Traveling with a Baby or Infant: Going Through Local Markets with your Baby or Infant in a Pram/Stroller/Pusher

Pushing a pram or stroller through a busy, crowded local market can be a challenge, as the pathways are narrow and people have to move to allow you to pass. With a smaller stroller, this would not be a problem.

I love going to local markets. It’s one of my favorite parts of traveling in third world countries (although I quite like it even in first world countries, it’s just not usually as colorful).  So this morning the first thing I did was head for the local morning market.  It opens early, around 4 or 5 AM, and closes fairly early, generally by around 8:30 or 9 AM.  You don’t spot many tourists there because by the time they venture out to explore the city, it’s already closed up.  For me, that’s part of the charm, although I love the all-day markets, too, especially since I’m not a morning person!

Of course, in the past I was not traveling with a baby, so now that I have an infant in tow, it’s a totally different experience.  This is especially true since I am now pushing a pram (stroller).  I guess maybe I am a bit crazy to bring a pram/ stroller to a local market, but I just can’t imagine carrying the weight of my Akiva (he’s an exceptionally good eater) and groceries to boot!  So pram/ stroller it was.

This sweet old man was one of dozens of locals happy to stop and play with Akiva - and Akiva loved the attention! Just make sure to pay attention to your baby's signs and cover him/her up when he/she wants a nap.

The first thing I noticed was that because I am using a full-size pram/stroller, it was a bit too wide to get through the aisles comfortably. Most of the time there was just enough space, but it did mean other people had to move out of the way for me to pass. In some places I just could not get through and I had to go around via the street.  With a small “umbrella” stroller it would have been quite easy to navigate.

The second thing I noticed was how everyone responded to Akiva.  Everyone wanted to play with him and everyone wanted to touch him. Mostly they just tickled his toes.  I am a pretty relaxed mom (you have to be to travel with an infant like this) so as long as they aren’t really in his face and he’s not sleeping, I don’t mind them tickling Akiva’s toes. He loves all the attention. Spoiled kid!

When the chaos of the market got to be too much for Akiva, he simply started to play with his toy. Babies older than 3 months know how to focus on one familiar object as a way of "switching off" and blocking out too much stimulation that would have made them cry when they were new-born.

Of course, the chaos of the market might be a bit too much for your baby to handle, so make sure they have a way to “switch off.”  This generally means bringing along a favorite toy.  Then when the surroundings are too much for your baby, he/she can focus on the toy, which is simple and familiar.  This helps avoid overstimulation.  You can also cover the baby’s pram with a muslin cloth or sun shade that stops bubba from seeing too much and stops people from touching and playing with him.

Overall, though, the market is still a fantastic experience!  Some vendors even gave me free tidbits of fruit to give Akiva, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

So if you are traveling, definitely take your baby to the market with you! It will be a great experience for you both!