CYCLING: 4 yr old and baby. How willi do it?suggestions

[mummygiraffe]

In the new year DDwill be 4 and starting a new pre-school. It's just over a mile away and i wont have a car. She is only going for 3 hour sessions so i don't think i'll be able to walk it and get back again with much time in between, and if it's raining I think i'll be miserable. Plus DD might struggle walking that far inhorrid weather.

I've considered a few things but wondered if anyone does it now or knows how.

Baby will be 2.5 month by then

Can you use baby slings whilst cycling?

are those trailers quite safe on teh back of a bike?

 

[Arcanegirl]

I think most carriers would reccomend not using them whilst doing things like cycling.

The trailers id say are safe, and i would use one of those rather than a seat on the back of a bike. Ive see a nasty accident with a baby that had been in one of those.

 

[freckleonear]

I wouldn't use a carrier whilst cycling, as if you had an accident you would probably land on top of baby.

Babies can go in rear seats from about 9 months, or reclining rear seats at about 6 months. Remember, baby will need to wear a helmet, but their neck muscles may not be strong enough to support one until nearly a year old.

Trailers can be used when baby is old enough to sit and support their head, but there have been some concerns about the effect of vibrations and bumps on their brains, so make sure you get one with good suspension and padding.

 

[rainyday]

Hi,
I'm a keen cyclist so I did a bit of research on this. What I found is that the cheaper trailers were fine for children over 18 months, but that younger babies need more support due to weak neck muscles etc. You can buy mid range trailers with a reclining seat, but they are only suitable for babies from approx 10 months once sitting well unaided and with a stronger neck. (btw most sites don't recommend that babies under 12 months wear a helmet because again their neck can't support it).
In the end I went for a croozer kid for one. They also do a kid
for two, and I bought the specific baby sling to go into it, which is like a hammock with a five point harness. I think that on the website they state that you can use it cycling small journeys from 16 weeks. The trailer comes with buggy wheel, handlebars and jogging
wheel, making it also a buggy. This is worth looking at as most
trailer companies charge extra for these. If you google it you can find
more info. These have a good re-sale on eBay, but you'll need to get this years
model if you want to fit the baby sling as it doesn't fit the pre 2010 models.
Some people apparently tie an infant car seat into a
trailer, but mu concern about this was that it didn't give any cushioning from bumps, and wouldn't have been safety tested.
Another make I looked at was the burley-but couldn't find what age I could
use it from!
Hope this helps,
x

 

[Kaites]

I use a bike trailer with Emma too. The biggest problem I had was finding a helmet for her. Around here bike trailers are all recommended for ages 1+ because of the vibrations, etc. but most stores only sell helmets for ages 3+ (annoying since they should have the helmets for the trailers they sell!). I've started to use the bike trailer a lot more lately even though she isn't 1 yet- she's big enough for the helmet and I just make sure there is a cushion behind her back to push her forward a bit so that the helmet doesn't make her head push forward and adjust her harness accordingly. Another thing you might want to check is the laws regarding helmets where you live- here, all minors must have helmets, so I have to put a helmet on Emma (of course I would even if it wasn't the law, but might be hard with a smaller baby, iykwim).

Another good brand that has shock absorbers is Chariot- quite pricey though.

HTH

 

[mummygiraffe]

yeah that's whati thought about the slings.

so does anyone use trailers for anyone under a year. Baby will only be 2 months and i need to be able to leave the house else i might go mad-will of just moved to a new area so will be very lonely and in need of getting out and about.

Any other suggestions for small baby, long distances. I dont want to get home frompre-school just to leave to go again, especially with english weather

 

[rainyday]

My LO is 18 weeks and he's had his first ride. Just a short ride in the Trailer with baby hammock that I mentioned above. I went really slowly, and it was on the flat with good surface so few bumps. My OH cycled next to him to watch, and he seemed snug as a bug, not jostled any more than in the buggy, maybe even less because the hammock is suspended inside the trailer so acts as suspension. The big wheels on the trailer also help to make the ride smoother apparently. He seemed happy, looking around then fell asleep.

 

[Gingerspice]

This may be of interest:
https://www.myra-simon.com/bike/riding-with-baby.html

Later in the article they refer to the weber seat which can be inserted into trailers:
https://www.bike24.com/p211014.html

You can get a head support for new born babies:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product...-Support-for-New-Born-Babies--CTS50-16655.htm

UK supplier (probably others that also do it) https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product...Trailers-including-CTS-Range--CTS49-16654.htm

 

[mummygiraffe]

My LO is 18 weeks and he's had his first ride. Just a short ride in the Trailer with baby hammock that I mentioned above. I went really slowly, and it was on the flat with good surface so few bumps. My OH cycled next to him to watch, and he seemed snug as a bug, not jostled any more than in the buggy, maybe even less because the hammock is suspended inside the trailer so acts as suspension. The big wheels on the trailer also help to make the ride smoother apparently. He seemed happy, looking around then fell asleep.

sounds good, mind telling me how much that kit set you back? might be my xmas pressie this year-fun fun!!

 

[mummygiraffe]

This may be of interest:
https://www.myra-simon.com/bike/riding-with-baby.html

Later in the article they refer to the weber seat which can be inserted into trailers:
https://www.bike24.com/p211014.html

You can get a head support for new born babies:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product...-Support-for-New-Born-Babies--CTS50-16655.htm

UK supplier (probably others that also do it) https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product...Trailers-including-CTS-Range--CTS49-16654.htm

weber looks ideal-thanks! better start saving up!

 

[rainyday]

The trailer new was £345, and the baby hammock £60, so not cheap, but that is for everything you need to get going, and looking on eBay the resale is good. I'm hoping it'll do for four years, or so, then I'll sell the trailer and get a 'tag along'.