Baby Care and Parenting Tips

When I first heard the words, “convertible car seat” I thought, “WOW! They actually make car seats specifically for convertibles? They must have a special structure to protect children’s heads should the convertible roll.” Imagine my surprise when I realized that “convertible” meant the car seats could be used in both rear facing and front facing situations. All I could do was laugh and think, “I know my kids are older now, but do I really live in the dark ages?”

When my children were younger we didn’t have the option of buying one car seat and having it last for years. We had to buy the rear facing infant car seat, then the front facing toddler car seat, and finally, just when we thought we were out of car seats, we had to purchase the dreaded booster seat!

When I was told that my sister-in-law would be arriving by plane with her two boys to spend a month with us, I said to my husband, “I know we can borrow a car seat from our neighbor, but we will need another car seat. After all, we’re not going to be sticking around the house all month.” Little did I know at the time that she’d be dragging two car seats from California to South Dakota.

At any rate, a week after the boys arrived, my brand new Radian 80® convertible car seat arrived and I couldn’t be happier. You see, one of the twins has actually sprouted and his car seat was just too tight and uncomfortable.

So I opened the box and sat dumb-found as I stared at the countless straps, the instruction booklet and the extras. “I’m not mechanically inclined for something like this,” I told my husband.

He looked at me, opened up the instruction booklet and laughed. “Seriously, Alyice. It’s really easy to install and use. But I’m not so sure about carrying this thing on my back. Look there’s no cushion and it’s heavy.” And with that, he had strapped the car seat onto his back, like a backpack, and began walking around the room. “Hey, this isn’t half bad! Nothing is poking me in the back. This could really work when changing flights in an airport.”

“Okay Mr. Smarty Pants, let’s go install this thing in our Uplander,” I laughed.

And with that, we effortlessly installed the car seat and put my now sprouted nephew into the car seat for a test run. Our thoughts were to let the boys take turns using the car seat but once he took that test run there was absolutely no turning back to the old car seat. He was in heaven!

There are many things I like about the Radian 80®–all of which were pleasant surprises.

First, you have four options for carrying the Radian 80®: a small red strap at the base of the seat, a plastic handle on the side of the car seat, the long shoulder strap, and of course the best feature of all, the two shoulder straps work together like a back pack. For many this might seem like the most trivial part of the car seat, but for me it’s an important aspect because trying to get car seat, diaper bag, and child into the car at one time can often be a struggle—especially when you only have one car to work with and two adults who use it or need to alter between two vehicles. Now, all I have to do is put the car seat on my back, place the diaper bag over my shoulder, and grab the kid—no more trying to juggle it all in one trip or making two trips.

Second, there is a detachable base that helps keep the car seat in proper rear facing position, thus securing the infant into place. I like the idea of this feature being detachable because when guests visits, I can easily adjust the car seat to fit the age and weight of each child.

Third, the forward facing latch installation system can be easily adjusted to fit a variety of cars—which is a good thing considering we own three cars and often vary use depending on where we are going or how many people are going with us.

Fourth, the car seat as a feature that helps further secure the seat to the car. It’s called a “Top Tether”. Basically, it means that there is a strap at the top of the car seat that can attach to a specific part of the car and help maintain stability of the car seat.

Sixth, the harness buckle system can be altered according to the height and weight of the child. I really like this feature because it means that the child is properly secured at all times. I hate to put a child into a car seat only to pad it with blankets because the straps are too loose—that’s not safe. And I definitely hate the idea of worrying that I’ll pinch the skin because the straps are too tight.

Seventh, there is a locking clip that helps secure the lap-shoulder seat belt. This is a great feature because it prevents the lap belt from becoming loose over time, thus making sure the car seat is tight and secure at all times.

Eighth, the car seat is so compact and sturdy that it’s been tested and approved to be used on an aircraft which is a good thing since my sister-in-law is considering buying two before she returns home. (See company photo I was able to acquire of the car seat in use on an aircraft!)

And finally, the car seat comes with support cushions to help support infants and toddlers, a plastic harness clip, and two metal restraint buckles. The five point harness system is also important to note because it keeps children snug and prevents them from wiggling out of the car seat while protecting them during impact.

I know I’ve gone on and on with this review, but I really do like the Radian 80®.

To learn more about the Radian 80® visit http://skjp.com

Something is up with kids these days. Babies like exploring, playing and gaming a lot. Discussion of games that fit babies as they grow has taken centre stage in most homes. Parents are working hard to get give the required attention to their babies and baby care games is actually the answer.

Toys are fun for some kids, but games beat them with the exciting nature of interaction that it has. Games give babies a chance to think and play. Discussions have been carried from work places to play centers, about effects of games to babies. Games are a constructive learning process. Well, let the kids play and have fun.

But which games are safe for kids to play? With hundreds and thousands of baby games coming into the market these days, parents must be aware of the content that their kids watch. Share a game that you are sure is good for a baby. 

It can be so embarrassing to organize a birthday for your baby only to discover that all shows you bought are kaput. Babies are honest people. Yes, the baby is not enthusiastic with the game because it’s not nice.

A talking baby will tell you off. Take a picture of a toddler who shows funny impressions when they hate a game. That pout mouth is an expression that she wants another game.

How many times have you told a kid to build a Snow Man game and she mumbles? Or telling her to build a house, a game, and they look at you with bad eyes? One baby might like Snow Man much to the chagrin of a parent who thought the game is scary to a baby.

The game of a house might not be visible to the baby. May be she spends most of the time indoors and would like something different. She wants to try the Snow Man because the game has an outdoor furnishing setting. As it is baby games is something a parent should invest in without semblance of a flaw. It is like breakfast and it is marked in the pay slip. When babies are in the ring of friend and family, they feel good. And this love and excitement is shared by all.

It is important to prepare your baby for school by bringing to interactive games home. These improve the thinking ability of the baby and increases self esteem. There are so many places where you can find baby games. Online portals specializing in games are the best in this case. They have researched around the games, done reviews, and are open for free consultations.

If you don’t like buying, activity centers beam with games that every kid would love. Add value to the life of your baby by taking them to these centers once in a while. These centers offer impressive slice of baby shower games that make your kid happy. Memories are made of these play games and it is nice your kid will enjoy.

If you both start out in the knowledge that these first few months can seem like hard work, you’ll be able to reassure each other that you’re coping extremely well. If you accept the validity of each other’s feelings, for more detail go to: www.baby-care-book.com.  And hold on to the fact that any difficulties are temporary, you’ll discover that parenthood really is as pleasurable as you expected.
Father

The first few weeks with your baby are important in helping you get used to your new role as a father.

Support your partner. She will be very tired to start with as a result of going through labor and birth, and from the physical and emotional responsibility of breast feeding. Provide her with the time and space to meet your baby’s nutritional needs, and reassure her constantly that she’s doing a difficult job well your support can make all the difference.

Find time to help. If you’re back at work, relish the opportunity to do as much as you can for your partner and your baby when you’re at home.

Give your baby love. Babies need as much love as they can get, and there’s no difference between the love of a father and a mother. If your baby is being breast fed, then obviously he’ll need his mother when he’s hungry, but at all other times he’ll benefit just as much from your close ness and attention. This close ness from you will mean that your baby learns to be secure with both of you, which will help him to settle down and take the pressure off your partner.
Build a relationship with your baby from the start. Your own feelings as a parent will be strengthened if you spend as much time as possible with him. Being an equal partner in your baby’s care will be rewarding and beneficial to you and to your family.
Mother

Your baby’s first few months of life would be tiring for you even if you hadn’t been through the rigors of labor and birth. Spoil your self and look out for your own needs.

Rest with your baby. Use the time when your baby is asleep to catch up on your own sleep. If he has his longest unbroken sleep in the morning, take advantage of it, or rest in the after noon when he does.

Share with your partner. If things are getting on top of you, he needs to know, for your sake and for your baby’s Encourage him to care for the baby when he’s at home, don’t be over protective and try to do every thing your self.

Ask for help. If you’re feeling isolated, don’t struggle alone. Early offers of help may tail off because friends and family don’t want to impose, but they will be glad to be asked.

Get out and about; being tied to the house can make you depressed, for more help visit to: www.create-super-baby.com. so try to get out as much as possible. It’s helpful if you have friends locally who are also at home with young babies. You’ll probably have met Like minded parents at prenatal classes. Having other new parents around you means you can share the good times as well as the worries, and, as your baby grows, he’ll have a ready made circle of friends to play with.