Pram problems

[cath]

Hi everyone,
my 10 week old son Patrick has decided over the last week or so that he doesn't like the pram and is now crying everytime I put him in it which is a real pain because I really want to go for some long walks.

He was fine when he first when in it -I think he was happy because he was facing me while lying in the bassinet that attacehd to the pram. He is too big for the bassinet now so is lying in the pram facing the front and can't see me and probably sees a lot more of the world. It is a 3 wheel pram and I can't turn him around to see me and I have tried to reassure him I am still there by talking to him and going around and sticking my head in the front of the pram but he is still not happy.There is a see through panel in the hood and he worked out yesterday that he could see me through it but he still wasn't happy (well for a minute he was but then he was off crying again)!! I had to give up yesterday and pull him out and calm him down (had got to those tragic,shuddering little cries when I picked him up) and then push the pram home while carrying him in the Baby Bjorn carrier and he is now pretty heavy in that so that is not an option for long walks.

Has anyone else had this happen -please tell me he will grow out of it. Any advice on how to get him to be happy in the pram? Today I tried to have him in it a bit in the house but he wasn't even happy for the 15 minutes I had him in it while in the kitchen having my lunch. When my husband gets home I will try and go out with him and walk in front of the pram for a bit so he knows I am there and will then try and move behind. I am thinking I could try covering the pram with a wrap so he can't see so much or maybe dangle a toy for him to look at to distract him.What else can I do? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cath

[cosmic]

Hi Cath,

Not sure I have any advice but wanted to say I have heard of other mummies having similar problems. I was going to suggest carrying him in a sling but if that's not an option then maybe some of those pram toy things that you can get might keep him entertained..? And covering the pram might make him feel safer too.

Sorry I can't help more.. hopefully someone more experienced will be able to help!

[mygirls]

Hi,

ive never had this problem..but as an idea could you put him back into the bassinet part??? You said he ws only 10weeks so im assuming he'd still fit into it:confused: I guess if all else fails you could just wait till DH comes home & go by yourself - if bubs is fed etc... Hope some of this helps:)

Kristy

[LilShenanigans]

Keep at it...
Having him in the pram at home is I think the best way.
And anytime you can put him in it, do it... if he can see you to start off with, great.
I'd probably treat the crying in the same form as getting a bub to sleep and they cry (the walking away for 5 minutes, come back ... etc).

Has he got any toys to look at in the pram? If he has a fav toy, hang that in there so it may distract a bit.

This would just be a guess, but I'd say be VERY persistent, I reckon you could see good results in a week...

[cath]

Thanks everyone,
Cosmic and MumForOne your advice about the toy seemed to work (at least for a short walk anyway).I bought Paddy a cute little chicken that dangles off the pram this afternoon and put that on the hood before we left and he seemed to stare at that for most of the walk. He started to get whingy just as we got near home but at least I got a 10 mnute walk around the block - not much but definitely progress -didn't even get to the corner yesterday before the crying started. Mygirls I will keep the suggestion of putting him back in the bassinet in the back of my mind as a last resort option. He should still fit in it but not for long- he is quite a big boy. I will just keep trying everyday and at least I know he is happy to look at the chicken for a little bit - better than nothing. Thanks again.

Cath

[cosmic]

Sounds like a good start Cath! And that's amazing that he has outgrown the bassinet so quickly... sounds like a good reason for me not to spend the money on one! :rolleyes:

[Crazy Monkey]

Hi Cath,

I sort of have the same problem but my DS just doesn't like being in the pram, actually he doesn't like being in the one spot, for long periods... I have a 3 wheeler but I can have him facing me or forward, which is good... He is a bit happier when facing me... but I think no matter which way he is, once he has had enough, thats it, the screaming starts...

As others have suggested, try having him in the pram at home while you are doing things, so he can see you and hopefully he will get use to it..

Good luck

[reAllytee]

Id just keep trying him at home maybe even trying to get him to nap in it through the day that way he associates it with good experiences.
This was one of the reasons why i made sure my pram could be either way as they have even released new info saying its best for bubs to be facing you in a pram as its a comfort thing for them.
Just like another good thing is a sling or carrier but i understand having a big baby doesnt make this easy as you cant do long walks with it been there done that nearly killed my back !!!!
I also used to have bubs have his day sleeps in his pram or rocker as i didnt want him upstairs alone plus he liked being close to me so id try this myself as i said earlier hopefully he then associates it with good experiences etc.
Good luck ! :)

[mygirls]

Hey thats a great start....better than before & hopefully it will keep getting better..it must have been the little chicken:p

Kristy

[kazza$]

Have you tried lifting the back flap of the pram so bub can see you better and gives you direct access to touch baby for reassurance?Hope this helps :fingerscrossed:

[theycallmemum]

My son is 5 1/2 months and has always hated his pram. I rarely use it, I bought a Carriboi carrier (like the Babybjorn but holds up to 15kg and much more comfy for me). My little guy is almost 10kg and I can comfortably carry him in it for a couple of hours with no strain on my shoulders or back.

Some kids just hate the pram.

[cath]

I was wondering who else called their baby Patrick then saw it was an old post of mine!! This has bought back memories. I was trying to remember recently how old he was when he hated the pram. He grew out of it between 3 and 4 months and now at almost 14 months loves it. I'm so happy it was a stage.