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Forward-Facing Strollers Have Backward Effect

Heart rates, stress levels rise in infants who can't see parents

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2008 4:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – Parents who place babies in forward-facing strollers could be harming their child’s development, a study suggests. Infants in carriages who were not turned toward their caregivers were less likely to sleep, laugh, or interact with them, the Telegraph reports. The study also found that babies in away-facing carriages have faster heart rates and could have higher stress levels.

Life in a stroller “is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful,” said the UK study’s lead author. “Stressed babies grow into anxious adults.” Parents using away-facing strollers were half as likely to talk to with their infants, a finding that the author called “worrying.” Researchers called for more affordable models of face-to-face strollers, which often are too expensive for many families.

Researchers have concluded that away-facing buggies, used by the vast majority of parents in the comprehensive investigation, could be damaging children's development.
Researchers have concluded that away-facing buggies, used by the vast majority of parents in the comprehensive investigation, could be damaging children's development.   (Shutter Stock)
Researchers discovered the parents spoke an average of 15.50 sentences per minute when using foward-facing buggies, but just 6.11 in away-facing ones.
Researchers discovered the parents spoke an average of 15.50 sentences per minute when using foward-facing buggies, but just 6.11 in away-facing ones.   (Shutter Stock)
The study's lead author said life in a stroller is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults.
The study's lead author said life in a stroller "is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults."   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Nov 22, 2008 6:19 AM CST
A bird died , and from that I am putting out results from that study all birds are dieing. Oh my gosh. MORE JUNK, SCIENCE(and I use that word because the people who did the study may want to see what their study is not). This is absurd. I will tell you the studies like these put more stress on people who cant afford the newest stroller. As a matter of fact I believe studies cause heart attacks , end happy marriages, high blood pressure and most of the crime in the world. SO Take Your study and plant it where the sun don't shine. Study that!
Guest
Nov 21, 2008 4:04 AM CST
Damn,my seven kids must have been the exceptions to the rule.I'm so glad. Or maybe this is,yet another idiotic study done with little controls and skewered to bring about the results they wanted.No one has every done that before,have they?

Parents speak out about findings
BBC

Study is the first to observe 'isolated' stroller life
Sutton Trust

Smart parenting: going out and about with baby
WebMD

 
study • parents • stress • baby • infants • strollers

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