I still vividly remember the time when my baby was young, and I couldn’t help but find myself constantly asking: when can baby sit in stroller?
Like every other new (or experienced) parent in the world, I was really looking forward to the day when the baby sat up in a stroller without assistance.
To every parent, the baby’s every development is an anticipated stage.
If you are asking yourself the same question when do babies sit up unassisted, worry not.
In this article, let us go through exactly what age do babies sit up, and what safety measures to put in place when that actually happens!
When Can Babies Use A Stroller?
Infants can be laid in a travel system or bassinet stroller from birth.
When can baby can sit in a baby stroller? When do babies sit up unassisted?
A baby can only be placed in an upright stroller seat without falling forward mainly from four to six months.
At this point, the baby learns to use the stroller in a seated position since they have developed sufficient neck muscles and have more control over the head.
To make the when can babies sit in a stroller process faster, you can use infant seats for tummy time muscle development. Baby sit up chair speeds up the process of how to help baby sit up unassisted.
With sufficient training from tummy time, the baby’s neck and trunk strength will increase, and they can start to sit with limited support.
Over time, with minimal help in placing the baby in a sitting position, the baby will gradually gain confidence, and it’s when babies sit up unassisted and unattended.
Understanding The Role That Different Stroller Types Play
It is important to note that the type of stroller plays a crucial part in teaching when babies sit up.
Finding out when a baby can sit in a stroller, or at what age do babies sit up on their own – are good questions that all parents should explore.
There are a lot of different strollers on the market, each with many different features. Strollers make up an important part of your baby’s gear arsenal, but it can be difficult to figure out when you would actually need one.
Some strollers can be used from birth; it really depends on the model you choose. Bassinet strollers, for example, can be used in an entirely laid-back position, but models that don’t recline fully are not appropriate for babies below the age of 3 months.
This is approximately the age when your baby no longer needs help in supporting their head. However, the recommended age for the use of a stroller varies from one child to another due to the milestone development of a child.
The first thing to look for before you consider putting your baby in a sitting position in a stroller is that your baby should be able to support its head on its own.
Remember, some babies differ from others since some develop faster than others.
Which Stroller Can Be Used With A Newborn?
As we have discussed, infants under the age of four months have limited motor skills. Due to that, the safest stroller is the one that allows the newborn baby to lie flat on a surface on their back.
All in all, travel systems and bassinet strollers are convenient for that age as they are not only good for transporting the baby but also ideal for baby sleep.
A baby sit-up chair type of stroller has a risk of causing the infant to fall out of the stroller forward when the stroller is being pushed; hence not recommended for children below the age of 3 months.
Travel System
The travel system is an infant car seat attached to a compatible stroller. It allows parents or caregiver to transport their sleeping newborns from their car seat into a stroller without waking them up and buckling them back when traveling.
The built-in infant car seats often come with vehicle bases that allow you to quickly click in and secure the baby back into the car.
Travel systems often come combined as an infant car seat and stroller set, but it’s possible to use different brands if they are universally compatible.
Bassinet Strollers
Bassinets and strollers are two different essential stroller accessories for babies. A bassinet stroller is basically a combination of the two.
Most bassinets are portable and give a newborn baby a flat and safe environment to sleep or rest. Strollers, on the other hand, makes outings with parents away from home possible – all the while giving the child a safe place to sleep.
Some infant bassinets are not compatible since some do not come with a stroller and can be costly to acquire.
The best option for a bassinet is one that can serve your child through the different stages of their life, from newborn to toddler.
Most bassinet strollers are meant for use for a short duration until the baby starts to roll. When the baby begins to move, you need to switch to an infant car seat or regular stroller.
Consideration When Buying a Stroller
The most considered thing when buying a stroller is that it can recline and have attachments such as a bassinet or an infant-only car seat. The following are a few other things to look for:-
1. Age
For a newborn less than three months old, look for strollers that fully recline, ideally a convertible stroller that can accommodate your baby from birth to their toddler years. It should also be car-seat-friendly.
To make the right decision in buying the right stroller, you should also ask yourself when do babies sit up on their own. Learning about at what age do babies sit up on their own can help you make an informed decision about purchasing the right stroller.
2. Lifestyle
The type of lifestyle you lead often determines the kind of stroller you’ll use.
- Car friendly – if you use a car frequently, you should look for a stroller that will fit in a car boot and is lightweight and foldable.
- Outdoor/outing/jogging – if you are an active parent, you should look for a stroller with suspension that should be easy to operate. However, a jogging stroller is not recommended for a baby less than eight months old.
- Public transport – if you often use public transport, you should look for an easily foldable and lightweight stroller with a strap to enable you to carry it as a backpack.
3. Stroller Size and Weight
A place of storage for your stroller plays a crucial part. Look for a stroller that is easy to fold and unfold to fit in your home door or the trunk or backseat of your car.
It should also be lightweight to carry upstairs if you live in an apartment or on the subway.
Related: Stroller Storage Ideas
In addition, it would be best if you also consider your child’s weight. Each stroller has a maximum recommended weight.
4. Wheels
Wheels that can lock in a position independently could be a better choice for daily use. They will help you quickly navigate all those stores and malls.
Larger strollers and wagons are more likely to come with proportionately larger wheels.
Models such as these tend to be more durable, particularly all-terrain strollers that can be used in many different kinds of terrains like beach sand, hiking trails, and more.
5. Number of Strollers
Depending on your situation, there might be a time when you require more than one stroller. For example, a lightweight stroller is good for traveling while a full-sized one is more suited for outings within the neighborhood.
It is advisable to buy a stroller that meets many needs, but it should first be suitable for your baby at that time. Purchasing a stroller with many features your baby doesn’t need now is redundant.
6. Features and Accessories
Most strollers have additional features, while few others offer only basic ones. You should consider what is most essential and must-have for you.
Is it all-terrain wheels, one-handed folding, one-handed operation, food trays, sun shades, cup holders, canopies, or rain covers? Figure this out and do away with what you can live without.
7. Budget
Just because a stroller is endorsed by celebrities doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best one for you! There are plenty of other options out there that are competitive and will still do the job well. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you need.
If your budget is low and you’re looking to save some cash, the best way to go is with a high-quality model that can grow with your child.
Main Features of Different Strollers Types
Umbrella and Lightweight Strollers
They get their names umbrella stroller from the way they are shaped at the handle. These models are curved at the end like an umbrella handle but are not attached to one.
These are suitable for babies who can support their head mainly from 3 months and above. The stroller can easily be put in the car boot. They are ideal for traveling moms.
They come with light aluminum stroller frames and semi-reclining baby car seats, allowing them to fold easily. Swivel wheels in these models allow parents to easily lock the stroller in place and usually weigh only about 5 pounds.
Some of these products can recline fully and are suitable for babies from about 4 to 6 months up to around 3-4 years old.
Portable or Lightweight Strollers
These strollers are mid-size ranged and built compact when folded since they are easy to fold. They come with a canopy and a storage basket.
Most of the luxury stroller models are fully reclinable and come with stroller handles along with all-terrain oversized wheels to match the price tag. The common ones have an aluminum frame and weigh around 15 pounds.
The advantage is that babies can use the recline from birth to toddler age.
Full-Size Strollers
These strollers are oftentimes convertible with added extras such as sunshade canopy, footrest, front tray, storage basket, weather boot, good suspension, and dual-wheel brakes.
They can also be used backward or forward facing. The seats can be adjusted in multi-position and can fully recline. It supports the baby’s back and head.
With full-size strollers, only a few models are on the lighter spectrum due to their aluminum frames. Most of them tend to be quite bulky and heavy.
Babies can safely use models that allow for a full recline from birth up to about four years old, or until when baby can sit down unassisted.
Jogging Strollers
Jogging strollers are mostly designed with three all-terrain wheels with good suspension. Other notable features found in these models include an adjustable height handle, hand brake, wrist strap, weatherproof fabric, and a storage pouch.
Tips to Keep Babies Safe in A Stroller
- Stability: Ensure the stroller has a broad base that will prevent your baby from tipping over after leaning on either side or backward.
- Seatbelts: Seatbelts will ensure your child is strapped in securely in its seat.
- Locking: Ensure that you secure the folding mechanism to avoid sudden collapse. Secure the wheels and apply the brakes when not strolling.
- Other Factors: Double-check and make sure that the baby’s fingers are away from the stroller when folding and unfolding it, and avoid hanging your purse or groceries on the handles of your stroller. Be careful you don’t overfill the stroller as this could cause it to topple over; make use of the shopping basket in the lower part, located in the center.
How Can You Help Your Infant Develop Strong Muscles?
When can babies sit up? Are you among those interested in how to help baby sit up quicker?
To help your baby develop muscles in order to sit without help using infant strollers, a baby sit up chair in a seated position can be a solid option.
Under supervision, lay the baby on their stomach and encourage them to lift their head by extending a toy or something of interest to the kid.
After a while, this exercise will help strengthen their stomach muscles, neck, and back. The baby also learns to have more head control doing this.
Since many babies hate this exercise, you can make it fun so that they may enjoy it. This exercise is referred also to as tummy time and helps babies develop skills differently.
Take Away
Strollers have become an essential or must-have item among other baby essentials.
Most parents have difficulty finding a stroller with all the required features at the right price. A good stroller is easy to use and ideally, can accommodate the baby from birth to toddler age.
When can babies sit in stroller? It is good to remember that a baby’s motor development should not be forcibly fast-tracked since each baby develops differently.
That said, a little exercise from fun tummy time won’t harm your baby!
Let the baby’s development take its own pace. With time, the child will be able to sit independently, have good head control, and sit upright without assistance!
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Last update on 2022-08-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
