Top 21 "Best Bet" Booster Seats

By Ashley H

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released their top "Best Bet" ratings for booster seats providing a correct fit across a range of vehicles. There were 21 boosters total in the top rated category. Since being Smarty about choices for our families is goal #1 here at CSP, we wanted to recap their tips and findings to keep our Smarty families as safe as possible while on the road.

The Smarty Facts (as issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety):
When deciding on the best booster for your child, fit is first. This is a case when you need to completely ignore pretty. Something that matches your style won't save your child from injury (or worse yet, life) in an accident if the fit is not correct.

Booster seats are getting better and safer. Last year only 9 boosters made the "Best Bet" list, this year it's 21. Bravo to those companies for the commitment to excellence! Another 36 models received marginal marks because while they may fit some children in some vehicles, they didn't measure up with an optimal fit across enough vehicles.

When you shop for the best booster for your child, pay close attention to each booster seat diagram outlining how the seat belt should lie across your child's shoulders and lap. While a poorly positioned belt could safe lives, it could also result in risk of internal injuries in a crash.

A secure seat belt fit= shoulder belt should fit across middle of the joint, not too close to neck nor too far. When the belt is too close to neck children often get uncomfortable and wriggle out, when too far over it allows for too much movement and puts them at grave risk in event of accident. The lap belt should be positioned across the thighs (when it falls across the abdomen it puts child at risk for damage to intestine and spine in a crash).

A common misconception is that high backed boosters are safer than backless, however both options made the top 21 list.

As always, the safest option is to have your booster seat checked in your area with a car seat fitting station, most of the time these are free though some may require an appointment. Quickest way to find one of these is to type your community and "car seat fitting" in to your search engine.

21 top-rated booster seats (*good mix of all price points)
*Britax Frontier 85 (combination highback); about $210
*Chicco Keyfit Strada (dual highback); about $170
*Clek Oobr (dual highback); about $275
*Cosco Juvenile Pronto (dual highback); about $30
*Cybex Solution X-Fix (highback); about $200
*Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (dual highback); about $80
*Evenflo Big Kid Amp (backless); about $25
*Evenflo Maestro (combination highback); about $60
*Graco TurboBooster Crawford (dual highback); about $45
*Harmony Baby Armor (dual highback); about $115
*Harmony Dreamtime (dual backless); about $50
*Harmony Dreamtime (dual highback); about $50
*Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe (backless); about $20
*Harmony Youth Booster Seat (backless); about $30
*Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (dual highback); about $120
*Recaro ProBOOSTER (highback); about $130
*Recaro ProSPORT (combination highback); about $280
*Recaro Vivo (highback); about $90
*Recaro Young Sport (combination highback); about $250
*Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (dual highback); about $240
*The First Years Pathway B570 (highback); about $75

For the Institute's full report of "Best", "Good" and "Not Recommended" click here.

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Smarty Sponsor: The Club at Oak Branch

By Guest Blogger, Karen H

It's that time of the year again...Schools out and Summer is in!!!! What will your family be doing to cool off? Hit the WATER! Kids love it at any age, whether it’s the sprinkler in your yard, your neighborhood swimming pool, or a trip to the lake or beach. As a parent, you want to be sure that in addition to your kids having a great time, they have the skills to be safe around water. Why not help give your child the life long skills for water safety with swim lessons? They don’t have to become the next Michael Phelps, but at a minimum you want to teach your child how to be safe when in or around water.

The best swim lessons for kids focus on giving your child positive learning experiences in the water. The Club at Oak Branch offers nurturing, positive and encouraging swim lessons for infants as young as three months through the teenage years! Whether you’re interested in learning proper form and technique or you’re looking for that extra edge for competitive swimming, This is the place for swim instruction! Plus, if you mention Triad Smarty Pants when you call, you'll get 10% off any Summer Camp or Swim Session!!!!


Swim lessons at The Club emphasize your child’s individual needs and skill level. They offer small class sizes and qualified experienced staff who encourage a whole life approach to swim lessons. Not only will your child learn proper form, your child will gain confidence, self-esteem and an inner sense of accomplishment as they learn new skills and progress through their lessons. They also encourage their swimmers to participate in new challenges beyond their lessons with events like our “Fun Swim Meet" and “Youth Triathlon”. These events emphasize personal best and the thrill of accomplishment in an enjoyable non-threatening environment. Kids love to learn that, yes - they can do it!

This is a great testimonial from a parent whose child took lessons at The Club:
"My son has taken swimming classes at The Club at Oak Branch for more than seven years. He started as a baby and now swims all four strokes very well at the swim team level. The Aquatics Director, Maria Gonzalez, is very approachable and always accommodating. She strives to be certain every student is completely satisfied with their swimming education and experience. The Club at Oak Branch has the nicest pool in Greensboro! My son loves the slides, basketball goal, underwater music, and Jacuzzi. I enjoy being able to watch him swim while I exercise upstairs. Most importantly, my son has always enjoyed his swimming classes at here. As a result, he has developed a love for swimming and genuinely looks forward to each class. Swimming is a wonderful life skill and The Club at Oak Branch is a great place for kids to learn to swim."

For parents who are looking for suggestions on helping their children enjoy water and become swimmers, the easiest way is to start from the beginning! As infants, make bath time a relaxed and fun time for your baby. Gently sprinkle water on your little one’s face, play games and sing songs to make bath time a pleasant experience. Get in the tub or shower with baby! Your infant will pick up on your cues that this is a safe, fun and welcoming environment, a warm and nurturing time to enjoy. Repetition of making bath time, and later on swim time, a fun positive place to be, encourages your child to enjoy the water.

As your child grows into toddlerhood, they realize that separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage for your child to go through. One of life’s great lessons for kids (and adults!) to learn, is that yes, it’s okay to be un-certain of new things, but if you just TRY, you learn you CAN do it, and WOW! The boost to self esteem and sense of independence your child achieves from that is huge! You can help them with this stage by maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude that they are going to have a great time and learn amazing things in their swim class, and they can show you all about it! Make bath and swim time a place for special toys (squirt toys, floating toys, balls, etc), give Spiderman or that special baby doll water time too! If your child is fearful, try to pinpoint what is their specific worry. Sometimes it’s as simple as a pair of goggles to protect eyes or a warm coverup for when class is over. You are your child’s best role model. Be patient, be encouraging, be positive. Remember it can be hard to learn new things, but what an adventure when you do!

In addition to The Club’s swim sessions, we also offer several Summer Camp options:

-Full Day Camp (for kids 5-12 yrs old) or a Half-Day Camp
option for 2 1/2 to 5 year olds.
-Weekly themed camps—pick your favorites-Pirates, Legos, Mad Scientists and more!
-We also offer Sports Specific Camps and Swim Camps!

All camp options include daily swim lessons!!! Your child is sure to love the summer time while at The Club at Oak Branch!

*Remember, mention Triad Smarty Pants when you call and get 10% off any Summer Camp or Swim Session!!!!

For more information please contact Maria Gonzalez or Karen Heist.
(336)851-1890 ext 1102
The Club at Oak Branch
Greensboro,NC kidsprograms@pyramids.org
www.pyramids.org

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How Do You Talk to Your Kids About Talking to Strangers?

By Katie M

I just saw the movie The Lovely Bones, and even though it’s been years since reading the book, I cried just the same. The story begins with the murder (and implied rape) of a young girl who, for the rest of the story, narrates her experiences from Heaven as she and her family seek revenge. It’s a tough story – both to watch and to read – but it sheds light on an important and harrowing lesson all parents must somehow communicate and confront with their children. I think the scariest part is knowing Susie Salmon, the main character in the story, is 14-years-old (an age when you’d think she’d know better than to get in such a situation) and was lured by her neighbor (not necessarily a “stranger”) into a remote place where the crime was committed.

The whole scenario presented by The Lovely Bones is undoubtedly my greatest fear as a parent as I’m sure it is with you. It’s not something you can discuss with your child and assume it will sink in. You can have the whole talk about not talking to strangers, but what about people who aren’t necessarily strangers in the eyes of your child?

Consider the whole Natalee Holloway story, a different twist on the topic of strangers. She was 18 and left her friends with a boy her own age who she innocently trusted. I was completely addicted this story and watched Greta Van Susteren night after night. At the time my daughter was only a year old, but I could not peel myself away from the horrifying details and unthinkable grief her family must have been (and are still) going through.

I also inherited a lot of paranoia on this topic from my mother, and for good reason. When my mom was six-years-old she came close to being a victim of one of these horrible situations. She had gotten off the school bus at her friend’s house, and then later walked home by herself. (I know it’s impossible to think of a six-year-old walking home by herself, but it was the early 1950s and, as you know, it was a completely different world). My mom was wearing her Catholic school uniform, and a strange man approached her saying his daughter was starting at the same Catholic school but didn’t know anyone in her class. He asked if my mom could come home with him to meet her, and as a trusting six-year-old would do, my mom agreed to get in his car.

At that point he drove her to a deserted field outside of town and exposed himself. Literally - and luckily - at that same moment, my mom remembers a bunch of dogs and its owner coming up over a hill near the car, and the stranger drove away before anything worse happened and dropped my mom at the local YMCA. Little did the stranger know, but that YMCA was right around the corner from my mom’s house, so she walked home thinking nothing about what had happened except that she was going to be in trouble for not coming straight home from school. As soon as she turned onto her street, the police were already at her house waiting to question her about the man and his car. She was lucky to say the least! And her own memory also protected her. It wasn’t for another 20+ years before my mom recalled everything! It all came back to her in the middle of the night after she had been married for several years. (Unfortunately she doesn't think that man was ever caught.)

So, needless to say, that first day of kindergarten for me – leaving my mom and taking the bus by myself – was not an easy task for my mom! And to make matters worse, I forgot to get off the bus after school - throwing my mom into a huge panic attack – but I was ok :)

So, let’s get back to the topic of teaching children about strangers. As soon as The Lovely Bones ended, the four of us (all moms) said we were going straight home to - once again - talk to our children about not talking to strangers. But it’s more than just “don’t talk to strangers,” it’s also “don’t go anywhere with anyone unless Mommy or Daddy say it’s ok.”

But how do you communicate this message about people who aren’t necessarily strangers? Or people our children innocently think must be OK because they have a child who goes to their school (or so my mom thought)? How do you talk about all this without making your outgoing and happy child unsociable and paranoid? Or what if your child ever gets separated from you? They will have no choice but to seek help from a stranger. And if you think about it, just about everyone is a stranger to a child, at least at first, including police officers.

It’s a lot to think about – for both the parents and the children. You can come up with rules, but not all rules are practical. Situations constantly change, and with that, the rules change too. So to simplify things, we are following these steps with our children for now:

1.) Be polite to everyone, but never go anywhere with anyone unless Mommy or Daddy (or their current caregiver) says it is ok.
2.) If they are ever separated from us, they need to seek out someone in uniform (and that can be a police officer, a security guard, a cashier, or even a waiter) to talk to. This means we are also working on identifying all the different possible “uniforms” with our children.

So please add your thoughts. What are your rules, and what smarty advice can you add to this topic?

Don't forget to register to win $25 gift cards (plus $25 gift cards for each of your three girlfriends) to shop at Beverly Hills on Main and Harry Smidgepodge in Jamestown! Click here to get all the scoop, and to register. The winner will be randomly picked on Friday, Feb. 11 and announced Feb. 14. Good luck, Smarties!

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Travel Safely With Toddlers This Holiday Season

By Marjorie Wrenn, a Child Safety Expert

When children first begin to crawl, their curiosity about the world around them triples as they explore any and everything. Pre-schoolers develop motor skills but they have poor impulse control and judgment. Children don’t have the strength, coordination nor maturity to avoid injury and their curiosity is a powerful force. As a result, they enter one of the most dangerous times of their lives when they are at the highest risk for injury. Preventable injuries in the home are the number one cause of death of children. These injuries also transfer to any environment where you are with your infant or toddler. That can be a hotel room while on vacation, grandma’s house, a rental property, etc.

The same precautions that you take at home should be taken at any of these temporary locations as they all have dangerous sliding doors, toilets that can cause drowning, doors that should not be opened by a toddler and sometimes access to toxic products that can cause a poisoning.

Child proofing needs to travel with you. I suggest you have a travel kit filled with door knob covers, electrical outlet covers, sliding door blocks, toilet seat locks, a first aid kit, a poison antidote, etc. to ensure the protection of your small children.

Also, should there be an accident while your child is with a caregiver, be sure you have a Medical Authorization form completed and notarized so that caregiver can authorize medical care should you not be available. If, for instance, there is a poisoning and your child is rushed to the hospital while you are finally out for that long awaited romantic dinner, the grandmother cannot authorize care without a Medical Authorization form. You don’t want the physicians just standing by waiting for you to arrive when they could be saving your child’s life. An emergency telephone list with details of your child’s blood type, allergies, etc. should also be with each caregiver.

There is absolutely no greater devastation than losing a child and certainly that devastation is compounded when the loss is due to a preventable accident. Your question is not will your child find hazards, but when. Take the extra precautions today to prevent a trip to the emergency room tomorrow.

For a Travel Safety Kit perfect for protecting mischievous toddlers, contact Marjoie at spinaker12@msn.com.

Did you travel with your toddlers this holiday season? If so, share your stories, advice and lessons learned!

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What's the Deal with the 8/80 Rule?

By Katie M, with introduction previously written by Jen B. of Charlotte Smarty Pants

If you want to see the "art of the car seat" (as I call it), you need to see Jen P's car. Boy that thing is rigged up. When I was in her car it was funny to see all the stages represented of the "car seat life-cycle." Three car seats across the second row (the twins were rear-facing at that time and Isabel forward facing) and then Ansley is in the way back in a booster seat. She has to get in from the back tailgate door of the SUV since the car seats cannot be moved. That makes me laugh. So what are the North Carolina laws on car seats EXACTLY? It is different from state to state so it's worth talking about here. - JB

Becoming familar with NC's car seat rules is not an easy task! For instance, if you're like me and get all mixed up about the “8/80” rule (Is it “8 OR 80” or “8 AND “80”???), then this your blog. I pulled some key points from www.BuckleUpNC.org. There is a TON of useful information on this site and you may want to go back to read it in its entirety - especially if you are a new mom or mom-to-be. But below are key points every mom should be familiar with.

What are the basic requirements of this law?
All children less than 16 years old must be buckled up in either the front or back seat.

A child who is younger than age 8 and who weighs less than 80 pounds must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device (CRD) that meets Federal standards and is appropriate for the child's weight and height. Belt-positioning booster seats can be used for larger children between 40 and 80 pounds in lap and shoulder belt seating positions. Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt.

When a child reaches age 8 (regardless of weight) or 80 pounds (regardless of age), a properly fitted seat belt may be used instead of a booster.

If traveling in a car that does not have a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure a belt-positioning booster, a child (who weighs at least 40 pounds) may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only.

WARNING: Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt. Belt-positioning booster seats can only be used with lap and shoulder seat belts.

Is it "8 OR 80" or "8 AND 80"???
The issue of who is required to be in a child restraint (CR) or booster seat, and who can legally use just the vehicle seat belt, can be confusing. The answer lies in which question is being asked:

Q: Is my child required to be in a booster seat or other child restraint?
A: Children who are both less than age 8 AND less than 80 pounds are required to be in some type of child restraint. "Some type of child restraint" includes booster seats.

Q: When can I switch my child to just a seat belt without a booster seat?
A: When a child reaches age 8 (regardless of weight) OR reaches 80 pounds (regardless of age), a properly fitted seat belt may be used instead of a child restraint/booster to restrain the child. Note, however, that placing the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back is both dangerous and illegal.

SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. has developed a simple "5-Step Test" to see if a child is big enough to ride in a lap and shoulder belt combination:
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the answer is "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to ride safely in the car.

When can I turn my baby around to face to the front of the car?
NC Law does not say anything about when to turn a child around to face the front of the vehicle, so it is legal to turn a child around whenever allowed to do so according to the manufacturer's instructions.

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines are that children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 lb to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Furthermore, the AAP recommends that children be kept rear-facing at least until age two for maximum protection. Children are five times safer riding rear-facing than forward-facing into the second year of life.

When can my child ride in the front seat?
It is legal in NC for a child to ride in the front seat:
• If the child is age 5 or older, OR
• If the child weighs at least 40 pounds, OR
• If the vehicle does not have an active passenger side air bag, OR
• If the vehicle does not have a rear seat where the child restraint can be installed.

However, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that:
• All children age 12 and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat.
• Infants in rear facing child safety seats should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger side air bag.
• Small children should ride in a rear seat in full harness type child safety seats appropriate for their age and size.
• Larger children should ride in a rear seat in a belt positioning booster until large enough for the lap and shoulder belt to fit correctly.
• If a child over one year old MUST ride in the front seat with a passenger side air bag, put the child in a front facing full harness child restraint, a belt-positioning booster seat, or a correctly fitting lap and shoulder belt -- AND move the seat as far back as possible.
• If a child age 12 or younger MUST ride in the front seat with a passenger side air bag, have an air bag on/off switch installed and turn the air bag off when the child in the front seat.

If you're in the market for a first car seat or a new one, then keep checking in with Triad Smarty Pants. In the next week or so, I'll post some smarty tips on buying car seats - similar to my blog on stroller shopping.

Lots of info to digest! And like I mentioned above, there is plenty more to read about on www.BuckleUpNC.org. This blog does not include all laws, safety tips and recommendations.

Do you have any comments on this post? Be sure to submit below!

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Choking and Children: What to Know and How to Avoid It

By Katie M

My son, Henry, definitely has nine lives, maybe more. He is only 2½ and his little body seems to attract accidents. He's already had a trip to the emergency room (see my blog on "Things to Know in a Dental Emergency"). And while that was frightening, the worst scares we've had (and they have been numerous, unfortunately) are his near-choking episodes.

The latest choking episode happened just the other weekend. We went to visit friends in Wilmington and brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with us to the beach. At first Henry wouldn’t eat his sandwich because all he wanted to do was play. So we told him he had to take a few more bites before he could play with the big kids. In the excitement to get lunch over with, he must have stuffed his little mouth with too much of the sandwich because the next thing I saw (and this happened within seconds) was him falling over face-first in the sand as a result of choking.

I immediately jumped up and did something they always tell you NOT to do – I stuck my finger back in his mouth, hooked my finger, and pulled out the sandwich. Luckily, the sandwich wasn’t lodged in his throat (although it was blocking his airway), and my finger hook method worked. Please know that every doctor will tell you NOT to do this because of the dangers of lodging the obstruction further down the air pipe. But sometimes panic supercedes reason, like it did in this case. And fortunately we were lucky this time.

Choking is one of my biggest fears. Despite the fact that I am obsessed with chopping up my children's food into teeny, tiny bites, these situations can still occur - and lots of times it's not due to big chunks of food - but rather foreign objects or swallowing too much food at once.

If choking is your biggest fear as well, read on. I went online and found some information from the American Academy of Pediatrics, including lists of potentially dangerous foods and non-food items for children under age 4, and tips for parents to prevent your child from choking. All of this information is found below.

Additionally, our Smarty Sponsor Brenner Children's Hospital is offering a free CPR course on Saturday, October 24th from 1 to 4 pm. (Be sure to get this on your calendar now so you won't forget!). This free, three-hour class taught by certified CPR instructor and BestHealth nurse, Kim Nelson-Wood, includes CPR for adults and children. This class cannot be taken for professional certification. For more information, go online to www.besthealth.com.

Best Health also offers helpful information and steps online for performing the Heimlich Maneuver on infants, children, adults, and yourself.

Potentially Dangerous Foods for Children Under Age 4
• Hot dogs
• Nuts and seeds
• Chunks of meat or cheese
• Whole grapes
• Hard, sticky candy
• Popcorn
• Chunks of peanut butter
• Raw vegetables
• Chewing gum
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Potentially Dangerous Nonfood Items for Young Children
• Balloons
• Coins
• Marbles
• Toys with small parts
• Toys that fit into a child's mouth
• Small balls
• Pens or marker caps
• Small button-type batteries
• Medicine syringes
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Tips for Parents: Prevent Your Child from Choking
• Keep children seated while they are eating. Don't let them walk or run with food in their mouths.
• Cut food for infants and small children into pieces no larger than one-half inch. Tell them to chew food thoroughly.
• Don't allow older children to share "hazardous" foods with younger siblings.
• Keep toys and household items with small parts out of reach of children.
• Pay attention to age recommendations made on toy packaging; often these designations reflect an assessment of potential choking hazards.
• Keep the area between furniture cushions clean: If children find small items there, they are likely to put them into their mouths.
• Prohibit infants and young children from handling coins.
• Enroll in an approved course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so that you can manage an emergency situation should one arise.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Please share any additional thoughts, concerns, or questions below!

Smarties, take note: This Friday is the last day to sign up for the fabulous FREE family portrait session with Andrea Halsey Photography! This promotion ends at Noon on Friday, July 17 and the winner will be announced on July 19. You must be a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber to enter. Just click here to register. Good luck!

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Stay Safe this Holiday Weekend

By Katie M

It's officially the start of Fourth of July weekend, so I thought I would dedicate this blog to ways you can stay safe with your family this busy holiday. The American Red Cross published a great list of safety tips – and since they are the safety experts – I thought I would share them with you. Please take a moment to read these tips before you head out to the lake, the beach or a backyard barbecue, and know this blog will always be archived under the Safety category on the left-hand side of Triad Smarty Pants. Enjoy the weekend!

Water Safety at the Pool and Beach:
• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
• Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice "reach supervision" by staying within an arm's length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.
• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
• Watch out for the "dangerous too's" - too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
• Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

Firework Safety:
• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Safe Grilling:
• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

For more safety tips or to register for a water safety, first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcross.org, or locally, you can visit the web site of our Smarty Sponsor, Brenner Children's Hospital, for information on infant, toddler and adult CPR classes.

And Smarties, don't forget to sign yourselves up for the fabulous FREE family portrait session with Andrea Halsey Photography. This promotion ends at Noon on Friday, July 17 and the winner will be announced on July 19. You must be a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber to enter. Just click here to register. Good luck!

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Smarty Infant Car Seat Tips

By Ashley H, Charlotte Smarty Pants

The key to an infant carrier is its safety, of course, and how lightweight it is. If you are a new mom-to-be reader, trust me you do NOT want to lug around a newborn plus tons of extra weight with the infant carrier itself!

Infant car seats are rear-facing seats designed for infants up to around 22 lbs and 26" in height. Infant car seats normally have a five-point harness to secure the baby in the carrier, which is then snapped into the base in your car. This way, you can snap the carrier in and out of your car without disturbing your newborn much. On average, infant seats last most parents about 6 months, depending on the weight/height of each child. Be sure to always check the sticker on the side of your infant carrier of choice. By law, the manufacturer has to list both height and weight limits. Once your child exceeds either, move him/her to a convertible car seat (see note below on height).

Another important safety note to new moms (thank goodness for child birth instructors that tell you these things), when you snap your carrier into the base of your car to run an errand make sure you push the infant carrier handle back down (towards the headrest as if you were moving it back to get your newborn out). This is the correct position for traveling in a car with infants, in the event of a collision if that handle were still locked upright (as if you were carrying the infant) it would prevent the seat from being able to absorb the shock of impact and cocoon your baby as designed to do for safety.

It is always best to try to buy a new infant car seat. But if you choose to go with a used seat (i.e. your girlfriend lets you borrow her's) then make sure:
* It is not more than 6 years old (look for a label on the seat to indicate the date it was made).
* It has never been in a crash, it's important to know the history of the seat.
* It has not been recalled. You can check at www.recalls.gov.
* It has labels explaining proper installation and the weight/height limits.
* It has the instruction manual.

Other top tips for the infant car seats include:
* Read the owner's booklets for both the car seat and your car before installing the seat.
* Install the seat rear-facing.
* Check the strap adjustments for your baby's size (they did this in the hospital for us as we were being sent home with the twins so we made sure we had the appropriate fit).
* Get your car seat inspected!!!! We followed our booklets for correct installation, line by line, and it still wasn't quite right when we had our's inspected. An inspection can also serve to make sure your car seat is secured at the correct angle, though many come with level indicators those aren't trusty given the variety of backseat designs in cars (the seat may not be correctly installed even if the level indicator reads fine). Many places offer this as a free service, we got lucky one day and had our's done while shopping at Babies-R-Us, they were offering them free that day in the parking lot. You can also check www.nhtsa.gov for an inspection station near you.
* In terms of height limits, it is generally safe to use your infant carrier until your child's head is 1" below the top of their seat or their shoulders exceed the top harness slot (even if their height is slightly above the stated limit).

With twins, we got on board the Double Snap-N-Go fan bus early on. It was our lifesaver! That lightweight frame was SO easy to get in and out of the car and a breeze to push through stores. So we went about selecting our infant car seats a bit backward, by choosing our travel system first and then finding carriers to fit it. Most infant carriers are supposed to work with the Snap-N-Go, meaning most should fit the frame and be able to be strapped down. However, I often hear moms prefer the Graco SnugRide for this frame; we chose to go with Graco for our 6 months in infant car seats as well and were happy with the brand. This was also the top choice in my version of Baby Bargains based on its ease of use, lightweight carrier (7 lbs) and adjustable base.

Tell us about your infant car seat flavor of choice and why. We want our new moms-to-be out there to be Smartified!”

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