This article discusses the topic of when it is appropriate to stop using a baby stroller for a child. While the general consensus is to stop using a stroller before the age of 3, some parents prefer to transition their child sooner to promote leg strength and independence. However, opinions vary, and some parents feel judged for using a stroller for older children. Comments from a community of mothers show a range of perspectives, with some advocating for using a stroller as long as it is convenient and others emphasizing the importance of considering the specific needs of the child and the family. Ultimately, the consensus is to choose the option that makes outings enjoyable and comfortable for both parents and children.
Whether to put a child in a stroller until when? This is a topic that occasionally comes up in the Mamastar community. It seems that many children generally graduate from strollers before they turn 3, but there are also quite a few mothers who want to graduate their child from a stroller as soon as possible, perhaps because they want their legs to be strong from walking a lot and their stamina to be built.
However, circumstances differ for each child and family. It’s okay to think of “my child as my own child,” but…
Worrying about whether to put a child in a stroller. Will it be criticized after all?
Even the other day, there was a topic about strollers in the Mamastar community. The content was about whether it’s okay to put a 4-year-old child in a stroller, but the reason for the hesitation was that they saw a comment in the community saying, “It’s strange for a child other than a baby to ride in a stroller.” The poster seems to be concerned about the public opinion.
“When a toddler gets tired and can’t walk, does everyone carry them or put them in a stroller? We plan to go out next week and walk several kilometers, and I’m worried because my 4-year-old younger child seems to have a hard time.”
Even if they can walk properly, there are times when a child gets tired and fussy. The usage period for strollers of domestic manufacturers is usually defined as “15 kilograms or less,” and the poster’s child weighs around 12-13 kilograms, so they should be able to ride in a regular stroller without any problems.
At that time, they happened to see comments like “I feel disgusted if a child other than a baby rides in a stroller” and “Is the parent strange?” and it made them anxious.
“I think I’ll carry them. I won’t take the stroller with me. I’ll imagine whether they can walk before going out.”
“I used the stroller when we went to the theme park, but I never used it anywhere else.”
“At that age, I used the stroller. Carrying them was impossible.”
The comments received were quite varied. However, there didn’t seem to be any strong criticisms like “I feel disgusted” or “the parent is strange” within the topic.
Each situation is different. It shouldn’t be said that it’s “strange” indiscriminately
It’s repeated many times, but depending on the child, the family, the situation, the circumstances can vary greatly.
“I think I’ll carry them? Our child loves going out and doesn’t get tired. I didn’t have that kind of worry very much because I was more likely to get tired first.”
“Our child was a fan of the stroller, so of course the younger one rode in it.”
There are children who don’t want to ride in a stroller and those who want to. It also varies for each child. While the poster’s older child was not very fond of riding in a stroller, the younger child, who is the topic this time, seems to love the stroller.
“If my husband is there, I leave it up to him to decide. If it’s just me, the stroller is a necessity.”
It seems that when the husband is also present, the father often takes on the role of carrying the child. However, there were comments like “Carrying them is too heavy, so my husband said, ‘my shoulders feel like they’re going to tear apart'” and “If I make my husband carry them too much, it affects his work the next day.” 12-13 kilograms may be easy on a stroller, but carrying them continuously can be hard.
“My child currently weighs 15 kilograms. I say ‘do your best’ if they get tired, but when they seem really sleepy, I carry them right away. We’ve also registered at the station’s rental stroller service, and we use a buggy for long outings and when we go back home for a visit.”
It varies depending on the kind of outing, doesn’t it? One mother has made preparations to be able to carry them anytime, carrying a hip-seat (a baby carrier with a built-in seat) around, in addition to being able to put them in a stroller.
“Strollers are really useful. You can put them to sleep if they get tired and recover their energy. You can take them out of the stroller and let them play when they recover their stamina. I used the stroller to carry bags on the way there, and on the way back, I put my tired child in the stroller.”
Especially noticeable is the use of “I put bags on the stroller on the way there and put the child in the stroller on the way back.” Even if the child becomes 3-4 years old, many mothers find it hard to graduate from the use of strollers because of their convenience.
Choose a stroller that is easy for both the parent and the child. It’s okay not to be worried
“There are often people who say ‘It’s strange to use a stroller for a child over 2 years old’ but I think it’s okay to use it. If you use it regularly every day, I’m worried about the child’s stamina, but I think it’s okay for long outings and long hours. They’ll be able to walk long distances soon.”
“Comments on video sites often criticize the use of a stroller for children of that age. But if you’ve raised a child, I don’t think you can criticize it that much. I think it’s okay to not be neurotic about it.”
If you use a stroller every day, even for short distances, it’s something to worry about, but if you use it for occasional outings that seem to make an adult a little tired, there shouldn’t be any problem. Ultimately, even if they can walk the whole time without using it, you can feel reassured that there is a stroller when you need it. After all, the poster’s child is probably within the weight limit for using the stroller. There should be no criticism of “that child is 4 years old and yet it’s strange!” from the people around them.
“It doesn’t matter how others think of it. Anyone in the same situation will definitely be envious.”
A stroller is a convenient item that reduces the burden on both the child and the mother. Recently, high-functioning buggies that can be used for a long time have appeared, so it seems that the freedom to use them according to the child, the family’s situation, and the circumstances has increased. There were also words of encouragement, such as “it’s better to choose a comfortable way for both the parent and the child and enjoy the outing!
Although the poster’s child loves strollers, they walked properly on a kindergarten field trip. There’s no need to worry at all. “I was hesitant, but I’ve made up my mind thanks to everyone’s kind comments. I’m thinking of taking a stroller,” said the poster. They are planning to walk a 5 km distance including a hill, so I hope it will be a fun outing.
Written by Asako Suzuki, Edited by Suzuran, Illustrated by Ngimamu