Archive for December 2nd, 2008
How To Pick Practical Baby Strollers
Envision the work out baby strollers go through over a few years – all those bumps, folding, unfolding, transporting to and from your vehicle!
Bet you want to get the ideal bang for your buck…correct?
With so many options how can you tell which one is right for you?
Here are some helpful tips for you to know…
Where do you live?
This is the first factor that’ll determine what to purchase.
If you live in the country you need to take into account rugged baby strollers for all terrain conditions. Is the weather cold or hot or rainy? What about if you live in the city you may need to access public transportation and have a lightweight easy-to-fold and un-fold stroller.
Besides a stroller being safe and comfortable and simple to maneuver you also need to consider how easy it is to open and close and where you will store it.
There are several varieties of baby strollers and they all fall under these categories:
*standard stroller
*carriage stroller
*umbrella stroller
*jogging stroller
*light weight stroller
*combination stroller/car seat
*tandem/side-by-side strollers
Use this list to make you shopping for baby strollers a breeze:
-look for a baby stroller that’ll grow with your special bundle
-do all 4 wheels touch the ground and move well?
-strong metal frames with all seams shut
-the stroller should feel smooth when pushed
-protective cushioning for baby to feel comfortable
-tires suitable for your environment in your area
-a hood or protective shield for all weather conditions (sun, rain or wind…etc.)
-a solid harness system so baby does not slip out of baby stroller
-a reliable locking system so the baby stroller does not fold up in use
-rear wheel braking system
-tip resistant
-easy to use, fold and assemble
-adjustable handles
-easy to clean inside and out
-useful storage containers for long walks and shopping
There you go. A brief summary of tips to keep in mind when shopping for baby strollers.
">| Send post as PDF to |  |
Why Bother With Baby Front Carriers
If I was told I could only have one item of infant equipment, without faltering, I would choose a baby sling. I didn’t own a sling for my first three of my seven kids. I had no knowledge of them outside of maybe seeing pictures of women in third world countries using them to strap their babies to them. Something significant happened during the seven years between the births of my third and fourth daughter: the rise in popularity of the web. With the internet came the easy exchange of ideas.
Other hands free ways to hold your baby are Baby Front Slings and baby backpacks. Greco and Baby Bjorn are two of the more popular brands of front carriers. With these, two padded shoulder straps go over your shoulders and criss-cross your back. The straps adjust to accommodate different sizes and shapes. The baby is then slid into a supporting pocket with leg holes that leave the feet dangling. As the baby grows and gets stronger, many carriers grant the baby to face outward. Personally talking, the baby front carrier seemed challenging to me. If the baby fell asleep while in the carrier, it was difficult to gently remove her to lay her down in the crib. Also, having the baby in front was both physically and visually impairing, making the accomplishments of such tasks as sewing, meal preparation, cleaning, caring for older kids, et cetera more challenging.
Baby backpacks have metal or plastic tube frames to stand the frame up in order to introduce the child. Then the frame is lifted and slid onto the back of the adult. I found that the baby got heavy rapidly with this method. Also, I didn’t like the fact that I had no visual contact with the baby while she was on my back. I also couldn’t just sit down and take a rest without having to first remove the backpack. I personally didn’t like the functionality of the backpack for times when the baby fell asleep. Additionally, it was rather large and took up quite a bit of space when it wasn’t in use.
Nine years ago, after the birth of my fourth daughter, I was finally introduced to … cue up the Halleluah chorus … A BABY SLING!!! There are several kinds; my favourite sling style was a long piece of fabric that fed through two metal fastening rings, leaving a “tail” of fabric. The absolute favourite was the Maya Wrap with a pocket sewn into the tail, which I used to carry a couple extra diapers and wipes, and often my car keys and pocketbook! With the baby sling, I could carry the baby high or low, on the front, side, or back, facing forward or facing me, and lying down or sitting up. I was also able to breast feed in a tactful, usually hands free manner, covering any accidental exposure with the tailpiece of the sling, which easily went over my shoulder. As the infant grew, the sling easily adjusted to accommodate her changing comfort preferences. Up until my kids were about four or five years old, I was able to continuously use my sling for hands free carrying. As a child care center owner, there were many times where I was able to put two children comfortably in one sling allowing me to still use my hands for other things. I frequently used the sling to hold and bottle-feed infant twins.
As you can see, I’m a bit biased toward slings, but the other hands free baby carriers might be completely perfect for your needs. Look at all alternatives and try a few out. Whichever you like, you will be a happier, more productive new parent as you learn to incorporate the joy of nurturing your newborn with the other long list of tasks that you’ve.
">| Send post as PDF to | |
