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baby travel systems 3 in 1 image
Jillian Ir
The car seat you get with the travel system, is that going to last and turn into a seat you can use as your baby grows or is that only an infant seat? I am a first time mother and am trying to get everything I need, but this one has kind of stumped me.
Can I covertible carseat be used as a rear facing infant seat?
Answer
The seat that comes with a stroller is an infant only, rear facing only seat. Most infants outgrow their infant seat at 4-6 months, as most only go to 20-22lbs. and 26inches or so. The only one that is bigger is the Graco SafeSeat Step 1. Its made to hold up to 30lbs. They claim that 97% of infants will fit in the seat until their 1st birthday. A convertible car seat will do both rear and front facing. You 'convert' it front facing when the baby has reaches the limits for rear facing. NOTE: Keep babies rear facing AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!! Not just to 20lbs/1year. That is the bare minimum for when you can. Their bones are too fragile to properly withstand crash forces, and rear facing is the safest position.
The infant carriers are convenient, but quite frankly, a sling is a heck of a lot more convenient, and slings like the Maya wraps (and lots of look alikes) can be used in 4-5 different ways up to 40lbs! I HATE seeing babies constantly put in their carriers. Babies were meant to be held, not put in seats all the time. Also, infant car seats were meant to be used in the car or stroller - not everywhere else. Even the manual usually states: 'not for use in the house, boat, or anywhere else besides a passenger vehicle'. So, if you use them correctly, they really aren't all that convenient. I mean, have you ever tried carrying around a 15lbs baby in a carrier? UGH! Painful. A sling is easier and allows your hands to be free (much better for grocery shopping, dining, etc. you name it!) Also, babies like it better.
You don't have to have an infant carrier. Depending upon the size of your baby, you could put him straight into a convertible. If you're going to do that, spring for a convertible that has the infant padding in it, otherwise it may not work. That should be fine as long as baby is 5lbs or over. If you're really looking to cut costs, I'd cut the infant seat out of your shopping plan. You'll have to get a convertible when he outgrows the infant seat anyways, so an infant is an extra. The best convertibles are ones with high harness slots and high weight limits both rear and front facing. Here's some to look at:
Fisher Price Safe Voyage, up to 33lbs rear facing, up to 55lbs forward facing, 17" top slots. Made by Britax, without the bells and whistles at a fraction of the cost! $130
Britax Marathon/Decathalon/Boulevard: all 3 same shell, up to 33lbs rear facing, up to 65lbs front facing, 17" top slots. Decathalon and Boulevard have the infant cushioning. Britax seats have built-in lockoffs so you never have to use a locking clip again! Wide belt paths make it easier to use, too. Many seats can cut and scrape your hands when you try and install them. They sound expensive, but they last longer than most other convertibles. $269 and up
Sunshine Kids Radian65 and Radian80. Both rear face to 33lbs, front face to 65lbs/80lbs. Top slots 18". GREAT seat if it fits in your car. $199, I believe. Lasts a LONG time, saves on buying other seats.
So, if you're looking to save money, actually skip Walmart, they're seats won't hold many kids long enough because of low weight limits and low harness slots. If you've got a tiny child, it'd be ok, but for average or big kids it won't work. Kids should be harnessed AS LONG AS POSSIBLE! No 4-year-olds in boosters, please!
The seat that comes with a stroller is an infant only, rear facing only seat. Most infants outgrow their infant seat at 4-6 months, as most only go to 20-22lbs. and 26inches or so. The only one that is bigger is the Graco SafeSeat Step 1. Its made to hold up to 30lbs. They claim that 97% of infants will fit in the seat until their 1st birthday. A convertible car seat will do both rear and front facing. You 'convert' it front facing when the baby has reaches the limits for rear facing. NOTE: Keep babies rear facing AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!! Not just to 20lbs/1year. That is the bare minimum for when you can. Their bones are too fragile to properly withstand crash forces, and rear facing is the safest position.
The infant carriers are convenient, but quite frankly, a sling is a heck of a lot more convenient, and slings like the Maya wraps (and lots of look alikes) can be used in 4-5 different ways up to 40lbs! I HATE seeing babies constantly put in their carriers. Babies were meant to be held, not put in seats all the time. Also, infant car seats were meant to be used in the car or stroller - not everywhere else. Even the manual usually states: 'not for use in the house, boat, or anywhere else besides a passenger vehicle'. So, if you use them correctly, they really aren't all that convenient. I mean, have you ever tried carrying around a 15lbs baby in a carrier? UGH! Painful. A sling is easier and allows your hands to be free (much better for grocery shopping, dining, etc. you name it!) Also, babies like it better.
You don't have to have an infant carrier. Depending upon the size of your baby, you could put him straight into a convertible. If you're going to do that, spring for a convertible that has the infant padding in it, otherwise it may not work. That should be fine as long as baby is 5lbs or over. If you're really looking to cut costs, I'd cut the infant seat out of your shopping plan. You'll have to get a convertible when he outgrows the infant seat anyways, so an infant is an extra. The best convertibles are ones with high harness slots and high weight limits both rear and front facing. Here's some to look at:
Fisher Price Safe Voyage, up to 33lbs rear facing, up to 55lbs forward facing, 17" top slots. Made by Britax, without the bells and whistles at a fraction of the cost! $130
Britax Marathon/Decathalon/Boulevard: all 3 same shell, up to 33lbs rear facing, up to 65lbs front facing, 17" top slots. Decathalon and Boulevard have the infant cushioning. Britax seats have built-in lockoffs so you never have to use a locking clip again! Wide belt paths make it easier to use, too. Many seats can cut and scrape your hands when you try and install them. They sound expensive, but they last longer than most other convertibles. $269 and up
Sunshine Kids Radian65 and Radian80. Both rear face to 33lbs, front face to 65lbs/80lbs. Top slots 18". GREAT seat if it fits in your car. $199, I believe. Lasts a LONG time, saves on buying other seats.
So, if you're looking to save money, actually skip Walmart, they're seats won't hold many kids long enough because of low weight limits and low harness slots. If you've got a tiny child, it'd be ok, but for average or big kids it won't work. Kids should be harnessed AS LONG AS POSSIBLE! No 4-year-olds in boosters, please!
What happens if you introduce solids to your baby too late?
Q. My son is not ready for solids (3 1/2 months), but I was wondering if there was negative results of introducing solids too late. And when is the latest you should introduce solids?
Answer
solids should be introduced anytime between 6-8 months .. before that they do nothing for nutrition .. the baby's intestines are still not mature enough to absorb much from them before 6 months ..if they are given its just to dveelop different tastes ..
When should I introduce solid food to my baby?
You can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn't ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months â though parents will attest that some babies are eager and ready to eat solids earlier.
How will I know when my baby's ready?
Your baby will give you clear signs when he's ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:
* Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.
* Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
* Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.
* Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling â though if your baby's teething, you might still see a lot of drool.
* Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
* Growing appetite. He seems hungry â even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.
* Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.
solids should be introduced anytime between 6-8 months .. before that they do nothing for nutrition .. the baby's intestines are still not mature enough to absorb much from them before 6 months ..if they are given its just to dveelop different tastes ..
When should I introduce solid food to my baby?
You can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn't ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months â though parents will attest that some babies are eager and ready to eat solids earlier.
How will I know when my baby's ready?
Your baby will give you clear signs when he's ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:
* Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.
* Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
* Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.
* Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling â though if your baby's teething, you might still see a lot of drool.
* Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
* Growing appetite. He seems hungry â even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.
* Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.
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