The car seat tech we used really stressed that seat protectors aren't crash tested and could lead to it slipping or sliding out of a safe position. We wanted to use one too but it's not worth the risk IMO
@sweaterboots@jayandaplus products like that are not normally tested during car crash tests with the seat installed so its not proven to be safe. Its recommended to use a product that is the same brand as the car seat. Same thing for any accessories that are "made for car seats". So if you have a graco seat for example then youll want to get a graco seat protector.
That's really interesting. We were told not to even use products that have the same brand on them because these companies sell rights to use their name and testing isn't really done on the product with the carseat. @sweaterboots One/two options I've seen and am considering is buying 2 individual car seat covers (like for one spot) for a bench seat and putting one on each side. The second option is I feel like I have seen a 2 spot option for a bench seat cover once, but there's a good chance I'm just making things up.
@kns1988 I'm so glad Jay's temp went back up! When DD was born, we had the same problem with needing to keep her temp up. I used to put her to bed in a onesie, sleep, swaddle, sleep sack, and a hat (March baby in LA). It sounds like a lot, but it kept her temp up and if I saw she was getting too warm we took a layer off.
Yeah, we've been putting him to bed in the same type of gear. Onesie, long sleeve footies, fleece sleep sack, and a hat, and we have the heat on in May in PA! Do you remember how big your DD was when it wasn't a worry anymore? Summer is coming, so I imagine I won't have to bundle him so much pretty soon. It ranges from 60s to 80s outside right now, but it gets cool at night.
Me: 29, DH: 31 Married: October 2014 Began TTC: April 2015 BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w) BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w) BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17 BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
@sweaterboots I too have the chicco keyfit and when I had my carseat installed they warned me about the same thing. The reasoning like PP have said is that since the manufacturer doesn't crash test with the seat protector, then say not to use them. The technician that helped us also said that Chicco is one company that sold the rights to their name, so just because an accessory says it is Chicco doesn't mean it necessarily was made by them to be used with their carseat.
Not sure if you are into sewing or not, but perhaps Pinterest has some ideas on how to make some covers for either side of the carseat (assuming you installed in the middle). That is what I am planning on doing - once I find time that is.
Just throwing this out there about car seats: if you have dogs it's probably going to be very rare you have both dogs and kids in the car. With the baby it's likely something you won't be comfortable with and even when baby gets older it's such a huge PITA to haul a toddler and a dog or two somewhere.
The solution for us 99% of the time is to split futures so one of us has the kid and the other god to the vet or groomer or wherever. I think I have had the dogs and the kid in the car maybe 2 times in 2.5 years.
When i do have the dogs in the car without the kid I have one of the sling style covers that connects from the front to rear headrests and it covers the seats and the car seats. They're cheap and easy to throw in the car in about 2 minutes when you need it.
@BabyMC517 We have a Britax and car seat protector. Honestly, I feel like the protector makes the base move less and stabilizes the base. When we took ours to the inspector he was fine with it. I told DH that y'all (and other google sources) were saying seat protectors are bad and he doesn't want to change it. I feel a good percentage of people I know have the seat protectors...
+1 for no seat protectors with car seat for all the reasons listed. Mainly because they aren't crash tested.
We have our dogs and kids in the car at the same time alllll the time. Mainly because DH is never home so I have to do the grooming/vet/park. We have a van though and they sit in the back.
@nda_roxybabe yeah that article seems pretty clear. Well then I shall abide, safety always first
On that note, any tips for a FTM on keeping the car's light upholstery relatively clean? I'm usually not a car cleanliness snob but I just bought in Oct and it's the first new car since my 2001 Focus in HS. Luckily the pups are blonde but their "feet beans" get dirty! Lol. Is the answer just a regular detailing every few months?
@kns1988 - So glad Jay's temperature went back up! DS1 had body temp troubles when he was a new nugget, so I definitely understand how stressful that can be.
@sweaterboots - It looks like you've already gotten plenty of feedback re: seat covers, but I just wanted to add that, when we went to the police station to have our car seat checked before DS1 was born, we were told not to use anything in/around/under the car seat that was not manufacturer approved. One of the reasons was that, in the event of an accident, many insurance companies will not pay out for an injury sustained in a car seat that wasn't used exactly as intended. At the time, all we had in the car seat were fuzzy strap covers for baby's neck, but he said they were a no-go. We ended up taking them out and using the Graco ones, just in case.
I'm reading The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk and overall am finding it very helpful. However, one of their suggestions is to hand express and save colostrum after week 34 of pregnancy. I'm skeptical. I know that pumping pre-baby is frowned upon and can caused contractions, but I don't think hand expression would be quite the same. Has anyone done this or been advised to do it? I struggled with supply issues with DS1 and really hope to have a different experience this time around, so I'm willing to try anything reasonable.
Fur daughter: 02/2011 Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017 *formerly kayemjay*
@kayemjay2 nipple stimulation is what supposedly can lead to contractions, not pumping itself. So I would think that hand expression would be in a similar boat to pumping. I used my breast pump a couple times a day for several days when I was over due with my first and I don't think it did anything to help put me into labor, but that's just me.
I am not sure if hand expression before baby comes will help you with your supply since there isn't much of a consistent demand. Also there's the issue if you do get some colostrum how to properly save/store.
Is there a lactation consultant you can speak with at your OB's office or hospital? I know my pediatricians office has one too. You could call and ask your question
@lrwardrop - I also couldn't really see how that would increase supply, but was curious if maybe I was missing something. They suggested collecting it on a spoon and transferring it to a bag with a syringe to freeze and then bring to the hospital. Seems like a lot of work. My OB/hospital has tons of LCs, but my insurance doesn't cover LC referrals until after the baby is born.
Fur daughter: 02/2011 Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017 *formerly kayemjay*
How do you get the angle right for a convertible car seat without a rolled towel or something underneath? @nda_roxybabe@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot or anyone else
@kayemjay2 the lc from my first pregnancy told me for this baby hand expression before birth is now the new recommendation and she sent me a sheet of instructions. I've since misplaced them of course.
@kayemjay2 the article @nda_roxybabe shared did put the fear into me as far as the tiniest non-regulated item (like your fuzzy straps) being potentially dangerous or effecting the intended purpose of the seat. That's a really interesting story as to how it could effect insurance premiums, I hadn't even thought of that. I'm decided! Car seat alone will have to do! TY all for weighing in.
@mrsrep123 what kind of seat do you have? between 2 cars we have 3 different seats and all of them have some kind of angle adjustment feature.
@WombThereItIs we have the Peg Perego Covertible and DS is still rearfacing. Without something rolled or folded underneath, the seat leans forward too much and isn't at the correct angle?
@BabyMC517@jayandaplus If you have a Britax they allow their brand seat cover @mrsrep123 some seats allow/ recommend using a rolled towel, blanket, or pool noodle to adjust the recline. If they don't (mine doesn't) then you need to try some other tricks to get the recline correct.
Yes, any aftermarket products such as infant inserts, head supports, strap covers, etc are not technically "safe". Like someone else mentioned, beware of anything sold as a Chicco product, it's actually not approved. For some dumb reason they sold the rights to their name for those things, just don't approve them. Confusing muych?!
Typically (maybe always?) your car seat manual will even say they prohibit the use of them. If baby's head support is a concern you can use rolled receiving blankets on either side of baby. If the straps are a concern you can actually call your manufacturer and see if they have some they can send you. If they don't and the straps are still concerning it's often an install/ technical issue that can be resolved with some adjustment.
@mrsrep123 I just looked yours up, it recommends using a pool noodle or tightly rolled towel to get the recline properly adjusted
Thanks @nda_roxybabe. I just got off of the phone with the company and with that seat in rearfacing mode, up to 3 pool noodle or rolled receiving blankets have been tested with it for safety! Absolutely no seat protector though!
@kayemjay2 I read that book, too. As long as you're at 37 weeks, I'd go for the manual expression if you want. But, my plan is not actually try to express. If colostrum comes out, I'm going to wait. I don't like the idea of freezing colostrum and then transferring it to the baby not by nipple; I feel like I can lose nutrients that way, lose some of the colostrum in the transfer, and I don't want anything but nipple until BF is good to go (unless BF doesn't take off). But I see the benefit of getting the boob ready, so to speak, with manual expression. I also plan to use my pump after tomorrow, more just to get the hang of it being a FTM and all. Just my plan and thoughts.
@BabyMC517 take it to both stores and get store credit perhaps
I was thinking about that. I'll ask her and see if she remembers which store. I'd rather get store credit at Target because we go there all the time though haha
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
@starphish18 You have a beautiful home!! It belongs in a magazine, of which I'd clip out the picture and hang on my wall for inspiration for our next house.
I cannot believe what just went down at my house. We were getting ready to head out to get LO' s coming home outfit and stock up at Costco. I was sitting in my new glider and DS was flipping through his books and playing with his blocks on the floor next to me. He started cleaning up but then bolted to the next room to MH. So I got up and then ended up stepping on a wooden block, went flying towards the wall in a head/belly on collision. I stuck my left arm out to stop from hitting the wall but then went down to the ground on my left side. I screamed on my way down, heard MH running towards me but then heard DS crying hysterically. Apparently, MH didn't see DS and as he was heading towards me, ran into DS which sent him 5 ft or so and then hitting his head on the floor. Luckily, I wasn't in any pain and felt LO moving inside. MH was at level 10, worrying about DS and me. I told him I'd most likely have to go in to be checked and sure enough after calling L&D, I have to go In for an ultrasound and monitoring. MH is worried about DS because he got his head pretty hard and looked like he was gonna fall asleep after putting Daniel Tiger on to calm him down so I had him take DS to the backyard to play with the dog. He's acting completely normal and after a quick once over and Neuro check by me, I head over to L & D. MH feels bad I have to go alone, but it's just us out here and I'm fairly certain (FX) there is no placental injury.
So here I am, 39w + 2d sitting in a hospital bed and gown hooked up to monitors in L&D all by my lonesome. So far, baby's HR is great and lots of movement; my vitals are good and no external bruising or injury. Waiting for the doc to do an ultrasound and hopefully not be here for the 4 hours the nurse says.
@mrsrep123 I hope everything turns out ok! Don't be surprised if they keep you the 4 hours. It's standard from what I know. I'm glad baby is moving and your DS is ok!
Re: Weekly Randoms 5/1-5/5
@sweaterboots One/two options I've seen and am considering is buying 2 individual car seat covers (like for one spot) for a bench seat and putting one on each side. The second option is I feel like I have seen a 2 spot option for a bench seat cover once, but there's a good chance I'm just making things up.
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
Not sure if you are into sewing or not, but perhaps Pinterest has some ideas on how to make some covers for either side of the carseat (assuming you installed in the middle). That is what I am planning on doing - once I find time that is.
The solution for us 99% of the time is to split futures so one of us has the kid and the other god to the vet or groomer or wherever. I think I have had the dogs and the kid in the car maybe 2 times in 2.5 years.
When i do have the dogs in the car without the kid I have one of the sling style covers that connects from the front to rear headrests and it covers the seats and the car seats. They're cheap and easy to throw in the car in about 2 minutes when you need it.
May '17 labor memes
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
We have our dogs and kids in the car at the same time alllll the time. Mainly because DH is never home so I have to do the grooming/vet/park. We have a van though and they sit in the back.
On that note, any tips for a FTM on keeping the car's light upholstery relatively clean? I'm usually not a car cleanliness snob but I just bought in Oct and it's the first new car since my 2001 Focus in HS. Luckily the pups are blonde but their "feet beans" get dirty! Lol. Is the answer just a regular detailing every few months?
@sweaterboots - It looks like you've already gotten plenty of feedback re: seat covers, but I just wanted to add that, when we went to the police station to have our car seat checked before DS1 was born, we were told not to use anything in/around/under the car seat that was not manufacturer approved. One of the reasons was that, in the event of an accident, many insurance companies will not pay out for an injury sustained in a car seat that wasn't used exactly as intended. At the time, all we had in the car seat were fuzzy strap covers for baby's neck, but he said they were a no-go. We ended up taking them out and using the Graco ones, just in case.
I'm reading The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk and overall am finding it very helpful. However, one of their suggestions is to hand express and save colostrum after week 34 of pregnancy. I'm skeptical. I know that pumping pre-baby is frowned upon and can caused contractions, but I don't think hand expression would be quite the same. Has anyone done this or been advised to do it? I struggled with supply issues with DS1 and really hope to have a different experience this time around, so I'm willing to try anything reasonable.
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*
@kayemjay2 nipple stimulation is what supposedly can lead to contractions, not pumping itself. So I would think that hand expression would be in a similar boat to pumping. I used my breast pump a couple times a day for several days when I was over due with my first and I don't think it did anything to help put me into labor, but that's just me.
I am not sure if hand expression before baby comes will help you with your supply since there isn't much of a consistent demand. Also there's the issue if you do get some colostrum how to properly save/store.
Is there a lactation consultant you can speak with at your OB's office or hospital? I know my pediatricians office has one too. You could call and ask your question
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
May '17 labor memes
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
@mrsrep123 some seats allow/ recommend using a rolled towel, blanket, or pool noodle to adjust the recline. If they don't (mine doesn't) then you need to try some other tricks to get the recline correct.
Yes, any aftermarket products such as infant inserts, head supports, strap covers, etc are not technically "safe". Like someone else mentioned, beware of anything sold as a Chicco product, it's actually not approved. For some dumb reason they sold the rights to their name for those things, just don't approve them. Confusing muych?!
Typically (maybe always?) your car seat manual will even say they prohibit the use of them. If baby's head support is a concern you can use rolled receiving blankets on either side of baby. If the straps are a concern you can actually call your manufacturer and see if they have some they can send you. If they don't and the straps are still concerning it's often an install/ technical issue that can be resolved with some adjustment.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
Now...what to do with the seat protector we have...doubt MIL still has the receipt and its probably way past the return date...
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
- dusted window ledges, baseboards, stairway rails, wood furniture, and cobwebs
- vacuumed all 3 floors and fabric chairs/couch
- cleaned the oven, stove, microwave, fridge, and countertops
- cleaned windows on all 3 floors (and you guys have seen how big our windows are, this was an impressive task)
- mopped all 3 floors
I will now be sitting until Saturday. Maybe I can make my robo-vacuum bring me snacks.DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
So here I am, 39w + 2d sitting in a hospital bed and gown hooked up to monitors in L&D all by my lonesome. So far, baby's HR is great and lots of movement; my vitals are good and no external bruising or injury. Waiting for the doc to do an ultrasound and hopefully not be here for the 4 hours the nurse says.
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
Me:31 DH:32 Married 11/06/10
DD: Born 8/23/13 (clomid+ovidrel+IUI)
BFP 9/9/16 EDD 5/19/17
@starphish18 I am majorly crushing on your house! Beats my dark apartment by miles