When to move baby from the carrycot to the stroller

They go from lying in the crib or stroller all day to sitting up, and then starting to walk. Little ones learn every day and observing that progression in their motor skills is the most exciting thing for parents. And just as the little ones grow, so too must the way you transport them adapt to their needs and new skills. Thus, newborn babies usually go in the carrycot or group 0+ of the stroller, but there comes a time when it is necessary to make the change to the stroller.

The stroller and its advantages

Since his first walks, the baby has always been lying down, very wrapped up and with little vision of what is happening around him, so he usually spends most of the time asleep. But after the first few months of life, when the baby is able to hold his head and sit up, he begins to be curious about what is happening outside. That’s when the time for change comes. Moving from the carrycot to the stroller can be very rewarding for the baby and, consequently, for the whole family. Sitting in the stroller allows:

More ability to move the baby.
Greater field of vision: when stretched out, the little one only sees the sky, the trees and their parents, while when sitting down they can observe everything that happens around them (cars, motorcycles, other strollers, dogs…)
More stimuli: if the stroller is facing you, it is almost inevitable to talk to the little one and explain to him what everything he sees is, where the noises come from… With this, you are working on their attention span/concentration and in turn the child begins to hear/store words that will later help them to express themselves.

In short, going from the carrycot to the stroller is to discover a huge window to the world for the little one. The baby’s development is enhanced (exploring, learning, from his environment) and at the same time increasing his degree of entertainment (so it is likely that, once seated, the little ones will enjoy longer walks). It is clear, then, that the novelty of the stroller is promising for you and the baby, but remember that it is important not to rush: sitting it down prematurely could damage the little one’s back and neck.

When can I sit the baby in the stroller?

From 4 months, at 6 months… Contrary to what many people think, the time to change from the carrycot to the stroller does not depend on the age of the little one but is rather a matter of development and, therefore, will depend on each baby. However, we do give you some clues to know if your baby is ready to use the stroller for the first time:

If it holds the head perfectly on its own.
If he remains seated (on the floor, in the hammock, in the high chair…).
If you are curious and try to peek through the carrycot.
If the carrycot has become too small.
If he complains when lying down and asks you to hold him in your arms.

It is advisable to make the change from the carrycot to the stroller progressively. Taking advantage of the fact that most of the backs of strollers are reclining, you can start the first walks with the baby lying down and change the incline little by little until he is seated. And don’t worry, the baby’s expression will let you know at all times if he is comfortable enough 😉 And if you still don’t have your stroller, remember that in another post we explain how to discover the ideal stroller for your family.

What if I opt for a baby carrier (G.0+) instead of a carrycot?

The carrycot, baby carrier or ‘egg’ refer to approved child restraint systems for babies up to 13 kg (group 0+). But, given its versatility and the possibility of having two stroller elements in one, many families also use it as a cuckoo attached to the stroller. This option can be more practical than the carrycot, as it is lighter and more manageable, and allows the baby to get in and out of the car easily, without waking him up or getting cold. In addition, today there are models that have different reclining positions that allow the baby to travel fully stretched. If you have decided to buy a G.0+ baby carrier instead of a carrycot, you may be able to extend its use more before moving to the stroller, as the baby can be more upright and has a wider field of vision. But, as always, everything will depend on the baby’s development and his desire to see the world.