My daughter is almost 3 weeks old and my husband wants to take her in our "chariot" - jog stroller to run. We have the infant sling but I still worry about her head and neck bouncing around. Has anyone used a chariot with a baby this small?
I would look at the stroller instructions to see if they have a minimum weight and/or age requirement.
One thing that we did was just buckle our baby into her carseat and then the carseat into the bike trailer....you could try this if your chariot is wide enough. It seemed to help since they were in the rear facing position. I have seen the slings and they get a pretty smooth ride, but if it were me I would probably wait until at least 8 weeks when there's better head/neck control/strength.
How would you get any excercise if you had to wait 6 months....just use your intuition and common sense keeping your baby safe.
You are correct-3 weeks is way too young for them to be in that tyoe of stroller in which the baby needs to have control of his/her head. I ran with a jog stroller with both of my kids and I waited until around 4 months when they could handle being in that upright position. You have to use a regular stroller until then so that the baby can lie down and get the extra support it needs for the head. I am sure he is anxious to get out there with her and jog but he can jog with a regular stroller too-not as easy but it can be done! Just be patient.
Newborns are too fragile to go jogging. It's sweet that your DH wants to take her, and give you some time by yourself, but he needs to find a more laid back activity. The rule of thumb, regardless of type of stroller, is 6 months for jogging or riding in the back of a bike. The bouncing, jolting, running off curbs, etc is what cause harm.
If she's in the sling she should be fine, but maybe a few more weeks. I never got the sling, just the headrest and side pillows which we used while bike riding when our daughter was 8 weeks. If you do go one of you should keep an eye on her and watch her neck and head, if she's bouncing all over wait until she's a little older. You will love the chariot! We have a double we use for walking, jogging, bike riding, and snowshoeing!
I believe you're not supposed to put a baby in a jogging stroller until they are 6 months old, or any stroller that you jog with. You need to read more about this. your stroller manufacturer will have recommendations. I bet there's info online about this, but I'm pretty sure.
I was told 6 months by a friend, but I've used them earlier. 3 weeks seems too early ... I'll agree with the other post ... check with the manufacturer.
unless the stroller has a full recline feature (as in it lays down completely flat) it is not suitable for an infant. Generally jogging strollers are not recommended for use with infants less than 6 months old.
5 MONTHS, no sooner, no matter what. Your baby needs to be able to hold her head up all by herself and the restraint system needs to fit her securely. The repetitive bouncing of jogging could have the same results as Shaken Baby Syndrome. This is very serious, babies are fragile and need to be treated as such. I know that it is exciting to try out all the new equipment, but in this case it will be best to wait.
Use your discretion... If you daughter is well supported, you are watching her closely, she isn't being bounced all over the place and you are walking with her, not jogging or running, I don't see why not. I looked at the photo's of the sling and the chariot online and the two together look like they would work for her size. If you feel she is too small still, then wait. The wonderful thing about being a mother is the intuition we have, most of the time it is right, follow it. Babies get bounced around from arm to arm, swung in carseats, baby swings, snugli's, jolly jumpers, I don't think the motion of a stroller is going to hurt her. Just use common sense and keep her from been shaken around too much.
Hi,
I used our chariot with the sling pretty quickly after our daughter was born, but I didn't run...just walked...not because she was unstable when I ran...I am just a walker.
On a side note, we have had a chariot for 3 years now and I still think it could be the best stroller ever invented. Hope you like it too!
p.s. I just read the other responses and I am not sure they understood what the sling looks like in the jogger (vs just a regular jogging stroller) and at is it made for infants. At least with our sling Maggie was very reclined and very supported.
What does the manufacturer recommend--I think you have a valid point about her neck strength.
Yes, have to agree with other posters - the infant sling isnt appropriate for jogging - at least I'm picturing the kind you wear like a backpack on your chest.
The jogging stroller - at least the pretty standard one we have - is designed for much older babies and toddlers. That's why the side support is minimal, straps are very basic, there is a kick guard etc. The problem with putting a little baby in there is securing them safely and also crumpling - where they bend over on themselves and cant breathe.
I dont know what the sling looks like, but if it's designed specifically for infants, they are well-secured and in a proper position then it could be just fine. Check the manf. website - they probably have safety guidelines listed
