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Erika B
We have an almost 4 yr old and are due with our second child in 5 months. We have everything we need, but a friend warned me against using our carseat and stroller again, becuase it may be out of safety regulation being almost 4 yrs old. It's a Chicco KeyFit 30, and had great safety ratings when we purchased it. Any one know typically how many years a travel system is good for?
Answer
Most car seat brands are 6 years from the date of manufacture. The KeyFit 30 is still considered to be a great seat. Flip it over and look for a "do not use after" date stamped into the shell. Once you're sure it's not expired, use the model number off the seat to search for a recall- for any seat. For the KeyFit, Chicco has only had one recall since 2001 and I don't think your seat was produced between the dates for the recall, here it is http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm#mfg_anchor
Most car seat brands are 6 years from the date of manufacture. The KeyFit 30 is still considered to be a great seat. Flip it over and look for a "do not use after" date stamped into the shell. Once you're sure it's not expired, use the model number off the seat to search for a recall- for any seat. For the KeyFit, Chicco has only had one recall since 2001 and I don't think your seat was produced between the dates for the recall, here it is http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm#mfg_anchor
Which stroller/ jogger/ travel system would you recommend for a first time mom?
LondonLou
I have purchased only nursery furniture, clothes and a few toys so far, I am now 29 weeks and it is time to start thinking about baby carriers, transport systems and baby gear but the choice out there is daunting. I know that in a recent crash test on baby car seats they found baby trend and graco to be the safest car seats and bases so thatâs were I think I will start, we need a baby car seat! I was also thinking that I would be carrying my baby in one of those baby Bjorn carriers mostly but not sure if the active or the original is best. Also my Mom is flying in from England for 3 months to help so I want some kind of stroller for her to use as I cant see her using the baby Bjorn. My husband says that if we get a jogger that he will use it to jog on the weekends but I am not sure if they are too bulky for everyday use and at the end of the day when my mom goes home I will ultimately be the one getting it in and out the car and using it as he grows. I canât afford to get one of each
I need advice on the most practical yet safe baby gear. I also need to know if I need to by all this stuff before he is born, my husband seems to think that other than the car seat the rest can wait until our son is born then we can try him out in them but I would prefer to have it on hand before hand. Any advice?
Answer
With so many choices out there it can be confusing trying to figure out what stroller or car seat to buy. My suggestion is to look aroundf or what you feel most comfortable with. Here are a few good things to look for in each item to make sure you get what you really want:
Stroller- Look for these things:
does it fold compactly and easily- with one hand? Can you adjust the handles height if multiple people will be using it ( at 5 ft 1 my needs are very different than my husbands)? can you use it as a car seat combo ( like Graco products)? Do you want a lightweight, mid sized or super delux stroller? Look at the way the child gets strapped into the stroller- is it a five point harness? does it turn easily and can you manage it with one hand not just both?
Car Seats- Obviously safety comes first in this category and it'll depend on if you want an infant seat ( generally 5- 20 lbs.or so)- or a convertable seat ( 5-60 or more lbs.) The advantages of an infant seat are that you can easily take it with you inside where as the convertable seat stays in the car at all times.
Things to think about with a car seat: Take a look at how easily you can buckle the five point harness - is it hard to open and clip? Do the straps adjust easily to make them loose or tight? Some you have to pull apart the whole seat -Will it be easy for you to take your child in and out of the seat - think rainy day here! And the big thing is to test it in your own car! Every car seat fits differently in different cars. What fits in my SUV doesn't work in our mid sized car! Many places will allow you to give them your drivers id and test the seat in your car before you purchase... Babies R Us does this for sure!
My personal favorites from experience are:
Graco Snug Ride Infant Car seat- comes in so many patterns now and is easy to get in and out of the car - always has had a good safety rating - we used them for both children and were very happy with them. You can even purchase an extra base for a second car so it's easier!
Britax on the high end for a convertable car seat- we have the Marathon and LOVE IT- In my opinion it was worth every penny! Easy to instal with the lock off clip once you chnage to forward facing ( 1 year and at laest 20 lbs.)- it stays in the car tightly forward facing - and easy adjustment of straps- plus GREAT safety ratings! I found it easy to use as rear facing seat ytoo - although the placement of the adjustment to loosen the straps was harder in that position - but not awful.
We have a second car seat too- the Graco Safe Seat which I am pleased with as well - it's easy to use and also at a lesser cost has the seat belt lock off clip that keeps it snug against the seat- but this car seat would be the second after an infant seat becuase it is only forward facing.
Strollers - We had a graco stroller for my first daughter that lasted years - great durability, so I can't say a bad thing about Graco. I also have a new Peg Perego Pliko and LOVE it - it folds compactly - it's easy to fold and has plenty of room. My mom has the Combi Cosmo Stroller- only about $60 and it is great- we used it on vacation and I was very pleased - it's a very light weight and compact stroller. Folds so small you won't believe it!
My experience with a jogging stroller is to purchase one that has a front wheel that swivels- I had one that did not and it is extremely difficult to turn or use around corners, etc.. I got rid of it quickly! it is not condusive to shopping or small spaceswithout that feature at all!
Carriers- so many choices too- I useda sling carrier for a while- then wentto the baby bjorn- look online though and search baby carriers- you can get many at better prices than in the stores- and there are lots of choices out there - everything from moby wraps and mei teis to hotslings, etc...
Good luck & have fun shopping!
With so many choices out there it can be confusing trying to figure out what stroller or car seat to buy. My suggestion is to look aroundf or what you feel most comfortable with. Here are a few good things to look for in each item to make sure you get what you really want:
Stroller- Look for these things:
does it fold compactly and easily- with one hand? Can you adjust the handles height if multiple people will be using it ( at 5 ft 1 my needs are very different than my husbands)? can you use it as a car seat combo ( like Graco products)? Do you want a lightweight, mid sized or super delux stroller? Look at the way the child gets strapped into the stroller- is it a five point harness? does it turn easily and can you manage it with one hand not just both?
Car Seats- Obviously safety comes first in this category and it'll depend on if you want an infant seat ( generally 5- 20 lbs.or so)- or a convertable seat ( 5-60 or more lbs.) The advantages of an infant seat are that you can easily take it with you inside where as the convertable seat stays in the car at all times.
Things to think about with a car seat: Take a look at how easily you can buckle the five point harness - is it hard to open and clip? Do the straps adjust easily to make them loose or tight? Some you have to pull apart the whole seat -Will it be easy for you to take your child in and out of the seat - think rainy day here! And the big thing is to test it in your own car! Every car seat fits differently in different cars. What fits in my SUV doesn't work in our mid sized car! Many places will allow you to give them your drivers id and test the seat in your car before you purchase... Babies R Us does this for sure!
My personal favorites from experience are:
Graco Snug Ride Infant Car seat- comes in so many patterns now and is easy to get in and out of the car - always has had a good safety rating - we used them for both children and were very happy with them. You can even purchase an extra base for a second car so it's easier!
Britax on the high end for a convertable car seat- we have the Marathon and LOVE IT- In my opinion it was worth every penny! Easy to instal with the lock off clip once you chnage to forward facing ( 1 year and at laest 20 lbs.)- it stays in the car tightly forward facing - and easy adjustment of straps- plus GREAT safety ratings! I found it easy to use as rear facing seat ytoo - although the placement of the adjustment to loosen the straps was harder in that position - but not awful.
We have a second car seat too- the Graco Safe Seat which I am pleased with as well - it's easy to use and also at a lesser cost has the seat belt lock off clip that keeps it snug against the seat- but this car seat would be the second after an infant seat becuase it is only forward facing.
Strollers - We had a graco stroller for my first daughter that lasted years - great durability, so I can't say a bad thing about Graco. I also have a new Peg Perego Pliko and LOVE it - it folds compactly - it's easy to fold and has plenty of room. My mom has the Combi Cosmo Stroller- only about $60 and it is great- we used it on vacation and I was very pleased - it's a very light weight and compact stroller. Folds so small you won't believe it!
My experience with a jogging stroller is to purchase one that has a front wheel that swivels- I had one that did not and it is extremely difficult to turn or use around corners, etc.. I got rid of it quickly! it is not condusive to shopping or small spaceswithout that feature at all!
Carriers- so many choices too- I useda sling carrier for a while- then wentto the baby bjorn- look online though and search baby carriers- you can get many at better prices than in the stores- and there are lots of choices out there - everything from moby wraps and mei teis to hotslings, etc...
Good luck & have fun shopping!
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