Why the way your baby faces in a stroller matters
The way your baby faces in their stroller matters. Did you know that from birth to around nine months old, eye-contact is essential for your baby’s well-being? Forward facing strollers will give you a great opportunity to make lots of eye contact and to bond with your little one. It is worth noting that research suggests that when you push your baby facing you it can benefit their social and language development.
In this article we are going to explore some of the benefits of having your baby face you in a stroller, as well as what the researches say. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, a parent-facing pushchair has some advantages over a forward-facing one. However, keep on reading to find out more on why a parent-facing stroller is better for your baby than a forward-facing model.
What does the researches say ABOUT THE WAY YOUR BABY FACES IN A STROLLER?
Dundee University’s School of Psychology study notes that away-facing strollers can add to baby’s stress. This study examined 2,722 parents and children, and it was published by British charity National Literacy Trust. As we all know parents are less likely to interact with children in forward-facing strollers. Most importantly, it was found that children not facing the person pushing them were significantly less likely to talk, laugh and interact with their parents. The researchers called into question the designs of many of the world’s most popular baby strollers.
Suzanne Zeedyk, who led the research and who is a developmental psychologist, noted that simply by turning the stroller around, parents’ rate of talking to their baby doubled. Furthermore, it’s data suggests that for many babies today, life in a stroller is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful and it is true that stressed babies grow into anxious adults. The study found that 62 percent of all children observed traveled in forward-facing prams. For children between the ages of one and two, the figure was 86 percent. Dundee University’s study highlights the need for manufacturers to rethink the designs of strollers.
Benefits of having your baby face you in a stroller
Your baby will be able to see your face, as well as see you talking to him. Seeing your familiar face comforts him emotionally and helps him feel safe.
1. IT IS GOOD FOR BABY’S DEVELOPMENT
Developmentally, your newborn baby needs and likes seeing his parents’ faces, especially during his first months. Did you know that your baby craves social exchanges with you? They also start learning the rules of social interaction and mastering their reactions on your facial expressions during their first few months of life. In a parent-facing baby stroller, it is easier for you to give your baby this kind of stimulation that he needs for development.
2. The baby is able to nap better
Different studies have found that babies were twice as likely to sleep when they were in a rear-facing stroller. Even though some attribute this to luck, we believe this happens because infants feel safer and more relaxed when looking at a familiar face so they more easily fall asleep.
3. It is easier for the parent to monitor his child
It is so much easier to keep an eye on your little one when he is facing you. With a simple glance down, as often as you want, you can make sure he’s comfortable. It’s impossible to forget to check on him. This way you can easily make sure his hat hasn’t fallen over his eyes, or the wind isn’t blowing in his face.
4. Parent-facing strollers give you peace of mind
For sure, to be able to see and know your baby is safe and comfortable allows you to relax and actually enjoy this time with your child.
5. It is easier to bond with your little one
A very important part of the bonding process with your baby is talking to them and making eye contact. As mentioned before, when babies face their parents in a stroller, then the parents are twice as likely to talk to them. As a result, the babies too, are more likely to interact with the parent by laughing or smiling. For sure, you won’t be discussing current news with your child, but saying their name and even talking to others in front of your baby helps him to familiarize himself with your voice.
Furthermore, having your baby right in front of you, you’re prone to make more eye contact, talk more and laugh more with your baby
And of course, you just get to see more of your adorable little one. There’s no parent that doesn’t want to just stare at their baby. Having a baby is incredibly special and we are sure most mothers can relate when we say that you will spend lots of time simply gazing at your child. Later, he’ll be more interested in the outside world, so take advantage as much as you can to soak in those baby stares. This is an early tool for language development and maintaining which helps lay down the foundations for speech.
Finding the perfect stroller
We all know that as your baby grows, they will become more curious about the world around them. When your baby is sitting in a street-facing stroller, he/she can discover the world more easily than when he’s facing you. If you and your baby are looking at the same things, there’s also something you can do to help with developing your little one’s language skills. For example, you can try to name the things you are seeing.
Due to the fact that there exists increased choice in the market, you don’t necessarily have to buy two strollers: a parent-facing one and a forward-facing model. Therefore, you don’t have to limit yourself to a stroller facing in just one direction. We recommend you to choose a pushchair that lets you easily switch between both positions depending on what you are doing and how your child feels.
For sure, the first three months of your babies life, you will most likely, want to use your stroller with the carrycot or seat unit facing towards you. This will be giving you plenty of time to talk to your baby, make eye contact and keep an eye on them. You are always free to have the choice to try your stroller in the reverse position, giving your baby their first experience of the world around them.
Take a look at Metro Stroller
METRO can help you during all of your daily activities, you will be rolling with a lightweight aluminum frame that folds compactly for ease of use and storage. We are recommending this stroller because it offers a dual-position seat that allows your baby to face you or take on the world, while both front and rear suspension ensures a smooth ride.
It comes with removable seat units as it can be used rearward facing with your child looking towards you, then convert to forward facing when your child is older. Besides, Metro also allows parents to have the choice to either watch their baby or allow them to enjoy the same view as them while strolling.
Furthermore, the storage space under the seat has plenty of space for shopping, diapers and more. If you have a car, you might look for a stroller that can hold your baby’s car seat. The included (no need to buy anything additional) universal car seat adapter allows for use from birth with compatible infant car seats. It also comes with a removable cup holder, leatherette handle and extra large basket allow for a comfortable day out.
TO SUM IT UP
We know a stroller is an expensive but necessary purchase. You now know that the way your baby faces in a stroller matters. Also, we learned all of the benefits of the parent-facing stroller. It provides plenty of stimulation and interest for your baby as they can see much more and look around them. On the other hand, toddler-age children almost certainly, prefer a stroller where they can see the world in front of them. The child needs to engage with his surroundings. The recommended age to move your child to a forward-facing stroller is not yet clear. We believe this is something you may want to change gradually. That’s why this can easily be done with a stroller that is reversible and has both parent and forward-facing options.
There is just so much to do all the time and it seems like the child is always needing something. Sometimes it may be very easy for a mom to feel like she is failing at everything (you’re not). There is no such thing as a mom who has it all together. Remember that it is not easy to cope with overloaded calendars and endless to-do lists so, no one is immune to mom burnout.
We are proud to say that our Kinderwagon Metro baby stroller will help mothers to give themselves permission to slow down and just breathe, to take some time to appreciate all that’s around them and to go outdoors easily.
Therefore, give it a try as this stroller provides all of the safety features your baby needs.