Preparing for New Baby or Traveling with Baby this Summer

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2003, 1,591 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes and approximately 220,000 were injured. That's an average of four deaths and more than 600 injuries each day. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if babies were properly restrained. Inventive Parent (www.inventiveparent.com), a premiere online parenting resource and a provider of solutions invented by real moms and dads, is pleased to announce important baby passenger safety information. Designed to eliminate the confusion around rear-facing car seats and when or what type of car seat baby needs to be in, this is information parents should know whether preparing for new baby or traveling with baby this summer.

Types of Car Seats
There are two types of car seats for babies under one year old ? infant seat/carrier combinations and convertible car seats. Infant Seat/Carriers are designed for newborn babies through 20 or 22 pounds. They are designed to move in and out of the car. Some have bases that remain attached to the car's seat, others are buckled in and out and some have padded, crooked handles, or a stroller base.

Convertible car seats let you use the same seat from the day your baby is born through forty pounds. They will have both a rear-facing and forward-facing weight limit. The rear-facing limit may be as high as 30-35 pounds. They may have removable inserts that effectively make the seat smaller to fit an infant. This car seat is installed once, and stays put.

Compare the seats first for safety, then look at the added features. Pay careful attention to the weight limits on your seat. The seat will not protect your baby once he or she is bigger than the designated weight limit. If your baby is long and lean, watch where his head rests on the seat back. The entire head should be below the top of the seat. If he is sneaking up past the top, it is time to move to a convertible seat.

Rear-Facing
Many parents feel uncomfortable about having baby face the rear because they can't see baby, baby can't see scenery or where the car is traveling or baby is too far away. However, there is logical reasoning behind the requirement for babies to be in rear-facing car seats. During their first year, babies' neck muscles are not strong enough to support their heads unassisted. A rear-facing seat holds baby at a more reclined position than a forward facing seat. Cars move quickly, zig and zag, stop fast, run through holes and hit bumps. It takes considerable strength to counter all those movements. Your baby is never prepared for those sudden movements. If your baby weighs 20 or more pounds before his first birthday, you should be using a convertible seat in the rear-facing position. Speak with your pediatrician about the best time to turn your baby around; all babies are different and have different needs. Some safety experts, postulating that mild Shaken Baby Syndrome may be suffered through months of accumulated shakes from unsupported motion in a baby carrier, bike seat or forward-facing car seat, would like to keep children rear facing through 18-24 months.

Tips for Using a Rear-Facing Car Seat

· Read and follow the instructions that came with your seat and with your car.

· Make sure the seat is firmly attached to your car.

· Fit harness straps through the seat below baby's shoulders so that the straps run up and over the shoulders.

· Keep the straps snug. If you can pinch the edges of a strap together between your fingers, the straps are too loose.

· Do not put heavy clothing, jackets, blankets or sweaters on your baby because this bulk keeps the straps from fitting snugly. Your baby could scoot around under the straps just like a hand inside a mitten--not very secure in case of an emergency.

· Place blankets over the straps, not under them.

· Make sure the straps are level, even and not twisted.

· Do not cover your baby's face.

· Place the chest clip level and in line with baby's armpits.

· Never place a car seat in front of an active air bag.

· For more information on installing your rear-facing car seat, visit http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/.

Based on research and Car Seat Checks performed by Safe Kids, 85% of car seats are misused, with an average of two mistakes per seat. The most common are that the seat belt does not hold the seat tightly (63%) and that the straps are not snug (33%). Even if you made it through your first or second child's infancy without incident, take some time to make sure that your new baby is safe in her seat.

In addition, the United States and Canadian governments have written car seat regulations and laws which parents should be mindful of, not only just for their home state, but when traveling through other states. Inventive Parent has compiled laws in one easy-to-use location at http://www.inventiveparent.com/state-laws.htm. It is recommended that you take the advice of the most stringent state's regulations, and consider your own state's rules as a minimum requirement.

Make Rear-Facing Travel Easier and Safer Parental distraction resulting from fussy children, finding toys or snacks, and talking on cell phones is a leading cause of accidents. By being able to see children in the back, being organized and having toys and food at children's disposal, parents can significantly minimize the risk of harm to their children. Luckily, there are a number of products that can help make rear-facing travel safer and easier.

· Auto Mobile, for babies up to 18 months, prevents fishing in the back seat and floor for lost toys. In just one step, parents can press the mobile to the car's ceiling. The patterns, bright colors and expressive characters hold baby's interest minimizing distracting fussiness.

· Bear-View Infant Mirror allows the driver or passenger to safely keep an eye on baby while driving. This plush Teddy Bear provides the widest view of infant available so that parents can enjoy peace of mind while entertaining baby.

· The Original Car Seat Cozy is a 200 weight fleece blanket that attaches with Velcro to child's seat so that parents can ensure baby is warm all the time without having to search for fallen blankets. Unique design prevents falling or dragging and covers shoulders without choking or letting drafts in.

· The Taby Tray on-the-go entertainment center attaches to seat with strap and hook to hold snacks, drinks, books, toys, etc. and the easy reach recessed cup or bottle holder prevents distracting spills.

· Designed for children ages one to five, the Snack-Trap Toddler Snack Cup allows little hands in and out for gathering snacks, but keeps snacks from spilling when the cup is turned over, knocked, dropped, or thrown.

· The Bottle Bungee, keeps child's bottle from hitting the car floor, helping to keep children happy and preventing frustration while keeping germs off the bottles.

All of these products are available through www.inventiveparent.com.

Sharon Mullen is a parenting expert, mom and President & CEO of Inventive Parent (http://www.inventiveparent.com) which she started when she invented her own product, the Original Car Seat Cozy, after finding that attachable blankets did not exist for baby carriers and car seats for children over one years old. Later, after she recognized the lack of products and availability to solve parents' real-world challenges, she started Inventive Parent, a provider of over 200 parent-invented solutions for maternity through pre-teen and an online parenting resource. For more information, visit http://www.inventiveparent.com

---

Baby Girl Clip Art

The online baby girl clip art images help you to design attractive invitation cards and e-greetings easily. The World Wide Web is a great storehouse of information... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts

As a host, you need to consider the people that will be on the invitation list. Sometimes, finances are tight and buying gifts are tough. You have... Read More

Make Your Own Baby Food - The Easy Way!

Is your baby about to start solid foods? Are you thinking of making your own baby food?When you make baby's first foods, you can save money and... Read More

The Personality Traits of A Baby Born During The Sign Of Cancer

Your Cancer Baby..June 21 - July 22A Cancer child can be independent from a young age, often playing alone for hours and inventing invisible playmates. Cancer babies... Read More

Top 100 Baby Names and Helpful Tips To Consider When Naming Your Baby

Are you an expectant parent anxiously waiting for that little package of joy? Yet, you and your spouse are still looking for that perfect name? Well...fret no... Read More

Five Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food

Are you unsure whether you should make your own baby food at home or just buy it from the store? If so, then take a look at... Read More

Baby Shower for Second Baby

Having a shower for second baby used to be considered greedy and unacceptable. But now it is not only acceptable, but it is actually necessary for some... Read More

Home Remedies for Colic

You are at the end of your rope. You have tried everything under the sun to soothe your little one who is still crying non-stop. Your pediatrician... Read More

Teething Symptoms and How to Treat Them

Teething is what your baby experiences when her first set of teeth begins to appear.Some babies will go through this event without a problem. However, other babies... Read More

The Top 10 Fun Things for Parents and Toddlers to Play With

1. Give your child a spray bottle of water and watch them spray every possible thing outside of the house!2. Use shaving cream in the bathtub for... Read More

When Should Your Baby Wear Shoes?

There is actually a bit of controversy about this question. Some pediatricians recommend that your baby not wear shoes until at least 15 months of age. Others... Read More

Human Milk Bank Donor Helps Premature and Sick Infants and Children

Lisa Fozo (37), a Fair Oaks resident, wanted to breastfeed so much that when her two sons didn't latch on, she pumped her own milk and bottle... Read More

Baby Jaundice

Around 20% of newborn babies suffer from jaundice. The condition is not normally serious and usually clears up after a week or so.What Are The Symptoms?Baby's skin... Read More

How Can I Teach My Toddler to Share?

Helping your child move from breast breast milk or formula to solids is a milestone for both you and your baby. However, it can be challenging for... Read More

The Best Birth Gift

If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, no doubt you plan to choose her very carefully. We have all watched some of these scaring videos showing... Read More

When To Move From Carseat To Booster

Under three, use a car seat. The guidelines for transporting infants and toddlers are deeply embedded in parental mantras. It gets a little fuzzy though when your... Read More

Where Will You Give Birth To Your Baby?

Where To Give Birth..You have a choice where to have your baby. As long as there were no complications with your pregnancy, you can give birth at... Read More

Etiquette for Baby Shower

Etiquette for baby shower used to be quite rigid, but rules have relaxed in the past several years. Etiquette is a word that strikes fear in the... Read More

Baby Yoga and Me

Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long, very hot summer, I really wasn't in the mood for a work out.As Gwyneth Paltrow and all... Read More

When Not To Begin Potty Training

Potty training can be a stressful experience for you and your child. It's best to start potty training when your child has an established daily routine and... Read More

Baby Product Recall

Products are recalled all the time for posing a danger to the people who use them. Even large, established companies have to make massive recalls, and when... Read More

How to Help Your Children Learn

We all want the very best for our children and that includes giving them the best possible start to their education. There is a great deal you,... Read More

Show Your Baby That You Read

When you take your child to the library, check out a book for yourself. Then set a good example by letting your child see you reading for... Read More

Choose The Perfect Baby Shower Gift

The first thing you should do when trying to choose the perfect baby shower gift is consider the parents. Quite frankly, babies do not have the awareness... Read More

Should Your Baby Sleep In Your Bed?

Should baby sleep in her own cot or in bed with you? There are arguments on both sides. Advantages: Breastfeeding is easier, you don't have... Read More

Every Baby Shower Needs Great Baby Shower Games!

Games for a baby shower help the baby shower hostess make sure that all guests feel at ease.In most cases, only the mother-to-be knows all the invited... Read More