Parents Need Blog

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Top Tips to Maintain Stroller in Great Condition and Last for Years

Top Tips to Maintain Your Baby Stroller in Great Condition and Last for Years

Most parents will agree that a baby stroller is an essential purchase for a growing family. Baby strollers exist to make transporting and moving babies around possible, and easier. They aid you in getting around without having to carry your baby all the time, saving your back and arms the dreaded ache.

Modern parents now enjoy improved and advanced baby strollers that cater to their specific needs. Manufacturers are coming up with better and more useful features every year. Baby strollers come in a number of sizes and serve several purposes. It is undeniable how useful baby strollers are, whether you opt to get the traditional type or go for the more advanced stroller, like a jogging stroller for example.

What are the benefits of a baby stroller?

Baby strollers offer convenience when it comes to transportation. It is now easier to take care of your daily tasks and be on the move with your baby in toe. With the use of a baby stroller, you may carry your baby with you no matter where you go, and you don’t have to break your back for it. It gives comfort to both you and your child, especially as your child continues to grow, and it becomes harder to carry him or her around. Most baby strollers are easily folded, locked and stored. Its versatility make it possible for parents to bring it anywhere and stroll around with their children. It is an easy way to enjoy quality time together with your child.

Baby strollers are equipped with features to ensure your child’s safety and comfort. These safety and comfort features may include trouble-free and efficient locking of the stroller’s wheels, easy separation of the child seat that can double as a car seat, and mesh ventilation windows for your child’s comfort. Some models even feature side impact protection systems to keep your child protected from both sides, should there be an impact. Other models also have protection against harmful environmental factors, like the harsh ultraviolet rays.

A baby stroller should be a long-lasting investment

Baby strollers are supposedly durable products that will last you for a long time. Stringent safety standards have been enforced to ensure that childcare products from complying manufacturers are of the best quality. Baby strollers that are made of durable and quality materials should, therefore, be a long-lasting investment.

It is important to note, however, that baby strollers still need the proper care. Similar to how other transportation devices require proper maintenance, so do baby strollers in order to last for years.

Why should you maintain stroller in great condition?

A stroller is a big and expensive purchase. It is a wise investment that should help you care for your child for years to come. That is, if it does not get worn out. Properly caring for your stroller should keep it in great condition to last you for years. More importantly, ensuring that your baby stroller is well-maintained will ensure your baby’s safety. Keeping the stroller clean and safe to use is your duty as a responsible parent.

How to keep a well-maintained baby stroller

Secure the owner’s instruction manual.

It is always best to start with the stroller instruction manual. Go on and put your baby stroller’s instruction manual to good use. The manufacturers have included that in the package for a reason. If you can’t recall whether you have a copy of the stroller instruction manual or not, you can always go to the stroller company’s website. Most company websites make product information available to the company’s customers. Log on to their website and look for any available product documentation regarding the specific model of your baby stroller. Most stroller companies give dedicated product information per model. Product information often come in a downloadable version, most commonly in PDF format.

The easiest way to look for your stroller’s instruction manual online is to type the model of the stroller in the search bar of the search engine of your choice. Look for the stroller company’s official website. This will usually be among the top of the list. Once on the website, look for instruction manual for your stroller.

Use the stroller with care.

Now that you have secured your stroller instruction manual, use the stroller according to how it should be used. Take time to read the instruction manual so you would know how to properly handle your baby stroller. Through the instruction manual, you would know how to fold or unfold the stroller properly. This will ensure that all the parts of the stroller are in the right position before and after use. The same goes for the locking and unlocking of the stroller wheels. Determine the carrying weight capacity of the stroller from the instruction manual so that you would know when the stroller can no longer accommodate your child. This will also help you determine how much other baby stuff you can put on the stroller without exceeding its carrying capacity.

The importance of using the stroller with care lies on the fact that the safety of your child depends on it. Also, proper use of the stroller will help prevent it from being worn out due to careless handling.

Give importance to the stroller’s storage condition.

Store your stroller in a clean, dry space. Don’t leave it outside where it may be exposed to harsh elements. Extreme temperatures may cause damage to the stroller. Leaving it out under sun can cause for the plastic parts to get brittle. Leaving it out in the cold can result to rusting of the metal parts. An indoor closet or a well-sheltered shed could be a good place to store strollers. Stroller hooks and bags are also available in the market for easy storage indoors.

Learn how to clean a stroller properly.

As a parent, you would want your child’s health to be always a priority that is why maintaining your stroller’s cleanliness should be of importance. A clean stroller could go a long way. One good way to preserve a stroller’s good condition is to give it a thorough cleaning every once in a while, at least a few times in a year. Strollers should be cleaned more often in the warmer weathers. It is during these warm weather months when the stroller is more frequently used and more exposed to mud, sand, and other casual dirt on the streets. Give yours some cleaning before it gets too cold and it becomes harder to get those dirt off.

Tips on how to clean a baby stroller

Begin by vacuuming the material of the stroller. This will help remove any crumbs of food or other loose dirt that may have settled on the stroller’s seat and compartments. It is best to use a handheld vacuum that is equipped with an adjustable nozzle. This way, you can be sure to cover every nook and pocket of the stroller without much difficulty. The seat will most likely be the dirtiest area, specifically where the seat meets the back. This is where food crumbs tend to collect. Be sure to run the vacuum over that spot a few times to clean out all of the crumbs.
Determine if the fabric material of the stroller is removable so that you may thoroughly wash it. If you are unsure, you can always check with your stroller’s instruction manual to see if the seat padding and fabric material could be removed from the stroller frame. Some models allow for the easy removal of the fabric part to facilitate its cleaning, while others require bolts to be unscrewed from the frame.
Under the “Care and Maintenance” portion of the stroller’s instruction manual, see how the fabric material could be washed. It is usually indicated there whether the fabric may be machine-washed or hand-washed. Other fabrics get cleaned better when they are hand-washed. If it is machine washable, it is best to use cold water. Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle, unless otherwise stated by the instruction manual.
Carefully choose your cleaning detergent. To prevent irritating your baby’s sensitive skin, use only mild detergents that are free from fragrance. Sensitive skin types such as that of your baby’s get easily irritated by perfumes and dyes found in some detergents.
Hang the fabric material to dry, whether it was hand-washed or machine-washed. Avoid using the dryer to prevent the fabric from shrinking.
If the fabric material cannot be removed from the frame, you may opt to clean it outdoors. You may clean the fabric while it is still attached to the stroller frame by using a water hose to wet and wash the whole of the stroller. Or you may use buckets of water if you do not have access to a water hose. Soap up and scrub your stroller clean. Again, use only mild laundry detergent.
Use warm water and sponge to remove dirt from the parts of the frame that are especially exposed to dirt when in use. These parts of the frame may have accumulated mud and dirt over time. You may use a toothbrush to get to the hard-to-reach and hard-to-remove dirt. Disinfect after thoroughly washing the parts.
Completely dry your stroller before using it again or keeping it in storage. You may choose to leave it out to dry for a while, but it is better to wipe it dry. It is important to dry the metal frame of the stroller after it has been wet from cleaning in order to avoid rust formation.
Another great option in cleaning the metal frame is to use baby wipes. Instead of hosing down the frame, you may use these disinfectant wipes to wipe down the stroller frame. The wheels and the rims of the stroller may also be disinfected in this manner.
Plastic accessories that come along with the stroller are often detachable. Remove any detachable plastic parts, like the food tray or the cup holder. You may clean these plastic parts using warm water and baby-safe detergent or cleaning product.
Laundry detergents are often good stroller cleaners. Just be sure to choose baby-safe products. Baby-safe cleaning products are often those products that are labeled as “organic”, “chemical-free” or “baby friendly”. Avoid products that contain a lot of harsh chemical. These may include products that list bleach and lye as ingredients.
Disinfection of the plastic parts should be done a number of times a year as going to public places can cause for germs to accumulate on the stroller. It is also important to disinfect the stroller each time your child gets sick to avoid contaminating other kids and re-contaminating your own child.
Fix squeaky and sticky wheels by spraying them with a WD-40 or some other type of natural lubricant silicone spray. This should loosen them up and get the wheels back to rolling efficiently and silently. Be sure to perform this step outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Regularly lubricate the other moving parts of the stroller. Check whether you are able to fold and unfold your stroller with ease, and lubricate as necessary.
Check what type of tires your stroller has. If the tires of your stroller have air, check the pressure with a pressure gauge. Determine from your owner’s manual if you need to refill the air. Check the tire treads and make sure that all parts are properly tightened.
Check for any debris, like leaves and twigs, that may have gotten stuck in between the gears of the stroller. Remove them, if any, completely and wipe the area clean.
Reassemble the stroller carefully. Only put the stroller back together once everything has been cleaned and dried. Completely secure the fabric material back to the stroller frame. Reattach the plastic accessories that you have previously cleaned, and make sure that they fit correctly. Check for any loose attachments to prevent any falling hazard from hitting your child on the head. Check for the completeness of the stroller parts.
As a finishing touch, spray the entire stroller with a disinfectant and a deodorizing spray to make for a clean and refreshed stroller.

The post Top Tips to Maintain Stroller in Great Condition and Last for Years appeared first on ParentsNeed.

What to Feed Your Teething Toddler

Teething is a nightmare for many parents because many babies cry a lot. Symptoms of teething can last for a few days before a tooth first becomes visible or may last up to several months in case a number of teeth are all coming through at almost the same time. Babies show teething symptoms as early as 2 to 3 months before the first tooth actually appears. The timing of teething has no definite time period, although most babies have their first tooth when they hit 7 months. Some babies grow their first tooth by their third month, some late teethers only get their first tooth after they turn 1 year of age.

There is no reason to worry if your child is a bit slow in teething. So long as your child’s bone growth is normal, and he has healthy skin and hair, your child should be okay. Late teething may even be an advantage, according to some experts. The upside of late teething is that the later the teeth come in, the less time there is for the teeth to decay before the child’s permanent teeth start showing. Do mention it to your doctor, however, if your baby has reached 18 months without showing any signs that a teeth may be coming out, just to be sure.

The two teeth located in the bottom center are the most common first teeth to appear in babies. These are usually followed by the two front teeth located in the top center. After these first set of teeth, the pattern of appearance of the teeth goes on an outward path beginning with the lateral incisors, which will be followed by the molars that are closest to your child’s mouth. The next teeth that will appear are the canines beside the lateral incisors and finally followed by the molars.

Teething could be a pain not only for the baby for yourself as well. Your little one will feel discomfort and pain and he wouldn’t know what is happening. As a result, you have your hand full with a fussy baby who can’t seem to stop crying and whom you can’t seem to console. Consoling a teething toddler would be much easier if, well, you knew he was teething. If your toddler is unusually fussy and you have no clue what is going on, here are things you should look out for:

Signs of Teething

Swollen gums and red spots where the teeth are budding just under the gum line. This is due to the inflammation of the tender gum tissue during teeth growth.
Excessive drooling that results in rashes on the toddler’s lips and chin area. Teething stimulates drooling. You may find your baby’s clothes soaked or soggy from drool. The best way to handle this is to place a bib around his neck to keep him cleaner and more comfortable. Be sure to gently wipe away drool from his chin and mouth since drooling may cause teething rash. The constant drool on your baby’s skin may cause irritable chapping and redness around his mouth, chin and neck. You may also apply Aquaphor to form a moisture barrier on your baby’s skin.
Coughing or gag reflex. The coughing and gagging is due to all the drool in your baby’s mouth. So long as there are no other signs of flu or cold, your baby should be alright.
Irritability. Your baby’s mouth will be painful due to the pressure caused by the the tooth pressing against his gums. Your baby is bound to be very irritable. His irritability may last from just a few hours extending to a few days or weeks. While some babies are able to breeze through teething, most babies are unable to bear the pain and they sure are vocal about it. A lot of crying will be involved when your child is teething. The very first tooth usually hurt the most. Hopefully, as more teeth begin growing, your baby would have grown used to what teething feels like.
Difficulty in sleeping. Your baby’s discomfort, the same source of his irritability, may well continue past his bedtime. This may cause difficulty in sleeping or sleep disruption during slumber. When this happens, try soothing him with gentle rubbing or by singing him a lullaby. Do avoid feeding him as this may start a routine of nighttime feeding.
Rubbing his face or grabbing his ears. This is explained by the fact that gums, ears and cheeks all share nerve pathways. As a result, when the gum is painful, the ache can travel and be felt elsewhere.
Biting, chewing or sucking on things that he gets his hands on. When the teeth is trying to poke through the surface of your baby gums, there is a huge amount of discomfort and this may be relieved by applying counterpressure. This explains why teething babies tend to bite anything they can get their hands and gums on.
Unexplained sucking on the gums. Like biting and chewing, your baby sucking on his own gums is probably his way of relieving the pressure from the tooth growing.
Reduced appetite and turning away food. Babies tend to refuse eating because their sore gums may feel worse with the suction of nursing. Eating solid food may not seem as appealing either, but be patient and keep encouraging your child to eat. In this article are a few tips on what food to feed your teething toddler so that he is both soothed and fed.

There is a common misconception that diarrhea, fever and a runny nose are signs of teething as well. Lots of parents swear by this misconception. There has been no scientific evidence to support that these symptoms are indeed signs of teething. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, fever and diarrhea are not considered to be normal teething symptoms. It is quite possible that the presence of these symptoms around the time when the baby is teething is due to the tendency of babies to put objects in their mouth in an attempt to soothe their gums. This means that the possibility of getting in contact with germs and viruses is high. Another thing that may be a cause of panic is bleeding under the gums. It is nothing to be concerned about because teething naturally causes bleeding, given that teeth are trying to bore through your child’s gums. Bleeding gums can be managed and relieved by applying a cool and wet washcloth to counter the pressure.

When your child is unhappy you are unhappy, so you need some tips to deal with these teething symptoms in such a way that it helps them be less fussy. Be advised that it is normal for a child to exhibit the symptoms of teething and not get their first tooth for a few months after the first symptom. The main symptoms to look out for are swollen gums indicating the teeth buds are coming in. Once you ascertain it is teething here are few ways to deal with it.

Use Teething Aids for Toddlers

When selecting teething aid for your child you need to ensure that they meet the following criteria.

Make sure the aid you choose is too big to swallow so they can’t choke on them.
Ensure that the aid is firm but yields to pressure so that it helps to massage the gums and bring relief to the child.
Any teething aid you give your child has to be clean.
Cool object work well so you should consider sticking your teething aid of choice into the freezer for a few minutes. This works well with wet cloths, a wet gauze pad, frozen teething rings and frozen bagels or cold spoons.

Teething Tablets

These are dissolvable tablets that you can put in the baby’s bottle or rub on their gums to help them deal with the discomforts of teething. There have been some negative reviews on certain brands of teething tablets, but generally many moms agree that they are a life saver when it comes to dealing with teething trouble. The main thing is to use them as instructed.

Teething Gels

There are a number of teething gels that are readily available over the counter. These are pastes or liquids that essentially numb the gums so that the baby does not feel the pain. However, doctors recommend that teething gels are used as a last resort because they can cause a few problems.

It has been ascertained that some numbing agents used in these gels can be harmful to babies. Added to this many of them taste terrible and as they numb the gums they may end up numbing the tongue and the lips which may be dangerous. They have also been linked to harmful diseases like Reye’s syndrome and should be avoided.

Teething pains normally occurs 4 days before the teeth pops out, and 3 days after it comes in. So this is a week. You should reach for the simple solutions such as frozen items first to deal with the problem and move on to any medication when it is seriously out of hand. Get those frozen items with a handle they can grasp without freezing their fingers. Alternatively you may use mesh feeder bags and frozen pacifiers.

Feeding During Teething

Babies during teething are fussy eaters. This is normal as they are sensitive in their gums and are afraid to cause additional pain to this area. Cold foods seem to work well at this time. Here are some food ideas to make feeding your teething toddler easier:

Yogurt. It is easy to feed a teething toddler some yogurt. It’s soft. It’s smooth. Oh, and it’s cold, which is a favorable condition for a teething mouth. You can mix in fresh fruit in a healthy plain yogurt. You can even freeze the yogurt and fruit to make a popsicle out of them.
Applesauce. Applesauce is good because like yogurt, it does not need to be chewed and it can be served cold. It is a healthy snack for your child, packed with fiber and vitamins.
Cheese. Cheese is an easy favorite for toddlers. Cheese sticks are good because they can suck on them and they massage the aching gums while they eat them. Cottage cheese is soft enough that your child can eat it without having to chew. Shredded mozzarella or cheddar are easy on the growing teeth as well.
Cooked vegetables. Cooked vegetables that have been rendered soft are healthy snacks that you can serve your child. You may cut the soft vegetables into smaller pieces or make a puree to make eating them easier.
Fruits. Pick out soft fruits like bananas or watermelons, which would be easier on a teething mouth. Cut them up into small pieces to limit the amount of chewing needed. Make tasty smoothies using any kind of nutritious fruit and chill a bit before serving it to them mango and banana with nutritious milk or cereal mix is a great solution. Berries are a good option because they are soft and they can suck on them. They are full of vitamins, so it’s a good solution.
Eggs. Eggs are an excellent source of vitamins and proteins, and it is fortunate that they are easy to serve to your teething toddler, who has probably refused eating meat every chance he got. Adding a tablespoon of water and a sprinkle of cheese while you are beating the eggs can make your scrambled eggs fluffier and softer.
Pasta. Another favorite of most toddlers, pasta can be rendered teething-friendly by cutting them to small bits or choosing bite-size pasta like mini shells and by cooking them for a few extra minutes to make them softer than usual.
Soups. Try making tasty soups from rice peas and chicken and puree the mixture so that it’s easy for them to eat it.

All in all don’t fuss as this is a short period after which they will get back to eating. Give your child a range of the above solutions and let them eat what they like. It’s a good idea to include milk somewhere as it gives a lot of nutrition sweeten it with fruit or apple sauce and cool it in the freezer a bit of a healthy treat.

The post What to Feed Your Teething Toddler appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Siblings

If this baby isn’t your first you will need to put some thought into how you introduce him or her to their new siblings. Will they come through to the hospital, will they be in the house when you home birth or are you planning a grand homecoming?

Preparing a little one for a new little one is important however often if you are enthusiastic they will be too. Some parents might give a little gift to a sibling from the new baby (something small like a best brother/sister teddy) whereas others might not. Younger children especially might be a little concerned about this new mess and noise making machine however with some advanced nad ongoing reassurance hopefully the transition will be just fine.

Visitors

There is nothing that can prepare you properly for the onslaught of phone calls and the sheer number of visitors knocking at your door. While it is of course fabulous that so many people want to celebrate with you and meet the bundle of joy it may be, quite frankly, a pain in the backside.

You’ve laboured for 36 hours, your boobs hurt if anyone so much as glances at them sideward, thanks to the stitches you had you are still sitting on a rubber ring and you haven’t brushed your teeth in three days. This is not the time for a house full of visitors. One of our team here at ParentsNeed HQ shared this little nugget with us.

“My Mum was present at the birth of my first child and even cut his cord. She stayed while I was stitched up, she snuggled her new grandson, she saw me onto the ward and then left. She told me she wouldn’t visit again now and that she’d see us when we were ready.

At first I was almost a little hurt, that is until visiting time at the zoo commenced. I was bombarded with visitors in the hospital and at home, many of whom just turned up unannounced clutching gifts, balloons and flowers. I was so touched that they had (all) come however to be honest I’d be just as happy if they all just left us alone to adjust.

NOW I understood why my mum had said what she did and was grateful. Having had six children herself she knew that the last thing any new mum and dad wanted on arriving home was to have visitors!

For my second child I told everyone well in advance that I’d update them with first pics via social media, that no-one was to drop in unless invited and put a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” rule in place. No-one took it badly, quite the opposite and it gave us the opportunity to settle a little before we faced everyone else. Consider this when planning your post-birth first weeks”.

Housework

Housework Smousework! The first few days of having baby at home is about getting into a routine, healing and sleep. So what if the place isn’t immaculate? If you’ve warned off visitors for the few days as above no-one is going to see it but you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

The First Shopping Trip / Outing

Ah yes, the first trip to the supermarket. We can almost guarantee that it will take around forty-five minutes to do a ten-minute shop (and then you’ll leave without half of what you needed). This has nothing to do with “baby brain” (maybe a little); it has a lot to do with all of the cooing, the oohing and ahhing and the “how did it go”, “what was the birth weight” and other such questions.

Do yourself a favour, book an online grocery shop and have it delivered then just enjoy some walks, seeing people you know out and about and enjoy that “Look, he/she is here” moment than trying to do it all at once.

Routine

Babies need routines and so do parents. There are many schools of thought on how much routine a young baby needs, whether they should be fed on demand or have a schedule, whether they should sleep when they need to or be put down for nap; there aren’t any wrong choices here. How you choose to parent is entirely up to you. What we would say (from our collective positive and not so positive experiences) would be to think about routines early on, even if they are more for you than them.

These routine could be about feeding times or getting yourself into the habit of cleaning and sterilizing bottles at a certain time of day. Having a routine in place helps keep things orderly (up to a point) when you’re suffering from a lack of sleep and sets the foundation for firmer routines when baby is older.

Meals for Parents

Cooking post-birth isn’t always at the top of your enjoyment list however relying on takeaways and finger food every night isn’t great for you or your budget. There’s a lot to be said for batch cooking in advance and freezing food so that for a couple of weeks after baby arrives you have much less in the way of food shopping, preparing, cooking and washing up to do.

Sleep

You know that old phrase “sleep when the baby sleeps”? Make it your new mantra, especially over those early few days and weeks. When the baby sleeps you don’t do the housework, some ironing or anything else that can be done another time. You sleep and if you can’t sleep you at least rest, even if that means watching daytime TV or curling up with a book.

Top Tips for Managing Those First Post-Birth Weeks 1

Appointments

On the run up to B-Day (birth day) you’ll have no doubt had a number of appointments with your midwife. These don’t stop post-birth and there are a number of other appointments for you and baby to attend.

Different areas / regions structure their post-birth appointments differently however generally speaking you will be visited once or twice at home by a midwife and then the health visitor. After the initial visit you might not see the health visitor at home again as you may be invited to visit the regular baby clinics locally instead.

These clinics are an opportunity for you to have baby weighed and measured regularly, to talk about any concerns you might have and they are actually often quite the social occasion. It’s nice to see that you aren’t the only person with baby spit-upon your shoulder sporting that “new parent” glazed look.

You will be advised by your health team when your post-GP appointment should be which is usually at around six weeks post-birth. This is a check-up for you and an opportunity to discuss contraception if necessary (believe it or not, while you might right now be happy to have everything down there sewn up permanently and shudder at the thought of sex that feeling does pass).

You will also be advised of the current immunisation timetable, be given information on this and be able to book your appointment. Their first “jabs” are a lot more traumatic for you that them so don’t feel guilty about the injections.

Registering Birth

Check to find the location of your area’s registration office and get yourself booked in. This is where you register your baby and get their birth certificates. Not only is this a legal requirement (it must be done within 42 days if you are in the UK), certain benefits may not be claimed until it is done, such as again, the UK Child Benefit.

Feeding

The first days and weeks post-birth are about finding a routine that works for you all, especially regarding feeding. Whether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed, this is a new experience for you and baby so it might take a little time to get things spot on. Don’t hesitate to yell if you need help with feeding, be it questions about bottle feeding techniques or amounts or latching on technique aid. One of the benefits of having some quiet time at home is to enable you and baby to strike the correct balance.

Night-Time

Quite often night and day merge into one when it comes to welcoming a new baby into the home as not all babies sleep through straight away. We don’t mean to scare you but some might take years to get the hang of a proper full night of uninterrupted sleep. Routine helps, for you and for them, as do coping strategies. If you are up constantly during the night share the burden with your partner if he/she is able, find ways to occupy yourself during those soul-less 3am “I’m a happy baby, watch me scream in glee every time you try to put me down” times and basically just find a way to make it work the best way it can for you.

We like to think of disturbed nights for parents of new babies as training for when the little darlings have you up all night worrying when they are teenagers. Parenting can be a challenge, that’s for sure, however the rewards far out-weigh the worry and the sleeplessness.

Christening / Naming Days

“Have you a date for the naming ceremony yet”, asks a helpful friend. Naming day? Christening? When you can’t summon up the energy to pluck that persistent stray chin hair (thanks hormones) let alone pick out matching clothing the mere idea of booking and organising a party is ridiculous. Give yourself time.

Many parents don’t have their children christened or have a “Welcome Baby” party until they are at least six months old if not older. Don’t feel pressure to get everything done straight away. If you’re thinking about these things at all it shouldn’t be more than a case of pinning party ideas on Pinterest and testing dessert options (research is important you know!).

All the Advice

Raise your hand if you have ever heard any of these:

None of mine did that…
If I was you I would…..
You shouldn’t…..
Well MY doctor said…..
Haven’t you done *that* yet?

One of the fabulous things that comes with bringing a new baby into the world is advice. Some advice could be helpful, some might be condescending and some might be downright worrying. So many conflicting sources of advice and so many people pushing to the front of the queue to give you their opinion.

Don’t get us wrong, people care and nine times out of ten they mean well however for your own sake it is best if you stick to what works for you and if you need help, support and advice ask your health visitor or someone you can trust.

Making Memories

Above all the first few weeks after you come home from hospital or have your baby at home is about making precious memories. This a special, unique time that passes very quickly so make sure you take the opportunity to spend quality time with your extended family and enjoy your baby’s first days and weeks.

PS. When someone tell you that their first smile was actually wind, don’t worry about it, you know better. That grin was just for you.

Add Media

The post Top Tips for Managing Those First Post-Birth Weeks appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Travel Gear for Toddlers | 2018 Reviews

Traveling as a family provides a lot of benefits not just for the kids but also for the parents. Everyone learns a little more about the ways of the world but they also learn a few more things about themselves.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat

Summer Infant 2015 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier

Regalo My Cot Portable Bed

Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair

However, having little kids in tow can be also extremely frustrating for a lot of parents. Unlike adults, toddlers are not best at staying still even for just a couple of minutes and they easily get bored. Parents are not just tasked to ensure safety and comfort to their kids but they also have to make sure they stay entertained to prevent tantrums from happening.

Admittedly, bringing toddlers along are more challenging than babies. Toddlers already know how to walk and run which means that parents have to make sure they stay alert at all times. Regardless, we here at ParentsNeed HQ still believe that the benefits that everyone gets from traveling far outweighs the challenges that families with little kids face.

If you are a parent to a toddler – or one or even two – here are some the top five of our most recommended travel gears that will make the journey a whole lot easier for both kid and parent. Alternatively, you can check our Best Travel Gear for Babies Buying Guide here.

Happy travels!

Quick Comparison Table

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat	Summer Infant 2015 3D Lite Stroller	Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier	Regalo My Cot Portable Bed	Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair


$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
7.5 pounds	15.9 pounds	7.11 pounds	6.2 pounds	7.5 pounds

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat

You certainly cannot get inside the car with a toddler without a travel car seat on. Whether you just constantly run errands to the groceries or elsewhere around the neighborhood or you go on long distance road trips with the entire family, you will certainly need a car seat to ensure your toddler’s safety. At the top of our list is the Graco Nautilus Booster Car Seat, which is perfect for road trips with toddlers.

When choosing car seats for toddlers, it is important to go not just for those that have been rigorously tested to meet and even exceed US safety standards but also those that can be adjusted as your child grows. The best thing about this car seat is that it can accommodate kids from 22 pounds or 27 inches and it can be changed into a travel booster seat to accommodate slightly older kids up to 100 pounds or 57 inches. With its Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, the height of the harness and headrests can be adjusted with just a single motion so your child stays properly and safely secured no matter their height.

This 3-in-1 toddler car seat comes with a 5-point harness system, a 3-point recline, harness and buckle covers, single cup holder and a storage compartment. This product is designed to be used as a forward-facing car seat then a belt-positioning booster seat then a backless booster seat – that’s three car seats in one awesome product!

Despite this product not being recommended as a forward-facing seat for kids under two, we still place this on the top spot of our list just because it grows with your kid. It definitely costs slightly more than other products but we believe it is among the best car seats for toddlers – you get the most value out of your money since you can use it for a very long time.

Check out this list of our top 5 best booster seats for more options.

Details of the Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
Dimensions	28 x 18.7 x 15.6 inches
Weight	7.5 pounds
Passenger Weight	22 to 100 pounds
Passenger Height	27 to 57 inches
Target Gender	Unisex
Warranty	Limited, 1 year

Check Price On Amazon

Summer Infant 2015 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

One of the biggest woes that parents have when it comes to traveling with toddlers is that these little people require a lot of physical and mental strength and they can be very exhausting to deal with the whole day.

Toddlers might not seem heavy in the beginning of your sightseeing but they tend become physically challenging as the day wears on. If you are planning to walk around cities and neighborhoods with paved streets and walkways, then this ultra portable and lightweight umbrella stroller is your best buddy. There are many things we love about this travel gear for toddlers. For one, it is made from a light aluminum so it is not just easy to carry and push but it is also durable enough to hold a kid of up to 50 pounds. Another thing we like about this stroller is that it can recline to nearly flat so the passenger can comfortably take a nap and you can even make quick diaper changes in them. Of course, there is also the extra large storage basket so you can stow all of your things for the day.

Sadly, this umbrella stroller isn’t able to stand when folded so that can be a bit frustrating especially if you already have a lot of things to think about. Still, we are ranking this one as second in our list.

Check out our list of top 5 best umbrella strollers for more options.

Details of the Summer Infant 2015 3D Lite Convenience Stroller
Dimensions	41 x 8.8 x 10 inches
Weight	15.9 pounds
Passenger Weight	Up to 50 pounds
Target Gender	Unisex

Check Price On Amazon

Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier

If you love traveling the backcountry and exploring the great outdoors but are too skeptical about the level of support and safety that soft-shelled carriers and baby slings can provide for your toddler, this toddler carrier backpack might be your best match.

The Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier provides you the flexibility that no stroller can provide, which is great for both kid and parent. We love that this child carrier is super strong and sturdy but still ‘soft’ enough to provide comfort to the kid sitting inside and the parent carrying it. This toddler backpack carrier comes with a 5-point harness system to ensure safety. The harness and seats can also be adjusted easily to accommodate your growing child. To protect them from the elements, it also comes with an integrated sun roof (although we also suggest that your child wear jackets or long sleeved tops depending on what the weather is.

Aside from these great benefits for the kids, this carrier was also designed with the parent in mind. It has a zipped compartment to accommodate a hydration system so there is no need to carry and open water bottles – hooray for going totally hands-free! Additionally, it has several storage options such as a zipped outer pocket, a large zipped compartment under the seat for your kid’s essentials and mesh side pockets. Of course, there is also a hip fin pocket for small items such as keys, energy bars or cellphones.

While we have a lot of good things to say about this child backpack carrier, its price tag is not one of them. There are still a lot of less expensive alternatives available in the market but if price isn’t an issue for you, we definitely recommend this product. Regardless, you can be sure that you get a high quality travel gear for every single cent. We place this one on the third spot in our list.

Details of the Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier
Dimensions	17 x 13 x 31 inches
Weight	7.11 pounds
Volume	18 liters
Material	Nylon
Target Gender	Unisex

Check Price On Amazon

Regalo My Cot Portable Bed

Whether you are planning to stay over at grandma’s house, a hotel room or a campground for the night or to nap at the day care, this super lightweight travel cot is the most recommended product for sleeping.

Despite its portability, this portable toddler bed is made up of a comfortable yet sturdy frame that can bear a load of up to 75 pounds. Its bed liner is comes with reinforced stitching which adds durability to the product. And, just in case of accidents, you can always put the cotton fitted sheet over its frame and throw it into the washer if it gets soiled.

Another thing we really like about this travel toddler bed is that it has a 7-inch clearance from the ground so you can bring it to the beach and not have to worry so much about the sand getting into their cots all the time. If your child moves around too much during sleep, the 7-inch height from the ground need not make you worry so much. If you are worried about safety, the fact that Regalo maintains among the best safety records for kids’ products should bring your comfort. Even better, the company gives back to various children’s organizations so you do extend a certain amount of help for each of your purchase.

Except for our worry about kids falling from the 7-inch height, we really have nothing else bad to stay about this portable bed. This is definitely a great alternative for young kids who hate toddler travel cribs and would rather sleep like an ‘adult’. Some might still prefer crib-like designs so we are putting this on the fourth spot.

Check out this list of the top 5 best travel cots for babies for more options.

Details of the Regalo My Cot Portable Bed
Dimensions	48 x 26 x 7 inches
Weight	6.2 pounds
Recommended Weight	Up to 75 pounds
Recommended Height	Up to 52 inches
Target Gender	Unisex
Material	Plastic, Steel
Inclusions	Portable bed, carrying case, cot cover, instruction guide
Warranty	Limited, 90 days

Check Price On Amazon

Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair

Another product that we highly recommend for outdoor loving families is this travel high chair which you can bring everywhere you go.

One of the nice things about this toddler seat is that it will make your kid feel like an adult because it looks pretty much like those portable chairs that we use when camping. The only difference is that it comes with a tray as well as a built-in cup holder perfect for those busy little children.

This portable booster seat comes with a lightweight design so you can carry it around wherever you go – during camping trips, by the beach, to grandma’s house and even inside your favorite restaurant. You no longer have to use those gross high chairs that are being provided by dining places because you can bring a portable one instead.

Another thing that we love about this seat is that it is extremely easy to use. There is no need for assembly or setup because you only have to fold and unfold it within seconds. The vinyl tray can be easily wiped off so even if your toddler makes a lot of mess, you do not need to worry much. If your toddler moves around too much, you can still be assured that they stay safe in it since it comes with a comfortable lap belt that will hold them securely. There is also a leg hole under the tray to make sure that your kid does not slide down the chair when they are in it.

The only thing that we do not like about this portable high chair is that its tray is a little too shallow so more food goes into the lap than usual. We would also have loved for the tray to come off as well as the cover so you can just toss it into the washing machine when it gets too dirty. Otherwise, we still think it is a great travel gear to have which is why it grabs the fifth spot in our list.

Check out our list of the top 5 best baby high chairs for more options.

Details of the Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair
Dimensions	28 x 18.7 x 15.6 inches
Weight	7.5 pounds
Passenger Weight	4 to 35 pounds
Passenger Height	Up to 32 inches
Target Gender	Unisex

Check Price On Amazon

There you have it. We hope this list of travel gear reviews for toddlers have helped you make a clear decision on what things to buy for when you explore the world with your little one. Happy travels and enjoy the adventure!

The post Top 5 Best Travel Gear for Toddlers | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.