Can children below 5 be taken out to walk by parents in UK? Or does it necessarily have to be in a pram?

Question

My son has never sat in a pram in India and may put up a tantrum when asked to sit in one.

Someone told me this... obviously, I didn't think this up myself.

Answer 1

your son can walk, prams are not compulsory, he must however be in an appropriate child seat when travelling in a car, it does appear that many visitors are not aware of this and face fines if caught.

Answer 2

I'm in the UK and my daughter has been walking by herself with us without a buggy pretty much since she could wallk at 11 months.

Obviously when she was learning and unsteady she really couldn't go very far and I would still take the pushchair or just carry her when she was tired.

I have always wanted to encourage independent walking and being used to walking distance so have hardly used the pushchair since she could walk.

Everyone I know does the same - interesting to hear the perceptions that go around the world about different countries! I know some people do rely on pushchairs until their chidlren might be 4, but that's usually to avoid the tantrums children give when made to walk when they're tired, or because the parents are in a hurry and don't want to be restricted to toddler-speed.

I know we use pushchairs and prams more than some countries, though - and many parents use the car far too much (I think) over here....

Answer 3

As soon as a child can walk he should be encouraged and certainley not confined to a pram it is in no way mandatory and quite the opposite is encouraged children need exercise even at five. Todlers can be led with supports ie reigns.
I have never heared of such a restriction its absurd. You enjoy your parenting and dont be led astray, a good source is joining a Mums and Toddlers group they can give you brining up children life experience in the UK. Come on Mums and Dads a bit of support here!!!

Answer 4

hi, my son was out of a pram by the age of 2 as i had a newborn, and he learnt to walk everywhere. my daughter was a little bit older she was 3 i think before i stopped using a pram and even now she is rather lazy and doesnt like walking, i had to use a pram for her as she didnt learn to walk until she was nearly 2 years old.

Answer 5

My twins do sit in Their pushchair I must admit and it's usually when I go to th supermarket we live just off of a main road with a railway crossing on the other side of it which is very busy! that and trying to get them and 12 pints of milk a loaf of bread plus several items home that is just to heavy to carry so I stick the shopping underneath they have never thrown a tantrum about being in the pushchair in fact when asked they go straight to it get in put their arms in and click the buckles the only time they get narky is when we get back and they can't undo it but even then they say help me out please, they walk everywhere else! and are very active during the day. People use their pushchairs to protect their kids they know where they are!!

Answer 6

Using reins, a toddler can walk safely. there is NO reason on earth to say they should use a pram.

Its good exercise for the whole family to take walks together.and it bonds the family. Whoever told you that they shouldnt is taking the mickey

My kids would have screamed blue murder if I had tried to stick them in a pram after 18 months old.

Answer 7

yes of corse they can, my son is three and he usually walks as i have my baby daughter in a pram but when we take my eldest daughter to school i take a double pushchair because it's a long walk and up a steep hill, i wouldn't say there are many 4-year-olds or 5-year-olds in a buggy these days, my son is almost out his buggy all-together and he was only 3 on may 23rd.

if your child is used to walking then why would you think (s)he had to go in a buggy??? whoever told you that was very very wrong!!!

Answer 8

hi,
Yes of course he can. you can buy harnesses with are not as bad as they sound they go around the child's top half of there body and you have the reins. So he cant run away or lose him. You may have already used these in India but just in case you need more idea's www.mothercare.co.uk is really good site to find things you can use to take your son for walks. but you don't need to use anything if you don't want or need to.
Blondie

Answer 9

if i had tried to put either of my sons in a pram aged 5 they would have kicked up a major fuss. they were both out of the pram by 2.

someone is trying to make you look foolish. tell them to take their head, stick it between their legs and kiss their a*s

Answer 10

considering children under five are at school i doubt they are in a pram,they may be in a buggy at three maybe if mums are walking a long distance,but not a pram