Compact, lightweight and extremely agile! Many new parents long for an alternative to the large combination stroller and wish for a handy buggy. Whether traveling, in the city or for space-saving storage in the trunk: high-quality models can be effortlessly transported and offer toddlers a comfortable sitting and lying option as soon as walking becomes too tiring. But when can a baby move from the carrycot to the buggy? In this guide, we explain what you need to pay attention to, when the right time is, and whether there are models for the first few months of life.
From birth or later: When can baby go into the buggy?
All babies are unique and develop at different speeds. Therefore, no clear age can be set for the purchase of a buggy. As a rule, little ones are ready for the more compact stroller model between 6 and 9 months. However, pay attention to the following signs of maturity in your child before choosing a sitting position:
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Head stability: The baby must be able to lift and hold its head independently
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Back muscles: It can sit upright without support and has a straight back position
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Size: It must be large enough to be securely buckled in
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Age: Every baby is individual, but you should wait at least 6 months before putting it in a buggy in a sitting position so that the muscles are fully developed.
From combination stroller to buggy: The right time for a new purchase
First a carrycot, then a sports seat and then the buggy: This cycle is not accidental, but crucial for your baby's optimal development and safety. Due to their still soft bones, sensitive spine and weak muscles, newborns initially benefit from a flat, ergonomic lying position. This is where the carrycot is ideal. It offers the baby freedom of movement, high comfort and protection from the elements, too much light and visual stimuli.
But eventually, the little nest becomes cramped and boring. The baby wants to look outside, discover the world and interact with other people. As soon as it shows the corresponding signs of maturity, the sports attachment can be used with the combination stroller. What is a great change at first, however, becomes exhausting for parents in certain situations. While the sports seat is ideal for long walks and uneven terrain, it is unwieldy on vacation, when shopping or for quick errands, especially if the child can already walk and covers part of the distance on foot.
Now is exactly the right time to purchase a buggy. With its low weight, compact folding size and high maneuverability, it is the perfect solution for everyday life, small excursions or travel.
Can buggies with a recline function be used earlier?
High-quality buggies usually have an adjustable backrest, allowing for flexible selection of the sitting position. If this extends to a horizontal lying position, the child can lie flat and even take a nap. Many parents therefore wonder if they can use such models for younger babies.
While there are lie-flat buggies advertised by manufacturers as suitable from birth, pediatricians recommend not using them or only as a temporary solution. This is because the lying position is often not completely flat, and the surface is not comparable to the safety and comfort of a carrycot. It is much better for the little ones' health if they only ride in a buggy when their back, neck, and head are strong enough. Therefore, it is better to wait a little longer before saying goodbye to the combination stroller with a carrycot.
How long is a buggy used for?
While you should definitely wait until your baby is old enough before buying a buggy, once that time comes, it will be your faithful companion for many years, as long as your child wants it to be. While children between 12 and 24 months enjoy walking short distances, they tire quickly and want to observe what's happening from a sitting position. Here, the buggy is always with them, whether on a stroll through town, on the way to daycare, or on a longer walk. From about 2 years old, little ones can keep up well or use a balance bike, but the buggy still offers a welcome break. From about 3 to 4 years old, children usually even walk long distances independently. But even here, parents sometimes still use the buggy. For longer outings, a city trip, or after a strenuous day at kindergarten, the buggy is always welcome. There is no age limit for using a buggy, only a maximum user weight. If this is, as with our Hartan models, 22 kg, parents and child can freely decide how long they want to use this mode of transport.
Hartan: High-quality selection for your baby
The time has come, your baby is ready, and you are looking for a buggy that meets your individual requirements? Then Hartan is the right place for you. As a family business in its 4th generation, we look back on over 100 years of experience in manufacturing high-quality prams. To this day, we manufacture all our models in Germany and subject them to strict testing procedures both internally through our quality control and externally by TÜV Thüringen before they are included in our product range.
Our buggy models impress with their iconic design, outstanding quality, and high functionality. Whether agile for the hustle and bustle of the city, with large wheels for excursions into nature, or extremely light for travel: Our range has the right model for every family. Take a look at our buggy category or find out everything about choosing the right Hartan buggy in our extensive buggy guide, find your favorite model and feel the difference of first-class product quality.
