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Q. new baby on the way and i am researching strollers, car seats, and pack n plays. what are the best out there?
Answer
Travel systems are bulky and unnecessary. When kept in a car seat a baby can have trouble breathing, and sleeping in the car seat is even worse. So I'm going to talk 'types' rather than brands.
CARSEAT: the current recommendation is to keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible, at least to 2 years old. Look at the first link for information about why rear-facing is so important. There are infant seats that rear-face to 20lbs, and some that rear-face to 30-35lbs. There are also the option of convertible car seats which can go from 5lbs-45lbs (depending on the brand) rear-facing and then forward to as high as 85lbs. The cheapest convertible that goes to 40lbs rear-facing but then is quickly outgrown is the Cosco Scenara available at Wal-mart for $40 (including shipping.) The point being that you want a seat that will rear-face a long time, or if you want to use an infant seat to plan on a rear-facing seat when the baby outgrows the baby seat. I do like the Graco-Snugride 35, which rear-faces to 35lbs, but I've found most babies want to sit up more by 10-12 months and it might be wiser to either get a convertible or get a cheap infant seat and replace it once they're large enough to want a new one.
STROLLERS:
First, for a newborn you want the baby to be able to lay flat (sitting up can decrease oxygen levels.) Also, there is research about babies who face their parents developing better than babies who are faced out towards the public. So, if you can find a stroller that lays flat and faces you then that's what you want. However, it's rather hard to find that, and I personally find that it's easier to get a baby wearing sling (like the Ergo or Moby Wrap) and wear the baby the first 6 months. After that they typically can sit up and it's easier to find a stroller that works for them. Strollers are rarely recalled so you can try them out in the store and then watch to see if someone sells it on craigslist or something. When you try them out try going over different obstacles, larger wheels tend to handle things like sand and obstacles better, but if you're using it for shopping then you want to try weaving in and out of tight corners. If you're using it on parks and trails then you want a different stroller than if you're riding the bus with your baby every day. It's all about where you live and what you're using it for.
Pack n Plays:
Wait on this one. See the second link. As of this year, pack-n-plays FINALLY have a safety standard, and as of last month they have adopted a safety standard for the bassinet attachment (before then they didn't.) There are a lot of deaths from pack-n-plays not working right, and they are not a good place to leave your baby to sleep. With these standards there are exciting changes that probably will happen in just the next year... but it also means there may be a lot of recalls and discontinuing of unsafe pack-n-plays. Also, Disney has just released the first ever machine washable pack-n-play (that's right... before this they were not washable. We can all gross out now.) See third link. To me, that means that the play-yards in the next year or two not only are going to be safer, but they're going to start to be washable! It is NOT worth it to buy a play-yard right now, you'll only regret it in a couple of years when they're better.
BABY CARRIERS:
When I say this I am talking about a chest-carrier, like the Moby Wrap or the Ergo. However there are some like the Baby Bjorn where the baby is dangling from their crotch, and this can contribute to hip dysplasia. The fourth link explains what you want to look for in a wrap, carrier, or sling (or even how to make sure they sit in a car seat.) There are several carriers on the market that hold the baby right, I do personally like the Ergo because it goes from newborn to 40lbs and allows a chest, hip, or back position, the versatility has been something that keeps us using it year after year.
Travel systems are bulky and unnecessary. When kept in a car seat a baby can have trouble breathing, and sleeping in the car seat is even worse. So I'm going to talk 'types' rather than brands.
CARSEAT: the current recommendation is to keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible, at least to 2 years old. Look at the first link for information about why rear-facing is so important. There are infant seats that rear-face to 20lbs, and some that rear-face to 30-35lbs. There are also the option of convertible car seats which can go from 5lbs-45lbs (depending on the brand) rear-facing and then forward to as high as 85lbs. The cheapest convertible that goes to 40lbs rear-facing but then is quickly outgrown is the Cosco Scenara available at Wal-mart for $40 (including shipping.) The point being that you want a seat that will rear-face a long time, or if you want to use an infant seat to plan on a rear-facing seat when the baby outgrows the baby seat. I do like the Graco-Snugride 35, which rear-faces to 35lbs, but I've found most babies want to sit up more by 10-12 months and it might be wiser to either get a convertible or get a cheap infant seat and replace it once they're large enough to want a new one.
STROLLERS:
First, for a newborn you want the baby to be able to lay flat (sitting up can decrease oxygen levels.) Also, there is research about babies who face their parents developing better than babies who are faced out towards the public. So, if you can find a stroller that lays flat and faces you then that's what you want. However, it's rather hard to find that, and I personally find that it's easier to get a baby wearing sling (like the Ergo or Moby Wrap) and wear the baby the first 6 months. After that they typically can sit up and it's easier to find a stroller that works for them. Strollers are rarely recalled so you can try them out in the store and then watch to see if someone sells it on craigslist or something. When you try them out try going over different obstacles, larger wheels tend to handle things like sand and obstacles better, but if you're using it for shopping then you want to try weaving in and out of tight corners. If you're using it on parks and trails then you want a different stroller than if you're riding the bus with your baby every day. It's all about where you live and what you're using it for.
Pack n Plays:
Wait on this one. See the second link. As of this year, pack-n-plays FINALLY have a safety standard, and as of last month they have adopted a safety standard for the bassinet attachment (before then they didn't.) There are a lot of deaths from pack-n-plays not working right, and they are not a good place to leave your baby to sleep. With these standards there are exciting changes that probably will happen in just the next year... but it also means there may be a lot of recalls and discontinuing of unsafe pack-n-plays. Also, Disney has just released the first ever machine washable pack-n-play (that's right... before this they were not washable. We can all gross out now.) See third link. To me, that means that the play-yards in the next year or two not only are going to be safer, but they're going to start to be washable! It is NOT worth it to buy a play-yard right now, you'll only regret it in a couple of years when they're better.
BABY CARRIERS:
When I say this I am talking about a chest-carrier, like the Moby Wrap or the Ergo. However there are some like the Baby Bjorn where the baby is dangling from their crotch, and this can contribute to hip dysplasia. The fourth link explains what you want to look for in a wrap, carrier, or sling (or even how to make sure they sit in a car seat.) There are several carriers on the market that hold the baby right, I do personally like the Ergo because it goes from newborn to 40lbs and allows a chest, hip, or back position, the versatility has been something that keeps us using it year after year.
Chicco or Graco travel system?
Kristina
I'm not pregnant, my brother and his girlfriend are having a little girl so my mom and I are buying the car seat/stroller. She's due March 14 so we should already have the travel system :)
Which would you recommend and why? They are from Babies R Us
http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D12319182&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com
http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D3980773%26prodFindSrc%3Dsearch&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com
I have a $20 coupon :P thank you!
Answer
This will be a long explanation so please bear with me.
What model year was your brother's vehicle made in? If it was made in 2003 or newer, then the vehicle has the LATCH system and locking seatbelts. If your brother's vehicle was made after 1996, that means his seatbelts have child lock mode to keep the seat belt tight. Vehicles made before 1996 do not have a child lock mode for seat belts. This means that a locking clip will be needed to keep the seat belt tight. Some car seats come with built in lock offs to make installation easier. Even if his seat belts have child lock mode, the shoulder belt tends to push up on the base, causing the car seat to tilt, so having a car seat with a built in lock off is a really nice thing to have if your brother's vehicle does not have the LATCH system.
I will explain a little about the LATCH system- the LATCH system is a government standard that was suppose to make installation easier. Vehicles made after 2003 have factory installed lower anchors between the seat cushions. All car seats in the market have connecting straps and hooks. Some lower anchors are well in the seat cushion, making it difficult to connect a hook to an anchor. Here is a picture of push-in LATCH connectors: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=push+in+latch+connectors&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.aWM&biw=1280&bih=585&wrapid=tlif136097686879910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=9dseUdP0O-HhygHSyIHoAg#imgrc=ZLl99_cw8ZUe6M%3A%3BA6hc7I05D1HcLM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.britaxusa.com%252Fimages%252FLATCHConnectorCloseUp.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.britaxusa.com%252Flearning-center%252Fsuperior-ease-of-use%252Fpremium-lower-latch-connectors%3B200%3B200
The government always messes up everything they do- so there are flaws with the LATCH system. Sometimes a tight and proper installation will alude you, so again, it may be easier to install with the vehicle's seat belt. And if you install with the seat belt, it will be very helpful to have a child seat with a built in lock off. The center seating position is about 43% safer than the outboard seating positions, and the lower anchors are usually 99% of the time only made for the outboard seats. This means that if they choose to install in the center, they will need to use the vehicle's seat belt.
Here is more about the LATCH system: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html
Using a locking clip can be a pain in the @ss because the car seat needs to be less than 1 inch side to side and front to back. It is a huge pain to re-buckle after putting the locking clip on. For example, here is an installation video with a locking clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc5CLIok3eU
The person makes it look easy, does't she? Normally, it is a 2 person job to get the seat in nice and tight. One person would hold it while another person would rebuckle. It can be a one person job, if you learn how to do it.
And here is an installation video with built in lock offs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7koBM82iYlw
The Chicco KeyFit 30 comes with push-in LATCH connectors and a built in lock off. The Graco Snugride 30 you were looking at does NOT come with a built in off and has hook style LATCH connectors. This makes installation more difficult.
I would go with the Chicco KeyFit 30. If you go with Graco, I would choose the Snugride 32 or 35 model as the base comes with a built in lock offs.
A newborn's car seat needs to be installed at a 45 degree angle in order to keep a baby's airway open. Car seats take up a ton of front-to-back space at the 45 degree recline. The Chicco KeyFit 30 takes up less front-to-back space than the Graco Snugrides. And if your brother and girlfriend have more children in the future, the Chicco KeyFit is narrower than most infant car seats making it ideal for a 3 across situation.
Both of these seats have their pros and their cons. I would read these super detailed reviews below. The reviews below were written by a child passenger safety technician.
http://carseatblog.com/9256/graco-snugride-30-review-the-snugride-infant-seat-for-smaller-babies/
Above link: Graco Snugride 30
http://carseatblog.com/16957/graco-snugride-35-infant-carseat-review-4th-generation-is-a-homerun/
Above link: Graco Snugride 35
http://carseatblog.com/5364/chicco-keyfit-30-review-infant-carseat-nirvana/
Above link: Chicco KeyFit 30
And remember that infant car seats can be outgrown really quickly- from as little as 6 months to as much as 18 months (for the tinest of children). The weight limit on infant car seats is an illusion- as the infant seats that go up to 30 and 35 lbs will normally be outgrown by height before the child hits the weight limit. Rear facing car seats are commonly outgrown when the child's head is less than 1 inch from the top of the seat and infant car seats have really short shells.
This will be a long explanation so please bear with me.
What model year was your brother's vehicle made in? If it was made in 2003 or newer, then the vehicle has the LATCH system and locking seatbelts. If your brother's vehicle was made after 1996, that means his seatbelts have child lock mode to keep the seat belt tight. Vehicles made before 1996 do not have a child lock mode for seat belts. This means that a locking clip will be needed to keep the seat belt tight. Some car seats come with built in lock offs to make installation easier. Even if his seat belts have child lock mode, the shoulder belt tends to push up on the base, causing the car seat to tilt, so having a car seat with a built in lock off is a really nice thing to have if your brother's vehicle does not have the LATCH system.
I will explain a little about the LATCH system- the LATCH system is a government standard that was suppose to make installation easier. Vehicles made after 2003 have factory installed lower anchors between the seat cushions. All car seats in the market have connecting straps and hooks. Some lower anchors are well in the seat cushion, making it difficult to connect a hook to an anchor. Here is a picture of push-in LATCH connectors: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=push+in+latch+connectors&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.aWM&biw=1280&bih=585&wrapid=tlif136097686879910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=9dseUdP0O-HhygHSyIHoAg#imgrc=ZLl99_cw8ZUe6M%3A%3BA6hc7I05D1HcLM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.britaxusa.com%252Fimages%252FLATCHConnectorCloseUp.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.britaxusa.com%252Flearning-center%252Fsuperior-ease-of-use%252Fpremium-lower-latch-connectors%3B200%3B200
The government always messes up everything they do- so there are flaws with the LATCH system. Sometimes a tight and proper installation will alude you, so again, it may be easier to install with the vehicle's seat belt. And if you install with the seat belt, it will be very helpful to have a child seat with a built in lock off. The center seating position is about 43% safer than the outboard seating positions, and the lower anchors are usually 99% of the time only made for the outboard seats. This means that if they choose to install in the center, they will need to use the vehicle's seat belt.
Here is more about the LATCH system: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html
Using a locking clip can be a pain in the @ss because the car seat needs to be less than 1 inch side to side and front to back. It is a huge pain to re-buckle after putting the locking clip on. For example, here is an installation video with a locking clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc5CLIok3eU
The person makes it look easy, does't she? Normally, it is a 2 person job to get the seat in nice and tight. One person would hold it while another person would rebuckle. It can be a one person job, if you learn how to do it.
And here is an installation video with built in lock offs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7koBM82iYlw
The Chicco KeyFit 30 comes with push-in LATCH connectors and a built in lock off. The Graco Snugride 30 you were looking at does NOT come with a built in off and has hook style LATCH connectors. This makes installation more difficult.
I would go with the Chicco KeyFit 30. If you go with Graco, I would choose the Snugride 32 or 35 model as the base comes with a built in lock offs.
A newborn's car seat needs to be installed at a 45 degree angle in order to keep a baby's airway open. Car seats take up a ton of front-to-back space at the 45 degree recline. The Chicco KeyFit 30 takes up less front-to-back space than the Graco Snugrides. And if your brother and girlfriend have more children in the future, the Chicco KeyFit is narrower than most infant car seats making it ideal for a 3 across situation.
Both of these seats have their pros and their cons. I would read these super detailed reviews below. The reviews below were written by a child passenger safety technician.
http://carseatblog.com/9256/graco-snugride-30-review-the-snugride-infant-seat-for-smaller-babies/
Above link: Graco Snugride 30
http://carseatblog.com/16957/graco-snugride-35-infant-carseat-review-4th-generation-is-a-homerun/
Above link: Graco Snugride 35
http://carseatblog.com/5364/chicco-keyfit-30-review-infant-carseat-nirvana/
Above link: Chicco KeyFit 30
And remember that infant car seats can be outgrown really quickly- from as little as 6 months to as much as 18 months (for the tinest of children). The weight limit on infant car seats is an illusion- as the infant seats that go up to 30 and 35 lbs will normally be outgrown by height before the child hits the weight limit. Rear facing car seats are commonly outgrown when the child's head is less than 1 inch from the top of the seat and infant car seats have really short shells.
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