When is Your Baby Ready For a Stroller?

Strollers are great for letting parents enjoy their outings without the back-damaging work of carrying or chasing a toddler. And while most kids will run for the hills at the sight of a stroller, many babies and children are content to sit, chill, and take in the sights (and the scenery).

So, when is your baby ready for a stroller? The general guideline is that babies can start using a stroller around three months of age, once they’ve developed enough head control and neck strength to sit up in a reclined front-facing stroller seat. But the more important question isn’t your baby’s age—it’s their ability to achieve two key developmental milestones.

Once a baby can sit up in a regular stroller, they’ll want to hop out and explore the world. Look for a model that allows for multiple recline positions and a safe, secure five-point harness. It should also have ample storage to hold a well-stocked diaper bag, snacks, toys, and anything else you’ll need for your outings. And, since you’ll likely be carrying it around and putting it in and out of your trunk all the time, consider a lightweight model that’s a cinch to fold.

A baby in a rear-facing stroller should not fall asleep while seated in the seat, because this can cause their chin to press against their chest and obstruct their airway, suffocating them. If you plan on reclining your stroller often, make sure it has a locking mechanism that prevents your child from being able to recline the seat while asleep.

Most pediatricians recommend a child is ready to ride in a front-facing stroller when they are at least nine months old and weigh 20 pounds or more. But every kid grows at a different pace, so check with your doctor before making the switch.

Some parents opt for an inexpensive stroller frame at this stage, which the car seat snaps right into, and then upgrade to a more upscale full-sized stroller once their baby can sit up unassisted.

While jogging strollers are popular with parents, they’re not recommended for infants younger than eighteen months or babies who don’t have strong enough core muscles to support them in a reclining position. These types of strollers can lead to neck injuries and should be avoided until a child is older and has the necessary strength to use them safely.

Another common stroller-related injury occurs when a baby’s fingers get pinched in the hinge of a folding stroller while it’s being opened or closed. In fact, a number of stroller brands (including Kolcraft and Maclaren) have had to recall their products due to this problem, with the most severe cases resulting in amputations. To avoid this, be sure to close the stroller’s flaps or canopy away from your baby and make it a point to fold or unfold them when they aren’t in the vicinity of the hinges. In addition, make sure the latches are locked before you put your baby in a stroller.