6month old
05-26-15, 06:40 PM
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6month old
Hey there,
My family and I are headed out on vacation in a month or 2 and we are trying to figure out how to go biking with our daughter. We have a 2 seat trailer but it states in multiple places not to use with children under 1yr old. we were contemplating using a chest carrier but have been told not to use them. We have also been warned about using the seats that connect to the back as they can cause issues if you fall/wreck. Any truth or ideas?
My family and I are headed out on vacation in a month or 2 and we are trying to figure out how to go biking with our daughter. We have a 2 seat trailer but it states in multiple places not to use with children under 1yr old. we were contemplating using a chest carrier but have been told not to use them. We have also been warned about using the seats that connect to the back as they can cause issues if you fall/wreck. Any truth or ideas?
05-26-15, 10:03 PM
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Small babies are very sensitive to injury (neurological) from vibration. Also little necks do not have the strength to adequately support the head. My advice is just wait until kiddo is at least a year old before putting her into the trailer. There's years of fun bike adventures ahead of you, don't rush it.
I have some small experience with this as we're expecting #8 in August.
I have some small experience with this as we're expecting #8 in August.
06-10-15, 10:14 AM
#3
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Small babies are very sensitive to injury (neurological) from vibration. Also little necks do not have the strength to adequately support the head. My advice is just wait until kiddo is at least a year old before putting her into the trailer. There's years of fun bike adventures ahead of you, don't rush it.
I have some small experience with this as we're expecting #8 in August.
I have some small experience with this as we're expecting #8 in August.
06-10-15, 11:31 AM
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The Recumbent Quant
Agree with above. I'd wait until at least a year and depending, maybe longer.
06-10-15, 11:39 AM
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We put our kid right in the trailer without any such accessories at age 7mo; he was holding his head up pretty much from birth so we weren't too worried. However he lolled when sleeping until very recently (11mo). The trailer we have sits very upright, I'm not sure if the slings below would work too well with it, they seem to need the seat to recline a bit. I think if doing it over again I'd find a way to recline and support his head. Not just for safety but also I think it would be more comfortable for him.
Options...
Thule Chariot sell an infant sling for ages 1-10 months, for babies who cannot sit up. They say "consult your pediatrician" about anything faster than strolling. Buck, passed! They sell a baby supporter for ages 6-18mo, and they don't list restrictions on its use. The instructions do not mention a helmet and show the baby without a helmet; the copy on the website confusingly says "Removable head support for wearing a helmet while riding," which doesn't parse. Their trailer instructions give the same sit-upright-with-helmet threshold as Burley below; they're just more lawyerly and less wordy about it.
Burley sells a baby snuggler for ages 6-24mo. Its design appears in between the Thule Chariot products. They say this about trailering:
Options...
Thule Chariot sell an infant sling for ages 1-10 months, for babies who cannot sit up. They say "consult your pediatrician" about anything faster than strolling. Buck, passed! They sell a baby supporter for ages 6-18mo, and they don't list restrictions on its use. The instructions do not mention a helmet and show the baby without a helmet; the copy on the website confusingly says "Removable head support for wearing a helmet while riding," which doesn't parse. Their trailer instructions give the same sit-upright-with-helmet threshold as Burley below; they're just more lawyerly and less wordy about it.
Burley sells a baby snuggler for ages 6-24mo. Its design appears in between the Thule Chariot products. They say this about trailering:
Q. How old should a child be to ride in a Burley trailer?
A. To ride in a Burley trailer behind a bicycle, the industry standard is to wait until a child is one year old. While each child's physical development is unique, we recommend that a child should be able to sit upright unattended and hold his or her head up while wearing a bicycle helmet. Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength.
For strolling or jogging in a Burley trailer, a child should be able to sit upright unattended, which generally occurs around six months of age. The Burley Baby Snuggler™ is recommended for extra support and comfort for children ages 6-24 months. Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength.
Children typically are able to ride in the trailer until about age six, or until they become too tall for their helmet to fit below the internal roll bar.
Q. Does my child need to wear a helmet in the trailer?
A. Yes. A child should always wear a helmet when riding in a trailer towed behind a bicycle. A helmet will protect him or her and also help develop the habit of always riding with a bike helmet. All Burley child trailers feature a recessed helmet pocket, ensuring comfort and convenience for your child.
A. To ride in a Burley trailer behind a bicycle, the industry standard is to wait until a child is one year old. While each child's physical development is unique, we recommend that a child should be able to sit upright unattended and hold his or her head up while wearing a bicycle helmet. Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength.
For strolling or jogging in a Burley trailer, a child should be able to sit upright unattended, which generally occurs around six months of age. The Burley Baby Snuggler™ is recommended for extra support and comfort for children ages 6-24 months. Please check with your pediatrician if you are in doubt about your child's neck strength.
Children typically are able to ride in the trailer until about age six, or until they become too tall for their helmet to fit below the internal roll bar.
Q. Does my child need to wear a helmet in the trailer?
A. Yes. A child should always wear a helmet when riding in a trailer towed behind a bicycle. A helmet will protect him or her and also help develop the habit of always riding with a bike helmet. All Burley child trailers feature a recessed helmet pocket, ensuring comfort and convenience for your child.
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Last edited by Darth Lefty; 06-10-15 at 11:50 AM.
06-10-15, 01:26 PM
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It is, in my opinion, very much kid dependent.
I've got a 3y/o, a 9m/o old and a 2-seater trailer.
I wouldn't put my kids, at 6m/o, into my trailer: neither were ready at that age.
We tested the littlest one out at about 8m/o with our 3y/o helping her out for a test spin up the street and she was ok but I wouldn't go for more than that test-ride. We figure she's a little ways out. We didn't get the trailer until the eldest was ~18m/o.
Now that the youngest is >9m/o and starting to walk: we tried her again but she was so angry at having to wear the helmet that we didn't get off the driveway. She's able to confidently sit up (stand, even), wear a helmet around without issue and likes being wheeled around but, at this point, fights more with the helmet. I think she's capable now - we just need to get her accustomed to the helmet. I'll likely try a few times some short rides to get her used to the helmets.
I have the same concerns as you regarding the bicycle mounted seats but I see them regularly used and know that my parents had one when I was little for just such use. We just liked the trailer better.
I've got a 3y/o, a 9m/o old and a 2-seater trailer.
I wouldn't put my kids, at 6m/o, into my trailer: neither were ready at that age.
We tested the littlest one out at about 8m/o with our 3y/o helping her out for a test spin up the street and she was ok but I wouldn't go for more than that test-ride. We figure she's a little ways out. We didn't get the trailer until the eldest was ~18m/o.
Now that the youngest is >9m/o and starting to walk: we tried her again but she was so angry at having to wear the helmet that we didn't get off the driveway. She's able to confidently sit up (stand, even), wear a helmet around without issue and likes being wheeled around but, at this point, fights more with the helmet. I think she's capable now - we just need to get her accustomed to the helmet. I'll likely try a few times some short rides to get her used to the helmets.
I have the same concerns as you regarding the bicycle mounted seats but I see them regularly used and know that my parents had one when I was little for just such use. We just liked the trailer better.
Last edited by SpikedLemon; 06-10-15 at 01:29 PM.
06-11-15, 06:36 AM
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I put my children in the trailer at 6-9 months old depending on size for short recreational rides of a few miles.
IMO there is no need for a helmet in a trailer. I found a neck cushion very handy.
IMO there is no need for a helmet in a trailer. I found a neck cushion very handy.
06-17-15, 12:06 PM
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Yes the manuals say "consult your pediatrician" about anything faster than strolling. Buck, passed!, but your pediatrician is almost certain to say don't do it until at least a year for the reasons listed above. All of the accessories are made for when the trailer is used as a stroller or for people that aren't as worried about safety. Companies aren't against making money from people even if it's not what people should be doing.
My thought is, for the time being try hiking or whatever else instead and go biking when you can go without the youngest. But of course in the end it's up to you.
My thought is, for the time being try hiking or whatever else instead and go biking when you can go without the youngest. But of course in the end it's up to you.
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