This question has a lot of weight and should be answered with the consideration of development, safety and convenience. Some experts believe that prolonged use of a stroller can result in underdeveloped gross and fine motor skills and a delay in how a child understands the world around them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between the age of 2-3 can stop using a stroller if they are strong walkers. One reason is because children benefit from the physical activity of walking and running.
Children learn by experiences. Allowing them to touch, feel, and navigate through their day is giving them real experiences. Are you familiar with the saying “stop and smell the flowers?” Well… you can’t do that when you are sitting from a stroller. Staying in a stroller longer than necessary could also lead to potential weight gain as children may miss out on the health benefits of walking. Extending the use of strollers after they’re no longer a necessity discourages physical activity and decreases the amount of exercise children are able to receive, which has the potential to negatively impact their physical health and overall well-being.
If you know you’re going to have to hurry through traffic on a busy street, a stroller may be the best option. Even if your kid is old enough to walk and follow directions, it may just not be safe for them to walk on a busy road.
Using a stroller is appropriate for long trips. Usually, events that are longer periods of time outside the normal. Expect that a child will be tired for the whole day of activities. Bringing a stroller help prevent a potential struggle of carrying them. The stroller can also become a storage on the go and a space for a quick nap.
When to Stop Using Stroller?
When the stroller becomes more of a hassle than a help, it’s time to stop using a stroller. If you find yourself dreading the fact that you have to pull your stroller out again. Dreading pulling it around… while your child runs ahead, it’s probably time.