A very dear friend of mine recently told me that she is expecting! I am ecstatic for her and her husband, and it got me to thinking about the things we were given or that we bought/borrowed/stole that were fantastic when Tabetha was just a wee beeble. I think I'm going to break this up into three posts - the stuff I'm glad we had, the stuff that wasn't worth it or that didn't work for us, and the stuff I wish we'd had!
Car seat
When Tabetha was an infant we had the Maxicosi Mico, and I still don't think there's a much better infant seat available in Canada - and you have to spend twice as much to get something that comes in the same range.
But! You do not need an infant seat at all! When Tabby was just about 4 months we got a Sunshine Kids RadianXT (the company now goes by Diono) and it is safer than an infant seat, it is good from 5 to 60 pounds, Tabetha liked it better, and it gets rid of the temptation to carry the baby around in the infant seat, which isn't particularly good for baby and can give you a wicked case of carpal tunnel. If I were doing it again, I would skip the infant seat and get a really high quality convertible from the start. They're steel framed, not plastic, it saves money in the long run, it's just a better idea.
Baby carrier
A good baby carrier is a must, and in my opinion, the Babyhawk is the best. I've written about it before here already though, so I won't repeat myself. :o)
Diapers
Contrary to popular belief, cloth diapering is just as easy as disposables, it's cheaper, and you do NOT have to touch anything gross (or at least not anymore than with disposables). In this house we love love love our AMPs and BumGenius. In both cases I like the one size - one size diaper from birth to potty training. Easy. AMPs fit newborns better and come in more and nicer colours - and leak a little less BumGenius are a bit more daycare friendly and have a couple super awesome patterns. yum! For me, the critical factors are snaps instead of velcro, one size, adequate leg elastic, sturdy construction, and cute colours.
Diaper bag
My diaper bag is a Petunia Picklebottom touring tote in Frolicking in Fez. It is GORGEOUS. I take it to work and get MANY compliments on it. It wipes clean. It has nifty little stroller clips. It's the perfect size. I adore it. They are expensive.... but sooo worth it!
Okay, I guess this part will take more than one post. More to come!
Showing posts with label car seat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car seat. Show all posts
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Car seat controversy
Most parents are probably aware that there are new american recommendations suggesting that babies be kept rear facing until 2, rather than just until they are 12 months and 20 lbs. Tabetha is now 15 months and over 25 lbs, and still rear facing. We've discussed turning her to face forwards when she reaches the average weight of a 2 year old - about 27 lbs for a girl.
Those same recommendations are now saying that children should be in booster seats until approximately age 12, which seems absolutely ludicrous to me. I didn't have a lot to base that feeling on, though, until I watched this video. I really recommend watching it - if nothing else, there is some really surprising footage of actual crash tests that I think you should see.
Now, Steven Levitt and the audience spend a lot of time focused on the younger age group, which was initially where my thoughts went too - after all, I don't have an older child. As I was thinking more about it though, I started wondering whether it was age that was the determining factor? size? what about rear vs. foreward facing, did that impact the results? the answers aren't in the talk, so I've turned my attention to the other end of the spectrum.
Booster seats range from $100cdn up to $300cdn+. Children can be moved to a booster once they are 40 lbs and about 40 inches tall - generally around 4 and a half years old. They have to stay in one until they are 9 years old or 4'9" tall, whichever comes first (in British Columbia - local laws may vary).
If Steven is right and normal car seat belts are just as safe or safer than car seats after the second birthday, why exactly are we spending the money? And more to the point, where are the studies proving Steven wrong, and justifying our governments MAKING us spend this money to possibly make our children less safe?
Those same recommendations are now saying that children should be in booster seats until approximately age 12, which seems absolutely ludicrous to me. I didn't have a lot to base that feeling on, though, until I watched this video. I really recommend watching it - if nothing else, there is some really surprising footage of actual crash tests that I think you should see.
Now, Steven Levitt and the audience spend a lot of time focused on the younger age group, which was initially where my thoughts went too - after all, I don't have an older child. As I was thinking more about it though, I started wondering whether it was age that was the determining factor? size? what about rear vs. foreward facing, did that impact the results? the answers aren't in the talk, so I've turned my attention to the other end of the spectrum.
Booster seats range from $100cdn up to $300cdn+. Children can be moved to a booster once they are 40 lbs and about 40 inches tall - generally around 4 and a half years old. They have to stay in one until they are 9 years old or 4'9" tall, whichever comes first (in British Columbia - local laws may vary).
If Steven is right and normal car seat belts are just as safe or safer than car seats after the second birthday, why exactly are we spending the money? And more to the point, where are the studies proving Steven wrong, and justifying our governments MAKING us spend this money to possibly make our children less safe?
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