Dr. Sally Goddard Blythe, director of the Chester Institute of Neurophysiology and Psychology and a neuropsychologist, found that regardless of whether they are lying down, being held, or playing with adults, infants need the freedom to move and explore. Social activities like singing and conversing, and even eye contact, contribute significantly to the physical and psychological development of infants. If a mother neglects her child and leaves them lying in a stroller for extended periods, all aspects of the child's development will be hindered. Over time, the child's physical coordination and balance skills can lag in development, reducing their interaction time with parents and others, as well as their opportunities to explore the world. Consequently, their exposure to language and practice diminishes, adversely affecting the normal development of language skills. These negative impacts can persist into school age and even affect lifelong development.
Dr. Blythe recommends that parents should avoid excessive use of strollers and minimize the time children spend lying in them. If placing a child in a stroller, it is preferable to have them facing their parents. Parents should engage more with their children, encouraging crawling and other physical activities to enhance hand-eye coordination.
