Car Seats and Cars

Which Do I Choose for My New Baby and Me?

by Zac Campbell

One of life’s biggest joys comes with one of life’s biggest changes. That loveable little bundle you bring home after 9 and half plus months is going to require a lot of adjustments to your life style. Choosing the right mode of transportation for you and your new addition is going to be key to a smooth transition and to maintaining your sanity.

Consider this when choosing a new ride or keeping the one you have.

Choosing a car or SUV that works for your needs as well as your baby’s can initially seem daunting. Keep just a few things in mind and you will be well on your way to happy driving experience for the whole clan.

Safety First

First and foremost is safety There are two major considerations, the first, the automobile itself and second, the car seat.

As far as the car safety goes, jump on line. Read safety ratings and user comments.

Consider crash test safety, airbags, restraints system, driver’s assisted safety features. Do the research. Make sure to check non-governmental sites and therefore non- commercial sites. Narrow your choices down to three options or you will overwhelm yourself.

Next choice; which is the right car seat for the right car? At first, this might seem simple enough.  While any certified car seat will do, there are slight differences in feature that you will want to consider before making a selection. A car seat that is too big will eliminate space for additional passengers riding in the back. Additionally, a large car seat could reduce the front legroom by limiting seat positioning.

For the first infant in our family the decision was the ORBIT car and stroller system. While the initial price tag might be a bit shocking to some, you quickly realize it is money well spent. Just the ease of moving the seat from the car to the stroller via the patented “smart hub” makes it a worthwhile investment. And you don’t have to have separate machines to get the job done.

 What really seals the deal is when you see other new parents struggling to hold their baby with one hand while getting a more traditional stroller open and ready for docking the bundle, you know for sure you have made the right choice. Even the valets comment on how fast, and efficient it is as you gracefully transfer your sleeping newborn from car to carriage.

The designers are both fathers and engineers and combined both areas of expertise into the revolutionary design of the ORBIT line of strollers and it shows.

Consider Car Height

The second consideration when choosing the best car for you is the height of the car. If the primary driver and primary caretaker are one in the same the automobile that should be chosen should be comfortable for their height. The leaning, twisting and maneuvering required to secure your little one into their car seat can require a lot of pretzel like agility.

Test it out. Take a fully loaded duffle bag consisting of about 30 pounds of weight and place it on the ground. Pick the bag up, put one foot into the back seat area while simultaneously and carefully placing the bag in a seated position and buckle it in. Then reverse the process. Take note. Did you hit the bag on any edges or surfaces that would cause damage? Did your back start to give out? Was the twisting too much? Consider this and then consider doing this twice for every trip you take.

Trunk space

Automobile manufactures consider golf clubs. groceries and luggage when designing storage space. Make sure that the stroller you are selecting fits in the trunk with ease. If your lifestyle requires more cargo space make sure you have enough cubic square feet to handle the task.

Planning Ahead

The final consideration is about comfort and happiness. Like most folks, you will probably have this car for three to five years. Once the initial well deserved excitement has worn off and the daily realities of being a parent have become learned will you be happy driving this car. Does it have enough of what you need and want? If you spend as much time as many of us do in our cars consider your sanity. Consider how you might feel after your little one has been up all night with a fever and you are taking them the doctor in rush hour traffic.

Choose features that will grow with you and your family. These include physical features as well as technological. For example, prior to becoming a parent you choose to do without the Bluetooth package in the car. As a parent it removes one less step and makes life just that much easier. You enter the car and your phone and the integrated communication system sync. All without you having to dig in your diaper bag for your phone. It’s well worth it when you consider the number of times you will be getting in and out of your car over the next 3 to 5 years. Every bit of assistance you get helps.

You won’t make all the perfect choices. Like in parenting, mistakes will be made. Reducing the frequency and severity is where the wisdom lies.

May the road trip commence!

Interesting Links:

For Safety Reviews
www.safercar.gov  (non commercial)
www.edmunds.com  (commercial)
www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/car-seats/index.htm   (non-
commercial)

To learn more about the Orbit System www.orbitbaby.com/en

Photo Credits:

Orbit Stand Alone Photo Courtesy of Orbit Baby Inc.

Orbit Car Photo Courtesy of “Car and Caboodle”

Zac Campbell is a Chef, Event Planner and an Interior Designer as well as a gadget geek. He is not yet a father, but has advised family members on their car seat choices. Zac test-drives cars and other consumer products that are well designed, practical, beautiful and enhance the quality of users lives.