Walking with your child in a stroller burns more calories than walking by yourself. Your baby's safety plays a significant role in the jogging stroller you choose and when you start using it. The specific features and recommendations on the stroller along with your baby's development helps determine time frame for using the stroller.
Stroller Features
Jogging strollers come with different recommendations for the minimum age. The specific features of the stroller play a role in the ability to use a particular model with a younger baby. A 5-point harness provides better security for a younger baby, because it goes over the shoulders and between the legs, much like the harness in an infant car seat. This prevents your baby from leaning forward or falling out of the stroller. A headrest in the jogging stroller prevents a young baby's head from flopping around while riding. A fully reclining seat also makes a jogging stroller better suited for younger babies. Many strollers have a minimum age of 6 months, but a jogging stroller equipped with these additional baby features may accommodate newborns. Read the specifications of each model to determine the minimum age and weight recommendations for the stroller.
Baby Readiness
Your baby's specific development plays a role in the safety of using a jogging stroller. She should meet the minimum weight and age set forth in the specifications of the jogging stroller you purchase. Even if the stroller indicates safety for a newborn, consider waiting a month or two until your baby is better able to regulate her body temperature. If you don't use a headrest, the baby should have control of her head and neck to avoid bouncing while the jogging stroller is in motion.
Accessories
Jogging stroller accessories make the unit safer for young children. A cot or bassinet attachment allows you to place your baby flat so he can lie down while riding in the stroller. A car seat adapter is another way to secure a young infant into a jogging stroller. The adapter allows you to snap your infant carrier onto the stroller. Your baby remains secure in the car seat so he won't flop around or fall forward. Read the information with the jogging stroller before purchase to ensure your infant carrier is compatible.
Stroller Use
The way you use the jogging stroller affects the age in which it is safe to use. Jogging or running increases the chance of your baby bouncing around, even if she is secured with the stroller harness. For younger babies who don't yet have head and neck control, use the jogging stroller at a walking pace to prevent jostling your child. The terrain is another factor in how much your baby bounces in the stroller. Stick to smooth terrain until your baby gains proper control of the head and neck.
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