When I first saw a buggy enclosed in this way, it stopped me in my tracks. What was it like in there for the baby? It's good they are being protected from the sun, but what else are they not getting? A fractious child having a sleep on the go also seems a good idea, but what happens when she wakes?
The development of early communication skills is the basis of social and emotional wellbeing, as well as future learning. To that end, we commissioned research into the effects of the way that buggies faced, which showed clearly the benefits for children if they face the pusher.
None of this would matter if buggies were in use for short periods a few times a week. But many children spend hours being pushed around, so we need to encourage new parents to think carefully before they restrict their baby's stimulus for vital speaking and listening skills.
As with so many decisions in parenting, it's a juggling act. How to keep our babies safe while at the same time encouraging their development is a balance. So the more information people have, the more likely they are to be able to judge what suits their circumstances best, alongside what is best for their baby.
Finger-wagging is something we always try to avoid, so I would be interested to know how practitioners are dealing with this issue, and what you think we should all be doing to ensure life in a buggy gets better for babies.
