Best way to take baby on bike ride . . .

[Jolt]

I would think the car seat in the trailer is the safer way to go (much less risk to him if, God forbid, you were to crash), although it would be a much bumpier ride than having him in the Bjorn. Maybe the trailers should be made with some sort of suspension to smooth out the bumps. If there's a way to configure the car seat so he's just about lying flat, that should make the fact that he can't yet hold his head up a non-issue (but still cushion his head and place padding around it to keep it securely in place).

ETA: What do people with babies/small kids do in countries where cycling is a routine form of transport and many people don't have cars? They must have ways of taking the kids along when they do their errands etc.--I don't suppose they just stay home. Seems that those would be the places to look for safe and practical solutions here.

[sgtiger]

Car seat in the trailer would be preferable IMO. I've seen it done and I don't see the harm in it as long as you're not going too fast or braking too suddenly. I'm guessing DD will be riding by your side? I think the 1 yr. recommendation came about when it hadn't occurred to anyone yet that they could strap their car seats in it for children younger than that who are not able to sit fully upright and whose necks cannot support the additional weight of a helmet. Were anything to go amiss, the trailer acts as a roll cage.

[limewave]

We had a successful ride this afternoon. While DS was napping, I played around with the best way to secure the car seat and then took it for a test ride in front of the house to make sure the seat didn't jostle or shift position. Once I had I was confident it was secure, we were ready to go!

I did have the car seat positioned so that it was laying a little more flat than it rides in the car. I braced his head with the rolled towels. He really seemed to enjoy the ride: looked around alot and cooed. I think he also liked the warm breeze.

We got about 6 miles on the bike path. It was sooooo nice to be on a bike again.

[Jones]

Congratulations on a successful first ride. May you share many happy miles.

[Veronica]

It's amazing how many things we use to do and never got hurt that nowadays people act shocked about. Remember seesaws, monkey bars, lawn darts...Okay, maybe lawn darts are a bad idea.

I'm glad you went for a bike ride.

Veronica

[AnnieBikes]

Glad to hear you got in a good ride, Lime. Now you know it works well so won't be worried about it! Keep up the good work and that li'l guy will be riding on his own in no time!!!

[crazycanuck]

Limewave, you're a cool mom! Thank you for not bubble wrapping your child

[jdubble]

With the blessings of our pediatrician, I started with my younger son when he was just shy of 3 months old, putting him in the infant car seat, strapped in rear-facing in the Burley. My older son sat in the Bobike seat on the bike. I stayed off the busy streets, and tried to avoid any obvious big bumps.

I'm glad you got out there for a ride!

[BenRiddle]

I think it's help you
How to Fit a Kid’s Bike Helmet | The Ultimate Checklist with Safety Tips

[TrekTheKaty]

It's amazing how many things we use to do and never got hurt that nowadays people act shocked about. Remember seesaws, monkey bars, lawn darts...Okay, maybe lawn darts are a bad idea.

Veronica

This is so true. When I was a kid, we rode in the back of pickup trucks and played in the woods all day long--"Don't come back until dinner!"

But nowadays the kids in my neighborhood don't leave their yard and ride around on electrically powered "vehicles".

So way to get out there!

[Karma007]

I think my daughter was 3mos old when she began her Burley rides. We found her the tiniest helmet ever, and strapped in her carseat. With no car, she was ususally well protected by the laundry, or groceries, or whateve else I was transporting at the time. I didn't think twice about the safety, it was pure necessity.