Comments on: Baby Essentials That Aren't, Part 3: Strollers

By: BIT

BIT — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:06:47 +0000

I started out with my first planning to go stroller-less, and it was impractical for me. I really have needed that extra safe place for my kid, especially at doctor’s appointments. It also is very helpful when we have to go a ways in the city, because it’s safer and faster than letting my toddler walk.

And if you don’t buy a infant bucket to lug your kid around in, you may really find the extra seat space worth it.

By: CaliOak

CaliOak — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:42:51 +0000

A care isn’t an essential..IF you don’t live in almost every single place in the in US, and if you have complete faith in the government to take care of you in a situation like Katrina.
If you really want to walk the fifteen miles home from hospital (okay there is a bus that runs twice a day), or walk the two miles home from the closest bus stop to the house with a child and a load of groceries keep knock yourself out.
I did spend a year or so commuting 30+ miles on a bike but I did nothing but work, sleep and ride five days a week.

Yes a car SHOULD be non-essential, but too much of the country is to spread out for mass transit to be convenient or cost effective.

By: leojade

leojade — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:52:45 +0000

Hmm I understand that carrying baby in a sling is a really lovely experience for me and baby and thankfully I realised while reading this that the bjorns are no good (I thought I just had a weak back!). This has inspired me to get a new one however my 5 month old is about 20 pounds now he’s such a fatty haha. I do have an issue with some of the points it seems whoever wrote this hasn’t actually seen any new models. I’ll give some examples also some are bordering on fear mongering!
* Strollers are large, heavy, and bulky.
The one I got barely weighs a thing I can quite easily turn it and push it with one hand.
* Strollers are often hard to fit into your car, and need storage space at home as well.
Before you buy a pram check it fits first! I cleared a place in the hall so its assembled and ready to use if baby isn’t going to sleep and I just rock him in the pram
“.you never have to worry about the safety issue of a stroller rolling away from you when you forgot to set the brakes.”
Setting the brakes becomes second nature when you use the pram often I don’t even realise I do it half the time now.
* Newborn infants have a very short range of vision. When they are pushed in a stroller, they are too far away and cannot see you. As far as they know, you no longer exist.
What!? My one faces me and can be changed the other way baby is quite aware I exist lol.
* If your baby falls asleep it is much easier when he is in a sling.
I would say that’s harder than not moving him or touching him at all while sleeping in the pram.
* Babies who spend too much time on their backs in strollers are at risk of “flat head” syndrome.
Take them out then! It’s not like people who have prams and any sense just leave them there for hours.
* Excessive use of strollers, especially as babies become toddlers and even older, may be partly involved in the growing childhood obesity epidemic.
… seriously wtf that’s just condescending.
* Let’s not neglect the effect strollers have on other people. Strollers greatly increase congestion in already-crowded areas, taking up more than twice the ‘floor space’ of a parent with their babe in a sling; empty strollers outside shops block pedestrian traffic; and when numerous, are commonly regarded as a nuisance.
You may be regarded as a nuisance we cant have that now. Lets blame the parents for having babies instead of city councils not spending money on making public places more family friendly.
* Babies who are worn cry less. This reduces stress hormones, and increases learning capacity.
Possibly but I have a very content baby and I use a push chair. As far as I am concerned it is not reducing his learning capacity.
* Worn babies experience life at “eye level”, and are more actively engaged in their surroundings, observing you and others. Babies in strollers, particularly young infants, are frequently completely covered up, totally deprived of any sensory stimulation and interaction with the world.
Baby could quite easily see me, people, trees, birds, the sky while the hood was down on the pram when the hood was up his range was limited to just me this would be up in severe weather or while falling asleep so hes not missing out on much then. Now he is in the push chair he can see everything from an upright position quite well. This is suggesting if you use a pram/push chair you don’t take baby out of it. I would always take baby out while at the park, beach, whatever and sit for a while and show him things. This really is a ridiculous point as if as soon as baby is in the pram he is forgotten and neglected, come on!

I really don’t like the wording and aggressive style. A little common sense, research and a big love for your baby means that pretty much all these points can be overcome. For me the pram/push chair is a necessity especially when my 5 month old has never slept for more than 4 hours in a row maybe that’s why I’m so cranky just now haha. Much love and peace to everyone and make your own decisions and choices. When you have a baby everyone tells you what you should and shouldn’t do but that is FOR YOU to decide.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:22:09 +0000

In 1990 parents were warned (in Paris – where I was at the time) not to put their babies in strollers as this was exactly where there was the most pollution! Car exhausts mainly. Given the time that has past there must be more and more cities in the world where this is true and I imagine this number is also rising!

By: mei tai

mei tai — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:28:02 +0000

I enjoyed reading this article. Mei tai baby carriers give baby’s body the right alignment according to the Babywearing Institute Germany – the legs should never dangle as mentioned in this article but should be froggy or drawn up by a right angle. Another disadvantage of the stroller is that it eventually adds to the land fill.

By: On Baby Gifts and Registries « A Life in Season

On Baby Gifts and Registries « A Life in Season — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:13:31 +0000

[...] so that separate infant and toddler car seats are not needed — they are very pro-car seat!), strollers, diapers (thought-provoking!), baby bathtubs, baby brain boosters, and (this is the one I found [...]

By: baby slings

baby slings — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:05:44 +0000

I had a Bjorn with my daughter but only used it a couple of times because it was so darn uncomfortable, and she didn’t like it much either. I wish I had researched babywearing more because it has been amazing with our second. He is as happy as can be and so am I. I can tend to my oldest and have baby right there with us at all times. It’s great.

By: Evangelina

Evangelina — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:24:19 +0000

It is a great point, but it is good to have the option, especially if you have a back problem as I do. So I am looking for a stroller with as little as possible plastics and with natural materials lining. I.e. as non toxic stroller as possible. Any suggestions for a brand? Non toxic strollers seem non existent ….

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:36:26 +0000

Obviously in that area a car would be necessary, unless you want to cab. But in many areas, especially metropolitan ones, it IS a non-necessity.

By: L

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:03:56 +0000

Did you actually just call the car a non-necesity in your replies? I guess you’ve never lived where there is NO public transportation and all major stores are 35 miles away have you? Heck, even the small ones are 7 miles away!

And I love my stroller because I can put my 3 month old in it, my 3 year old stands on the foot rest (it is designed for this) and it can carry all of their stuff! Not fun to carry at 3 year old and all of the stuff with my daughter in her wrap!