LIFE MATTERS

Buckets or umbrellas?

By Linda Petersen
Posted 6/16/16

Just an observation: It seems that we have a new generation of “bucket babies”, babies carried around in their infant seats. (If they spend too much time in this seat, children can develop …

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LIFE MATTERS

Buckets or umbrellas?

Posted

Just an observation: It seems that we have a new generation of “bucket babies”, babies carried around in their infant seats. (If they spend too much time in this seat, children can develop plagiocephaly, a flattened back of the head which can result from spending too much time with their head against a flat surface.)    While this is probably the safest way to transport them from one place to another, it must be boring for the child who sees the world as it swings to and fro, an observer rather than a participant. It seems like added stress for parents...imagine having to carry your baby and his/her car seat everywhere you go! Even though the little one may weigh only eight pounds, it must feel like carrying 50 pounds around, which would equate to a day of heavy weight lifting. Parents would need to make sure to alternate arms or risk having one arm “ripped” and the other arm scrawny. Carrying the seat ties up one hand, leaving the remaining hand to juggling car keys, diaper bag, purse, cell phone and iced coffee. 

 “In my day” (just like a grandmother would say,) I used umbrella strollers. They were exceptionally light and freeing, and the little one would hunker down comfy and safe, observing the sights, sounds and smells of the world around him. I pushed him around everywhere, especially shopping where I would gleefully use the back of the stroller as my own personal shopping rack. Of course, when the children were infants, I could only hang a few things on the back. When they were toddlers and their weight balanced out my potential purchases, a lot more items would fit! (Thus my expanding shopping budget...)

 Parents today seem to be super conscientious to do what they think is right for their little ones.  I would suggest that parents also take their own needs into account.  It is a lot lighter, easier and less restaurant cluttering to use a small stroller. Plus it frees the hands, leading to less loss of lose change, dropped telephones and iced coffees.  Parents of infants have a long road to hoe to get that child to adulthood, so making it a tad easier in the beginning might make the rest of it go more smoothly.

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