LilSugar

What's the Newborn Item You Regret Purchasing?

babysugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0800

When a mama-to-be strolls the aisles of a baby emporium for the first time, everything looks enticing. Armed with friends' recommendations and the latest issue of Consumer Reports, a pregnant woman thinks she knows exactly what she needs. But, once the lil one arrives and the new mom gets in her groove she is likely to find that some of the items she swore she would need are not perfectly suited for her tot.

When expecting my first child, a car seat manufacturer had just introduced their latest and greatest infant seat. It claimed to hold babies up to 30 pounds and sure that I was going to give birth to a giant I quickly registered for it. What I didn't realize was that a car seat that holds such a big baby is bound to weigh a ton itself, and once you add a baby, it is virtually impossible to carry more than a few feet.

What is the baby item that you regret buying?

Evenflo's Symphony All-in-One Car Seat

babysugar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:30:33 -0800

When it comes to car seats, moms can be pretty clueless. The inability to sit in them and test drive them makes buying them a rather haphazard event. In an ideal world, mums could borrow a seat for a day and roam the streets, which would allow all parties to evaluate the ease of use and comfort instead of solely relying on safety ratings and the advice of other mommy friends. Evenflo read my mind and invited me to participate in an ideal world when they sent me the Symphony car seat ($189) to test drive.

Described as an "all-in-one" car seat, the ultra-soft chair can be used for children as little as five pounds until they tip the scales at 100 pounds, which means mommy only has to buy one car seat for all of childhood. As the child grows from newborn to toddler, mom and dad will appreciate the ability to change it from its rear-facing position to forward-facing so the child can enjoy the view. The headrest can be adjusted to move up and down, and the seat itself can be launched into more of a cradle mode with one simple hand motion. With ease in mind, the designers of the seat included the SureLATCH system so that parents could install the seat rear or forward-facing with three simple clicks. Like most seats in the category, the Symphony has a 5-point harness seatbelt, which helps to keep the child in place and safest when in motion. And while it's the least of my concerns when it comes to safety, the flip out cup holder on the side of the seat is kind of genius. Giving a tot access to a water bottle will save mommy from aimlessly reaching to the back floorboard in order to satiate her screaming mimi.

To see what I would change about the Symphony, just read more.

Obviously a fan, my son was asleep within minutes of his first trip in the Symphony, and that wasn't even in the cradle position. While the car seat is dreamy on almost every account, I have to admit that I was hesitant to fly with it because of its size. Probably not any different from others in the category, I chose to use my Snap and Go based seat instead so I wouldn't have to deal with the weight of the Symphony. In the end, I might have preferred the comfort of the Evenflo seat to the ease of the chosen one.

Tell us what you think of the Symphony!

Mommy Dearest: Car Seats and the City

LilSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:30:14 -0800

Mommy Dearest -

We are planning a trip to visit friends in New York City and are staying at a hotel on the opposite end of the city from where they live. In making our plans for the trip, we discussed meeting up at a central location, and our friend said the best way to get there was via taxi. I mentioned that I was not planning on bringing a car seat with us (I found a car service with car seats to carry my toddler and I from the airport to the city) and she laughed and told me that no one uses car seats in taxis - they simply put the child on their lap and hold on. I was appalled. Aren't car seats required whenever you transport a child in the car? What would you do in this situation?

- Concerned About Car Safety Mom

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Dear Concerned About Car Safety Mom -

For most parents, car seats are up there with cribs and strollers in terms of key new baby purchases. For urban dwelling parents, many of whom don't even own cars, the car seat is often one more space-consuming baby accessory that spends most of its time gathering dust. Though the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission is exempt from child safety restraint laws, you must decide for yourself what makes you most comfortable. If you opt out of the taxi option, you won't be alone. Fifty-four percent of LilSugar readers have said they won't drive without their lil ones secure in their seat. Perhaps you could find a bus or subway route that will get you to your destination without the worry or toting along a car seat.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this series at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new community page.

Freakonomics Authors Say Car Seats Can Be as Effective as Seat Belts

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:32 -0700

Maybe our parents weren't so wrong after all. At least that's what the authors of SuperFreakonomics would have us believe. Moms and pops take every precaution to protect their wee ones from harm, including installing top of the line car seats with the highest safety ratings. On Good Morning America, dads and writers Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner told Robin Roberts that car seats may not be the key to keeping tots protected. Rather, the two men argue that harness restraints, like a regular old seat belt, will guard children against harm like a car seat or booster. While they don't promote ditching the seats all together, the below video does make one wonder about the modern day approach.

Check out the video and let me know if it sways your safety thinking at all.

Video courtesy of ABC

How Much Do You Know About Infant Car Seats

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:00:54 -0700

Lots of parents use their infant car seats for more than shuttling their wee ones around town. Babies sleep, eat and even relax in the slouched seats, but this may not be the best idea.

A new study in Pediatrics suggests that these car seats may put newborns at risk for decreased oxygen levels. According to researchers, when placed in car seats, baby's heads tend to turn and this positioning can affect the amount of oxygen their brains receive. Doctors are suggesting that parents limit the amount of time lil ones spend in the seats, urging them to limit their use to travel, and not for overnight sleeping.

Before changing your car seat habits, take this quiz to see how much you really know about them.

Take the quiz

Tips on How to Pick a Car Seat For a Newborn

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:42 -0700

One of the things at the top of an expectant mom's checklist is to purchase a car seat, but often times she has no idea what to look for in terms of safety and design. Though five star safety ratings are helpful, there are some fairly simple aspects she may also want to take into consideration.

First and foremost, mom should confirm the seat will function properly in her vehicle. Smaller cars may not work with every make and model. The safest seat on the market won't do any good if it can't fit!
Make sure it is suited for infants if intended for a newborn baby. The infant car seats typically provide more padding and protection for a tiny noggin.
If the newborn car seat is detachable and fits on a base, check for ease of use. Most recent models are a breeze to handle.

To see the rest of the pointers, read more.

Pay attention to the width and placement of the straps. A wider strap is preferable as it will not get easily twisted in the buckles and will allow for quick buckling. The straps and crotch buckle should also be adjustable to accommodate a growing child.
Check to make sure the latches or other installing hardware are durable and simple so mom and pop can install or uninstall in a cinch.
Children will make a mess in their seat so one should make sure it is machine washable, breathable, and of course, removable!
Beware of exposed metal pieces, as they can become a hazard when the car heats up.

Clear View Carrier Cover: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:00:04 -0700

Plastic bags come with warnings to keep them away from children due to suffocation risks, but what about a car seat cover designed to keep lil ones dry? The Clear View See-Through Carrier Cover ($16) is a waterproof vinyl cover that fits snugly over most car seats with its elasticized sides. With only a cut out for the face – allowing fresh air to get through – the product is said to protect from rain, wind and snow while keeping tots visible at all times. What's your opinion?

Which Way Does Your Child's Car Seat Face?

babysugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Parents ready to let their tot look toward the dashboard may think twice about the car seat installation. A new study out in the British Medical Journal suggests parents should keep their children in rear facing car seats until age four.

Most mothers and fathers follow the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics - that wee ones stay in rear-facing seats until age one and surpass 20 pounds. Some folks choose to turn them around earlier for fear of crushing their lil one's limbs. According to Dr. Joseph O'Neil:

A child is 5.53 times safer during their second year of life in a rear-facing car seat versus a forward-facing one.

The video certainly has me questioning my daughter's car seat position, but I don't see any older children still sitting backward. Maybe that's because the child's knees would be next to his ears. How old are your kiddos and which way do their seats face?

Mommy Preview: Cybex Baby Goods Enter USA

LilSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:00:38 -0700

One of Europe's leading baby goods manufacturers, Cybex, is making its first foray into the US market this Summer. Led by an 18-year veteran of the industry, who created the leading car seat in Germany and relaunched Maclaren in that market, Cybex plans to begin introducing its urban, fashionable strollers, car seats and baby carriers to specialty retailers in August. We were invited to a sneak peek of the line, and found it to be design-conscience and functional. Though many of the pieces appear to be similar versions of Maclaren, Baby Bjorn and Phil & Ted products, it is obvious that the designers had moms in mind with the color combinations and features. Check out what they will be offering.

View Slideshow ›

Seat Chiller: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

babysugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Pools, flip-flops and sundresses are just a few reasons to adore warm weather. But along with those steamy days come hot seat belts and sweaty seats. Prevent burning baby with a blazing buckle by using a Baby Seat Chiller ($30).

Taken from the freezer, the one-size-fits-all gadget is made of vinyl, flannel, and flexible non-toxic ice packs that can cool a seat and its buckles in seconds. The downfall? Unless there's a cooler in the car, it seems like this trick may only work upon home departure. I doubt the ice packs could make it through a two-hour shopping excursion in the Texas heat. But maybe the shade it provides would be enough to keep the buckles from scorching a wee leg.