Car Seat Safety

Now that Carter is getting older.... and bigger.... my husband and I have been talking about purchasing a car seat once Carter outgrows his baby carrier. Granted, the carrier fits children from 30 lbs/30 inches but my back is aching from hauling him around in it and we're definitely in need of the next stage convertible car seat. Going to the store to purchase a car seat is a decision that makes me a bit stressed.... so many options... which is the safest? most comfortable? best quality for the money? Decisions, decisions!

Car seat safety standards have changed since my oldest, Jacob, transitioned. We had been told that we could turn him from rear-facing to forward-facing when he was at least 12 months old and 20 lbs. Now, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this has changed. It is recommended that all children are rear-facing in the car until the age of 2! And of course, never are seated in the front of the vehicle.

There are different options out there as far as types of car seats go. There are infant seats, which most parents opt for because of convenience when the child is lighter and pretty much sleeps anywhere! There are convertible seats that can both rear and forward-face, some that can convert also to a booster for when the child is at least 4'9" and are between 8-12 years old. For Jacob we opted with a seat that could do both rear and forward facing. We purchased a Britax Boulevard and I've been very pleased with it. However, this seat does not convert to a booster seat when he eventually outgrows needing the 5-point harness. I am going back and forth with what to purchase for Carter. Should I do the same as what we have for Jacob? Or opt for one that can eventually convert to a booster? They don't seem to be as comfortable to me!

At the end of the day, as a parent making a decision that involves your child's safety you have to be informed, comfortable, and at ease with your decision. I have a very strong feeling we'll go with the same brand for Carter as we did with Jacob, tried and true! And hey, Babies R Us has a cyber sale on car seats right now! Good luck to all you parents out there who are making this big decision!!

Some helpful websites to aid you in your car seat decisions:

AAP Recommendations: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm

Car Seat Guide for Parents: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

Top Car Seats of 2011 (Printed by Parents magazine): http://www.parents.com/baby/gear/car-seats/top-10-baby-car-seats/

My First Post....

So, I'm not sure what made me decide to take a blog on.... probably because a few of my friends started blogging and I really enjoy reading what they have to say and figured... what the heck! Maybe I should try it on for size too. Like I don't have enough to do in the space of 24 hours! So here it goes.....

I'm sure I will mainly write about life as a parent, since that's what my life revolves around now. I have 2 boys, Jacob (2 years old) and Carter (8 months old) and they are the light of my life and soul. Don't get me wrong... some days I think to myself "Help!". Like the days where you fold what seems like a million loads of laundry and then your 2 year old son comes running by and dumps them all on the ground. Yup.... one of those days. And then there are the moments that bring you back down to Earth... Moments like when your 2 year old son says "Love you Momma" and gives you a big wet smacker on the lips. Moments like when your 8 month old son learns how to giggle or clap his hands together because he's just so pleased with himself. Those are the moments I exist for!

My little angels, Carter & Jacob