Prams facing forwards or backwards
Yesterday there was news of research from the UK, which discovered that babies in backwards facing prams
(where the baby is looking towards whoever is pushing the pram) versus forward facing prams (where the baby is looking away whoever is pushing the pram) benefit from more interaction and conversation.
Interesting research. Particularly when we know the developmental benefits of babies smiling, laughing and chatting with others.
But the big problem I had with this research was this amazing conclusion drawn by the researchers and quoted in the papers:
“For many babies today, life in a buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults.”
Isn’t this overstating things a little?
I’m sure if babies spent 12 hours of the day in a pram then this conclusion may have some validity but most babies might head out in the pram for an hour or two.
The problem with such statements is that parents with forward facing prams will now be worried about whether they are stunting their child’s development, and out of guilt and worry, will hit the shops to trade in their forward facing pram for a backward facing one.
It’s scaremongering.
Why not suggest ways that parents with a forward facing pram can interact more with their baby - it’s not impossible.
Here are a couple of suggestions.
Ways to chat and interact with your baby in a forward facing pram:
1. As you are walking along, point out interesting sights and attractions like dogs, birds, people, shops - anything at all.
2. Stop from time to time and lean over the pram and give your baby a smile and a reassuring rub on the tummy.
3. Sing to your baby as you walk along.
And there are many more…
Both my children grew up in forward facing prams and they are not emotionally impoverished, developmentally stunted or overally anxious.
What do you think?
By Jodie Benveniste
Director of Parent Wellbeing
To read more about the research:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7739655.stm
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 am
I would agree with this research. I wanted to add some additional information however. Another similar study was done in the United States, I don’t have the exact link to the author but I will look for it and post once I find it. But this study also suggested the same thing… that the world around is very confusing, especially today’s world. Looking at the world and everything around is actually bad for a baby at such a young age. The baby needs something to relate to, i.e. mother or father.
I think you hit it right on Jodie, it’s important to just show your kid attention, that is the main point - whether or not the pram is forward or rear facing, I think the key is attention. They should do another study around attention.