8 Common Stroller Mistakes and How to Avoid them
Parents sometimes commit stroller mistakes without realizing it.
Using a stroller is more than just pushing it here and there. You need to know how to use it safely.
There are many reported stroller-related injuries happening because of bad practices or innocent mistakes.
Here are common stroller mistakes and how to avoid them:
1 – Failing to Lock the Stroller Before Putting Baby In
Just because you've opened the stroller doesn't mean it's ready to put your baby in. If it's not locked, the stroller will fold and close with your baby inside.
Wait until you hear it click. There's usually a clicking sound when the stroller is locked open.
2 – Putting Groceries on Top of the Canopy
It can be tempting to put your stuff on top of the stroller when you have too much to carry. The weight of the stuff might be too much for the canopy to hold. And some items could fall off and land on your baby.
Just use the storage basket under the stroller.
3 – Hanging Heavy Stuff on the Handlebar
Some parents hang their bags on the handlebar of the stroller. It really is more convenient to put your bag in the handlebar than in the basket below the seat. But this can tip over the stroller.
The obvious solution is to not hang a heavy bag on the handlebar. Another tip is to wrap ankle weights around the frame near the wheels to give the stroller additional support.
4 – Forgetting to Buckle Up Your Baby
Even when you're just going slow, or just circling outside your house, it's important to buckle them.
With babies, especially toddlers, a lot can happen in a second. It will be horrifying to see your baby tumble down the stroller.
Always strap in your little one. No matter how quick you're planning to put them there.
5 – Forgetting to Lock the Brake
You may just be unloading some stuff from your car and you think there's no need to lock the brakes. But the wheels can roll away with your baby in the stroller – even when the surface seems level.
Always step on the brake when you're not in motion.
6 – Throwing Away the Instructions
After a few weeks from unboxing your new stroller, you'll most likely not remember where you kept the instructions – or worse, you might have discarded it. The instructions tell you the right way to use your stroller.
It's important to keep it long after you've purchased the stroller because you'll need it as a guide for maintenance. It will tell you stuff like how to inflate the tires correctly, how to remove the fabric for washing, and how to properly store it.
7 – Pushing the Stroller While You're on Wheels Yourself
You might think it's fun to push the stroller while you're on roller blades, a scooter, a hoverboard, or the likes. But it's just an accident waiting to happen.
It's easy to guess what can happen if you do this. Reduce the risk of accidents by just going on foot.
8 – Leaving Your Baby Unattended
Some parents think after they've strapped on their baby to the seat, they can leave them as they do other stuff or look elsewhere.
But accidents can happen in just a split second. Always watch over your baby although they're just sitting in the stroller.