‘Death sentence’: Viral pram trend you should absolutely never try

A mum's attempt to encourage tummy time has turned out to be highly dangerous.

3 min read

August 13, 2024 - 1:10PM

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Mums are posting clips of a viral trend involving tummy time, prams... and what appears to be a significant risk to baby safety.

One viewer even described it as "a death sentence."

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"Viral Tummy Time stroller hack"

One such example is from a mum called Monica, who posted a brief clip of her pushing her four-month-old baby in a pram (a Bugaboo Fox) as they went on a walk.

The new mum was very happy with the "viral trend" that she was trying, where her son could lie on his tummy and practice lifting his head as most babies that age do.

"I tried the viral TUMMY TIME stroller hack with my baby and here is what happened," she wrote on the clip of her baby seemingly relaxed and looking around, proudly.

In the caption, she added, "Have you tried this tummy time stroller hack with your baby yet?

"We just tried this recently and he loved it! He usually hates tummy time... When we tried this on our walk, he lasted 20 minutes!"

She added, "I used a breastfeeding pillow and another small pillow under his tummy."

There is no sight of the baby being strapped into the pram.

Baby in viral pram trend. Source: TikTok

"That's so dangerous"

Her clip has been viewed around 300k times, and liked by thousands, even though the trend poses potential safety risks, according to both viewers and authorities.

For example, one warned in reference to the unusual use of the pram and uncommon position of the baby in it: "If you've never had a random dog knock your stroller over, I can see why you don't see a death sentence in this. But what you're doing is VERY dangerous."

Another viewer shared the story of a recent vehicle collision with a pram: "The baby survived only because they were strapped into the stroller."

"Follow the instructions and use the safety features"

A spokesperson for the ACCC told Kidspot directly:

Consumers should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always use the safety features that must come with prams and strollers, such as the tether strap, brakes, and harness.
Children can suffer serious injuries if they fall from a stroller as a result of the harness not being used or adjusted properly. They can also suffer cuts, pinching and crushing if they can access parts of the pram or stroller that may trap and/or injure their fingers as well as serious injuries if the carer loses control of the pram or stroller and rolls into a hazardous situation.
When children are sleeping, it’s important to follow safe sleep recommendations to minimise risk and keep their airways open. Red Nose safe sleep recommendations advise placing infants to sleep:

On a firm, flat, level surface
On their back
Removing any loose items - such as blankets, soft toys, sleep aids and comforters.

For more information visit the ACCC’s Your First Steps website and Red Nose safe sleep recommendations for additional information and advice on safe sleeping practices.

Kidspot also reached out to the manufacturer of the Bugaboo Fox for comment, but they did not reply by the time of publication. However, it is clear from the website that the pram is not intended to be used flat, with a forward-faced, unharnessed infant.

Further, the product's manual says that the warranty is voided if it's used in a way that the manufacturer didn't intend. It also includes a comprehensive of safety warnings - and it's telling that nowhere do they envisage the pram being used in the way it has been in the viral trend.