Stroller rides are incredibly convenient for parents. They are a perfect way to get your baby outside in the fresh air while they take in the world around them with wide-eyed curiosity.
However, stroller rides come with a significant challenge – getting your baby to like them. While it’s recommended to hold your baby as much as you can, especially in the first year, there will be times when you need to use a stroller. Since your baby is used to being held, they may find the stroller “odd”. They can become so fussy that in the end, you ask yourself – do babies like stroller rides?
To give you the short answer – babies absolutely love stroller rides! The thing is, they need to get adjusted to them first. Naturally, you can help!
In this blog, we’ll show you how to keep your baby happy in the stroller. But before that, let’s see why your little one may dislike them in the first place.
Why Babies Don’t Like Strollers In The Beginning
As previously mentioned, babies love being held. However, if you’re planning an outdoor adventure, carrying them all the way may not be the most comfortable for you. Luckily, strollers can help you in all sorts of ways!
Still, it’s not uncommon for babies to get fussy when having their first stroller rides. This can be because it all feels new to them, but other factors may be at play.
- Overstimulation
The reason why you can’t keep your baby happy in the stroller may be because they feel overstimulated. Let’s face it - your bundle of joy has been inside the womb for 9 months, so it’s quite natural if the outside world feels too much for them. They may find various sights and sounds too intense, making them quite stressed out, and because they’re so little, they think all of that is coming from the stroller.
- Discomfort
Comfort and safety should always be a priority when purchasing a baby stroller. For now, we’ll focus on the comfort aspect since this too can be a reason why babies get so cranky in the stroller.
Babies like to feel as free as possible and don’t like being constrained. Just think how your baby reacts when you dress them in slightly tight clothes. When you throw in a safety buckle, it’s more than understandable why the waterworks come in.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do in this case other than give them time to adjust. Again, safety is a number one priority and all procedures have to be in order to ensure your little one is secure. So, whenever they start being fussy, soothe them as much as possible without taking them out of the stroller.
- Loneliness
Your baby is used to always being held and carried. In fact, they thrive from physical touch! However, you know it’s impossible to carry them around all the time, so you opt for the stroller. When you put them inside one, they might feel like they’re lonely, even though you’re inches away from them.
With that said, always ensure your baby faces you on your stroller rides, and give them loving touches from time to time. This will reassure them that they’re definitely not alone!
How To Keep Your Baby Entertained In The Stroller
Now that you know the why, let’s see how to keep your baby happy in the stroller. Keep in mind that this experience is different for each parent. In other words, some babies may get used to stroller rides much faster than others. In any case, it’s important to stay patient and consistent – over time, stroller rides are bound to become their favorite activity!
- Attachable Toys
Babies love to get reactions from their parents. That’s why they love throwing toys so much! Whenever you pick up the toy and return it to them, they see this as you’re playing with them.
However, you’re probably aware that this scenario isn’t most suitable for stroller rides. After all, you don’t want to stop every five minutes to get toys off the ground. For that reason, you should look into attachable toys.
Attachable toys are a perfect way to keep your baby entertained in the stroller. In addition to being stimulating, you won’t have to worry about them getting lost during the ride. They usually come with an adjustable hook, so ensure they’re within your baby’s reach before heading out.
- Toys With Lights And Sounds
Speaking of toys, you should also consider ones that light up and make sounds. They are definitely more engaging, meaning they’ll keep your baby’s attention for much longer.
Still, keep in mind that too much noise can be overstimulating. For that reason, choose the toy selection based on where you’re headed. If it’s a quiet place, toys with built-in sounds and lights can do wonders. Otherwise, stick to less stimulating ones – the outside world will already do its part.
- Be Mindful Of Shocks
Imagine you’re driving on rocky terrain – the feeling of constant shocks and shakes isn’t the most enjoyable, right? Well, your baby might feel the same way on your stroller rides, making them quite irritated!
One way to keep your baby happy in the stroller is to ensure they have a smooth sailing ride. That means pushing the stroller on even terrain, but you should also look into sturdy wheels. Shock-absorbent wheels prevent the stroller from feeling like a roller coaster ride, adding to its overall comfort.
- Check The Angle Of The Sun
As our final stroller tip, we advise you to look into the Sun’s positioning. No one likes to feel the glaring sun rays in their face without the proper protection, especially not babies. So if they’re fussy during the ride, check to see whether the sun is blasting them. If so, pull the stroller canopy down just enough so your baby can see comfortably.
These are just a few practical ways to keep your baby happy in the stroller. Remember, this process is different for each parent, so once you get the hang of it, stroller rides won’t be too much of a hassle.
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