Just a few weeks ago, the Internet spoke out strongly about actress Coco Austin’s Instagram post in which she shared a photo of her sharing her 6-year-old daughter Chanel with rapper Ice-T in a stroller during a vacation to a Caribbean resort. Soon after, thousands of Internet users flocked to the photo and offered their two cents on when a child is too old to be pushed around in a stroller by her parents.
“Isn’t she six years old?” One commenter wrote. “She should be out of the stroller by now.”
Others were more supportive of the couple’s choice to let their daughter use the stroller while on vacation. One follower said, “My son is almost 6 and we go certain places and I wish I could bring a wagon or stroller for him.” “These people are nasty people for no reason.”
At what age should the child stop using the stroller?
It is widely accepted that after toddlerhood, children should say “goodbye” to their strollers, but most professionals and families agree on when a child should stop riding in a stroller and start walking around without it.
“From living in the city to having a child with special needs, how and when to stop using the stroller should be loosely based on recommendations, but be based on the reality of the needs of the family as a whole and what is best for the child’s interests,”Bethany Cook, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of For What It’s Worth: Perspectives on Surviving Parenting 0-2 Years, says.
Is there a negative impact of long-term use of the stroller?
Some experts believe that prolonged stroller use can lead to underdevelopment of gross and fine motor skills and delay a child’s understanding of the world around him or her.
“Getting out of the stroller helps develop a sense of safety, walking stamina and an understanding of life outside the stroller,” says Samantha Stern, a pediatric occupational therapist and CEO of Empower Kids Therapy. “As a child navigates the world around them, they begin to form their own ‘body map’ and how they fit into the world around them as they explore. With strollers for large or extended periods of time, children may not be as fast in this area.”
In addition, spending too much time in the stroller may lead to weight gain, as children may miss out on the health benefits of walking.
“Walking not only exercises children, but also increases their confidence in their abilities and provides them with more opportunities to interact with their environment rather than sitting in a stroller,” says Michelle Felder, family therapist and founder of Parenting Pathfinder. “Continuing to use a stroller after it is no longer needed can impede physical activity and reduce the amount of exercise children can receive, which can negatively impact their physical health and overall well-being.”
When can older children use the stroller?
While the ultimate requirements for whether a child is too old to use a stroller will vary from family to family, the general consensus among parents and professionals is that strollers are appropriate for long trips and short trips …… like a day for example, at Walt Disney World.
Stern says, “On a holiday or birthday – usually an event that occurs over an uncharacteristically longer period of time – expect the child to already be tired from all the excitement.” “It’s a good idea to bring a stroller to alleviate the potential difficulty of walking.”
Jenavie Noggle, a mother of two and co-founder of children’s blanket company Frankie Dean, is one such parent who still occasionally uses a stroller. noggle’s sons are 3 and 4, but she only uses the stroller when she knows they will be walking for a long time, otherwise she ends up taking them with her.
Other parents use the stroller as a safety net in case their children need it. jess English, a mom of three children ranging in age from 9 months to 4 years, says, “it definitely depends on the situation.”
“I have three children and rarely use a stroller with my 4-year-old son,” English says. “However, the stroller became perfect for storage and quick naps on the go.”
How to get your child out of the stroller
If you decide to say “no” to a stroller, the transition can be tough on your child. Experts, such as pediatrician and Happiest Baby CEO Dr. Harvey Karp, say there are ways to get your child out of the stroller without the shock of eating cold turkey.
- Consider alternative modes of transportation
“Many children like to stand on a kickboard that can be secured to the back of the stroller,” Karp says. “They love feeling the wind in their hair and whooshing across the world in a magical man-carrier powered by their parents. This little platform is a great way to get kids out of the stroller, especially because the seat is right there if they need it.” - Acknowledge your child’s feelings right from the start
Transitioning out of the stroller isn’t easy for all children, so it’s important to identify and validate those emotions. “If your child is tired of walking, acknowledge their feelings and recognize their efforts,” says Felder. “It’s also helpful to look at their experience in a more positive light and bring to their attention the fact that they are building muscle and getting stronger, and while it may be difficult, you know they can do tough things. “ - Make Walking an Engaging Experience
There’s definitely something to be said for the nervousness of a child running off after leaving the stroller, but experts say parents can use a harness to keep their child close or let them complete the task.
“If parents are concerned about safety, then give the child a job,” Stan says. “If you’re transitioning from daycare or home to a car, give your child something they can take with them: something to keep them excited and entertained.”
“Say, ‘Mom needs help carrying the backpack, let’s stick together,'” she explains. “At the grocery store, let them get things off the shelves or push a shopping cart for you. Being more involved in the task will help.”