Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: I'm not sure what sort of car seat to buy, where do I start?
Q: My child often undoes their seatbelt while the car is moving. What can I do about that?
Q: Can I buy a much lighter first stage car seat? Someone told me that you used to be able to get really light ones, and I’ve hurt my wrist carrying mine with the baby in it.
Q: My child has reached the upper weight limit for his booster seat, but isn't yet 135cm. Does he still have to sit on a booster?
Q: Should I buy a second hand pram system? My friend has one for sale.
Q: There are so many different sorts of prams. Which one should I choose?
Q: I can buy a second hand coachbuilt pram (Silver Cross, Wilson, type), why should I buy a new one?
Q: I can get a cheaper pram on another website, why should I buy it from you?
Q: Is it safe to wear a seat belt while I'm pregnant?
Q: My baby won't sleep, she's distracted by the streetlights outside.
Q: What are the rules about breast feeding my baby in public?
Q: My partner smokes, is this dangerous for the baby?
Q: I have a very tight budget, what are the most important things I need to buy for my baby?
Q: Do you stock Christening gifts?
Q: What is a tummy tub?
Q: I've been told that baby must share our room for the first 6 months but there's no space with a cot in the room.
Q: I'm not sure what sort of car seat to buy, where do I start?
A: There are several important things to consider: Firstly, that you buy a seat that fits your car. Online Car Seat Selectors give an indication of a seat for your child and your car. Every car and every seat is different though, and there is no substitute for professional safety advice on both seat selection and fitting.
Essex County Council Road Safety Team provide a car seat fitting service during the week at Lubards Farm, Rayleigh (01268 297593). This team also do occasional events at sites such as the local fire station. Look out for posters advertising these events. In the Spring / Summer we're planning evening fitting events at BabyBluebird. Please look out for notices about this. We currently stock Hauck, Graco and Sunshine Kids car seats and boosters. The car seats we stock are manufactured and tested to the highest standards, the most import factors, however, are:
- That the car seat fits your car properly, ie fits well on the seat is not near an airbag.
- That the seat is secured correctly every time it is put in the car, whether using isofix or the seat belt. Remember, isofix alone cannot guarantee the seat is fitted properly.
- That it's the right height for your seat belt buckle thereby avoiding the risk of 'buckle crunch'.
Your car make, and the weight, height and age of your child will give you a starting point as to which car seats may be suitable for you. If you regularly carry your child in more than one car, check which seats are suitable for both cars, it may be advisable to purchase more than one seat per child, as the seats in each car can be markedly different.
Cost:
There is a big range of seats available, with an equivalent range in price. At BabyBluebird we have sourced top quality seats at reasonable prices, representing great value for money.
For instance, it is possible to buy seats to take your child safety from birth to 150cm for just £250.
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Q: My child often undoes their seatbelt while the car is moving. What can I do about that?
A: It's so important that your child always wears a seat belt. It can be difficult at times, but please don't let them travel without a seat belt fastened safely around them. Not only is it against the law to allow a child to travel unrestrained, it places your child at risk of serious injury or worse if your vehicle is involved in an accident and they are not wearing the appropriate child seat restraint.
Children work out very quickly that persistence can pay off, so beware: if you ever make an exception and give in to this kind of demand it will be much more difficult to insist that your child wears their seat belt next time they're in the car. For practical tips about how to deal with this when it arises click here (for info leaflet BBI_CS005).
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Q: Can I buy a much lighter first stage car seat? Someone told me that you used to be able to get really light ones, and I’ve hurt my wrist carrying mine with my baby in it.
A: It sounds as though you may need a brace for your wrist, your GP practice should be able to help with this. Be aware too that many women's backs ache after carrying car seats. Wherever possible, get someone else to do the lifting, as your joints will be prone to injury because your ligaments will have softened in pregnancy. The twisting and bending involved in lifting a car seat in and out of the car should be kept to a minimum, better to take your baby out and carry him/her instead, use a pram where possible, also perhaps use a sling. If you do have to lift the seat with your baby in it, take care to ensure you're lifting properly.
You're right about the older products, a few years ago there were very, very light seats on the market for tiny babies. We had one for our younger son. Things move on though and now we know that those ultra light models were not as safe as they could have been, putting our babies at risk! All seats recommended by BabyBluebird have scored high marks in independent crash testing. You may find too that today's seats are not much heavier than the old ultra light ones, as the materials they're made from are so much stronger relative to their weight.
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Q: My child has reached the upper weight limit for his booster seat, but isn't yet 135cm. Does he still have to sit on a booster?
A: Yes he does; in this situation your child's height is the leading factor. Some of them are designed to expand widthways too, to allow for broad shoulders, the Monterey (MPC:15030) is a good example of this; my 9 year old loves his, it's comfortable and stylish. His previous booster was too narrow, it also slipped / moved around on the car seat!
It worries me that the media has focused on 135cm as the height at which a child no longer has to, by law, sit on a booster seat. This is true but overlooks the fact this is the minimum height. The recommended height until which a child should travel on a booster seat is 15cm taller, at 150cm, that's almost 5ft, the size of a small adult. There are big differences though in how weight is distributed in children vs. adults, car seats are designed for adults, so naturally children need more protection. You might want to look at the 'Sure Fit' or the 'Mighty-Tite' products that help to position seat belts for children on booster seats (click MPC:10150 / 10001).
I guess it's similar to persuading an older child to wear a bicycle helmet, you don't want to frighten them but they need to understand that it's for their safety. Stress safety's of utmost importance and make it non-negotiable (easier said than done of course, but that's parenting). The result is that your children feel secure and they are actually much safer on the road.
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Q: Should I buy a second hand pram system? My friend has one for sale.
A: It's both economically and environmentally sound to recycle equipment in this way. If the system is in good condition, with all parts intact, especially if you know where the pram has come from, it may be a good buy. There are a couple of things that you will need to replace though, however good they appear.
Firstly: The car seat, if you're going to use this as part of the travel system this must be replaced by a new 0+ seat. Adapters can be purchased to enable several seats to fit a chassis. This is important, as the old car seat's strength will have been affected by wear and tear, and may not offer your baby enough protection. Also, if the car seat has been involved in an accident, however minor, that will have damaged the seat's core strength.
Secondly: The mattress must be replaced. These are available from BabyBluebird (MPC: Mattresses). These 'all singing all dancing' pram systems are great, but bear in mind that they're designed for many years of heavy use, so the chassis may have been subjected to heavy wear and tear. Check thoroughly that everything is working properly, and that none of the stress points have been weakened through use. New car seats and pram mattresses can be bought at BabyBluebird, along with lovely bedding for your lovely baby.
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Q: There are so many different sorts of prams. Which one should I choose?
A: The range of prams is vast, but choosing comes down to some fairly simple things:
When your baby is born, and for the first few months, it is important for them to lie flat, so make sure that your pram can lie flat. (There may be some older models on the market, maybe second hand, that don't allow for this.)
Next, think about your lifestyle, where you live, where you will be travelling to with your baby in the pram.
If you travel a lot by car, and carry your pram in your car, weight is a critically important factor. So is size when folded, and ease of folding / unfolding. There's nothing more frustrating than being unable to fold your pram to get it back into the car! Especially when you're exhausted, your baby is hungry, and it's raining.
If you walk a lot you might consider a pram with a larger, sprung chassis, this is more comfortable for your baby, and easier and less tiring to push.
If you have room in your home for a traditional, 'C' sprung, coach built, pram, of the Silver Cross Heritage / Wilson type this is worth considering. They might seem expensive at first glance, but when you consider how little you need to add to them, how cosy they are for your baby, how comfortable the ride is, that they enable your baby to see your face as you walk, that they can be used until your child is up to 4 years old, you may be tempted.
If you enjoy jogging, you might consider a '3-wheeler', these fall into two categories: sturdy all-terrain prams, and those designed for lighter use around town.
If you have a toddler who will also need a ride, there are several twin, or tandem, options. When buying a twin or tandem pram make sure you can manoeuvre it, and that you can fold and lift it if you're going to need to. These can be more difficult than single prams. Manoeuvrability should be checked, especially around kerbs as these can be tricky. The prams selected for distribution by BabyBluebird have good handle leverage, making them easy to use when out and about.
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Q: I can buy a second hand coachbuilt pram (Silver Cross, Wilson, type), why should I buy a new one?
A: This is probably the only second hand item of baby goods I would buy myself, but good used models are hard to find. If you know where the pram has come from, that it's in good condition and you're confident about it's history, it may be an excellent buy. Make sure that you get the authentification certificate with the pram when you buy it. If you do go down this route, make sure you come back to BabyBluebird for a new pram mattress and some beautiful bedding to kit out your beautiful pram for your beautiful baby. There we are, a hat trick!
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Q: I can get a cheaper pram on another website, why should I buy it from you?
A: There are many reasons. BabyBluebird is competitive on price, but you will also get the reassurance of dealing with a reputable, local, company. In addition:
Assured, accurate, delivery: If you buy your pram from BabyBluebird you can be sure it will be delivered when you want it. If you wish we'll keep it until your baby comes home from hospital, so you don't have to worry about storing it beforehand.
Instalment options: If you wish to pay in instalments before you take delivery of the pram we are happy for you to do that.
Genuine article: The counterfeit industry is booming. By shopping at BabyBluebird you can be reassured that your pram, or any other product is not a copy, but is genuinely the brand you like.
Help with assembly: By buying a pram over the web, it will arrive in a box, and will need to be assembled. The majority of internet retailers will not offer any support to you with this. If you buy a pram online from BabyBluebird, you will receive clear assembly instructions, in addition to the manufacturer's instructions. If you buy your pram from our shop we will assemble the pram for you if you wish.
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Q: Is it safe to wear a seat belt while I'm pregnant?
A: A lot of people seem to be unsure about this. It is very important to wear a seat belt while you are pregnant for your own safety and for the safety of your unborn child. Check out the BabySafe Bump Belt, which will hold your seatbelt safely in place (MPC:CL570).
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Q: My baby won't sleep, she's distracted by the streetlights outside.
A: BabyBluebird highly recommends baa-baa blind, a complete blackout blind, portable, flexible, designed by a Mum facing a very similar sleep problem. (MPC: baa-baa blind)
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Q: What are the rules about breast feeding my baby in public?
A: Firstly, you are very welcome to feed your baby at BabyBluebird, whether breast feeding or with a bottle. It is not illegal to feed your baby anywhere, although (and this happens very rarely) people can refuse to serve you, or ask you to leave. My personal experience bears this out, in the huge majority of cases people are delighted to see a baby being fed in this way. As I say, cases where people object are rare, which is why they make headlines. There is a law being debated (that's already law in Scotland) that will make it illegal for anyone to prevent you feeding your baby. Some of the large chains, coffee shops, supermarkets, department stores, welcome nursing mothers and go to great lengths to support you should you need to feed your baby instore. Your local NCT group would be a good source of information about smaller venues.
There are, though, products that help preserve our dignity, shawls and large cardigans can be good.
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Q: My partner smokes, is this dangerous for the baby?
A: YES, very dangerous, especially when your baby is very young. It's not just the strong smelling smoke that's harmful, 85% of harmful tobacco smoke is invisible and odourless, making it very difficult to control and protect your baby.
The only way to protect babies and children from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to stop smoking indoors. Please ask your partner, and anyone who visits, not to smoke indoors. For further information, and help, check out this website: http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/files/smokefree-is-needed-fact-sheet-final--30.11.pdf.
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Q: I have a very tight budget, what are the most important things I need to buy for my baby?
A: There are some things that you must have before you leave the hospital with your baby. If your baby is born at home the community midwife will want to see that you have these things. They are:
A hat. 30% of the baby's body heat is lost through their head, it is important that they wear a hat when introduced to the big wide world, and doubly important in the winter.
Milk. Breastfeeding your baby provides countless benefits to both you and your baby and is free! Formula milk is a good substitute, but there is a cost involved, the bottles have to be sterilised, formula made up, etc.
Vests and sleepsuits. These can be bought for very little these days. Sleepsuits can be included in your BabyBluebird gift box.
If you have a car, or if your baby will be carried by car at any time: A baby car seat. All of the car seats stocked by BabyBluebird have the latest safety features and represent very good value. Car seats vary enormously in how they fit individual cars. Please see the first question, above, for important information about car seat selection for your baby.
A pram - in which your baby can lie flat. This is very important in their early weeks. A newborn baby should not be left in a car seat for any longer than absolutely necessary. This can affect their breathing. BabyBluebird stock a variety of models which you can view online; call us to discuss, or visit our shop. We will be extending our range over the coming months.
A new mattress for your pram, crib, or moses basket. Cribs are often passed down through families, which gives you the reassurance of knowing the crib's history. This is a lovely form of recycling, environmentally friendly and makes economic sense. Do make sure though that you buy a new mattress every time (MPC: mattresses), and visit BabyBluebird for Gro-Bags and other bedding.
Bedding. Register for our Baby Shower service, and ask your friends to buy you a BabyBluebird gift box, these are tremendous value. This way you would get some lovely bedding for your lovely baby as well as Gro-Bags and sleepsuits, and your friends will be happy that they've bought you a treasured gift at such a reasonable price.
Nappies. There are discussions either way for disposable vs. reusable nappies. The OneLife reusable nappy kit has a high initial cost, but it will save you a lot of money overall (one set used for two babies will save you approximately 90% of the cost of buying disposables for the two babies). These can be purchased from one of our neighbouring shops, Little Eco (see links page).
From here on there is an endless selection of products that you can buy, from additional safety products to pretty accessories. Safety products really come into their own when your baby becomes mobile, at BabyBluebird we have a whole section devoted to safety.
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Q: What is a tummy tub?
The TummyTub is a small, beautifully designed baby bath. It's used by Midwives and Maternity Hospitals throughout the UK. It was designed to help ease the transition from the warmth and comfort of a mother's womb to the big, outside world. Babies find it calming and relaxing, naturally adopting their familiar foetal position. It is especially recommended for collicky babies.
Further information about the Tummy Tub can be found at BBI_BT017.
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Q: Do you stock Christening gifts?
A: Coming soon: both online and at our shop. We will have a wide range of beautiful gifts to welcome babies to their community.
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Q: I've been told that baby must share our room for the first 6 months but there's no space with a cot in the room.
A: Other options you might like to consider, are: Using a swinging crib or moses basket as your baby's first bed. These take up much less space than a cot. Bed sharing can work well, and there are tiny bolsters that prevent your baby from moving around. As long as neither you nor your partner smoke, are on medication which makes you drowsy, are overtired or have been drinking alcohol, it is now considered safe for a breastfed baby to share bed with an adult. Night feeding is less disruptive too. Take care that your baby doesn't get overheated or that there iis anywhere he could fall. When the time comes to move him into his own room you'll be surprised how smoothe the transition will be. |
