We live in uncertain times, and never has it been more stressful to be a parent. COVID-19 has forced us to live differently. It has forced us to be as cautious and vigilant as possible. You will need to elevate every aspect of raising your child. This especially goes for upgrading your stroller. If you are going to go out with your child, your stroller should be as safe as possible. It is carrying your child, and you will need to make sure that it is up to the task. Here are tips for preparing your baby stroller for the new normal.
1. Hand sanitizers are key
When you go out with your child, you should make sure that you are equipped with hand-sanitizers. Remember that Covid-19 is transmitted through hand-to-hand contact, and if you handle your baby with unsanitized hands, you risk infection. So, make it a habit to pack hand sanitizers with you on your trips. You should also bring wet wipes as well, that way you can regularly wipe your baby’s hands and face as a precaution.
2. Stock up with gloves
Aside from hand sanitizers, it is also a good practice to include gloves in your baby bag. Gloves are essential because you will be handling things such as doorknobs and other objects when you are out. So to prevent any contamination, you should make sure to use gloves. But remember to take them off and dispose of them when handling your baby.
3. Lay off accessories and toys
Although toys and other play accessories are necessary to keep the baby happy, you should lay off them for a while. Toys are likely to be dropped or thrown by your baby. If they touch the ground or any other surface, there is a chance of contamination. The same goes for other accessories such as hanging toys. They are usually attached to the stroller, but there is also a likelihood that they will sway and touch other surfaces. This precaution may seem a bit drastic but with your child’s safety on the line, you could never be too careful.
4. Face masks are key
Face masks have become a symbol of Covid-19. Almost everyone in the world uses them and for a good reason. They are one of the most effective weapons, humanity has against the threat of Covid-19. So you should pack-up a supply of face-masks for your trips. The face masks are predominantly for your use because if your child is younger than 2 years old, they can be considered as a choking hazard.
5. Choose a stroller with efficient storage features
As stated earlier, you will need to bring a lot of things with you if you’re going to go out. It should have extra pockets to hold your hand-sanitizers and baby wipes. The stroller should also have a platform to put your baby bag. These storage compartments should be easy to access but sturdy enough to hold all your necessities in place.
6. It should have a sturdy design
One of the prerequisites of a stroller is that it should have a sturdy design. But it has never been more important than it is now. We are going through a pandemic, so if your stroller is damaged and loses a wheel or two it can be difficult to fix.
Remember that if you fix your stroller, you’ll have to take your baby out of the stroller. You’ll have to place him or her on another surface, and during these few minutes, you run the risk of contamination. Your baby could brush his or her hand over surfaces. Or even worse they may even pick up things and put them in their mouths.
So, if you are going to buy a stroller, you should make sure that it is as trustworthy as possible. Luckily, there are websites such as www.Babylic.com that sell a multitude of baby tools and accessories. Through these online shops, you can be assured that you’ll get the best quality equipment possible without leaving your home.
7. Install a plastic cover over your stroller
Babies under the age of two should not wear face masks. Although face masks are a necessity for preventing COVID-19 contamination, they are also a choking hazard for young children. Most toddlers lack the strength or motor skills to take off face masks, and they run the risk of respiratory problems. Instead, it is better to install a plastic cover over your stroller.
COVID-19 is usually spread through droplets generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. By having a plastic cover over your stroller, you will have a protective barrier over your child. Just make sure that the plastic cover is not too tight, because it may become a choking hazard itself.
8. Disinfect constantly
After you get home it is extremely important that you disinfect yourself, your baby, and the stroller. You should bathe your baby and wash off any dust that may have come in contact with his or her skin. You should also wash or take a bath as well, as an extra precaution.
As for your stroller, you should take off the plastic cover, and wipe it off with alcohol. You should also wipe off every part of the stroller with alcohol to take away any potential fluids that the stroller may have come in contact with. Remember that you will be storing the stroller in your home or inside your car, and there is still a chance of contamination. So make it a habit to disinfect your stroller after every trip outside the house.
Conclusion
These precautions may seem drastic and tedious, but it is definitely a necessity. The threat of COVID-19 is ever-present and very real. Preparing your baby stroller for the new normal lets you practice constant vigilance every time you go out with your baby.
