as he gets bigger. FYI DD2 is now 5months and can sit unaided so faces forwards in the pushchair, slightly reclined.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 25/04/2010 19:37

We moved DD forward facing from about 5 months as she had quite good head control. Our buggy doesn't recline either so I kept trips short for a while. However, she just loves looking around and is much happier forward facing, in fact she now doesn't sleep in the buggy as she's too busy smiling at everyone!

If the buggy reclines flat or almost flat, then definitely give it a go and see. A short trip out won't do any harm.

We used our car seat on our buggy chasis, which isn't ideal as it isn't flat but DD was more upright and able to see things (and see me too so I could entertain her a bit). We kept trips out short (including the time in the car) but it worked for us and DD.

tassisssss · 25/04/2010 19:42

1st baby loved lying flat as we used the carrycot for the first 4 months exclusively and then switched options for the next few months

2nd baby was fine in flat pram for about first 8 weeks but then was like your wee one and screamed if lain in it. I had a nursery pick up and tended to use sling for that. Had some success with activity arch and my pram could be propped up a bit

3rd baby would have done anything I asked of her wee lamb but tended to often be in the double as her big sister wasn't quite 21months when she was born. When she was in flat pram, big sister was usually on the buggy board so lots of interaction!

They're all different. This is a phase and in a few weeks he might be happy back in the pram. Our activity arch was by tinylove I think, might be worth a try!

sparkleshine · 26/04/2010 12:58

We also have a silver cross travel system. I was told by my HV that from 3 months they can start to sit up a litle.
We adjusted his pram to pushchair ( with the cushioned lining)at about 14wks and just slightly at an angle as he was getting to the stage of noticing things and led flat was causing him stress.
Now at 20wks we currently have the pushchair at about 45deg angle and he sees more when walking. He is well cushioned and has good head control. Though we still have it facing towards us
We will sit him up more in another few wks and have it forward facing.

flootshoot · 27/04/2010 09:45

DS went forward facing from 3 months as we live in a flat and I needed to switch to an umbrella fold buggy ASAP - he's always had good head control (was holding it up a few days after birth), but I did use a footmuff and blankets to pad the buggy out and give him support. I really don't think he would have tolerated lying flat until 6 months as is sometimes advised, he was far too nosey!!

Waja1 · 22/09/2018 23:58

Just out of curiosity my baby girl is nearly 5 months but only 6 weeks corrected. She is a nosey little soul and now cries when we put her flat in the pram. When do you think the best time to put her in the push chair? We have the silver cross wayfarer and the push chair does tilt back fairly flat x

Hslo · 07/05/2020 15:26

Silver cross say your baby needs to be able to hold their head up before you move them from the lie flat in to the buggy style section of the pram

Laaalaaaa · 07/05/2020 16:27

My 6 month old is still in the lie flat pram. Not too small for them yet but we will be converting to rear facing seat soon. I want to keep my little baby in the pram for as long as possible.

Hslo · 07/05/2020 17:32

My DD is 2 months today and has about an inch to go before she fills it

HelloItsmeAgain1 · 08/05/2020 11:19

Properly sitting up and holding head as can be dangerous otherwise. We switched at 5 months but kept pushing the seat flat, only allowing it up for small amounts of time. 3-5 months were hard!

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