There has been a study in UK which suggested that non-parent facing prams had a negative impact on child's development when compared to parent facing prams. Here is the link.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/nov/21/baby-development-buggies-sutton-trust
Well prams are non existent in some parts of the world and when I was getting used to walk around with my baby in pram, I realised how independent, mobile and productive it made me feel.
Agreed that parent facing prams are bulky and little uncomfortable to push. Also twin prams can only face forward. I dont seriously think that pram is the only issue which makes the young child spend much of his time in isolation. There are families where babies are hardly ever talked to even if they are at their homes. An interactive mother can and will keep interacting irrespective of the child's position- talking to the kid, child turning around to catch what she says, the mother stopping and walking around the pram to kneel in front of the kid if necessary, I have seen them doing all this. Also most kids spend very little time on the pram and are content watching the world during that time.
On the other hand research completed several years ago show that young children feel more reassured and were more interactive when they were looking at their parents' face, so its not at all a new idea. A child in a parent facing pram can still look around at the world in addition to their parents and a mother is more likely to start a conversation by taking a cue from the kid (wow, thats a real big orange truck isnt it? ) and the child is happy when his point of interest has been noted and is being discussed.
The research also indicates that carrying a baby in a sling or walking them are still more advantageous. I guess its only common sense that children will benefit from facing the parent but this should be balanced with comfort , ease , availability and price (and they are large issues as well).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/nov/21/baby-development-buggies-sutton-trust
Well prams are non existent in some parts of the world and when I was getting used to walk around with my baby in pram, I realised how independent, mobile and productive it made me feel.
Agreed that parent facing prams are bulky and little uncomfortable to push. Also twin prams can only face forward. I dont seriously think that pram is the only issue which makes the young child spend much of his time in isolation. There are families where babies are hardly ever talked to even if they are at their homes. An interactive mother can and will keep interacting irrespective of the child's position- talking to the kid, child turning around to catch what she says, the mother stopping and walking around the pram to kneel in front of the kid if necessary, I have seen them doing all this. Also most kids spend very little time on the pram and are content watching the world during that time.
On the other hand research completed several years ago show that young children feel more reassured and were more interactive when they were looking at their parents' face, so its not at all a new idea. A child in a parent facing pram can still look around at the world in addition to their parents and a mother is more likely to start a conversation by taking a cue from the kid (wow, thats a real big orange truck isnt it? ) and the child is happy when his point of interest has been noted and is being discussed.
The research also indicates that carrying a baby in a sling or walking them are still more advantageous. I guess its only common sense that children will benefit from facing the parent but this should be balanced with comfort , ease , availability and price (and they are large issues as well).
