A Mother by Other Means: An Infertility Journey

A Mother by Other Means: An Infertility Journey

For women who want nothing more than to bring a child into this world, one that carries their bloodline into the next generation, a diagnosis of infertility (being unable to get pregnant after at least twelve consecutive months of unprotected sex) or impaired fecundity (an impaired ability to conceive and carry a child to term) is devastating.

According to data from the CDC, around 8.2 million women in the US alone suffer from some form of infertility or impaired fecundity. Treatment options vary widely, ranging from hormonal treatments to traditional IVF.

For most, donor egg IVF is a last resort.

This is how donor egg IVF became the path my husband and I took to complete our family.​

Fulfilling the role of mother

Women have an archetypal role as the nurturer, the mothers of the world.

We are painted in every facet of society as caretakers, and if we have children, motherhood becomes the primary aspect of our identity. It is so ingrained in our society that in some places, motherhood is synonymous with womanhood. Many of us spent our childhood eagerly anticipating the day when we could hold our son or daughter in our arms and begin a chapter of life that we have waited our whole lives to write.

In fact, before we began trying to conceive, I knew the type of mother I would be – kind, yet firm; loving, but not coddling. Following in my own mother’s footsteps, I would be fair in discipline, listen intently, and encourage my children to follow their dreams… while also ensuring they learn proper limits and consequences for their actions.

I had the perfect vision.​

How could I know my journey would be so different?

Looking on the brighter side

We often tell ourselves, “If we can’t have children of our own, it’ll be okay. We’ll just adopt.” But that naïve optimism usually lasts until that fateful appointment when, after what seems like forever trying to conceive, our doctors deliver that soul-crushing reality.

We can’t have children without the help of fertility services.

Once the initial heartbreak subsides, we begin to explore treatment options, because we still cling to the hope that we will be able to have a miracle baby, that the next treatment, the next IVF cycle, the next embryo implantation, it’s going to work.

It has to work.​

We were meant to be mothers.​

Embracing IVF

For my husband and I, this amounted to nine failed attempts to conceive through IVF and embryo transfers.

Nine courses of hormones and nine negative pregnancy tests.

It became clear that we were not going to be able to conceive and I would not give birth to a child with my family genes. There were still paths we could take to have a child, to have a family. But that child would be both ours and not ours.

It hurt, more than many can even imagine.

I mourned.

I grieved for the family that I always wanted, the family I would never have. My husband grieved as well, and we prayed. We knew that we would be able to love our children, regardless of how we were blessed to have them, but our family would never be what we had envisioned, what we had expected, when we married.

Our emotions were deep and took time to process– time I recommend that anyone in the same position take. Pray for guidance and be honest with one another about how you feel.​

Don’t bottle up those fears and that sadness, or it will eat you alive.

Answering our prayers

We prayed, each time we underwent a cycle of IVF or an embryo transfer, that God would grant us the child we so desperately wanted. And while we did not conceive, our prayers were answered in the form of an adoption opportunity.

We were able to adopt our beautiful son. He was a blessing from above, but we knew in our hearts that God meant for us to have more than one child. We had so much love to give, and we wanted our family to grow.

Embracing donor egg IVF

When we tried to adopt a second child and failed, our hearts were broken yet again, but we were determined to have the family we knew we were meant to have, and began to consider donor egg IVF.

I was worried about the process, and I feared that we would, once again, be unsuccessful.​

After praying over the decision, my husband and I knew it was the right one. The process was much simpler than I expected, and any lingering doubts about how a connection could be formed with my child disappeared when I saw that positive result and heard their heartbeats.

Twins, the doctor told us.

We were having twins.​

Celebrating our success

All of the grief, the sadness, the anger, the fear, they were left behind in the wake of the joy and exhilaration of feeling their flutters and kicks.

I was pregnant!

We were pregnant!

When our beautiful babies came into the world, our family was whole. We spent so long trying so hard to bring one child of our own into the world, and we had finally been blessed with not one, not two, but three children that were unequivocally, irreplaceably, ours.​

Genetics are not the only thing that make a family a family.

Love is what matters most.​

Inspiring others

The perfect vision I had of myself as a mother before donor egg IVF, and the reality that came afterwards, does differ slightly in execution. However, my motivation to provide a nurturing, consistent, and balanced home life for my children never changed – and that’s exactly what they receive.

To those women who are living with infertility and fear the looming possibility that a biological child is not in your future, please, do not lose hope.

Don’t you owe it to yourself to explore all your options?

With the guidance of your health care provider, egg banking services, and other infertility resources such as support groups, you don’t have to go through the process on your own. They will help you navigate this gut-wrenching decision and find your happy ending!​

Monitoring What Your Child Eats

Your child’s likes and dislikes will change regularly and while they may despise mashed parsnip now it may be their all-time favourite in three or six months. Keep a basic record of the foods that you’ve tried and how well they were received. If something is refused, try it again in a few weeks or months. Monitoring what your little one has eaten and when could also be helpful in identifying any intolerances your child might have or develop. If you have any concerns about intolerance or allergies, please see your health visitor or GP.

Author Bio:

Heidi Hayes is the CEO of Donor Egg Bank USA. She has more than 20 years of healthcare experience and has worked extensively in the field of reproductive endocrinology. Having been unsuccessful at traditional IUI and IVF treatments, Heidi personally understands the struggles of infertility. After many years of trying to conceive, she ultimately built her family through adoption and donor egg treatment. She always believed that if she didn't give up, her ultimate goal of becoming a parent would someday become a reality.

Originally posted 2017-03-04 13:11:33.

The post A Mother by Other Means: An Infertility Journey appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Preeclampsia: What New and Expecting Mothers Need to Know?

You may have read about it, and your doctor may have even warned you about it, but many women often don’t know that they’re suffering from preeclampsia until they’re hospitalized. Preeclampsia is a health condition that affects 1 in 20 pregnant women worldwide every year. It is the most common pregnancy complication, and it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Preeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy complication that is characterized by unusually high blood pressure, the presence of abnormal proteins in the urine, and signs of damage to other organs. The other organs typically affected by preeclampsia are the liver and kidneys. Untreated, the condition can be dangerous to both the mother and the child.

What Causes Preeclampsia?

It’s still not entirely clear what causes preeclampsia. Incidences of the condition have been rising in the United States since the 1990s, and it’s suspected that this is because of the rise in other conditions, like obesity and diabetes, that can contribute to higher chances of predisposition for preeclampsia.

Doctors have been searching for a direct cause for preeclampsia and have found no definite answer. As of now, the only treatment for preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby. It can be difficult to determine when delivery is most appropriate — doctors must weigh a variety of factors when making the decision about when delivery is best for each mother. Considerations include the severity of preeclampsia in the mother and the maturity of the child.

Untreated, preeclampsia can lead to seizures due to hypertension. At this point, the condition is considered eclampsia. Treatment is focused on avoiding full onset of eclampsia.

Symptoms of Preeclampsia

If you’re expecting, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of preeclampsia. Although there is no treatment other than the birth of your child, being aware of the symptoms to look for can help you get the medical treatment you need as soon as possible. If your doctor is aware of your symptoms, they can improve your comfort until you’re able to deliver your baby.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Preeclampsia typically develops during the third trimester. The first signs of preeclampsia are high blood pressure and the presence of protein in urine (proteinuria). Although you likely won’t notice these symptoms yourself, your doctor will likely discover these things during your regular prenatal appointments.

Because between 10-15 percent of pregnant women experience high blood pressure, the presence of this condition alone is not enough to determine that a woman has preeclampsia. However, if high blood pressure occurs alongside proteinuria, this is a good indicator of preeclampsia.

Advanced Symptoms

If preeclampsia is left untreated, it can lead to a variety of serious and life-threatening conditions. As the condition progresses, it’s typical to experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Malaise or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Pain below the ribs on the right side of the body
• Weight gain due to water retention
• Reduced urination due to water retention
• Blurry vision
• Reduced blood platelet levels

Another concern during preeclampsia is the restriction of fetal growth due to reduced blood supply to the placenta.

Rare but advanced symptoms of preeclampsia include:

• Stroke
• Seizures (eclampsia)
• Kidney failure
• HELLP syndrome (a blood clotting and liver disorder)

One of the biggest concerns when preeclampsia develops is protecting the baby until it is safe for the mother to deliver. Children with mothers who have preeclampsia frequently need to be delivered prematurely. Treatment with corticosteroids can help rapidly develop the baby’s lungs, making premature delivery safer, and may also help temporarily improve the mother’s health to extend her pregnancy.

HELLP Syndrome

It’s thought that HELLP syndrome is variation of preeclampsia. This condition is a combination of low platelet count, hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), and elevated liver enzymes. Symptoms of HELLP syndrome often resemble preeclampsia, and the condition can be difficult to diagnose. HELLP syndrome can onset as a symptom of preeclampsia, or can occur on its own.

HELLP syndrome is much more uncommon than preeclampsia, affecting less than 1 percent of pregnancies. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of women with preeclampsia will also develop HELLP syndrome. Predispositions for developing HELLP are similar to those for developing preeclampsia, and they include advanced maternal age, high blood pressure, or a history of preeclampsia. The symptoms of HELLP are similar to that of the flu. If you ever experience flu-like symptoms during pregnancy, it’s important to visit your doctor right away.

The symptoms of HELLP syndrome typically resolve quickly after delivery, usually within two to three days. The biggest risk of HELLP syndrome is to the baby, as most baby’s whose mothers develop HELLP syndrome must be delivered early. Babies delivered prior to 37 weeks will need monitoring at the hospital until they are ready to go home.

Prevention and Awareness

There’s an important consideration for preeclampsia that’s often overlooked. While in most cases, preeclampsia develops in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, it continues to be a risk for women up to six weeks postpartum. In the busy and exciting time following childbirth, medical care tends to be focused heavily on the infant, and health concerns for the mother can unintentionally fall by the wayside.

It’s important to stay aware of any health issues or symptoms that could indicate preeclampsia for mothers who are soon expecting or have recently given birth. Swelling was often used as an early warning sign of preeclampsia, but due to how common this symptom is among pregnant women, it is no longer considered to be an indicator of the condition.

If the mother experiences pitting edema (swelling characterized by lasting marks if the swollen area is pressed), this might be a surer sign of preeclampsia. Other symptoms include weight gain over four pounds in one week (a sign of water retention), dizziness, and difficulties seeing or thinking clearly.

Certain factors do make some women more predisposed to preeclampsia, such as:

• Obesity
• Preexisting hypertension
• Diabetes
• Family history of the condition
• Abnormal placental development
• Smoking
• Multiple gestation

First-time mothers, mothers in their teens, and mothers over 40 are also at risk of increased chances of preeclampsia.

Some research has shown that regularly taking Aspirin after the 12th week of pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women who are predisposed to the condition. There are no vitamins or supplements associated with a reduction of risk. Neither bed rest nor exercise have been found to contribute to a positive impact on the incidence of the condition. Recently, it’s been found that mothers with a history of preeclampsia are more likely to develop hardened and narrow arteries later in life.

Studies have been conducted that suggest that preeclampsia can be triggered by immunological intolerance of a child’s father. It’s been tentatively suggested that exposure to the father’s seminal fluid prior to conception may reduce the chances of preeclampsia. Exposure prior to pregnancy may reduce the chances of preeclampsia by exposing the mother to immune factors necessary to induce immunological tolerance in their partners.

The most important factor in preventing harm from preeclampsia is awareness. Continuing to consider the mother’s health a priority after birth, sharing information about preeclampsia, and being aware of the risk factors are all ways to reduce risks from preeclampsia. The effects of preeclampsia impact both mothers and their children, so sharing information about the condition and increasing awareness can help many.

If you have more questions about preeclampsia, visit The Preeclampsia Foundation or talk to your doctor.

The post Preeclampsia: What New and Expecting Mothers Need to Know? appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Ultimate Guide for Bathing a Newborn the Right Way

Ultimate Guide for Bathing a Newborn the Right Way

Newborn babies are extremely delicate, sometimes even as new parents, we are afraid to touch them because we might break them. At some point in time, we will get over this feeling and get used to the next month with a very fragile little one in our arms. There are always the baby's firsts! And one of the firsts that we need to be very careful about is giving our newborn a bath.

It's not as simple as giving a baby a bath. There are so many things to consider. And too many things to think about when we give our babies a bath. With so many questions that bother us like how to bathe a newborn baby with the umbilical cord ? Should I bathe a baby immediately or how long should you wait to bathe a newborn? Do newborn babies have to take a bath every day? How often does a baby need a bath? There are plenty of things to think about and we are going to tackle each and every one of them.

First thing is first, you need to get your little one the right and best bathtub for infants, you can get baby bathtubs that can accommodate a newborn, an infant and a toddler. So you just need to get the right one for you and your baby. A baby bath tub really helps as well because giving a soapy squirming delicate newborn in your arm can be terrifying. You'll build up the confidence sooner or later when it comes to bathing a newborn.

No to the question, when is baby's first bath? Should you bathe your baby only after the umbilical cord falls off? Or bathe right away when coming from the hospital? Or should you bathe your baby right after being born? When your baby is born, your baby is completely covered in amniotic fluid and it is everywhere! This fluid needs to be cleansed. Initially, hospitals would either just wipe the baby or do a quick rinse to get rid of the fluid. You can actually start bathing your baby days after being born. You need to wash off that fluid completely, don't you? But you need extra care and vigilance when doing so.​

Bathing a baby takes a lot of confidence especially if you a new mommy. But if you're not that confident yet, get someone who knows how to do it and watch carefully. In the initial stage when you're just off the hospital, you don't have to use soap on your baby. Some soaps-- no matter how mild they are-- can irritate your baby's skin. In fact, it can even dry it out. If you do want to bathe your baby with soap then you need to prepare two buckets of mildly warm water for your baby.

Points to remember on how to bathe a newborn with umbilical cord

• Make sure that the water is the right temperature. It is better to just scoop water out rather than use water straight from the tap or showerhead. Even if it may seem warm to you, remember that baby's delicate skin can easily dry out in eve warm water. Settle for lukewarm water a little bit on the cooler side preferably lower than and never higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Have everything by your side at arm's length. Don't ever leave your baby even just to grab the baby shampoo, towel or soap.
• If you want to use soap, it is better to use liquid mild soap. Fill the bathtub with enough water for your infant and add a few drops of soap in the bath. You can also use a bar soap but it is harder to wash off your baby. You can rinse your baby with clean water afterwards.
• Use an infant mesh of you can't give your baby a bath on your own. Remember that support is key to bathing a new baby.
• Don't over bathe your little one. There is no point keeping your newborn submerged in water that is getting cooler by the minute. Five minutes is enough to bathe your newborn.

So here is how to give bath to newborn baby at home

1. Get a soft washcloth.

2. Get it wet with clean plain water and wipe off your baby's face first.

3. Start with and around the eyes going down the nose and cheeks, then the mouth.

4. When washing the head, get a scoop of water and gently pour at the furthest tip of the head, this way water won't go on your baby's face. Do the same with the tap or showerhead.

◦ TIP: The head is very fragile, you may also want to wash it after bathing the entire body or wrap it with a light dry towel to keep the warmth of the water on your baby's head.​

5. With the damp washcloth, bathe your baby gently and quickly.

6. To wash your baby's back, hold your baby by the jaw. Position your hand over your baby's jaw with the thumb and the index finger holding the face and your entire arm across your little one's chest and groin area, gently turn your baby to the side and use your hand as a support so that your baby won't fall off the mesh.

• If you have a small light baby, you can turn your baby and let your entire arm support your newborn-- that is if you are confident you can carry your baby. Reposition as soon as possible right after you wipe the back and the bum area with the washcloth.

7. Wash your baby's legs and toes.

8. Wash the groin area well starting from front to back as you would in diaper changes.

• For Girls, don't fuss over the whitish discharge in your daughter's vagina. That is completely normal. It disappears in time so make sure you keep it clean at all costs.

• For Boys, you don't need to pull back the foreskin, which will loosen up in time. Just wash the penis and scrotum area well. But, if your baby has just been recently circumcised, you need to keep changing your baby's bandage. You can still give your little boy a bath but try to resist using soapy water because it might sting. You need to DRY it off completely by dabbing it dry with cotton balls.

9. Rinse.

10. Wrap your baby in a towel immediately and swaddle your baby.​

NOTE: If you give your baby a complete bath with your little one's umbilical cord, you should make sure that you dry it off completely.

• Get a cotton ball and dab off the excess water.
• After that, get a cotton bud and gently dab off the water around the stump.
• Be very careful, dab off the water around the belly button too.
• Don't use alcohol or any sort of cleaning agent on your little one's umbilical cord. Just use a plain dry cotton bud.

How to sponge bathe a newborn?

Some parents are not comfortable bathing their newborns until after the umbilical cord falls off. So, why no bath until the cord falls off ? This is to reduce the risk of infection and complications regarding the umbilical cord. It is a very delicate area that is why parents prefer to give baby's first bath after umbilical cord falls off. In that case, how to sponge bathe a newborn? Here are the steps:

1. Lay a rubber mat where you’re going to give your baby a sponge bath.
2. Get a damp soft washcloth or soft sponge and wipe your baby’s face and head. E particularly gentle on the head. There are soft spots you do not want to press on.
3. Wipe behind the ears and around the neck.
4. Wipe your little one’s arms and down the torso avoiding the tummy area.
5. Wipe your baby’s legs clean.
6. Regarding the groin are, better get your washcloth or sponge wetter. The groin and bum areas need a more thorough cleaning.
7. The trick is clean from top to bottom.
8. Pat dry your baby never ever wipe with a towel, you are stripping off more natural oils left on your baby’s skin.

Cleaning the belly button with a stump

1. You only need cotton balls, cotton buds, and sterile/ distilled water.
2. Never ever go for alcohol, antiseptics—unless prescribed, oils lotions on the stump.
3. Damp a cotton bud tips and gently wipe around the stump. If there is som kind of sticky goo that doesn’t seem to come off, leave it. Don’t force yourself to clean it. It will eventually dry up and fall off.
4. Get a cotton ball and pat dry the stump.
5. Remove excess water off with a dry cotton bud.
6. When putting your baby’s diaper, fold the diaper away from the stump. Some newborn diapers already have a space allotted for the stump but since some babies are pretty tiny, you may have the need to fold it away still.
7. Keep checking the stump, if it bleeds, don’t panic. Call your pediatrician and ask for advice.

How to bathe a newborn baby Indian style?

Now when your baby is more than a month old, you may want a more in-tuned bathing style. Indian moms bathe their babies without a bathtub. For sure, it's a scary thought especially since babies are very fragile but the fact is that it promotes skinship. Now that is something that builds a mommy-baby relationship. So, how to bathe a newborn baby Indian style? Here's how:

Things to remember:

• You will definitely get wet. If you don’t want your clothes getting damp, simply wear shorts for this method.
• You may also need to use two stools of different heights.
• Have all of your baby bathing essentials at arm’s reach.
• Always go for a tender washcloth. You can also just use your hands if your think washcloths and sponges can harm your baby.
• It is best to have a companion with you, someone to assist you with in case you need something. This is totally optional, though.

• 1. Sit on a higher stool and rest both of your foot on a lower stool.
  2. Put your baby between your legs and not your thighs. You can put your baby either facing you or away from you.
  3. Undress your little one.
  4. Get a wash cloth damp and wipe your baby’s face clean starting with the eyes and around it.
  5. Get your baby wet and start lathering up the mild soap.
  6. If your baby is facing away from your you can easily wash the hair– if your baby has hair.
  7. To rinse the shampoo off your newborn’s head pour water over the back part of the head and use your hand to drive water over the frontal part of your little one’s head. This is to keep the soap and water away from your baby’s face.
  8. After rinsing the head, start from neck down.
  9. Lather up soap over under the chin and around the neck.
  10. Soap up down the arms and tummy and over to the legs and the groin.
  11. Rinse.
  12. Flip your baby over to let your little one breathe through the space between your legs.
  13. Soap up the back and the bum and rinse thoroughly.
  14. Flip your baby back up and do some final rinsing.
  15. Pat dry your baby’s face and wrap him/ her in a warm dry towel.

There are so many ways to bathe a newborn. Bathing a newborn baby doesn't have to be a tough and scary job. Just find courage because you know that you will definitely be careful with your child. Besides, it can be one of the most fulfilling duties of a mom and one of the most fun things you can do with your little one as they grow older. Newborn bath time doesn't need to be done daily anyway, you can simply bathe your child about 3 to 4 times a week. They're not as active as 6 month-old babies and above who need to bathe practically every day. So have fun in bathing newborns using the ParentsNeed happy baby tips.

Originally posted 2017-03-04 01:39:32.

The post Ultimate Guide for Bathing a Newborn the Right Way appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Toy Storage Box Buying Guide

Best Toy Storage Box Buying Guide

Your children’s playroom is their personal space. In their room, they are able to move about without worrying that they might get into an accident, thanks to your impeccable child proofing. They can ‘work’ in this room – it is where they make their art, dance about, and make believe with their toys. It is no wonder, then, that your children’s playroom is also the messiest part of your house.

Mess, though, is a great opportunity for your kids to learn an important life skill: organizing and packing away. The best way to do this, of course, is to make sure that everything in the kids’ playroom has its own place. So, if you want to get ahead of the mess, you might want to start looking at toy storage boxes for the kids’ room.

Types of Toy Storage

As far as toy storage boxes and organizers go, there are a lot of choices for your kids’ room. In fact, they come in all sorts of cute constructions and colors that it will be hard to keep yourself from over spending or over buying. This won’t be a problem if you have a lot of space to put your new purchases in, but if you don’t, you will have to plan on buying your storage units carefully. But before you can plan, you will need to know what types of toy storage boxes are available to you.

● Cubby Holes

Cubby type storage units look like traditional book cases except with more compartments. Each compartment may be used as a shelf to store books, kids’ DVDs, art sets, and toys. While others may be used as light drawers. For versatility, you may purchase a cubby type storage with different sized compartments for different types of toys and knick knacks. They come in different finishes and it will look great in any room in the house.

Pros: Cubby holes have a classic look that can outlast trends. While the hardwood varieties will last longer, being on a budget and buying shelves made with cheaper engineered wood will not take away from its classic look. You can also make customized cubbies to fit right into your interiors for exactly the things you wish to store in them.​

Cons: Cubby holes can get really bulky and if not correctly incorporated into your room interiors, could make a room appear smaller. Fully customized units can be more expensive than other toy storage options.​

● Hanging Storage

The great thing about hanging storage is that you can use the vertical space in your child’s room and save the floor space for other things. They can go from traditional store bought plush toy hammocks to sleek floating shelves from your local Home Depot. But where hanging toy storage really shines is in the DIY department where crafty moms can use pails, baskets, crates or any child safe container and hang them as storage for their kids’ things.

Pros: You can really get creative with using vertical space. This is especially useful for small play rooms with very little floor space to spare.​

Cons: Hanging storage may be unsafe for little kids who might not know how to properly access storage that hangs overhead.​

● Free Standing

Free standing toy storage are among the most versatile toy storage units available. They come in the form of wooden or metal frames with different sized colorful bins to help your kids organize their stuff. The bins are ideal for grouping toys and clothes together. They are also built to be within your child’s reach.

Pros: Free standing toy storage boxes are light and easily carried should there be a need to move things around. They are normally made to be compact so as not to take up too much floor space. They are also relatively inexpensive and widely available. This being so, it is easy to buy more units if you need additional storage.​

Cons: While the bins can store all sorts of different things, they are unsuitable for soft covered books.​

● Soft Plush Toy Bags

You can organize your kids’ plush toys in soft zipper bags that are specially designed to do just that. They are also ideal for pillows, bed sheets, pillow cases, and duvets.

Pros: These organizer bags are inexpensive and are a great way to compartmentalize things in the closet.​

Cons: They have limited use and don’t have the structure to store harder toys.​

● Chests

Toy chests are a classic way to store toys when they are not in use. They come in wood finishes or in more modern plastic designs. Chests are great for quickly stowing things away, but it is not easy to organize things inside them.

Pros: The classic look of a toy chest can be appealing to children and adults alike. And because it really is just a big box with a lid, it is easy to make a room look neat by getting toys out of sight when they are not needed.​

Cons: Chests can get really heavy and pose as a real hazard for very small children whose fingers might accidentally get caught in the lid. If you choose to use a chest as a storage box, never leave your child unattended. There have been too many horror stories of children getting trapped inside chests when no one was watching them.​

What are the features you should consider when buying a toy storage?

Now that you know your choices, it will be easier to decide what you need in your kids’ room. It is always a good idea to have a look at the things they own so you have a good idea of how many storage units you need. In addition, you and your kids could have fun together if you involve them in choosing their storage box. It will be fun for them to be part of deciding which toys get displayed and which ones go into which compartment.

Once you and your kids have sorted out what you need in their playroom, you will want to look for the ideal unit that not only looks good, but has the following features.​

● Sturdy and Durable

When you are looking for a toy storage box, you need one that is sturdy and durable. For one, your little ones might be curious and inclined to climb their storage unit. If they do, the last thing we want is for it to come crashing down, with your child on it. Even though storage units are not built high enough to injure your child should she fall from it, just imagine the mess!

Likewise, you want to have a storage unit that is durable. Toy storage boxes are furniture pieces and will be part of your child’s room for a while. It pays to buy one that can grow along with her.​

● Customizable

You want a storage box that is versatile and can be used for whatever you need it for. Do you need some levels to be higher? Longer? More square? Do you need a bin to be deeper? Do you need to organize by color? Standardized units are ok, but every play room is different and kids’ things vary. So you will want to make sure that the unit you buy can adapt to your kids’ belongings.

● Expandable

You will be surprised and how fast kids accumulate things. The things that you bought them are just part of their inventory. As they grow up, their rooms will be filled with things that others have gifted them. They will start gathering things from their many explorations and collecting keepsakes from friends at school. They need to be able to organize all those things. So you will want a toy storage box that can be expanded easily so that it conforms to the look of your child’s playroom.

● Easy to Clean

We can imagine how busy your schedule must be, so anything that wastes time and energy are an unwelcome addition to the household. The same is true for your storage units which can gather dirt in very little time. Art supplies and drinks can spill and stain storage units while kids can accidentally drop food in their bins. So you want to choose storage units that are easy to clean either by a quick wipe down or by simply throwing it in the laundry.

● Pick Open Shelving or Bins

Closed shelving is super neat and you can hide poor organization behind a closed door. But they just are not kid friendly. Kids can get their fingers caught in closet doors, while drawers could be too heavy to push and pull. Open shelving will be the better option when it comes to kids’ storage units.

● Match Your Interiors

Since you’re already out shopping, why not pick a unit that matches your interiors? That’s the beauty of shopping these days. It is much easier now to find things that you need in the look that you want.

Tips for Organizing the Kids' Room

• Before buying or having a toy storage box made, make an inventory of your children’s things. They could help you look over their toys, art materials, and other stuff so they could decide what to keep and what to give away. Once they know what they are keeping, it will be easier to get the storage they need in the correct quantity.
• If your children can already express what they want, involve them in shopping for their toy storage box. You might be surprised at how insightful they can be since they are the ones who will put their things away in their play room. For instance, they might want to have a special compartment for a favorite toy. In addition, if their toy storage box is to their liking, they might be more likely to use it.
• Have more than one kind of toy storage box. Some types are better at storing specific things than others. For example, a cubby style storage box is better for stowing books away while a bin in a free standing storage unit is better for crayons and art materials. By having different options for stowing things away, your children’s play room will be neater and more organized.
• It is never really too early to start the kids on keeping their surrounding neat. Little kids can be taught to pack away before bed time, even if they do it badly at first. However sloppy their packing away is, learning how to do it early will teach them to be neat and organized as they grow up.
• If you’re using a chest toy storage box, make sure you get one of those safety springs that prevent heavy lids from slamming shut. Doing so may save little fingers from getting caught and little kids from getting trapped.
• Create compartments that helps keep sets together. Shoe boxes are great for this. Toy cars belong together, the xylophone and sticks together, train set in one box, Barbie clothes in another, and so on and so forth. Keeping organized this way helps kids put away toys before pulling others out to play – it’s a great plan for staying ahead of the mess.
• Whether it is with a sharpie or an electronic label maker, labelling will be your new best friend. Label every compartment and every shelf so that your kids will know where to return his things.
• Organize from the bottom-up. Most frequently used toys and books should be at your child’s eye level – which is usually at the lower shelves – and those that are used only once in a while can be higher up.

Our Recommendation

Finding solutions for your organizing your kids’ toys isn’t as difficult as it seems. This is especially true if you know where to look for guidance. So before you go out and shop for the toy storage box of your dreams, have a look at our Top 5 Best Toy Storage Boxes that we and ParentsNeed HQ so carefully picked. We are especially fond of Tot Tutors Kids’ Toy Organizer with Storage Bins. It is light, slim, beautifully finished, and the different sized bins that it comes with are very versatile. For these reasons, it is our number one pick and a must have in your child’s playroom.

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Originally posted 2016-09-09 04:25:21.

The post Best Toy Storage Box Buying Guide appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Convertible Baby Car Seats | 2017 Reviews

Top 5 Best Convertible Baby Car Seats | 2017 Reviews

Life used to be so easy – and so unsafe. When our parents and grandparents had their children, they simply put them in flimsy aluminum “car seats” next to the driver’s seat, and when the kids outgrew those “safety” seats, they were old enough to ride in the back with everyone else.

Today, parents have to deal with laws (which are different in every state) mandating different types of child car seats for different ages, and buy a succession of infant, rear-facing, front-facing and booster seats as their children grow older. There are very good reasons for those laws, and few would argue their wisdom. That doesn’t lessen the financial burden on parents, though.

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Quick Comparison Table

Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat

Britax USA Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

Chicco NextFit CS Convertible Car Seat

Graco My Ride 65 LX Convertible Car Seat

Safety 1st Complete Air 65 LX Convertible Car Seat

One smart way to at least avoid some of the expense of continual car seat purchases is with the use of convertible baby car seats. These versatile products install initially as the required rear-facing seat for children under the age of 2 (at least, that’s the age requirement in most states). They can then be turned around to become a front-facing car seat for toddlers, suitable for use until the children grow too big for the convertible seat and need a booster seat.

Today’s convertible seats can be confusing or difficult to install, particularly in small cars, because they can be installed either by attaching a vehicle’s seat belt to them or via the government-mandated LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers) system straps and hooks. But these seats make up for it in versatility since once they’re in your car, they can stay there for years. They’re also designed and built for child safety our parents and grandparents never dreamed of being possible.

With prices ranging from $50 to $500 and their children’s well-being at stake, parents often lay out enormous money, assuming that the most expensive models must also be the safest and best-designed. That’s not always the case; there are some terrific seats that aren’t budget-busters.

We know that you are excited with our top 5 list, but you may want to check first our Best Convertible Baby Car Seat Buying Guide here.

Done? Now, here’s our list of the top 5 convertible baby car seats on the market.

Quick Comparison Table

Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat	Britax USA Advocate ClickTight Car Seat	Chicco NextFit CS Convertible Car Seat	Graco My Ride 65 LX Convertible Car Seat	Safety 1st Complete Air 65 LX Convertible Car Seat
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
10.5 pounds	29.4 pounds	31.5 pounds	15.7 pounds	21 pounds
6 Harness Positions	7 Harness Positions	9 Harness Positions	5 Harness Positions	4 Harness Positions

Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat

We’ve ranked this seat at #1 on our list because safety tests done by Consumer Reports show it to be the safest convertible car seat available – but it also proves that you don’t have to spend an enormous amount of money for safety, because the Evenflo SureRide only costs about $75-$100 depending on where you buy it. (It’s also a Mom’s Pick award winner at BabyCenter.com.)

This lightweight seat, completely manufactured in America, is not only safe but is built to accommodate children as they grow older. The height and weight limitations are 5-40 pounds and 19-40 inches for rear-facing, and 22-65 pounds and 28-54 inches for front-facing. This means the DLX can be used for as long as six years before it’s necessary to transition a child to a booster seat.

As with all modern car seats, the Evenflo can be connected either with the LATCH system or a rear seat belt. Installing the Evenflo SureRide isn’t quite as easy as it is with a few of the models lower down on our list; it’s one of many car seats that require you to fiddle with a lower plastic recline foot to get the correct incline angle, and also one of many that can require some struggles to get the LATCH connectors hooked up. But once it’s in your car you’ll appreciate its versatility. There are six different height positions for the 5-point harness and two for the crotch buckle, and the harness adjustments can be made easily from the front of the car seat. There’s plenty of room for a child inside, but this is a narrower model than some of its competitors, so it fits easily inside compact cars with smaller back seats. There are removable cup holders and body pillows, too.

You may be wondering, understandably, if this is the safest seat and it’s made in America yet is much less expensive than many others – what corners are being cut? It’s a legitimate question. The DLX doesn’t have the same amount of padding as higher-priced seats, and the fabric used is definitely cheaper material. Also, the straps are also more prone to getting twisted up (requiring time to untwist them before you can start the car and head off). Neither of those, to our minds, are deal-breakers, though; if the padding isn’t necessary for this seat to get the highest safety rating, and we have to spend an extra minute or two untwisting straps, we’ll gladly make that tradeoff to save hundreds of dollars and get the safest seat for our child.

Details of the Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat
Weight Limit	40 pounds rear-facing, 65 pounds front-facing
Height Limit	40 inches rear facing, 54 inches front-facing
Harness	5-point
Harness Positions	6
FAA approved	Yes
Weight	10.5 pounds
Height/Width	30 inches/18.5 inches
Warranty	90 days

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Britax USA Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

You’d rather spend high-end money for a high-end car convertible car seat that also has a high safety rating? This Britax model is for you. It’s a premium car seat that also ranked extremely highly on the Consumer Reports safety tests, and comes with several proprietary systems developed by the company: the Click and Snug Harness Indicator, HUGS chest pads with safe cell technology, and True Side Impact Protection.

Without going into a ton of specifics on each one, Click and Snug gives you an audio signal when the child harness is properly adjusted, the HUGS chest pads have cells designed to compress upon impact and reduce the force that would be felt by the child, and the True Side Impact system lines the head restraint with special, energy-absorbing foam to make sure the child’s spine remains straight in the event of an accident. There are also three layers of side protection. Are they all absolutely necessary? Possibly not, but they definitely provide a level of reassurance for parents.

The ClickTight is named after the Britax simplified system to attach their convertible car seats with a seat belt. Instead of having to manually thread the belt through a number of hooks or holes, you just push a button to open the ClickTight, run the belt through the designated path, close the ClickTight and the system grabs it and tightens it all by itself. Trust us, it’s a time- and frustration-saver. There are also lower LATCH connectors, of course. The tether on this seat can (and should) also be used in both front- and rear-facing modes, which is not always the case with some convertibles. One other nice feature: the harness straps are twist-resistant.

There are seven recline positions available, with a very nice color-coded indicator making it easy to see when you’ve chosen the right selection for the size of your child, another plus. The weight limitations of the Britax are identical to the Evenflo, while the height limitations are slightly more restrictive but still in keeping with the heights of most toddlers and older children. The seat is heavier and wider than the SureRide DLX, which may either be a pro or a con for you.

We can hear you holding your breath, waiting for the price. It’s a little over $300 – quite pricey if you’re on a budget, but quite possibly a price you’re willing to pay for a safe convertible seat your child will be using for years.

Details of the Britax USA Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
Weight Limit	40 pounds rear-facing, 65 pounds front-facing
Height Limit	Variable rear facing (one inch from the top of the head restraing), 49 inches front-facing
Harness	5-point
Harness Positions	7
FAA approved	Yes
Weight	29.4 pounds
Height/Width	23.5 inches/20.5 inches
Warranty	1 year, limited

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Chicco NextFit CS Convertible Car Seat

Chicco has a reputation for making technologically advanced high-end car seats, and the NextFit CS is their latest and greatest model. One of the aspects of the NextFit that we liked is that there’s more headroom when a child is sitting in the rear-facing installation of the seat, up to 49 inches; it’s likely your child will already be exceeding the weight limitation for a rear-facing seat before he or she reaches 49 inches, but there are some families for whom this will be an important feature. Other size and weight limitations are similar to our first two reviewed models.

We think this is the easiest model to install and remove of all the top 5 convertible baby car seats on our list, thanks to its patented SuperCinch system. Push-button anchor connectors connect to the car’s LATCH connectors, and then you just pull the straps on each side of the seat and you’re done. Clamp-type seat belt lockoffs make it just as simple to attach using a car’s seat belt.

The harness is easy to secure and doesn’t get tangled up easily, thanks to a ComfortFlex harness management system, there are nine recline positions and two positions for both the chest clip and crotch buckle, and there’s extra side padding as well as a cup holder. This is another convertible seat which ranked high on Consumer Report’s safety tests, and it’s easy to see why. We probably don’t have to tell you it’s also expensive, in the same price range as the Britax, but it’s worth it.

Details of the Chicco NextFit CS Convertible Car Seat
Weight Limit	40 pounds rear-facing, 65 pounds front-facing
Height Limit	40 inches rear facing, 54 inches front-facing
Harness	5-point
Harness Positions	9
FAA approved	Yes
Weight	31.5 pounds
Height/Width	27 inches/21 inches
Warranty	1 year

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Graco My Ride 65 LX Convertible Car Seat

Graco is a respected name in baby furniture and products; if you’ve had a baby in the last 15-20 years, you’ve undoubtedly had at least one Graco in your child’s nursery. Their convertible car seats are solid products, and while this car seat is a bit more expensive than the Evenflo that topped our list, it’s still only going to run you a little over $100.

For that money, you get a safe and versatile convertible seat. We’d rank it as moderately easy to install, with different anchor straps for rear- and front-facing installation and hook hardware instead of push button releases for LATCH attachments. There’s some tugging and squeezing necessary, but it’s not arduous. It also does take a bit of muscle to adjust the five-point harness, though, which has five positions from which to select.

The My Ride has been extensively safety-tested and surpasses all standards. Although there are no proprietary systems with fancy names, there is energy-absorbing EPS side foam to absorb the impact of a crash – not as plush or extensive as higher-priced models, but definitely more than sufficient. There’s only one crotch position, but there are two cupholders if that matters to you. The one big negative when the Graco is front-facing is that the seat is deep and leans back, something that may not suit antsy toddlers or older children who want to sit up straight.

This is a good price for a good reversible car seat, and while we prefer the Evenflo at this cost level, the Graco is worth a long look.

Details of the Graco My Ride 65 LX Convertible Car Seat
Weight Limit	40 pounds rear-facing, 65 pounds front-facing
Height Limit	49 inches, rear- and front-facing
Harness	5-point
Harness Positions	5
FAA approved	Yes
Weight	15.7 pounds
Height/Width	26 inches/20.5 inches
Warranty	1 year, limited

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Safety 1st Complete Air 65 LX Convertible Car Seat

We’re always skeptical when a company chooses a name like “Safety 1st,” which makes it seem that there’s some reassurance needed for consumers. In this case, though, you can tell by looking at the construction of this convertible car seat that it’s built with safety in mind, from its large size and generous foam padding to its huge head wings with “Air Protect” technology.

What really attracted us, though, is the color-coded installation system which makes putting the Air 65 into your car a relative breeze (you still have to deal with LATCH attachments and seat belt threading, never an easy task). But if you’re a bit mechanically challenged, as we are, and have spent half-an-hour wrestling to install a car seat, as we have, the Safety 1st system that essentially walks you through the process will be a welcome relief.

There is an anti-tangle harness, three crotch positions, and a four recline positions which can be adjusted with just the pull of a lever. The one major drawback for some people will be the Air 65’s large footprint, making it a much better choice for big cars than for smaller ones. It falls into the medium-price range on our list, at around $175.

Details of the Safety 1st Complete Air 65 LX Convertible Car Seat
Weight Limit	40 pounds rear-facing, 65 pounds front-facing
Height Limit	40 inches rear facing, 49 inches front-facing
Harness	5-point
Harness Positions	4
FAA approved	Yes
Weight	21 pounds
Height/Width	27 inches/22 inches
Warranty	2 years, limited

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FAQ ( From Our Ardent Fans)

• How long are the car seats good for? This varies from company to company and the quality of the material used by the manufacturer. Its worth to check the expiration date at the bottom of the seat to understand your seat's durability. As a rule of thumb, if you are wondering how long is the car seat good for, we recommend to use car seats no longer than 6 years from the date of manufacture and/or purchase. If you are planning to make use the same seat for your little one from his elder sibling, it is highly advised you check the expiration date from the manufacture/purchase and not the actual usage of the seat
• Why do car seats expire? Mostly due to the quality of the materials used and the actual material itself. Car seats are made of lot of harnesses, latches, as well as material that is conducive enough to withhold stress and impact. Over a period time, these wear out and become less durable from a lifetime perspective.
• When do car seats expire? Please see question 1 above. This depends on manufacturer to manufacturer as well as the quality of the material used
• How do I find the car seat expiration date? All manufacturers have to follow regulatory & consumer watchdog guidelines and are legally obliged to display expiration date of car seats so finding the expiration date is not onerous. Most of the time this is displayed under the seat itself or in rare circumstances, if you manage not to find one, check the owner's manual
• How long until my seat expires? The typical lifespan of a very well built car seat from a reputed manufacturer lasts for 6 years but there are some robust recent models that can last as long as 9.
• How do i dispose off my car seat? After expiration, please recycle them to dispose off
• How do I recycle my old car seat? With all the manufacturers swaying towards sustainability and aim to be more greener, thankfully, most of the car seat parts are recyclable.  Most US cities now have car seat recycling programs like ReSEAT, where its just as easy as dropping your old seat off. You could also drop it in your local recycle centres or mail your to a recycling program like BabyEarthRenew
• Are there any new car seats that are fully and 100% recyclable?  A variant of Clek, Foonf claims to be manufactured with all recyclable materials and adhere to sustainability guidelines, however, we haven't checked their particular model. The manufacturer also offers a loyalty discount of twenty dollars on the new seat when the old one is sent back, so worth checking it!

Originally posted 2016-05-09 15:01:40.

The post Top 5 Convertible Baby Car Seats | 2017 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.