| Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death | | | | straps are too loose. |
| among children in the United States. In 2003, 1,591 | | | | · Do not put heavy clothing, jackets, blankets or |
| children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants | | | | sweaters on your baby because this bulk keeps the |
| in motor vehicle crashes and approximately 220,000 | | | | straps from fitting snugly. Your baby could scoot |
| were injured. That's an average of four deaths and | | | | around under the straps just like a hand inside a |
| more than 600 injuries each day. Many of these | | | | mitten--not very secure in case of an emergency. |
| deaths could have been prevented if babies were | | | | · Place blankets over the straps, not under |
| properly restrained. Inventive Parent ( a premiere online | | | | them. |
| parenting resource and a provider of solutions invented | | | | · Make sure the straps are level, even and not |
| by real moms and dads, is pleased to announce | | | | twisted. |
| important baby passenger safety information. | | | | · Do not cover your baby's face. |
| Designed to eliminate the confusion around rear-facing | | | | · Place the chest clip level and in line with |
| car seats and when or what type of car seat baby | | | | baby's armpits. |
| needs to be in, this is information parents should know | | | | · Never place a car seat in front of an active |
| whether preparing for new baby or traveling with baby | | | | air bag. |
| this summer. | | | | · For more information on installing your |
| Types of Car Seats | | | | rear-facing car seat, visit |
| There are two types of car seats for babies under | | | | Based on research and Car Seat Checks performed |
| one year old - infant seat/carrier combinations and | | | | by Safe Kids, 85% of car seats are misused, with an |
| convertible car seats. Infant Seat/Carriers are | | | | average of two mistakes per seat. The most |
| designed for newborn babies through 20 or 22 pounds. | | | | common are that the seat belt does not hold the seat |
| They are designed to move in and out of the car. | | | | tightly (63%) and that the straps are not snug (33%). |
| Some have bases that remain attached to the car's | | | | Even if you made it through your first or second child's |
| seat, others are buckled in and out and some have | | | | infancy without incident, take some time to make sure |
| padded, crooked handles, or a stroller base. | | | | that your new baby is safe in her seat. |
| Convertible car seats let you use the same seat from | | | | In addition, the United States and Canadian |
| the day your baby is born through forty pounds. They | | | | governments have written car seat regulations and |
| will have both a rear-facing and forward-facing weight | | | | laws which parents should be mindful of, not only just |
| limit. The rear-facing limit may be as high as 30-35 | | | | for their home state, but when traveling through other |
| pounds. They may have removable inserts that | | | | states. Inventive Parent has compiled laws in one |
| effectively make the seat smaller to fit an infant. This | | | | easy-to-use location at It is recommended that you |
| car seat is installed once, and stays put. | | | | take the advice of the most stringent state's |
| Compare the seats first for safety, then look at the | | | | regulations, and consider your own state's rules as a |
| added features. Pay careful attention to the weight | | | | minimum requirement. |
| limits on your seat. The seat will not protect your baby | | | | Make Rear-Facing Travel Easier and Safer |
| once he or she is bigger than the designated weight | | | | Parental distraction resulting from fussy children, finding |
| limit. If your baby is long and lean, watch where his | | | | toys or snacks, and talking on cell phones is a leading |
| head rests on the seat back. The entire head should | | | | cause of accidents. By being able to see children in the |
| be below the top of the seat. If he is sneaking up past | | | | back, being organized and having toys and food at |
| the top, it is time to move to a convertible seat. | | | | children's disposal, parents can significantly minimize the |
| Rear-Facing | | | | risk of harm to their children. Luckily, there are a |
| Many parents feel uncomfortable about having baby | | | | number of products that can help make rear-facing |
| face the rear because they can't see baby, baby can't | | | | travel safer and easier. |
| see scenery or where the car is traveling or baby is | | | | · Auto Mobile, for babies up to 18 months, |
| too far away. However, there is logical reasoning | | | | prevents fishing in the back seat and floor for lost toys. |
| behind the requirement for babies to be in rear-facing | | | | In just one step, parents can press the mobile to the |
| car seats. During their first year, babies' neck muscles | | | | car's ceiling. The patterns, bright colors and expressive |
| are not strong enough to support their heads | | | | characters hold baby's interest minimizing distracting |
| unassisted. A rear-facing seat holds baby at a more | | | | fussiness. |
| reclined position than a forward facing seat. Cars | | | | · Bear-View Infant Mirror allows the driver or |
| move quickly, zig and zag, stop fast, run through holes | | | | passenger to safely keep an eye on baby while |
| and hit bumps. It takes considerable strength to counter | | | | driving. This plush Teddy Bear provides the widest |
| all those movements. Your baby is never prepared for | | | | view of infant available so that parents can enjoy |
| those sudden movements. If your baby weighs 20 or | | | | peace of mind while entertaining baby. |
| more pounds before his first birthday, you should be | | | | · The Original Car Seat Cozy is a 200 weight |
| using a convertible seat in the rear-facing position. | | | | fleece blanket that attaches with Velcro to child's seat |
| Speak with your pediatrician about the best time to | | | | so that parents can ensure baby is warm all the time |
| turn your baby around; all babies are different and | | | | without having to search for fallen blankets. Unique |
| have different needs. Some safety experts, postulating | | | | design prevents falling or dragging and covers |
| that mild Shaken Baby Syndrome may be suffered | | | | shoulders without choking or letting drafts in. |
| through months of accumulated shakes from | | | | · The Taby Tray on-the-go entertainment |
| unsupported motion in a baby carrier, bike seat or | | | | center attaches to seat with strap and hook to hold |
| forward-facing car seat, would like to keep children | | | | snacks, drinks, books, toys, etc. and the easy reach |
| rear facing through 18-24 months. | | | | recessed cup or bottle holder prevents distracting spills. |
| Tips for Using a Rear-Facing Car Seat | | | | · Designed for children ages one to five, the |
| · Read and follow the instructions that came | | | | Snack-Trap Toddler Snack Cup allows little hands in |
| with your seat and with your car. | | | | and out for gathering snacks, but keeps snacks from |
| · Make sure the seat is firmly attached to your | | | | spilling when the cup is turned over, knocked, dropped, |
| car. | | | | or thrown. |
| · Fit harness straps through the seat below | | | | · The Bottle Bungee, keeps child's bottle from |
| baby's shoulders so that the straps run up and over | | | | hitting the car floor, helping to keep children happy and |
| the shoulders. | | | | preventing frustration while keeping germs off the |
| · Keep the straps snug. If you can pinch the | | | | bottles. |
| edges of a strap together between your fingers, the | | | | |