Does it matter which way my pushchair faces?

I am asked a great deal by anxious parents and on BBC radio about whether it matters which way a child’s pushchair faces.

To give your baby the best possible social start in life it does matter which way their pushchair faces, as by facing you, you to are helping your baby to be stimulated, communicated with, engaged & bonded naturally and easily with you. You are also encouraging them to fully develop emotionally, socially and as communicative babies and children.

There are many things to consider when  your are deciding which pushchair or buggy model to buy, but think about what is best for your baby not what is the most fashionable colour model. To help early development, babies will benefit if they are facing you in their pushchair because babies are born sociable but they need someone to be sociable with in order for them to fully develop emotionally, socially and as communicative babies and children. If they are facing you, you can point out things along the way, smile at them, make eye contact, chatter or respond to anything that grabs your child’s attention when you are out and about. You will also be encouraging them to be curious.

Research has shown that, if the baby is facing you, you are twice as likely to talk as when your baby is facing away from you. Remember when adults talk and chatter and engage socially, babies communicate too. Also by talking to your baby, you are also providing them with them quality stimulation and instant reassurance.

What better gift can you give your baby?

So, why not put away your mobile phone & chatter to your baby? “Pause To Ponder !”