What to Expect the First Year (15 page)
Read What to Expect the First Year Online
Authors: Heidi Murkoff
⢠Jogger stroller. Looking for a way to get back into shape and bring baby along for the ride? If you're an avid jogger or enjoy long walks in the country or otherwise off the pavement, a jogger stroller might be the right choice for you. These strollers have three large wheels and great suspension, provide a smooth ride for your little passenger on all terrains thanks to shock absorbers, and are easy to maneuver. Many have a braking system and come with wrist straps and a storage pouch or basket. Most aren't designed to tote newborns, so if you're looking to hit the jogging path sooner rather than later, choose one that is designed with younger babies in mind (carefully check and follow the manufacturer's age and weight recommendations). The biggest downside to the jogging stroller is the fixed front wheel, which makes it difficult to turn. Not to mention the large size, which could make it tough to navigate through crowded spaces and be a challenge to fold and store.
⢠Double (or triple) stroller. If you're expecting baby number two and you have a toddler at home, or if you'll be toting twins, you'll need a double stroller (or triple if you're expecting triplets, have a toddler and new twins, or have twin toddlers and a new baby). Double strollers offer the convenience of pushing two children as comfortably (almost) as pushing one. Choose from side-by-side models or front-to-back ones (one seat in front of the other). If you're buying a side-by-side model, look for one that has reclining seats and can fit through doorways and aisles (most do, but some are too wide for narrow passageways). A tandem model is great for a newborn and a toddler but can be heavy to push, and when baby gets bigger or if you have twins, your little ones may fight over who gets the “front seat.” These models often accept two car seats to operate as a travel system for as long as your babies fit into their infant car seats, and then serve as a regular stroller after that. Another option if you have an older child: a single seat stroller that has a sitting ledge or standing platform in the front or back so big sib can hitch a ride.
Regardless of which type of stroller you buy, be sure it meets current safety standards. A good brand will also have buckles that are easy for you (but not your crafty baby) to latch and unlatch. Seat belts should fit snugly around your
baby's waist and crotch, be adjustable, and be comfortable. A jogging stroller should have a five-point harness (with shoulder straps) for maximum safetyânearly all new models do, but an older one might not. Washable fabric and padding that is removable are a plus, as you'll find out the first time the diaper leaks or the juice spills.
Each type of stroller comes with its own set of bells and whistles. Decide from the many available features what you won't be able to live without, what you'll find useful, and what you probably won't end up needing at all: a large basket or storage area (don't overload handles with bags or other items, since the weight could tip the stroller over and baby with it), adjustable handle height if anyone who will be pushing the stroller is very tall, a rain shield, a mosquito net, a child feeding tray, a cup holder for parents, a sun canopy or umbrella, an adjustable footrest, one-handed fold, one-handed steering. Most important: Before buying any stroller, take it for a test drive in the store to see how easy it is to handle, how comfortable it is, and how it folds and unfolds.
Car seat.
Car seats aren't just for your peace of mind and your baby's safetyâthey're required by law. In fact, most hospitals won't even let you take your baby home unless you have a rear-facing infant car seat securely strapped into your car's backseat. Even if you don't own a car, you'll need a car seat if you ever plan to get into a cab or transportation van, go for a drive in someone else's car, or rent a car. More than any other item on your shopping list, this is the one to have on hand (and installed) before that first contraction hits.
When choosing a car seat, be sure it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Never borrow an older car seat (besides potentially not meeting current safety requirements, the plastic tends to become brittle and weakâand therefore unsafeâover time) or use one that's already been in even a minor crash (it could have been damaged by the forces of the impactâeven if you don't see any obvious damage). Some car seats have “do-not-use-after” dates stamped on the bottom or expiration dates on the model number sticker, so be sure to check for that before borrowing or buying one used. Also be sure to send in the registration card or register online so the manufacturer can notify you if there is a recall on your car seat.
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for information on installing your baby's car seat properly and for more safety tips.
For the first 2 years, your little one will be in a car seat that faces the rear of the car (in the backseat onlyânever place a car seat up front). That's because a rear-facing child safety seat does a much better job of protecting a young child in a car crash than those that face forward. In a rear-facing car seat, the child's head, neck, and spine are better supported, making the risk of serious injury much less likely. Research shows that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to be severely or fatally injured in a crash if they are rear-facing while riding.
The five-point harness has five straps: two at the shoulders, two at the hips, and one at the crotch. All new car seats are equipped with a five-point harnessâand that's a good thing, since it offers more points of protection.
You'll have two choices of rear-facing car seats:
⢠Infant car seat. Most models have a stay-in-car detachable base that allows you to quickly install the car seat (after baby's safely buckled in, you simply lock the seat into the base) and quickly remove it once you've arrived at your destination. The seat can also be used outside the car (to tote or seat baby wherever you go). The biggest advantage of an infant car seat is that it's designed to fit a little baby, offering a more comfortable ride for a newbornâand potentially, the safest. The downside to the infant car seat? Your infant won't be an infant for long, and once his or her shoulders reach above the highest harness position or your little bruiser reaches the maximum weight for the infant seat (depending on the size of your baby, it could happen at anywhere from 9 to 18 months), it's time for a new ride for your baby. Since your little one will have to stay rear-facing until he or she is at least age 2, you'll have to switch to a convertible seat (see next bullet). Car seat too big for your small (or preemie) baby? Be sure the car seat is made for small babies (most are designed to accommodate babies starting at 4 or 5 pounds). Some seats come with the option of an insert for preemies or very small babies.
A rear-facing car seat should be used until age 2âor until the child outgrows the weight limit (usually around 35 pounds). The harness slots should be at or below your baby's shoulders and the harness chest clip should be at the infant's armpit level. Check the instructions to see how the carrying handle should be positioned during travel. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle.
⢠Convertible car seat. Convertible car seats can be adjusted and converted from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing oneâbut more relevant for the first year, they can accommodate bigger and heavier babies in the rear-facing position than the infant car seats can. They are also long lasting, able to accommodate a child up to 40 to 60 pounds. The only problem: The fit of a convertible seat may be slightly less secure for a newborn, so if you choose this model, make sure your baby fits snugly in it.
A convertible seat. Designed for children from birth to around 40 to 60 pounds, this unit faces the rear in a semi-reclining position for infant use, then can be switched to an upright, front-facing position when baby is older (over age 2). When in the front-facing position, the car seat should be in the upright position, and the shoulder straps should be moved to the slots above your child's shoulders. The harness chest clip should be at your child's armpit level. Place this seat (and all children under the age of 13) in the rear seat of the vehicle.
If the car seat you choose seems too loose for your newborn, use a padded head bumper or rolled-up blanket to pad
around
his or her body (not under or behind the body, which could affect the security of the harness) to keep your baby from wobbling. Use
only
inserts/positioners that came with the car seat. Aftermarket products (items that are made for car seats but are sold separately from the car seat) are not regulated, do not have to pass any crash or safety tests, and might make your baby less safe. What's more, using them will void the car seat's warranty.
When it's cold outside, you'll need to dress your baby in a snowsuit or other heavy coat. Problem is, it's unsafe to strap a bundled-up baby into a car seat because the seat's harnesses need to be as close to the baby's body as possible to keep him or her properly secured. Which is why many parents turn to (or are gifted with) thick and cuddly car seat covers that thread through the harness straps and act like a buntingâkeeping baby cozy and warm on even the coldest of days. Sounds greatâright? Wrong. You're better off skipping these car seat accessories since they don't meet federal safety guidelines (despite what the manufacturers state on the packaging) and they're not safe for your little one. Anything that goes under or behind your baby's body and the harness straps will make the straps too loose and will interfere with the properâand safeâfunctioning of the straps, making your baby unsafe and more prone to injury during a car crash. In fact, many car seat manufacturers will void your car seat warranty if you use a car seat cover.
A better option for cold weather? A bunting that baby wears and that has a slot on the bottom to slip the car seat strap through. Another option? A car seat cover that goes around the entire car seat only. Or strap your unbundled (but warmly dressedâhat included) baby into the car seat, then cover baby with a light blanket that gets tucked into the sides of the car seat (but not under baby's body) and top with a warm blanket over the entire car seat. Snug and warm as a bugâand most important, safe and secure.
Ditto for any aftermarket item you purchase for your baby's car seat (head positioners, toy bars, anti-escape clips, and so on). If it doesn't come with the car seat itself, it isn't subject to the same rigorous approval requirements and therefore can actually make your little one less safeâplus, using them will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Is your car seat properly LATCHed in? The LATCH safety seat attachment system (for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) makes correct installation of a car seat much less complicated because you don't need to use seat belts to secure the safety seat.
Vehicles made after model year 2002 have lower anchors located between the vehicle's seat cushion and seat back, which enables a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat to be latched into the anchors for a secure fit. Forward-facing child car seats are also equipped with top tether strap attachments. The adjustable tether strap is a belt that better stabilizes the car seat and reduces the potential for your child's head to be thrown forward in a collision. The tether strap is anchored to the upper back of the child car seat and hooks into the rear shelf area or the floor of your vehicle.
Together, the lower anchors and upper tethers make up the LATCH system. Remember, if you have a car made before model year 2002, you still must use your car's seat belts to secure the car seat.
