How to avoid stroller tip-overs, accidental rolling, sunburns, and more
There’s a sense of security you get when your kid is in a stroller. Parents feel in control, and that their child can’t get into harm’s way. And as long as you stay mindful of a few key things, it’s as safe as can be.
Stay strapped
It’s important to keep your child completely strapped in the stroller—yup, even when you’re standing right there the whole time or you’re walking at a snail’s pace. In case you haven’t noticed yet, babies are unpredictable. But they’re also testing out new skills every day. So, you wouldn’t want them to unexpectedly wiggle or roll out as soon as you turn away, and then you’ve got an injury on your hands. Another thing to be mindful of: When only the stroller’s waist strap is clicked without any shoulder restraints in place, your child may tumble out or the stroller could tip if they lean over. Not to mention, how many times have you, as a fully functionally adult, walked down a sidewalk and accidentally tripped on a raised curb sending you launching forward? Now imagine the stroller wheels hitting that same curb and coming to a sudden stop, as your baby gets thrown forward. A little prevention goes a long way.
“It’s important to keep your child completely strapped in the stroller."
Ensure accidental rolling never happens
Sometimes a walkway or driveway that seems super-flat may actually be on a slight decline, and just enough to get the stroller’s wheels moving. A smart habit to start? Hands off, brake on. That flick of your foot takes mere seconds and soon will become second nature, meanwhile your stroller stays put and away from danger. Bugaboo strollers are also equipped with a wrist strap attached to the handlebar so you’ll have peace of mind wearing it whenever using the stroller. You’ll be thankful for the extra insurance when you’re riding a moving bus, train, or subway, or even walking down a steep hill. Regarding hills, make sure that you are physically strong enough to manage the downward weight of a stroller and your child together. “A postpartum mom recovering from a C-section or a vaginal delivery may not realize that she doesn’t have the same strength and dexterity she used to have,” notes Dr. Mona Amin , a general pediatrician. “If you’re unsure, first practice with someone who can help you, or just plan a different route without hills.”
“Bugaboo strollers are also equipped with a wrist strap attached to the handlebar so you’ll have peace of mind wearing it whenever using the stroller.”
Watch your weight
That is, don’t load up your stroller like a shopping cart. Every model has different weight restrictions for the seat area as well as the bottom compartment, and it’s imperative to stay within those limits so that you don’t damage the stroller or, worse, throw it off balance with your baby inside. Unless they have been specifically designed for your stroller, it’s also not a good idea to use stroller hooks on the handlebar to hang a diaper bag or other shopping bags, which can make the stroller significantly top heavy, says Holly Choi, a certified first-aid instructor and child passenger safety technician. “If you’ve got an 18-month-old who’s running around and then yanks on the handlebar, the whole stroller could easily fall back on the child because of the unanticipated extra weight.”
"Unless they have been specifically designed for your stroller, it’s also not a good idea to use stroller hooks on the handlebar to hang a diaper bag or other shopping bags."
Keep an eye on siblings, too
It happens: Your older child is jealous of the new baby and wants to sit in the stroller, or maybe just wants to stand up on the leg rest for fun. While it may not seem like a big deal, it adds to the risk of unbalanced weight on the stroller, and you should firmly say that the stroller is only for one child at a time. If your older kid isn’t ready to give up their stroller just yet, you may want to consider investing in a double stroller like the Bugaboo Donkey 5. And for the older sibling who wants to push the stroller with the baby inside, be mindful that they should be always supported by an adult, Choi says. “In terms of injury prevention, a child is not an adequate replacement for adult supervision.”
"For the older sibling who wants to push the stroller with the baby inside, be mindful that they should be always supported by an adult."
Get sun smart
The first lesson is to never drape a blanket over a stroller to protect your baby from the sun’s rays. “There are few things that I will give unsolicited parenting advice about, but that is the one when I will say something,” Choi says. A blanket, even a light cotton one, traps hot air inside the stroller. “Airflow is so crucial for babies,” says Choi. “They are significantly more prone to overheating because they don't have the same ability to regulate their body temperature as adults do.” For safety’s sake, always opt for accessories designed by your stroller’s manufacturer. Bugaboo, for instance, makes UPF 50+ parasols that can swing in any direction to block the sun as well as UPF 50+ canopies that provide head-to-toe coverage with plenty of mesh panels for excellent ventilation. Beyond that, be sure to park the stroller in the shade whenever possible and check for any potentially hot metal clasps before buckling your baby in.
“Be sure to park the stroller in the shade whenever possible and check for any potentially hot metal clasps before buckling your baby in.”
Manage the ups and downs
Stairs and wheels don’t mix. If there’s just one or two steps, you can probably handle maneuvering the stroller just fine on your own (go backwards and use the back wheels as leverage to go up or down a step at a time carefully). But if you’ve got a legit flight of stairs before you and no elevator in sight, it’s time to enlist help. “I have never seen an issue in New York City where someone does not help a father or mother with a stroller,” says Dr. Mona. “And if no one's offering a hand, it’s OK to ask a stranger, ‘Hey, do you mind helping me?’” Ideally, one person should hold the handlebar while the other lifts the base of the stroller near the front wheel. This is much safer than attempting to wield a stroller with a baby inside all by yourself (and saves your back too). Just make sure your child is fully strapped in first. Now whenever you leave the house, you can be sure that you and your baby will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
"One person should hold the handlebar while the other lifts the base of the stroller near the front wheel."
