I have a 5-month-old who absolutely hates his stroller. He used to like it, but he has now gotten too big for his snap-in seat, and I have to sit him facing out when we go for walks. I have two different strollers - a BOB running stroller and Chicco, and he hates them both. One of my theories is that he doesn't like it when he can't see me, but I can't be sure that's the reason he protests so much. The only way he'll go for a walk is if he is strapped into the Baby Bjorn. BUT...he's over 22 lbs already, and I have trouble going for long walks while wearing him. Does anyone have advice?
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I kind if melded it all together, and things are going well. I broke down and got an Ergo, which is much more comfy than the Bjorn for my big boy. I also put a Bundle Me into his stroller, and he does seem to like being cocooned in there, so I've gotten fewer protests since I added the "snuggle" in. I also decided to walk through a little bit of the fussing, and I found that he really only fusses for about 5 minutes and then settles and starts to enjoy himself or drifts off to sleep. So...I would be lying if I didn't admit that I am looking forward to the time when he actually loves looking around while we walk, but thanks to your advice I think we've found a workable solution. You mamas are great.
Hi J.,
If you want to go for a walk that bad, let him cry it out as long as he is not hungry and his diaper is dry, and he'll get used to it.
Good luck!
My daughter also hated the stroller. She is a year old now and I can finally take walks! I don't have any advice but I wanted you to know another mommy went through it! She also hated the carseat...is he okay in the carseat"?
Strap him in well and ignore the fussing. Once he realizes he's stuck he'll mellow out. My girls both did this at about the same age. I think they are figuring out that when they don't like something, they cry and mom changes it. But this is not an option. As long as he's safe and nothing about the stroller can be causing him physical pain- just ignore his protests and go do what you need to do! He'll get the picture sooner or later.
My daughter also hated the stroller at that age... she is now almost 8 months and we still have issues sometimes. I also have the BOB Sport Utility jog stroller, and have to fold up a blanket for her to sit on so she sits up a bit taller, that seems to make her feel more comfortable. The bob seat tends to fold in a bit, and her legs were uncomfortable on the bar. I pack the side pockets with little toys for her and she pulls them out one by one during our walks. Sometimes she still gets fussy, but if I know that she is fed and dry, I just keep going, this method has worked well for us... and she seems to understand that she has to stay in the stroller now. (Eventhough I was embarrassed a couple of times for having a screaming baby in the stroller!) Hopefully this helps.
Ergo Baby Carrier. These are expensive, but you will use it ALL THE TIME for YEARS to come! I can still very easily carry my 5 year old (not that she ever wants to be carried anymore, but I could if I had to!) My three-year-old LOVES the ergo and if we go on long hikes, she will sometimes still end up in it at the end. It is both a front and back carrier and SO comfortable and adjustable that you hardly know it is on. We are expecting again and I'm looking forward to carrying the new one in it. I belong to a playgroup and once I showed off this thing over a year ago, a huge percentage of the people in my 50+ person playgroup have gotten one--and the ALL love it. No exceptions. Don't let the price scare you. Give it a try and then mail it back if you hate it. But you probably won't.
I have a BOB too and my daughter has also gone thru periods of hating it. Her inexpensive Graco - with snack tray that she can sit up straight and hold on to - is her favorite. I think the BOB is designed mostly for the parent! The child sits at such an angle it doesn't seem all that comfortable. Not sure how that relates to your Chicco though.
Also, I use a maya wrap sling. Love it! Still use it at 20 months now. Had to give up on Bjorn at about 3-4 months too, just too hard on my back with a big baby.
J.
Wouldn't you hate the stroller too if you knew that the other option was to be cuddled up with mom or dad? Both of my kids hated the stroller. I hated that they hated the stroller because it is so darn convenient at times. I have slings and other contraptions that are more easy on your body (or at least put the baby in different positions). I guarantee that once your baby gets more used to the world he will enjoy being in the stroller (as was the case for my girls). Why not enjoy the fact that he wants to be close to you? Good luck!
does your stroller have different settings for his back, maybe he is not comfy upright or lying flat. My daughter only liked to be upright so she could see everything and I often had to stick my hand in the back of the stroller and tickle her. eventually I started using a hiking backpack and she loved it, she would even fall asleep in it. I used it everywhere, mall, grocery shopping, walking. It can be heavy, but a good one will distribute the weight evenly and i used it until she was 3. I had 3 kids and was always wearing at least one of them.
good luck
K.
Try a different type of carrier, there are tons of options. The Becco and Ergo are pretty popular, wraps are very versatile, I love my mei tai, and my with my son we used only a ring sling.
You can check out The Baby Wearer to research these all online, and then the Boston Babywearers group is having their meeting next Wednesday where you could see & try a lot of these, and borrow one for the month with a deposit. Their link is http://www.bostonbabywearers.com/
Kiddie Co. Baby backpack. It's awesome. Bought mine at Kittery Trading Post. Two co-workers also bought the same thing. All our boys love it.
Good Luck.
Think about getting a reversible seat stroller. They are awesome when the kids are younger. Heck, my almost 2 year old will still ride facing me some days. Gives you lots of interaction with then. I have a Bugaboo Frog FS on CL and the seat reverses on it.
First off how awesome that your husband is a sahd!! I know my husband could never do it...but I so respect families where this role reversal works.
Secondly...the stroller issue. All three of my boys have always loved all our strollers/joggers (maybe I was lucky!). Have you thought that maybe something might be irritating him? Does he get bored (he is getting older and all). Have you tried 1. a bottle (maybe to help him fall asleep.) 2. those hanging toys that wiggle while you walk? 3. Soft books that he could hold? 4. Maybe bring along a favorite stuffed animal (but make sure you tie it to something so you don't lose it along they way). He will probably learn to love it if you just keep showing him how awesome it is to be going outside and getting fresh air.
The baby bjorn issue. He is too big for the bjorn!! He will break your back. He should probably be good to go in a baby backpack. Get a good one. You will love hiking with him on your back. My husband and I took our oldest two up Mount Monadnock in backpacks when they were 1 and 2.
I hope this helps!!
H. Z. (SAHM 5, almost 4 and 14 1/2 month old boys)
Ergo, Ergo, ergo! It's incredible and worth every penny of the $92 it costs. I can walk for two hours before it starts to bother me and my daughter (10 months old and going on 19 lbs) loves it. It's designed so the baby's weight rests on your hips not your shoulders and back. If you're anywhere near Arlington or Brookline, stop into Isis and try one on.
OK, here's your solution if it is that he doesn't like it when he can't see you: Have someone else push the stroller with him in it, and YOU walk beside him, letting him see you. When he is distracted, once in a while, hang back, so he can't see you. Then when he cries, looking for you, walk fast immediately and say, "Here I am, right here!" Then walk beside him for a while, then hang back again, etc. This might take a few "walks" with your husband or someone else pushing the stroller, but it might work. And, eventually, YOU push the stroller and have your husband walk beside you or the baby. Good luck.
Mei tai style carriers are a lifesaver when you have a big baby! (I've had 2!).
Kozy carrier and baby hawk are two that are great. I love my kozy, and I have an ergo as well, which we used with our son until he was about 30 lbs.
Hi J.,
I would suggest a backpack, and a good one. Usually babies like to be close to moms. If he is too heavy in the baby bjorn, then try the backpack. It is usually easier for moms and distributes the weight better. He will probably go back into the stroller again later on, when he is 9-10 months old and he is interested in looking at things more. When he is in the backpack he gets to see things from your eye level and touch you at the same time. Good Luck! and Enjoy him!
M.
It sounds like he either just wants to be close to you in a carrier, or maybe feels a little lost in the stroller. Try tucking a blanket around him that will hopefully make him feel warm like he's against your body (hopefully it's not too hot out for that!!), and give him a toy or something to distract him once he's strapped in. Maybe there's a place on either stroller where you can strap one of those hanging mobile type toys that he can see while you're walking? Just a thought. I have a double BOB for my two girls and they have always liked it because it's deep and they sort of sink into it, but they are older than your son who may still need to feel like he's in a cocoon from time to time! My last thought is that if you are going for a long walk, try to time it so he's ready for a nap, and hopefully the motion will lull him to sleep and he'll stop complaining. I hope this helps a bit!
