Picking a Car Seat
February 25, 2008 by Eliza Ferree
Filed under Baby Care
You know after four kids it has become natural for us to have everything ready for us when the baby is brought home. However, that doesn’t mean the first time parent knows what to do. It may not even occur to them to have a car seat ready before the baby is born. Or maybe they postpone it until the last minute and now they are rushing to ER to give birth. Am I right?
Normally picking up a infant car seat from Walmart, Kmart or Target can normally do the trick. But there are times when an infant car seat won’t work, for instance a baby born really big or a premie may need special additions or seats to be safe.
Ways to Pick a Car Seat:
Check to see what type of seat will work in your vehicle. Hubby and I had one that we were given that did not actually fit right in the car, so we had to go out and get a new one. For some reason the way our seats were it made the baby almost sit upright instead of slanted like it should be. Many people suggested putting towels under to make it fit right, however this is not a safe thing to do with any child. (I don’t recommend it)
Colors & Prints:
Boys- blue, green, puppies, stripes, Nascar
Girls- Pink, purple, red, yellow, orange, bright colors, flowers, teddy bears, etc
Neutral- Colors that are neutral work for both boy or girl, as well as spots, dots, stripes and plain patterns.
What are some tips you can think of that would help a new parent pick out a car seat?
(Next up, car seat safety)
I’m pretty shocked at how you’d assign particular colours and prints to each gender. My baby girl looks great in blues, puppy prints, and other ‘boy’ clothes.
Sexism aside, a practical tip for a car seat is to make sure it could work for either gender. . . .so if you’re stuck on particular colours for gender, then why not share a tip to use neutral colours?
Very sorry you took it this way, I was only trying to suggest ways to pick a car seat. I have added neutral colors, I guess that’s what I get for writing this so early in the morning.
where can i find the car seat pictured?
As a mom of three (two girls and one boy), I can tell you that my kids have been in every print and color imaginable… It doesn’t change who they are. And suggestions for colors and prints for kids are merely that, suggestions. I don’t think it’s stereotyping or “blatant baby sexism.”
As moms, we all pick what we like. And we all have preferences. Why is expressing your personal preference wrong?
Besides, at the end of the day, it’s not color or print that matters here, it’s safety.
The post did not state the author’s personal preferences for colour. It stated which colours go with each gender.
“And suggestions for colors and prints for kids are merely that, suggestions.”
The suggestions aren’t for *kids*, but rather for each gender. Clearly associating themes or colours with a gender is the act of assigning a role to that gender — it is stereotyping.
Setting up our children to believe that they are restricted by their gender, even in something as basic as colours, cars/trucks, puppies, flowers, etc. is to restrict their expression. I don’t feel I can explain it any more clearly than that without sounding pedantic.
You asking me why expressing personal preference is wrong is completely off base as the post, and my comment, has absolutely nothing to do with preference and everything to do with stereotyping
It is a typical Why do you hate freedom? response.
I’m personally a big believer in sticking to gender preferred colors. Having twins, I answered enough questions without having to constantly answer the is it a boy or a girl question.
As a mom of two adorable little boys – I got tired of answering that question quickly.
I know some mom’s that go so far as to pierce their little girls ears just so people won’t ask that question.
I think it’s WISE to stick to colors.
When they grow up – like my teens now – the boys thinks it’s fun to wear a “Tough Guys Wear Pink” shirt – but that’s as far as pink goes on my tough guys.
So what if the post is about colors to choose from when you are picking out a car seat. There’s no sexism here except for the words that YOU are spewing. Good grief! Are there no peeps out there that thrive on making trouble from a perfectly great conversation starter about car seats OR is it all out war all the time for petal peeps like you?
Eliza — I for one enjoy reading your posts. Don’t let Debbie Downers like THAT one discourage you. It’s clear that they woke up on the wrong side of the bes and that’s NOT your fault.
Eliza, I think your article is fine and I had to reread it a couple of times to figure out how someone could take any part of this as being sexist.
Kelley is right, suggestions are just that, suggestions. I saw nothing else, except a good article.
I’m looking for the best carseats (safety) for a 6-12 month old. Any ideas?
Along with the car seat, parents should also look into whether they need multiple infant car seat bases. These can be installed in separate cars and they don’t have to worry about installing the base each time.