Travel Systems For Your Baby - 2-in-1 Convenience

About the author: Learn more about baby strollers and understand why many parents choose baby travel systems for their child. David Cummings is General Manager of Bustling Baby, a business devoted to providing baby mobility, comfort, and convenience to active families.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=302930&ca=Family+Concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Anyone purchase car seat strap covers and experience any problems?
   I'm planning on buying a pair of these b/c my 5-week daughter seems to be having comfort issues in her snugride. I don't think they come with most car seats and wondering for those who use them: has your infant experienced more discomfort from them, from rubbing against their face/neck, or problems tightening the straps when you buckle them in?

   Also, do these covers pose a safety risk (hence why they don't come with the car seats), albeit Graco does sell a head support that come with these too? Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     I have noticed that when they are small, the part that is supposed to buckle across the chest ends up getting pushed down to their tummy. This could pose a safety risk if you were in an accident because your baby would not be properly restrained. I don't know for sure because I don't personally use them. I think that I hve seen some shorter ones that might work.

2. QUESTION:
   How do you remove Evenflo Infant car seat cover?
   Not sure of the model but it is the pink and white Evenflo Infant carseat. I have removed the clear plastic clips but can't figure out how to get the straps out of the black rectangular pieces that will allow me to pull the cover off. PLEASE HELLLPPPPP!!!!

   • ANSWER:
     I would highly recommend that you go onto car-seat.org and post your problem. Car-seat.org is an awesome website to review advice about car seats; there may be someone that knows how to remove it.

     Anyhow, most car seats have elastic bands that attach to hooks. It is a very tight fit- just take the elastic band off the hook and eventually you will get the cover off.

     Also, car seats have to be cleaned by the manufacturer's instructions because manufacturers put flame retardants in their seats. I would use mild detergent and cold water (hot water will make the cover shrink and make it super hard to get back on; as it is already a tight fit). Also, you will have to air dry it.

     NEVER soak the harness straps as it will damage the webbing. In a crash, the damaged webbing may not hold the child in. You can only spot clean the harness straps.

     As a side note, a rear facing car seat is outgrown when ONE of the following happens:
     -the child has hit the maximum weight limit of the seat
     -the child's head is 1 inch away from the shell of the seat (have a link in my sources to explain this)

     The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to rear face a child until the child is at least 2 years old. They recommend to rear face a child for as long as possible. This means after your child outgrows the infant seat (when one of the above happens), then switch to a convertible car seat and use it until your child outgrows it. Convertible car seats have a higher weight limit (usually 35-40 lbs; currently there are 2 seats that have limits of 45 lbs) and taller shells. A rear facing child is 5 times safer than a front facing child. Car crashes are the leading cause of injury, disability, and death for children under 12 years of age. It is very important to have a car seat that is properly installed and is used correctly.

     The 45 degree rule only applies to newborns and babies without head and neck control. A car seat can be installed up to 30 degrees from vertical. It is also slightly safer for the child to be more upright as the child is less likely to ramp up (slide upwards) in the event of a crash. Also, the driver or the person in the passenger seat will have more leg room.

     Legs touching the vehicle seat back are not a concern. In fact, broken legs are the most common injury for front facing children. During a crash, a front facing child's legs fly forward, hitting the driver or passenger seat in front of them, which breaks them. State laws regarding child safety seats are very minimal. The law says that it is fine to forward face a child when the child is both 1 year old and 20 lbs. Joel was 18 months and 33 lbs when he was involved in a car crash; he was front facing in the back seat as the AAP advised. The harness straps severely bruised his arms and he snapped his neck! Front facing car seats provide no restraint for the head.

     There are 2 ways on installing a car seat- one way is latch and the other way is by using the vehicle seat belt. One use one installation. Never use both methods. The latch system can only be used on the outboard seating positions unless your vehicle manual says specifically that it can be used in the center. This is because on the outboard seating positions, the lower anchors are connected by a metal bar. The center seating position may not have this reinforcement. Also, the weight limit on the lower anchors is 40 lbs unless your vehicle manual says differently.

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg4zBeU7md4
     Above link: Video from the IIHS about rear facing for babies and toddlers

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyIv9QVRBE
     Above link: Video that shows pics of kids rear facing in convertible car seats; many kids are over age 2 and are still rear facing!

3. QUESTION:
   Are Winter Car Seat Covers Safe?
   I know a lot of other accessories aren't that safe, especially those that go between the baby, straps, and car seat but what about these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Summer-Infant-CozyUp-Carrier-Cover-Green/12572808?findingMethod=rr It doesn't look like the peek hole closes completely but should it also be unzipped or removed in the car?
   It goes OVER the seat, child, and restraints, not between.

   • ANSWER:
     It looks fine to me. It's not getting in the way of anything. I'd leave it done up in the car because cars can be feel cold to little ones.

4. QUESTION:
   Convertible Car Seat Question!?
   I am currently in the market for a new car seat for my 2 month old son because his infant seat (Evenflo Embrace - Part of the "Oh" 3-in-1 set) is too small for him! He has never liked being in it and it doesn't come close to fitting in the tiny back seat of my Infiniti. My mom bought those little strap covers which helped for a week or so but he is quite large (approx. 17 lbs) and the seat is just not big enough. With that said, I am looking for a convertible seat but not sure which one to get. I certainly don't want to spend the money on a Britax and I'm sure there must be ones as good for less. I've looked at the Evenflo Triumph but am worried about the size, although that maybe something I have to get over. Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!
   Anyone who thinks I don't love my child for not spending an absurd amount of money on a car seat with the SAME crash test rating as a cheaper seat is a moron. I don't have the money to buy everything expensive and name brand because it is just that. If you happen to have the money for an expensive seat to put into your Mercedes or BMW then good for you! I don't and I'm not going to pull money out of savings to buy something my son will use MAYBE once a week. I'm sorry, I should have worded my question like this: Is there a car seat as safe and nice as the Britax but cheaper? And the answer is "Yes". My son means the world to me and SHAME on the person who thinks otherwise because I don't buy a NAME!

   • ANSWER:
     I have the Triumph in my Neon which is a small car....I cna't sit as far back as I woudl like, but it's not much bigger than any of the infant bucket styled seats. And it was only 0 at our Wal-Mart....a good investment for something that can be used for years to come =)!

5. QUESTION:
   Why do companies sell stuff to be used with car seats when it's not safe to do so?
   This has been bugging me: I keep finding things like blankets with feet, bulky infant snowsuits, strap covers, bundle me covers with pads that go under baby, and head positioners to be used in infant car seats. It doesn't make sense since car seat companies and the safety researchers say no. So many parents assume that because it's sold and the package says it's safe, then it must be. And, why not? I'd believe it, too, if I didn't know any better.

   Shouldn't it be illegal for them to even be sold in the first place?
   I do live in a cold weather climate--we use Kidopotomos covers that have elastic going around the entire outside of the seat which doesn't interfere with the way the seat works at all. Snowsuits are unnecessary--use a blanket over the baby.
   I'm not talking the head positioner that comes with the Graco seat--I'm talking about the ones that you buy separately (snuzzler, etc). The ones that haven't been crash tested.

   • ANSWER:
     Your right it should be illegal to sell items that are not safe, but many things that are not recommended for babies are still sold (like crib bumpers). I think most parents don't realize that those items shouldn't be used in the carseats because they don't read the instruction manuals that come with the carseat.
     rainwriterm makes a good point about the carseat toys that hang down too, it says in the manuel of my carseat to always put the handle down when in the car, but I see people driving around with the handle up all the time so the baby can look at the toy.
     Its unfortunate that people assume that everything sold for a baby must be safe or else they wouldn't sell it.

6. QUESTION:
   What are essential/best baby items to have as a new parent? What's junk? What's invaluable? Hints? Tips?
   (Sorry this is so long! Many thanks in advance to those who reply!)

   We are at week 34 awaiting the arrival of our Babygirl. Gifts and hand-me-downs are starting to come in that we're marking off the "need to get" list (per Babies R Us).

   We still have lots we need to get, so I wanted to ask for your opinions. For all those moms and dads out there, I have attached, below, the Babies R Us "Parents Checklist." What is necessary? What is not? What is invaluable? What did you get on a whim and are eternally grateful for having? What turned out to be nothing but junk? What brands are the best (i.e., I hear that Boudreaux's "Butt Paste" is the best there is)?

   I'm starting to scout out Craigslist and eBay for deals (who the heck knew breast pumps were unbelievably expensive??? At least I can get new, in box items from eBay and save a few if I watch like a hawk!). If any of you have insights that you would share, we would be very grateful. Thanks!

   THE LIST

   Infant Care
   Safety