When to get rid of the stroller; what age to stop and how to do it?

There are some who think that strollers need to be ditched earlier as it makes kids lazy. On the other hand, some parents find it a necessity for genuine reasons and not to be ditched soon. We feel the right age to stop using the stroller is when it ceases to be useful to you and becomes more of a burden.

For most kids, the time to use the stroller seems to have passed but their parents seem to be unsure. I recently saw a hilarious video in which a toddler was literally taking his pushchair for a walk – he was strapped in and walking around with the pushchair on his back like a rucksack.

I’ve heard stories from my teacher friends of parents who wheeled their four and 5-year-olds into school in pushchairs. The kid spends all day running around and is then wheeled back home at the end of the day.

At what age should a parent stop using the stroller for their child?

While there are no official guidelines on when to stop using the stroller, many pediatricians recommend that a child be transitioned out of a stroller once they have completed three years old.

A good reason for kids to ditch the stroller is that it encourages the child to walk more, and it develops strength and stamina. Walking also encourages them to be active and independent and reduces the risk of obesity.

This is not possible if the child is always seated in the pushchair; this can also make them lazy and reluctant to get out of the stroller.

Why do parents find it difficult to ditch the stroller?

It’s common for new parents to carry several things such as diapers, changing pad, bottles, food, extra clothes, when out with the child. A stroller makes it really convenient to carry all these things.

So, for such parents, the stroller is an absolute necessity. There are also exceptions where a buggy is a necessity, such as for safety or a disability.

Related: Here are some more advantages of using the stroller.

There are many who feel that the stroller makes both the parents as well as the child lazy (reluctant to walk), as it discourages kids to walk and get the parent to come out of their comfort zone thereby creating a long-term problem.

Often, this has less to do with the child’s ability to walk and more to do with the parent’s convenience.

“For most parents, a buggy is so much more than transport – it is a whole support vehicle system. No buggy means ‘you’ become the support vehicle, so have realistic expectations on yourselves and your little one. Walking home from preschool may seem easy enough, but if you have to carry a rocket made of cereal boxes, a still-wet painting and a tired toddler – it can be more of a challenge,’ says a parenting coach and child behavior expert.

Kids can go grow fast, and may no longer need the stroller, which a lot of parents find it difficult to acknowledge.

There is definitely something about putting away the stroller that signals the end of babyhood, and for many parents, this is a difficult transition. This could also be because the parents like the convenience of being able to carry a lot of things in the stroller. Some parents also find it safe if the child is seated in the stroller, when navigating through crowded areas. There are also toddlers who straight away refuse to walk.

However, by not encouraging the child to walk, you could be affecting their physical development. For parents who find it hard to permanently park the pram, here are some suggestions.

1. While ditching the buggy can be a big decision for the parent, you need to realize that it needs to be done at an appropriate time that is right both for the child as well as the parent.
2. Once you decide not to take the stroller, you will need to train your little one to walk near you or hold your hands and walk when out. You may also need to avoid going out when there is a rush.
3. If you have more kids, a buggy can actually help them be together. You may also consider using a buggy board to keep the kids together. However, be aware that the kids need to start walking on their own at some point. You need to make your decisions based on what is best for you and your family.

So, though there are no official guidelines from the top professional associations of pediatricians on when to stop using a stroller, I feel the right age to stop using the stroller is when it ceases to be useful to you and becomes more of a burden.

There are many parents who believe that a stroller is not needed in certain situations and are happy to carry their kids in backpack carriers instead (especially when they are small); the advantage is that the child can see more, and you will have super muscles after a few days.

Strollers, on the other hand, makes it easier to transport kids; they have also become lightweight over the years and easier to manage. So it does makes sense to invest in one and make use it for a long time. You may take along the stroller whenever you go outdoors; if not for the kids, you can always use the stroller for transporting groceries or shopping bags.