Here are the Do’s and Don’ts of using the stroller with your baby or toddler.

Do’s

• Always buckle up! ALWAYS!! Make sure the harness is properly in place and the space for their little legs doesn’t allow them to slide through. The harness should be buckled snuggly. What is snuggly, you ask? If you can slide your flat hand between the straps and your little one’s chest it’s perfect. When it’s too loose, it can become a strangulation risk.

• Secure your coffee! That liquid gold, your life line - a daily necessity, always at hand. But please don’t carry hot liquids that can easily spill into your stroller cup holder. Babies' skin is so sensitive and can burn very easily.

• Keep it dry. Store your stroller indoors in a dry environment and away from wet floors to prevent mold in the soft materials and avoid rust on the frame. Same applies to cleaning the stroller. Use a damp cloth with mild soap and water solution free of any harsh chemicals when cleaning the fabric and make sure it is fully dried before storing or using it again.

• Use an age appropriate stroller. Don’t place your baby in a stroller seat too early. Ensure your little one has full head and neck control which they generally do around 6 months before transitioning to a standard stroller seat. Checking the guidelines of your particular stroller or even checking in with your paediatrician if you aren’t sure may be helpful.

• Be careful with toys. If you hang toys from a stroller bumper bar to entertain your little one, make sure that the toys are securely fastened and any strings like for teething chains are not longer than 8 inches to avoid strangulation.

• Check for recalls. Fill out and return the stroller warranty card that comes with your new stroller so that you'll be notified in case of a recall. If you're considering a used stroller, check that the stroller hasn't been recalled.

• Watch those little fingers. Even though strollers are designed to minimize the risk of pinching when folding, keep your baby away from the stroller as you fold and unfold it. Double check whether the stroller is properly locked in the unfolded position before you put your child in it.

Don’ts

• Don’t forget the brakes! Engage the stroller brakes whenever you stop the stroller - whether you are reaching for their favorite snack in the storage bag, making sure your little one is comfortable or tying your shoelaces. Even the slightest slope can cause a runaway stroller. 

• Don’t leave your baby unattended in his or her stroller. Stay close by or make sure somebody else who you trust can watch them. 

• Don't hang heavy bags from the handlebar. Use the storage bag in the bottom of the stroller for heavy items. Hanging those off the handlebar can make a stroller tip over.

• Don’t leave the stroller out in the sun. Outdoor time is great for those tiny humans, but don't let your baby's stroller sit in the sun for long periods of time. Some plastic and metal pieces could become hot enough to burn your baby. If you left the stroller empty in the sun, check the stroller's surface temperature before placing your baby in it.

• Don’t use covers on the stroller. You may feel tempted to cover the opening of the stroller with a blanket to block out distractions for your little one. Don’t do it. If you can’t avoid it, always make sure that there is sufficient air flow into the stroller and keep in mind that it can get incredibly hot in there really quickly when closed off. 

• Don’t use the car seat for long stroller walks. If you move your baby's car seat from your vehicle to a stroller base, you might be tempted to let your baby finish naps in the car seat. However, it is not recommended to use car seats for sleep when not traveling. Experts suggest not letting your child sleep or relax in the car seat for more than two hours.

• PRO TIP: Don’t use small and hard snacks on stroller rides. Avoid anything chokable like grapes, blueberries, nuts or hard candy. A bumpy ride could quickly turn into a choking hazard with those types of foods. 

Medically reviewed by
Kelly Ochoa, MD.

Kelly is Double Board Certified in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and has seen various stroller related injuries throughout her career. As a mom of 4 little girls (wow!), she also has had her fair share of experience using strollers and avoiding any injuries for her little ones.

Kelly is now running Health-e Pediatrics, a virtual evening and weekend pediatric practice in California for parents who need medical advice after hours. She also publishes many useful tips on kid's health on her website and blog. 

Follow @healthepediatrics on FB and IG.