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Why Extended Rear Facing Seats Are The Safer Option

All parents want their children to be as safe as possible, for as long as possible. That especially extends to car travel, where child restraints are vital to ensure children are safely protected in the advent of a road incident.

There can be some confusion over which restraints are right for your child, with forward facing and rear facing options available for children after the age of six months.

Research, outlined below, shows that keeping your child in a rear facing seat is the safer option, with experts saying parents should keep them facing this way as long as possible.

And there are many new restraints on the market that assist in making this possible.

The laws in Australia

Australian law mandates babies up to six months need to be in rear-facing restraints. But this legislation also states that children can be kept in rear-facing car seats until they are four years old. However, it’s important to remember that age is a guide, and the height of the child is a better indicator of when your child is ready to turn forward facing or change into their next seat. Only move your child out of their seat when they have exceeded the upper height markers on their current restraint and can no longer sit comfortably in it – keeping them rear-facing for longer which is so much safer.

Lauren Moloney installs car seats in Western Australia as a community service, and she said most people weren’t aware they could keep their children rear-facing for longer.

“I’m really passionate about best practice, our laws in Australia are quite minimal – we turn babies at six months old in Australia, which is the youngest of almost any developed nation,” she said.

“They’ve changed Australian legislation so you can rear-face a child up to four and harness children till about eight years of age – it’s now about trying to change how people think about it.”

Tip: Laws on car seats can differ slightly in different states and territories. To find out specific laws on child restraints in your area, head to your local roads and traffic authority website.

Why rear facing is safer

While parents are legally able to turn their children’s restraint to forward facing at six months, there are studies that show that it is far safer to keep them rear facing for longer. As Safety Leaders, Britax recommend keeping your children in a rearward facing restraint for as long as possible (rear for a year at least!), depending on when they have exceeded the upper height markers on their current child car seat.

Neuroscience Research Australia and Kidsafe recently released the National Guidelines for the Safe Restraint of Children Travelling in Motor Vehicles report, which outlined why rear facing options are safer for children up to the age of four.

“Rear facing restraints are highly effective in preventing injuries if used correctly because they fully support the child’s head and neck in the event of a crash,” the report says.

“This is important as infants have relatively large heads and weak necks which put them at particularly high risk of serious injuries if the head and neck are not supported.

“Rearward facing restraints support the child’s head and neck in severe frontal crashes better than forward facing restraints.”

Britax options that make rear-facing simple and safe

Britax ensures its restraints feature the latest in technology and safety features to protect your children in the car.

Here are three products that feature new innovations and give you the ability to keep your child rear-facing for longer:

  • Britax Safe-n-Sound Millenia™ (birth – four years (approx.): This restraint is suitable to keep children in a rear-facing position from birth until three years of age (approx.). It includes revolutionary dual layer Side Impact Cushion Technology™ (SICT™) – Head Protection for safety as well as the Flexi Infant Safety Cushion, which includes EVA composite material that provides support and protection for a small baby absorbing energy during a side impact crash. Thermo5® High Performance fabric with Bamboo Charcoal means your child will travel in quality and comfort.
  • Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO™ (birth – four years (approx.): Is Britax’s most advanced convertible car seat. Featuring the same safety and comfort options as the Millenia™ with extra support and new innovations to assist in safety. This includes the addition of Torso SICT™ which minimises the energy impact on your child’s chest and vital organs, reducing crash forced for greater protection.
  • Britax Safe-n-Sound Graphene™ (birth – four years (approx.): This seat features narrow, compact depth which means it’s perfect for small cars that can require multiple seat configurations. Featuring our award winning Thermo® High Performance fabric with Bamboo Charcoal this seat can be used rear-facing until they are approximately three years old. It also features SICT™ – Torso Protection, making the Graphene our most advanced compact car seat and uniquely designed to offer optimised safety without compromise.
  • Britax Safe-n-Sound Unity™ ISOFIX (birth – 12 months (approx.): This capsule was the FIRST baby capsule suitable for newborn up to 12 months (approx.). It is also the ONLY baby capsule suitable for low birth weight and premature infants without restrictive medical conditions, providing your baby with ultimate security for longer.

To find out more about car seat safety, check out Britax’s ‘Car Seat Basics’ FAQ page.


Original article here.

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Help! My Baby Hates The Car

 

It’s generally assumed that most babies love travelling in the car. You can understand why — the gentle movement combined with the purr of the engine and a cosy car seat should guarantee a peaceful nap.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for my daughter. From her very first car trip on the way home from the hospital, she absolutely hated it. She screamed from the moment we strapped her in, until we pulled her sweaty and shuddering body out at the end of each trip.

Driving was understandably traumatic for everyone concerned, but for both practical and mental health reasons, I couldn’t stop using the car. For one, we all needed to eat and the shopping wasn’t going to do itself! In addition, it’s vital for a new mum to get out and about for her own peace of mind. It may have been tempting to stay at home, but I knew that I had to find a way for my daughter to tolerate car trips for all our sakes.

I did a bit of research and found out it was actually reasonably common for some young babies to dislike travelling in the car. Fortunately, there are some ways you can make the experience bearable, (and even enjoyable) for mum and bub.

Here are some things you can try:

Install a mirror
For some babies, they feel overwhelmed when they can’t see mum or dad and that was certainly the case for us. An easy solution is to attach a car seat mirror to the back of the head rest. Not only could my baby see us, but I could also check out what she was doing.

Get some shade
My baby was born in summer and she hated the hot sun on her face. Installing some shades on the backseat windows was a great way to block out the sun and reduce glare.

Change from a capsule
Capsules are so convenient, however some babies don’t like how enclosed a capsule can be around their bodies, particularly in summer when it can be warm. If your baby is in a capsule and seems to be overly uncomfortable, you might want to consider changing to a convertible car seat. A child car seat like the Britax Safe-n-Sound Graphene™ could be the perfect solution. It allows toddlers to be rear-facing until up to about two to three years, which is great, as it’s up to five times safer than forward-facing. Plus, its slimline design means its compact enough to fit three seats across the backseat.

Consider the temperature
If you don’t want to swap the capsule but you think your baby is getting too hot, there’s another solution available. I bought a little portable pram fan from a baby store which I clipped onto the edge of the head rest. They’re really lightweight and have a twisty head so you can direct the airflow where you want it. If you have a sweaty little bub, another thing to consider is the fabric the car seat is made of. The latest Britax car seats are made from Thermo5™—a high-performing Bamboo Charcoal fabric, which provides airflow and wicks moisture away.

Add some entertainment
Sometimes all they need is a little distraction. In-built DVD players—or even iPads mounted to the back of car seats—make for a great way to keep little ones distracted. Avoiding toys and other objects that can become airborne is also ideal.

Play some music
On more than one occasion, I resorted to singing ‘Old Macdonald Had a Farm’ at the top of my lungs, to help quieten down my restless little one. After a few months, I realised I could outsource my singing and bought a Play School CD to leave in the car. Every time we needed a little distraction, I would press play and ‘There’s a Bear in There’ would calm her down instantly. These days, there are even Spotify playlists that can substitute for a CD like this.

Plan your journey around naps and feeds
When considering a car journey, it’s vital to think about your baby’s routine and work out the best time to travel. One thing I learnt pretty quickly is travelling when your baby is hungry is probably not the most ideal time. There’s nothing worse than hearing their distress and knowing what it is they want but not being able to give it to them. I realised if my baby was tired enough, she might eventually (and probably reluctantly) nap in the car, so that was the best time to plan my longer journeys.

For us, it was a combination of all of the above suggestions that eventually helped my daughter to tolerate the car. Like a lot of aspects of parenting, it’s all about trial and error.

Experiment with different solutions until you find the one that works for you and your child. Bon voyage!


You can read the original article here.

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Who Even Am I? The Temporary Baby Bubble

The baby bubble — it is Mother Nature’s way. It’s primal. It’s how babies survive.

Does this sound familiar?

It’s common to feel like things that were previously vital to you and your way of living have suddenly faded away into the background, now that your bub has arrived. Often, a shift in priorities occurs and things that were deemed important suddenly don’t seem to be at the top of your to-do list anymore.

And among all these shifting emotions and priorities, your sense of “you” has undergone a significant change — suddenly, you’re a different person. I’ll never forget how completely un-me I felt after my first baby. I was in shock. I felt unrecognisable. My body, my brain, my confidence all seemed horribly unfamiliar.

But, trust me, that’s not a bad thing, and it’s completely natural.

You will get “you” back after your baby arrives

Let’s put something out there, as in really take it in and believe it: a happy mummy equals a happy baby.

I know it’s easy for me to say but looking after yourself is rule number one, and probably one of the most important there is in parenthood. If you’re paying attention to your own needs, you’ll be happier in yourself and you’ll have more patience—which will come in handy when you’re changing your fifth nappy for the morning.

If I feel positive, I’m able to take delight in my baby, just as any parent should. You’ll cherish all those new moments of parenthood that make it worth it when you tend to yourself.

Finding your feet after introducing a new addition to the family doesn’t mean you need to dramatically change your approach to everyday living. It just means giving yourself the time and patience to return back to all other aspects of your existence that you enjoyed pre-pregnancy. However, remember that the baby bubble isn’t a negative space of isolation; it simply means you have been focusing on different priorities while you’ve entered this new stage of your life. And that’s okay, but gradually you will remember all the other things that form who you are as a person. That baby bubble will slowly merge into your life bubble and normal service will resume.

Three key steps to think about

1. Reconnect with your friends

And not just other new mums and parents. I strongly recommend catching up with pre-baby buddies and see how their lives have continued while you’ve been in the bubble. They’re probably going to be excited to hear all about your new addition, but please remember to ask them about their lives too.

This will help you persevere when you’re feeling tired and emotional. After seeing pre-baby friends l find I’m able to reflect more peacefully on the world at large, despite how I’m feeling in those small hours of the morning.

Ultimately, perspective is a wonderful thing that helps you deal with those inevitable trying moments in parenthood.

2. Be kind to yourself and don’t expect miracles

Remind yourself that you’re doing your very best. I know it’s easy to say but you’re doing a great job. You are new at this and like your baby, you are learning new skills every day. Even though I did all the research to work out what the most functional stroller was and what car seat was the safest I continued to doubt myself. No point. No need. With all that worry, thought and agonising I put into my choices, I realised I could relax in the knowledge that I made the best decision for me and bub at that time. So don’t use that valuable energy for worry, just enjoy your little bundle. Don’t keep stressing over choices already made. Don’t think, “I wish I’d bought this” or “I wish I had done that differently.”

And beyond that, don’t put yourself under immense pressure to get back to your pre-baby body. It’s important to let nature run its course and for your physical and mental health to restore itself, before you head into strenuous workouts.

Sure, the dusting needs to be done, washing folded or ironed, dishes cleaned and vacuuming done. That’s fine. One day it willall get done. But for now, it’s okay to let a thing or two slip. It’s also okay to accept help from your wonderful friends who offer. Take it while it’s going, and do NOT feel guilty Trust me, people love to be useful.

Remember that your body has just been under a whole lot of stress, and your mind is getting its own workout, so be kind and patient to yourself from the get-go.

3. Self-care and downtime

Give yourself some “me time”, even if it’s just 15 minutes every other day.  Do at least one thing you enjoyed doing before the newest addition to your family arrived. This should be something that’s solely for you, and you alone. From reading a book, lounging in the bath, meditating, going for a run, sipping on a cappuccino or heading out for a shop—feeling good is the main aim.

Caring for yourself means going back to basics. Sleep at every opportunity, eat regularly and get dressed every day, despite how you’re feeling. These are simple, little things that many of us wouldn’t otherwise spare a thought on, but they’re also vital steps for getting you back onto the road of finding yourself after entering the baby bubble.

Only you will know when the time is to head back out into the wider world, so don’t stress about it. Trust that everything, in this very moment, is exactly how it should be.


You can read the original article here.

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5 Ways New Dads Can Support Their Partners

Becoming a parent is the most exciting thing that will ever happen to you. But it can be a bit frightening too.

After our first daughter was born, things didn’t quite go according to plan. I was sick with post-birth complications, and our premmie baby had feeding problems. On one particularly hard day, I sat on the floor and cried, with our baby girl crying on the floor next to me.

Thank goodness for my husband. Having his support was a lifesaver in the first few months of parenting.

Dads can be a huge help to their partners. Try these five tips and be a hero to your partner and child…

Encourage her in her role as a mum

Becoming a mum is life-changing. One day, you only have yourself and your partner to worry about, and the next, you are totally responsible for a precious newborn.

Mums want the best for their children, but aren’t always confident with how to achieve that. My husband was always positive, and helped me to relax when I was anxious about doing things exactly right.

Reassuring your partner about what a great job she is doing will go a long way towards helping her gain confidence as a parent.

Help her grab some ‘me-time’

Your partner will also find it easier to be a great mum when she can get some time out for herself.

When a newborn is in the house, it can be hard to get so much as a shower without being interrupted. Being available to look after bub while your partner takes a break will mean the world to her. I really appreciated being able to have a nap, knowing our daughter was safe and well-cared for.

Whether it’s so she can take a nap, get a haircut, or grab a coffee with girlfriends, giving your partner some ‘me-time’, while she knows the baby is safe, will help her in more ways than one!

Help around the house

A new baby in the house also means extra work. Besides feeding, there’s comforting, nappy-changing, and establishing sleep routines. And, all the usual household chores don’t go away.

Every little bit you can do takes some of the pressure off her. Something as simple as putting the washing on or loading the dishwasher frees her up to focus on the bub. If you can cook a meal or vacuum the house, you’ll get extra brownie points in the dad department.

As an added bonus, research shows that couples who split childcare duties have better relationships and sex lives than those who don’t.

Be a hands-on dad

I can almost still hear the giggles as my husband played with our girls—blowing raspberries, tickles and peek-a-boo games. They loved playtime with their dad, and still enjoy hanging out with him now that they’re older.

Did you know that children whose fathers are fully involved in their lives are more successful? A review of studies by the Father Involvement Research Alliance shows that babies with involved dads are more likely to explore their surroundings, be emotionally secure, be confident in unfamiliar situations, and are more sociable.

Toddlers with involved fathers are also better problem-solvers and have higher IQs by the age of three. By being a hands-on dad, you’ll be giving your kids the best chance for a successful life.

Look after safety at home and in the car

Being involved with your kids is great, but keeping your precious bundle safe-n-sound is the most important job of all. Life is a journey, and you want to give your baby the safest start.

Make sure you’ve looked at the following:

  • Around the house, make sure stairs or any other dangerous areas are blocked off with child safety gates;
  • Ensure all potential poisons are safely stowed out of reach;
  • Use child-safe devices for cupboards and;
  • Safeguard your baby from electrical outlets, power cords and power bars with one of a range of plugs or covers that are available.

Probably the most important place to think about baby safety is in the car. Ensuring you have the best child car seat, and that it’s correctly installed, will give your partner peace of mind. It will also keep your little one safe-n-sound.

Did you know that Australia has one of the most stringent standards for child car seats in the world? Britax Safe-n-Sound have a great range of safety seats that are designed, developed and engineered in Australia. They even have a seat that’s specifically designed for premmie babies like ours.

Britax’s outstanding safety record also means you are making the best possible choice for your baby.


You can read the original article here.

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Screening Fatherhood: How Much Screen Time Is Enough?

As a new dad, I can vouch for the fact that time spent with the latest addition to the family is time well spent. But, I found I could get a little distracted sometimes, as we all do now and then.

These days, it’s not uncommon to hear about exposing children to new media and devices. But, the secret is, like a lot of things in life, to keep it all in moderation.

We all know, for instance, that physical activity is vital for a healthy child’s growth and development, and that it doesn’t seem far-fetched to assume too much screen time is likely to be at the cost of play time.

Periods spent in front of the TV or even behind a tablet, means the child is not crawling, walking or running, when they should be.

But, when it’s all kept in check, screen usage for the little ones can be managed to not only curtail the negatives of over-use, but can help promote healthy physical and emotional growth of the child.

So how much is okay?

The short answer is: the jury is still largely out. The growth of technology and digital media has just been so mind-blowingly fast and expansive, that the data doesn’t give us any solid evidence just yet.

However, there are attempts to provide a substantial guideline, but even these can be hard to keep up with as they often change from one day to the next.

So, here are the guidelines I set myself as a dad, to help me form positive parenting habits when it comes to new media:

  1. I tried not to expose my kids when under 18 months of age to media (other than phone based apps like video chat while you’re away, for instance)
  2. I made sure all screen time is spent with a parent or guardian, and the child was not alone with the device
  3. I didn’t use this time to get my child settled, or to calm her down
  4. When my girl was between two and five, screen time was limited no more than one hour a day, and, again, that was with a parent or guardian
  5. I tried to ensure screen time was not in place of important stuff like sleeping or eating
  6. I set aside places in the house and times where/during which screens are off-limits, for instance dinner time, in the toilet or just before heading off to bed
  7. And most importantly, I began to secure all my devices in our family vehicles—did you know when they’re not probably positioned in a mount, there’s the the potential for them to become flying hazards during drives? This was something I remained very aware of.

How I screened my parenting

For me as a dad, the message is really this: depending on your child’s age, some screen time is fine, as long as it’s still spent as dad-time. The bottom line is to not rely on media or get too lazy with it.

One thing I was pretty strict on (my daughter is a little older now) was to put screens away or in a closable space after use.

For instance, portable screens can go in a drawer or a cupboard that isn’t accessible to little hands, and the TV/DVD can be placed in a cabinet with doors. You’ll find all these electronics don’t then become a constant temptation to your whole family in general.

I also found I had to be disciplined about my own screen time. I figured If my little one saw me constantly buried deep in Facebook or work emails, it’s likely she’d try to follow suit and attempt to mimic me when she had the chance. Keeping the boundaries around how used my own gadgets was challenging at times, but worth it.

Screens are here to stay, and so are your kids. Working out how they co-exist all comes down to balance, discipline and a little bit of education. And in the end, it’s all worth it.


You can read the original article here.

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Knowing When Your Child is Ready to Move Into a Booster Seat, and Ready to Move Out of One!

When is it Time to Move Your Child to a Booster Seat?

For parents, the safety of your child in the car is of the utmost importance. However, many of us mistakenly move our child into a booster seat or out of a booster seat sooner than it is safe. Whilst each state has their own requirements, children aged 4 – 7 years old must be secured in either a forward facing seat with an inbuilt harness or a child booster seat. Not all 4 year olds are the same size though of course. So parents should progress to a booster seat based on height rather than age. So before rushing your child into a booster seat because they’ve had a birthday, first check that they fit within the shoulder height marker on the car seat you are using.

We at Mum’s Lounge have learned about the newly launched Kid Guard PRO™ from Britax and like most Mums, we know, trust and love Britax products. As a result, we are happy to share what we have found out that the new Britax Kid Guard PRO™ is the only booster in Australia providing safety all the way up to double figures – 10 years (approx.)!

And in the coming weeks, 12 Mums from Mum’s Lounge audience community will be trialling the Kid Guard PRO™ with their child too, so be sure to check back and see what feedback they have for us.

How to Choose a Booster Seat?

When investing in your child’s booster seat we recommend firstly considering all of the safety features it has to offer including ease of use, the comfort of the seat as well as value for money. An expandable booster that can grow with your child is a great option!

In Australia, it is illegal to purchase or use a car seat that does not comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1754. Always look for the certification mark AS/ANZ:1754 on the car seat you choose for your child.

Choose a brand you trust. Britax is the number 1 brand in car seat safety technology leading the world with innovative car seats, strollers and travel systems. The latest safety innovation from Britax called the SecureGuard™ is easy to use Britax patented exclusive feature that ensures the vehicle seat belt is properly positioned on your child’s hips, minimising the risk of abdominal injury during a crash and preventing them from sliding under the seat belt. Whereas booster seats ordinarily offer 3 points of contact, the SecureGuard™ provides a 4th point that sits between the child’s legs securing the seat belt in the correct position, whilst also allowing your child adequate wriggle room whilst on the move.

In the event of a collision, a lap belt that is improperly positioned across a child’s abdomen can cause serious injuries, including injuries to internal organs that can’t always be diagnosed immediately and can be life-threatening. The SecureGuard™ anti-submarining device ensures that the seat belt is secured across the strong bones of the pelvis rather than the abdomen.

The SecureGuard™ anti-submarining device is also available on Britax’s most popular booster seats including the Hi-Liner™, Maxi Lite™, Tourer™ and the newly launched Kid Guard PRO™.

In addition to the innovative life-saving SecureGuard™ anti-submarining device, the Kid Guard PRO™ also features expandable side wings to deliver lateral support ensuring your child’s body is sitting upright, providing a safer seat belt and is equipped with Side Impact Cushion Technology (SICT™) to maximise your child’s head protection in the event of a side impact collision. The expandable seat design allows parents to adjust the height of the seat as their child grows – a feature that offers increased safety and value for money.

The compact slim-line base also makes the Kid Guard PRO™ an excellent option for parents with multiple child seats in their car, and it can be easily transferred into a friend or family members care as and when needed. The built in sash guide ensures ease of use regardless of who is fitting it.

The Kid Guard PRO™ also includes their deluxe Thermo5™ fabric made with Bamboo Charcoal which means your child will travel in quality and comfort. (And we may even get a little peace!)

Suitable for children between the age of 4 – 10 year old (approx.), the Kid Guard PRO™ is an expandable booster seat with 9 height adjustments for the RRP of $399! 

When Can I Move My Child to an Adult Seat Belt?

According to Britax, children are often moved into adult seat belts too soon. Britax as industry leaders, believe in ‘Harnessed Safety for Longer.’ Adult seatbelts are designed for a minimum height of 145cm, but height isn’t the only indicator.

Before graduating your child to an adult seat belt please consider the following factors outlined on the Britax Australia website.

Please assess the following factors by testing how your child sits in an adult seat:

  • If your child’s legs are shorter than the depth of the seat and do no hang comfortably over the seat edge, your child is likely to move forward or slump in their seat which will change the position of the lap belt and increase the risk of serious injury.
  • If the seat belt crosses your child’s face or neck rather than their chest, your child is likely to place the seat belt behind their back to remove this discomfort greatly increasing the risk of injury.
  • If the lap belt rides up over your child’s abdomen when sitting correctly, your child is at increased risk of serious injury (The lap belt should always be positioned over the hips and thighs).
  • If your child wriggles or slumps in their seat, the lateral support provided by a booster seat reduces the risk head, neck and abdominal injury.

With the new Kid Guard PRO™ booster suitable for children up to 10 years of age (approx.), it is recommended that parents keep their child in a booster seat for maximum safety.

For more safety information or additional information on the baby seats, boosters and travel systems available visit Britax.com.au

 

#ThinkOfWhoYouAreSaving

#GuardYourChamp

#BritaxBigKid

#CarSeatsAreNotJustForBabies

 


You can read the original article here.

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Review: Kid Guard PRO ™ Booster Seat from Britax (suitable 4-10 years)

Over the past few months, we’ve focused a lot on child car safety, particularly for those 4 years and above. The reason for this is simple – many parents are moving their child into or out of a booster seat before it is safe to do so.

The Britax Kid Guard PRO™ is the only booster seat of its kind in Australia providing safety for children from approximately 4 years of age, up to 10, so you can keep them buckled for longer.

The Kid Guard PRO™ features expandable lower side wings extendable seat base and nine points adjustable headrest so it grows with your child delivery comfort and safety on the move as well as exceptional value for money.

The Kid Guard PRO™ also offers 4 points of safety with their patented anti-submarining technology. This ensures that the adult lap belt is always in an ideal position from shoulder to pelvic bones and prevent a child from slipping underneath the lap-belt or suffering from a further injury caused by an incorrectly fitted belt.

In addition to all of these fantastic safety features, this booster also includes the deluxe Thermo 5™ fabric made with Bamboo Charcoal meaning your child will travel in quality and comfort.

Get your FREE Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe in the Car eBook

Click here to download your free copy of Tips for Keeping Your Kids safe in the Car.


You can read the original article here.

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Real Mum Review: Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO SICT

Since having our little Miss Mabel we have learned so much about healthy hips and hips dysplasia in babies. It really is such a common but crucial thing to pick up in the early days of life so it can be easily healed with the right help. Our little Miss was in the pavlick harness for 8 weeks and one of the main concerns of the doctors during this time was that the baby does not spend too much time in the car as most car seats hold their legs and hips in very tight positions which aren’t good. There are different little tricks you can do to position baby for best hip positioning but long car trips are not recommended. What is interesting is that a lot of car seats and capsules have so much cushioning around the hips that they really aren’t good for babies hips at all. Our OT recommended the safe-n-Sounds car seats for healthy hips as all their car seats seem to have great room for little children’s legs and hips so are a better option for hip dysplasia babies. If the baby is in a harness; it’s best to get your OT to get in touch with Britax to organise a special buckle to attach specifically for hip dysplasia kids as we have done. The best convertible car seat on the market currently is by far the Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO SICT and I am really excited to share my review with you as we absolutely love it! We have many trips in the car a day as we have school drop off, pick up, after school activities, etc. Our little hip bubba has to just come along for the ride and a lot of the time she isn’t happy, we had lots of tears as we travelled from place to place before we tried this seat.

We have now been in the Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO SICT for 3 weeks and let me tell you that as soon as Miss Mabel went into this car seat, we had no tears. Besides the fact that it is like the range rover of car seats, it just looks so comfortable and it gives baby room. It is a bigger style convertible car seat; looking at it, you know it has safety first and foremost in line and there is no lack of quality. It is right on point with everything a baby and child needs in a car seat and every parent can feel totally confident that our precious cargo is safe in the car in the Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO SICT. I highly recommend this seat for hip dysplasia babies as it gives lots of room around the hips and thighs so legs can be splayed and comfortable while travelling without doing any damage to the hips. I know that when baby Mabel is in this car seat, she is comfortable and I have no fear of her regressing with her hip issues.

That’s what I have to say but here is some of the nitty gritty;

– The Platinum PRO SICT is Britax Safe-n-Sound’s most advanced convertible car seat.

– It has a revolutionary dual layer head and torso Side Impact Cushion Technology (SICT™) minimises impact forces providing your child with the ultimate side impact protection.

Features: 

ISOFLEX™ 
Equipped with ISOFLEX™ Connectors to provide a simple, firm connection into a vehicle with ISOFIX low anchorages in conjunction with Top Tether. ISOFIX is an alternative method of installation that may reduce mistakes that are associated with traditional seat belt installation.

SIDE IMPACT CUSHION TECHNOLOGY (SICT™) – TORSO PROTECTION 
Torso SICT™ minimises the energy impact on your child’s chest and vital organs and reducing crash forces for greater protection.

SIDE IMPACT CUSHION TECHNOLOGY (SICT™) – HEAD PROTECTION 
Dual layer head protection minimises the energy generated in a side impact crash. The inner SICT™ layer provides 180° protection around your child’s head, whilst the outer SICT™ layer on the seat exterior absorbs immediate crash energy.

REAR-FACING FOR LONGER 
Your child can remain rearward facing until they are approximately 2-3 years old, which is safer for your child. 

ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT (AHR™)
Designed specifically with deeper side wings that shield and contain your child’s head in a side impact crash. AHR™ grows with your child working with SICT™ to contain your child’s head and to minimise impact forces. 

THERMO5™
This high-performance fabric with Bamboo Charcoal delivers the premium comfort your baby deserves.

HASSLE FREE HARNESS 
Single handed height adjustable headrest and harness allows the seat to grow with your child without the need to remove and re-thread the harness. Reducing the risk of incorrect installation and enhancing correct harness fit. 

INFANT SAFETY CUSHION™ 
This cushion includes EVA composite material that provides support and protection for a small baby absorbing energy during a side impact crash. Specially designed ventilation holes offer breathability and comfort. Detachable wings are exclusive to the Platinum PRO SICT™ making this cushion flexible for longer use as a seat protector and cushion pad.


EZ-BUCKLE SYSTEM 
This system retains the harness buckle in a forward position and prevents the child from sitting on the buckle when boarding.

– You can see more at: https://www.britax.com.au/car-seats/britax-safe-n-sound-platinum-pro

I highly recommend this convertible car seat, it really is amazing and I feel super confident as a mum with this great product holding onto my baby on a daily basis.

In the meantime, check out this beautiful video from the Britax family; really is lovely. Enjoy!

 


Thank you, Cassandra Michelin, for sharing your thoughts.

You can read the original article here.

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Top 5 Snacks For a Long Car Trip

When we found out that we were expecting a third child we were thrilled. The final piece to our little family puzzle was soon to be complete. Towards the end of the pregnancy nesting shifted up a gear and we needed to get organised. Car seats were a top priority as we knew that fitting three car seats on the back seat was going to be a struggle.

We have a regular sized SUV and when I looked into the back seat I wondered, how we were going to fit three seats in. I wanted to continue using Brtiax seats to ensure the most comfortable seats for the kids. And most of all I really didn’t want the space of our car to interfere with safety.

Britax offered to help me fit three seats along the back of our narrow car and I started the researching process. There were a few key things that helped me achieve this:

  • Call your professional seat installer BEFORE purchasing your seats. I wish I had known this, as it would have saved me a huge amount of time and effort. I used Pearces Child Restraints and they were fantastic, knowing exactly what would work with my car. Plus they had most of the Britax branded car seats available to look at, test on the kids and even buy on the spot.
  • Educate yourself on car seat safety and get your seats professionally installed. I felt really awful when I saw the difference between how my seats were currently fitted when we arrived compared to when I left. My installer also taught me how the child should be correctly seated, how the straps work most efficiently and what might happen if they weren’t (you don’t want to hear it but you should know).
  • Choose good quality seats. Britax was my choice as they have so many different seats that can be configured to suit your car. For me, I needed a very specific middle seat for my toddler, one that sat forward and was narrow. No other seat would have safely fit the three seats in. We chose the Britax Maxi Guard PRO™ for Harry because it was slim line and has a hassle free harness (no more twisted straps!). Amelia is in the middle and we needed the Britax Millenia™ which is a perfect slim line seat that neatly fits in the middle slightly forward of the other two. And for the baby we chose the Britax Unity™ ISOFIX Compatible Baby Capsule. The capsule is so easy to put in and out, suitable to use up to 12 months (approx.) and converts to a rocker to help keep bub asleep when you transfer out of the car.
  • Choose a capsule for your baby if you have lots of pick-ups and drop-offs or other kids. I didn’t use a capsule with my first two and managed OK with the baby carrier but this time I am in and out of the car on average 6 times per day – needless to say the capsule has been a lifesaver.

TOP 5 SNACKS FOR A LONG CAR TRIP

With our three seats now fitted neatly along the back seat of our car we were set. Our little bundle Archer arrived and fit in perfectly next to Harry and Amelia. Next, I needed to figure out how to keep them all entertained for our long summer car trip we had planned. These are my 5 go-to snacks for the car, note; normally we don’t promote eating in the car but on long car trips you can be stuck somewhere during snack time and these can get you through until the next pit stop. What are your favourites?

The edible necklace: The Edible Necklace is a little length of string, with some delicious ‘beads’ that keeps a toddler occupied for long periods of time.

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Apple, pear and oat balls: A healthy homemade snack that contains the goodness of fruit, oats and nuts that takes no time at all to prepare.

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Banana apple and cinnamon muffins: These are the perfect balance of healthy meets tasty, try them in a mini muffin tin for a better bite sized snack.

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Cheesy crackers: Melt in the mouth little cheese bites that you can adapt to add different herbs and spices. Also try a dairy free version here.

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Pick n mix fritters: A savoury snack that will keep the kids tummies full but are very simple to eat and wont make a mess!

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Thank you, Allie Gaunt, for your amazing recipes.

You can see Allie’s other recipes here.

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Briar Stanley’s Precious Cargo

It’s safe to say the words ‘precious cargo’ could spring to mind when buckling up your children in to the car. I’m a stickler for safety when it comes to car seats, which is why I chose Britax for my most important passengers, Sunday and Rafferty.

A few weeks before the baby arrived we got the Britax Safe-n-Sound Platinum PRO™  installed professionally. The SICT stands for ‘Side Impact Cushion Technology’ which minimises impact  – providing the child the ultimate side impact protection. I also love that the convertible car seat is designed to grow with the baby. The Safe-n-Sound range can be used in the rear facing mode from birth to around twelve months, and then converted to forward facing mode when Rafferty is 12 months old. I chose the colour ‘Khol’ (to minimise stains), but it also comes in a sandstone and charcoal.

Big sister Sunday has also been travelling in comfort for about a year now in her Maxi Guard. We use it in toddler mode for now, using the built in harness. Once Sunday is a little older, we’ll convert the seat to Booster Seat Mode, which is for children around 4 to 6/8 and uses a standard sash seat belt. As Sunday is on the tall side, I love the size of this seat and Sunday is a big fan of her cute little arm rests and drink holder.

My happy little travellers. I’m happy too, knowing my precious cargo is in safe hands.


Thank you Briar Stanley, we are glad to hear your little ones are happy travellers.

You can read all about Briar’s journey here.

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Rozalia Russian Trusts Britax…

We’ve once again had the pleasure of partnering with model, entrepreneur and super-mum, Rozalia Russian.

As a working mother of two, Rozalia is always on-the-go and Easter was no exception. Over the weekend, the Russian family ventured out to collect Easter eggs at an event.

Thanks to Britax, both 3-year-old Willow and 2-month-old Kingston travelled safely in their Britax Platinum PRO™ car seats.

 

 

Both Mum and Dad appreciate how the seats fitted seamlessly into their vehicles. They were also impressed by the Side Impact Cushion Technology (SICT™); “It is hard to put a price on peace of mind and this is exactly what Britax have given us”.

Fabric with Bamboo Charcoal – high performance Thermo5™ , the seat guarantees breathability. This received the tick of approval from Rozalia; “One of the elements of the Britax Platinum PRO™ that was a winner for us, was the fabric, made from Bamboo Charcoal material” means children will travel in quality and comfort.

You can be certain your energetic bunnies will be supported with Platinum PRO™ Britax Safe-n-Sound’s most advanced convertible car seat!

Thank you Rozalia for your kind words and putting your trust in Britax.

You can read all about Rozalia’s weekend adventures here.