"Safety First!" We hate this cliche. It says so little, so often.
But in this case, "Safety First" is actually an appropriate call to action. Parents are choosing their favorite stroller first and then a car seat that is compatible with that stroller. In the simplest terms, its a CAR SEAT first, then a stroller seat.
Why is this so important?
1. Some car seats are better than others, in general.
2. Some car seats fit better in your vehicle that others do.
3. Some infants fit better in certain infant carriers than others.
The point? The car seat that is compatible with your stroller, may not be compatible with your child or vehicle.
Just as important: It is not that important to match a car seat to a stroller. The AAP has found that infants are spending too much time in car seats... out of the car. This is leading to flathead syndrome, and as highlighted in a recent study, can reduce oxygen saturation levels in infants. The AAP recommends limiting the time your baby spends in the carrier or other upright seat and to ensure frequent breaks. This is especially true for pre-term and low birthweight babies. Essentially try to use the car seat only for travel. For long road trips, make stops often to allow baby time out of the car seat.
Our advice:
- Make sure the infant seat is installed correctly
- Learn how to fit baby correctly into the carrier (improved positioning optimizes oxygen exchange)
- Keep it fresh. Don't abuse the convenience of the carrier. Align your practice with best practice (AAP).
We understand why parents are taking the Stroller-Car Seat route, but in the short term, the car seat is the most important piece of baby gear you can buy. *Revised from 9/2008
