Updated November 2026 by July Lu, parent of 3 children and owner of Active Baby
The short answer: there is no single right age. Start with your stroller's limit: the UPPAbaby Vista V3 seat can be used from 3 months, while Bugaboo recommends the Donkey 6 seat from around 6 months. Once your baby has reached that limit, watch for the signs below. Stop using the bassinet when your baby reaches its weight limit or starts pushing up, even if that happens sooner than you expected.
Stroller limits at a glance
These are the limits for two popular strollers. Always check the manual for your exact model, because limits can change between versions.
| Stroller | Bassinet limit | Seat starts at | Seat maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | 20 lb (9 kg), or when baby pushes up on hands and knees, whichever comes first | 3 months (from birth with the Infant SnugSeat or bassinet accessory) | 50 lb |
| Bugaboo Donkey 6 | 9 kg (20 lb), or when baby can sit up or push up on hands and knees | Around 6 months | 22 kg (50 lb) |
4 signs it's time to move to the seat
1. Your baby has reached the bassinet's limit. This is the one sign that isn't a judgment call. Once your baby reaches the weight limit, stop using the bassinet, even if they still seem comfortable.
2. Your baby is pushing up. A baby who can lift themselves up in the bassinet has outgrown it. Bugaboo warns of a fall hazard once a baby begins to push up on hands and knees, and says its bassinet is only for babies who can't yet sit up without help. Move on as soon as you see this. For sleep at home, Health Canada says to move a baby from a bassinet to a crib or cradle once they can roll over.
3. Your baby holds their head steady. The seat puts your baby in a more upright position than the flat bassinet. Watch for steady head control, with no flopping forward or to the side, before you try the seat upright. If your baby is old enough for the seat but still slumps, use a more reclined position if your stroller has one.
4. Your baby is getting too long or too curious. If your baby's head and feet are close to both ends of the bassinet, or they get fussy lying flat, the seat may suit them better. This only applies once they've reached your seat's minimum age.
Does my baby need to sit up on their own first?
Not always. Many strollers allow the seat before babies sit alone. The CDC says most babies lean on their hands while sitting by 6 months and sit without support by 9 months. If you wait for unaided sitting, your baby may already be past the bassinet's limit.
What about using the seat from birth?
Some strollers have seats designed for newborns, or accessories that make that possible. On the UPPAbaby Vista V3, the Infant SnugSeat allows seat use from birth. Don't add your own pillows or padding to make a seat fit. Health Canada warns they can cause suffocation.
Making the switch safely
- Use the full harness every time, and check that it fits your baby.
- Don't leave the harness buckled when your baby isn't in the seat. Bugaboo warns the straps can form loops that pose a strangulation risk.
- Stay close and supervise your baby in the stroller.
- If your baby falls asleep on an outing, move them to a safe sleep space when you arrive. The Public Health Agency of Canada says strollers and carriages are not designed to be safe for sleep.
- On cold days, use a cover made for your stroller rather than loose blankets as padding. Ask us which ones fit your model.
Not sure your baby is ready?
Bring your baby and your stroller to our North Vancouver or Langley store. Our team can help you check the fit, or show you bassinets and seats from UPPAbaby, Bugaboo and other baby stroller brands.
