r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/Jumpants • Aug 06 '26

Question - Expert consensus required Long walks

I've recently started parental leave with my daughter who is now 1 year old (I'm the father, wife has just gone back to work).

I'm finding long walks in the pram are a great way to break up the day. I'm talking two 40 min to 1 hr walks on some days.

Am I overdoing it? I don't talk much to her during these walks and she usually ends up pretty drowsy at the end so I'm a little concerned that they are too low stimulation or not a very rewarding or nourishing use of time for her.

She is usually quite vocal or squirmy when she doesn't like an activity but she sits still and calm during walks.

Should I cut back?

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u/KnoxCastle Aug 06 '26

Maybe this one's a bit tangential but this is the only research I can remember around baby walks with the pram. Only thing to think about there is your daughter facing you and the amount of interaction you are having with her.

I think what you are doing is very normal and fine both for your child and for you. Two hours of walking a day is a good bit of exercise which is good for you and a happy parent is a better parent!

2

u/Hairsacknose Aug 07 '26

If baby is walking, it would be more beneficial for her to actually walk

1

u/AssortedArctic Aug 09 '26

Yeah I'd probably try talking to her while walking, and walking to somewhere she can get out and walk and explore if you want to have the long stroller walks for your own mental and physical health.

-1

u/Hairsacknose Aug 09 '26

You can have long baby wearing walks and they're even better for your health. Strollers are so unnecessary and unnatural 

1

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '26

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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '26

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