Taking a baby with you in a bicycle trailer: from when?

When to start driving with the baby in the bike trailer?

Would you like to take your baby with you on the first bike tour in a bike trailer just a few weeks after birth? Since there are no legal regulations that dictate the exact size or age from which children can be taken in the bicycle trailer, it is basically up to you when you transport your child in the bicycle trailer.

However, you should keep in mind that the spine of newborns is not yet stable. The head of the little ones is relatively large and heavy and the spine and neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold the weight. In the first three months, babies should lie down as much as possible. As a rule, taking a child with you is only recommended from the age of 12 months, when it can already sit in a child seat. Under certain circumstances, however, it is also possible to start cycling together earlier.

How is the baby safely transported in the bicycle trailer?

A baby bike trailer gives you the opportunity to go on short jaunts with your offspring right from the start. Various manufacturers offer special accessories for transporting babies. Some bicycle trailers can be fitted with baby seats that are also suitable for cars. However, they are not recommended because newborns are in a semi-sitting position, not a lying position. Newborns should therefore only be transported in it for a short time, a maximum of two to three hours.

Usually, the manufacturers of bicycle trailers also sell special baby carriers. Your offspring is secured in the shell by a 3-point harness. Other manufacturers recommend an alternative for babies under nine months – a hanging seat. A sitting hammock is a heavily stretched, thick panel of fabric. Small shocks are also cushioned in it.

Good suspension is important on the ride!

Since babies’ spines are sensitive to vibrations, it is therefore necessary for the bicycle trailer to have good suspension that you can adjust individually. You will achieve the best effect if you also have a very low tire pressure of around 1.5 bar. You should also avoid curbs and potholes.

What special needs does your baby have?

If you are planning regular trips with your baby in a bicycle trailer, you should not only consider the basic requirements such as good suspension and suitable seating.

• Familiar objects: whether it’s your favorite toy, cuddly toy or snuggly blanket: remember that your baby will be alone in the bicycle trailer and need familiar objects, because your offspring can only enjoy the passing landscape at around a year old.
• Short tours: Excursions of more than 50 kilometers per day are not recommended in the first year of life.
• Breaks: Regular breaks are recommended on longer tours so that your child can lie down, crawl, eat and play.
• Pace: It’s also better if you ride slowly, as the speed increases, so does the vibration. Even the smallest bumps on a cobbled street can then pose a danger to the spine.

Drive carefully with the baby in the bike trailer

With a baby in a bike trailer, you should ride very carefully and avoid bumpy roads such as gravel, forest, or cobblestone paths. Tarred bike paths are better for your offspring’s backs. It is also optimal if you get off the curb and push the trailer.