If you have a toddler, you will soon reach the day where you will struggle to keep your toddler in their pushchair or stroller. Today I am sharing exactly how you can keep your toddler in their pushchair or stroller and some hacks that will help your trips with the pushchair go smoothly.
Table Of Contents
Prepare Your Toddler
Talk to your toddler about where you are going and all of the fun that you will have when you get there. Even if you are going somewhere that doesn’t particularly thrill them, like the shops, for example, talk to them about a treat that they can have during or at the end of the trip.
Maybe there is a special fountain they like to see amongst the shops? A special toy shop you can visit? Or even a small treat that they could have such as a sticker for being extra good? A special biscuit reward from the bakery works a treat for my 3-year-old. Keeping your toddler focussed on the positives of staying in their pushchair will help to get them in the right frame of mind.
Adjust The Pushchair Straps Correctly
As your toddler grows, check and adjust their pushchair straps. Poorly fitting straps can be uncomfortable, making them less likely to want to sit in their stroller. Straps that don’t fit correctly can also make it easier for your wriggly toddler to escape.
Wear Them Out
If you have a pushchair journey coming up, try and wear your toddler out with physical activity first meaning that they will more likely to sit nicely as they will need the rest.
Consider A Ride On Board
While ride on boards, (or buggy boards or gliders as they are sometimes known) are traditionally used for young children while their younger siblings are in the pram, I would agree that they are are essential even if your toddler is an only child.
When I take my youngest daughter out shopping while her older siblings are in school, we use both the pushchair and ride on board. While she is happy and cooperative, she rides on the ride on board. This allows me to keep her safe and close to me, saves her little legs from getting tired and allows me to still carry our bags and shopping.
When she becomes tired or a little restless, she then goes into the pram. This means that she spends less time in the pram, as the time is divided between the pushchair and ride on board, so she is less likely to complain.
We have the egg Stroller & Ride-on Board and you can read my full review of the egg system here.
Keep reading for more tips for keeping your child happy in their pushchair.
Invest In A Special Toddler Bag
Specialist toddler bags like the Little Life Bags that double up as a harness with safety reins are a life saver when it comes to toddlers. When they are riding on the ride on board, they keep your toddler safe and stop them being able to make a dash for it.
Before setting off on your outing, fill your child’s toddler day sack with toys and activities to keep them entertained. Mix it up with new and interesting things for each trip and then when they are sitting in their pushchair, they can play with the contents.
Stock Up On Snacks
If there is a sure fire way to get a toddler’s attention, it’s snacks. When your toddler gets a little fractious and is complying less on the ride on board, it’s time to sit them in the pushchair and break out the snacks. Explain that they have to sit down nicely and get strapped in safely if they would like a snack and they will more than likely be eager to get into the pushchair.
I love these Snack Catchers for in pram snacks as they keep snacks nicely contained no matter which way up they are, meaning less mess and fewer tears from spilled snacks.
Our favourite on the go pram snacks are apple slices, raisins and mini crackers. These snacks all fit nicely into these pots and are not too messy.
Plan Your Days
If you have certain place that you have to go that will require pushchair journeys with reluctant toddlers, plan your days and weeks wisely. Rather than planning a complete day that requires many consecutive hours of pram travel, think about breaking the errands up into shorter trips over a few days.
Also, consider taking pram trips after lunch when they are more likely to nap (or whatever time of day your toddler naps. For more information about toddler routines and schedules, visit my Routines For Toddlers post.
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