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Babies in Prams may Suffer Long-term Emotional Problems – UK Study
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Raising a baby is certainly one of life’s greates challenges – one full trial and errors. It’s bad enough that those little ones can’t talk, well, aside from crying when trying to relay a feedback, but what do new parents do when the error being committed is not really discomforting to the is extent of generating the cry-feedback? The fact that the baby isn’t crying does mean all is well.
Reuters reports a recent research from the UK that shows “children pushed in prams which face away from their parents may suffer long-term emotional and language problems”.
I did a quick mental shuffle: I can count the number of prams with front-facing pram seats because most of the one I’ve seen have the babies backing the pusher, like those in the top left photo.
“The research, believed to be the first of its kind, found that children who were not facing the person that pushed them were less likely to talk, laugh and interact with their parents compared with those babies that did.”
Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, a Developmental Psychologist at Scotland’s Dundee University that carried out the research states:
“Our data suggests that for many babies today, life in a buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful…stressed babies grow into anxious adults.”
Oh blimey! 
May be it’s time to dish the pram and bring out the good old wrapper, and back-wrap the infant, promto! See photos.
Even though, there is no eye contact, but there is still some semblance of intimacy via body contact, heat exchange, etc. Better than having my baby looking at some strangers and growing up a stressed!
African mothers – is it time to dish the prams, strollers, pushchairs, or whatever they are called? Grap the wrappers I say!
Muti This
Omotaylor | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
Caretaker, by calling on African mothers, am I right in assuming that you are referring to African mothers in the diaspora? Why? Cause back home, at least in Nigeria and Ghana, the 2 African countries I have frequented, even to very recently, the pram thing doesnt come in at all. Babies are still put on the back, good old fashioned and comforting way as you mentioned above. A few Westernised ones do the front thing as in your third picture above, but don’t see prams, except if in Abuja, for that is the only City I dont know.
The British survey I believe is right. When we think of the logistics, it does make sense. The only warning I will give, is that parents should take care while pushing the pram on the streets and be aware of their environ for they cam get carried away talking or focussing on babies and accidents could happen.
Regards
Misi | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
The only stroller that have the riders facing their pusher is when the infant car seat is attached to the stroller, almost all strollers face outwards- and if this study is true therefore almost stroller-riding babies are less likely to talk, laugh and interact with their parents. BOLLOCKS!–with all these studies one just has to decide what to believe otherwise parents will go crazy. There are numerous factors which could have led to these results so how can they directly determine it was caused by the direction of the stroller? Anyway if it is true why aren’t stroller manufacturers changing directions?
Omotaylor | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
@Misi, the study does not say that outward facing strollers are the only reason for babies not bonding with parents that well. I believe part of the research findings being aired would be geared at getting manufacturers to look into this. Years ago, all little baby prams did face outward, now many face inwards. Also when you observe how many children throw tantrums when they are put in strollers, one would understand the concern on outward facing strollers. Not all children are the same. Some need reassurance while some have assurance born with them. Every little helps. But of course, sullen baby syndrome could be as a result of wide range of other reasons. So now over to the manufacturers.