Can anyone help me choose a baby car seat?

July 17th, 2009

We’re about to have our first child. We don’t have a car but we live in a city and will need to travel by taxi once in a while. This means we need to get a car seat for the baby. We would prefer a seat that is strapped in the car just using the seat belt - don’t want one that needs a base as we’ll only have to store the base in our apartment. Can anyone recommend a car seat like this? It would also be good if the car seat could be used in a stroller frame as our ‘everyday’ stroller. Any advise would be much appreciated.

I love my Graco Heirloom car seat (the black and cream one)and matching stroller (sold separately) It will hold them up to 30 lbs. My husband has a base for the seat in his car so we can just move her from one car to the other without moving her from seat to seat. 5 stars in my book!!!

Baby Rocking Cribs and Baby Sleeping Bags?

July 17th, 2009

My sister has bought one of those wooden rocking cribs. It’s standard size from Mothercare.

She wants to know if it’s OK for her baby to sleep in that crib when he/she is in a baby sleeping bag/gro bag?

This is cos the baby will be sleeping in one until he/she is approx 6 mths. Then will be moving to cot.
Is the crib going to be too small for the sleeping bag?

My baby sleeps in a rocking crib with a sleeping bag, they are absolutly fine!!
The Rocking cribs are actually a good size with them being bigger than moses baskets!

Are there any baby carriers (pumpkin seats) without a carseat?

July 15th, 2009

The carseat carriers are so bulky. They used to make little carriers my mother refers to as pumpkin seats. We already have a carseat and just want something lightweight that the baby can sit in, say, in a restaurant…
I did find the See Shell Carrier, but is there anything else along these lines?

Hehe I know exactly what you mean and I haven’t seen one in years. My baby sister had one.

Actually when my son was too big for his infant seat, but not old enough to sit in a chair without a belt (4-5 months was when he outgrew his infant seat) I looked everywhere for any sort of lightweight portable chair with a belt. The only portable belted chair I ever found was a portable booster seat from first years (there are many brands). This one is kinda neat because you can somewhat adjust the seat hight. But it doesn’t recline enough for a baby that can’t sit up 100% and you certainly can’t sleep in it. *sigh*

Good luck!

Where can you find baby cribs that aren’t made in China?

July 15th, 2009

One of my friends is pregnant and is looking for a crib not made in China. I wanted to buy the crib for her but I can’t find one anywhere. Do you all have any suggestions as to where I can find one?

I’m partial to Amish made things ( I own an Amish furniture store), but you may look at an Amish furniture store..everything we have in our store is made in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio..NOT china! and that is awesome we have sold a lot of Amish toys, because they are American made..I have an Amish crib for my youngest step son (well..I did he’s 4 now so he’s a little big for it now!!..lol), but that would be my recommendation it may be a little more expensive, but at least you’d be sure that your baby is safe! good luck!! and have a happy new year!

Are their toys made for convertible car seats for baby to play with while in the car?

July 15th, 2009

I know we have several of the ones on links for the infant carrier but I was wondering if there is anything for the "big girl or big boy" car seats????
My daughter is 9 months.

Just things for them to hang on to…. nothing that actually attaches to the car seat. We tried to make anything and everything work, but nothing did. My son outgrew the infant carrier at 6 months old, so we had to put him into a convertible car seat facing rear. So he was still really young and therefore constantly dropping toys, but yet he was old enough to want some toys since he wasn’t just sleeping in the car. We just had to give him big, soft toys that were safe to go in his mouth and that he couldn’t hurt himself with. We kept a small bin of them on the floor of the car so that when he dropped one, I could easily give him another one.

EDIT: I see someone mentioned the trays…. I didn’t know how old of a child you are talking about using them for. I just assumed you meant for an infant who was still rear-facing. The trays only work once they are front-facing in my opinion. A baby still rear-facing and reclined back isn’t going to be able to successfully play with anything on the tray. But if you mean for a toddler who is front-facing, the trays are great.

Is it safe to put a baby car seat in a Jeep TJ?

July 13th, 2009

Hello eveyone! I’m just wondering if anybody can help me out. I am currently 5 months pregnant and I’m expecting my baby in July. I have a 1997 Jeep TJ and was wondering if anyone knows it is a safe vehicle to drive with a small rear facing infant car seat? The reason I ask is that the back seat of a Jeep Wrangler is a little more narrow then that of a car, also the back seats sit so high up that there is no metal protecting the baby since the window starts right about where the seat is… Anyways if someone knows anything about this or knows where I could find the info I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
I woulnd’t take the roof off, and I have a fiber glass hard top on it right now.

i would bring this concern up to a pediatrician, they are the ones that would be better able to answer it.

but honestly if you don’t feel it would be safe, then you shouldn’t. i wouldn’t go anywhere if you did put the baby in it without the top on, because that could be way too much wind on a baby

Baby bjorn carriers, how long is it safe to carry baby for?

July 13th, 2009

We go for very long walks with our dog. Is baby happy enough sitting in a bjorn carrier for that long?

Also i cannot get my baby to turn his head to the side when facing me, he has his face against my chest and i worry he will be unable to breath, any advice??!!

i used a baby bjorn until just this month — ruby is now 10 months old and it was starting to hurt my back. and she is light — 17 pounds. it is "safe" to use the bjorn till 25 pounds, but it really depends on your size and your body. however, my baby LOVED the bjorn. we used it for super long walks every day; she was always happy in there. facing you is fine; he can breathe! someone on this site recommended the Beco baby carrier to me since i can’t use the bjorn anymore. i just got it, and it is FANTASTIC. if you haven’t bought the bjorn yet, i really recommend the beco. it will last longer. the only downside is you can’t do front, facing out carry. BUT, you can wear it on the front or as a backpack. good luck.

Can you share your experience with me, please?What is the best for the baby - day care or babysitting?

July 13th, 2009

My baby is almost 1 year. I think of a day care for her. But…I do not know what is best. Do they really take good care of babies or I should go with a babysitting, which I am not sure about neither - i’ve recently seen on TV a couple of home videos of a really bad treatment of babysitters. So, can you share your experience with me please.Thank you.

I think that day care is a much better alternative when it comes to your child learning. With a babysitter you really don’t know if they are taking good care of your child, cause they’re at a house with no supervision. I always had my daughter in a daycare cause they interact with other children. Also they wont be so afraid when its time to go to school.

Are the Storkcraft baby cribs from Walmart the exact same as the Storkcraft cribs from Sears?

July 13th, 2009

Does anyone know if I order a crib at Walmart that has the same crib name as a crib at Sears, if it is the exact same product? For example, Walmart sells the ‘Storkcraft Deborah Stages Crib’ for $229.99 but Sears sells it for $379.99. Sears doesn’t provide item #’s online or in the catalogue so I can’t compare. I’m worried that if I purchase the crib at Walmart, that it’s not the same quality as the one from Sears.

Yes they are the exact same!! i know this is days later but i was in walmart the other day and there is a RECALL on storkcraft cribs so be careful

My husband and I don’t want to take childbirth or baby care classes. Did you take the classes?

July 11th, 2009

I have helped raise my two little brothers and I have taken care of kids for many years.

My husband has never really been around kids and held a newborn baby for the first time a couple of months ago.

I found 3 childbirth DVDs that have childcare, breastfeeding, Lamaze, etc on it. Its about 6 hours on each DVD.

We were thinking about watching the interactive DVDs and reading the many baby books we bought.

If he felt uncomfortable still, then we would go to the classes.

Did you take the classes? Any advice?

I didn’t take it any childbirth classes, but I did take an infant care and CPR class. I felt it was very valuable even though I have babysay numerous infants and such.

The doctors and nurses told me exactly what to do during childbirth and I did what came naturally. 7 pushes and my son was out. I am sure you’ll do fine.

I was sooooo worried childbirth would be terrible, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined, in fact, it was much easier. I hope you have the same expirience!
Best wishes!