I remember when I had my first baby and thought, Oh, a stroller — what a concept! And then I put my baby in the car seat. Or in the bouncer. Or in the playpen. And I realized that my baby seemed to be malfunctioning because he did NOT want to be put down.

(Like, ever).

For high-needs babies like my firstborn, strollers can be tough. You’re there, you’re literally right next to them, but sometimes it’s not enough to just see that they’re not alone.

If your baby’s putting up a fight for the stroller, you have two options:

1. You can sell your stroller on Facebook Marketplace and buy a baby carrier
2. You can get creative

Here’s how to work with a baby who wants nothing to do with being pushed around.

Be Prepared for the Fourth Trimester (And to Wait)

Here’s the thing: babies are SUPER instinctive creatures. Everything they do is based on their inherent instinct to be cared for, never ignored, and always survive.

And that means being held — a LOT.

Understanding what your baby might be experiencing in its current stage of development can help you to adjust your expectations. The fourth trimester is the first three months of a baby’s life, and often a time of great adjustment for newborns.

During those first few months, your new baby might not want anything to do with a stroller. After that time has passed, you might find that baby is more open to the idea.

Try to Understand Why

If your baby is old enough to be past the fourth trimester and is still not super happy about being strapped into a stroller, there are a few other reasons why he could be putting up a fight:

Your baby could have reflux. Check the recline on your stroller, and be sensitive to when you feed baby versus when you take him on walks — nobody likes a belly full of sloshing milk.

Your baby could be uncomfortable. Some babies thrive in cold weather, others naturally acclimate to heat and warmth. Whatever it is, pay attention to which climates seem to make your baby the most comfortable and when they get fussy or sweaty. It could just be as simple as needing light cotton layers.

Your baby could be bored. Older babies especially are busy and may not be content to just sit there on a ride. Bring along some toys that attach safely to the stroller straps, take the scenic route, or bring snacks along to keep him busy.

Your baby could be getting overstimulated. Younger babies especially sometimes struggle with overstimulation, a condition that occurs when there’s just too much going on and baby gets stressed out. If your baby seems to get fussy, try out a quieter path, or put the canopy down to give them a barrier between themselves and the outside world.

Aim for Nap Time

Putting baby down for a nap in a stroller can sometimes be a messy scenario, especially if your baby is used to being held to get to sleep. However, some babies fall asleep in strollers the same way they do in car seats — it’s worth a try.

Check out Your Stroller’s Shocks

You’re a grown adult — how good of a mood would you be in if you had to ride on a rickety seat being bounced all over the place?

Some babies hate the chaos and discomfort of a stroller that rides rough over every pebble and crack in the sidewalk. Strollers with pneumatic tires, like joggers, are great at absorbing more of the bounce.

Shop Joovy Jogging Strollers

Check the Angle of the Sun

When you’re the one doing the walking, you may not notice the sun beaming down on your baby. And what are you going to do, just avoid the sun?

Bring sun hats, baby shades (if he’ll keep them on), but more than anything, get a stroller with a BIG canopy that you can pull almost to the tray if you have to.

Shop Joovy Strollers

If All Else Fails, Ditch the Stroller

Look, some babies will NEVER get on board with the stroller thing, and that’s okay. Parent in the way that feels best to you, in the way that makes everyone the happiest.

And if it means you giving your stroller away, obviously we’re going to be a little sad here at Joovy.

But we’re also going to get it.

Babywear. Ask your mom to hold the baby. Just don’t get out of bed. Try a trike.

Parent the way that makes sense, and keep on keepin’ on.

And if you need a stroller — we’ve got your back.

Shop Joovy Strollers