Let That Baby Bump Add To Your Style Quotient

Weight gain during pregnancy is healthy and unavoidable. Although, you might not be comfortable flaunting dresses that accentuated your oh-so-lovely curves perfectly in the past, you do not have to settle with looking drab either.

None of the celebrities do and no, it’s not because they are celebrities but it’s just that they get the style right. Maternity style, when chosen practically can turn you into one of those yummy mummies.

The first trimester is the easiest; the bump hasn’t materialized yet and you are most likely to squeeze in your existing wardrobe. Although, you must opt for pregnancy clothes that are slightly looser and which do not stick to your body like a second skin.

However, once you start to grow and your belly starts showing, it’s time for you to adopt a maternity specific style that complements your body shape. Take a cue from Reese Witherspoon, the legally blonde babe who comfortably carried her baby bump in a number of dresses both maxi and shorter ones.

Loose tops and maternity jeans should be available readily in your wardrobe. Opt for solid colors and black has been a woman’s ally in camouflaging weight since centuries, so you can depend on the color to bail you out of one of those my-waist-isn’t-26-inches-anymore cribbing moments.

Jackets and pullovers are great if you are seeking to add layers and camouflage the bulge. A well-fitting jacket can make you look a million dollars, just keep in mind that well-fitting does not equate with skin hugging.

If you plan to go ethnic, take a cue from the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai, who’s recently had a baby girl. During the course of her pregnancy, she was seen flaunting kurti style elegant Indian wear. Her Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla designed cream colored salwar Kameez at the launch of the Hanuman Chalisa album created quite a stir as it also happened to be her first outing with that almost hidden bump.

If you do plan to go with Indian attire, try opting for kurtis that have buttons in the front that can allow easy nursing once the baby arrives (thus killing two birds with a stone!) Team these up with churidars or patialas and you have that classy yet chic look.

(Another tip for when the baby arrives: nursing t-shirts are great casual wear and when you are busy running from the kitchen to the baby cot, you’d need something that is comfortable and trendy. These nursing t-shirts save one the inconvenience of having to change every time you have to feed the baby.)

Clothes they say might maketh a man (or a woman) but it is your personal self image that is the key to being able to don a pillow cover and look fabulous. Yes, your waistline is expanding, yes, you might even be getting those dreaded stretch marks but if you FEEL like a supermodel, you’d look like a supermodel. Do not neglect yourself and take out time to take care of your skin and hair, this along with that special pregnancy glow is enough to turn you into feeling like one hot mom!

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect High Chair for Babies

It gets difficult for parents to continuously hold on to their child and sit, feeding themselves and the child at the dinner table. While it is better than running around him trying to make her eat one morsel, it can also get impractical.

High chairs can rid parents of this discomfort and is perhaps a lesser known fact but psychologically, allowing kids to sit by themselves and tend to their food can instill a sense of independence and responsibility in the child.

When should I start looking for a Baby High Chair?
One of the baby essentials, you should have bought one of these by the time the baby turns 4 months old. Usually, babies are able to sit up with support by the time they turn four months old. If your little one has already started eating solid food, you’d want to prop him up against a support and feed him for better feasibility.

What should I look for in a High Chair?
One of the most important concerns is safety; the chair must be strong enough to support the baby and should have proper barriers to keep the baby perched safely without him bending over and off the chair. Although, every chair would have the necessary restraint facility, considering the fact that they are manufactured keeping the safety concerns in mind, you should still try to inspect for proper hinges and a secured look.

Taking the safety consideration a step further, check whether the edges are child-friendly instead and do not have sharp edges that could end up nicking the baby. If there are wheels attached at the base, it must have a locking system to keep it secured. A safety certification from a relevant authority should be enough to put you at rest.

Your baby would grow at a rapid pace and before you know it, they’d be growing out of all their old clothes. The high chair that you purchase should be able to grow and adapt to the changes. Some of these come with adjustable or removable parts that can be manipulated to allow the baby to sit comfortably.

Adjustable trays and reclining seats are much better at being able to adjust with the growing child. The tray should again be properly held in place and also easy to adjust so that you can tend to it with one hand if you are holding the baby in the other.

If yours is a modest apartment, try to go for portable chairs that can be folded and kept away when not in need. However, you must assess the quality and strength of the chair before buying as there have been cases of portable chairs not being able to live up to the mark.

Lastly, look high chairs for babies that are not at a stark contrast with the house décor and color. Also, it must be easy to clean and maintain.

Even if you are a budget, try to not go with the very inexpensive brands as then the quality is likely to get compromised with.

The Cleaning Bug – A Virus among All Pregnant Women

Don’t know what the correlation with the pregnancy and the cleaning bug and above all the cleanliness we expect in our pregnancy clothing?! But as the months progress we women just go on an overdrive and I wonder why? So I am 6 months pregnant and I work really hard to keep the house clean and get things in order and create space for the new baby like he/she is fighting with me for space for his over sized clothes (pun intended).

Or discarding away all my Size 0 clothes (again pun intended) which I feel like i will never fit into again. Really! Actually I know that I just might but I want to sympathize with myself for those extra kilos that I’ve gained and how getting back into shape is such a task.

I know that I am not the only one gets this but I just wonder why does this happen? Why does the sight of trash or anything remotely unclean just get our nerves ticking? Husbands beware! It’s nice to be organized but is not sure if cleaning and cleaning and organizing some more is the best use of time. I didn’t do it in my last pregnancy as I was on my desk doing a full time job. But this time around it’s bitten me and bitten me bad. I know a friend who thought she had become highly domesticated just because she was on a cleanliness drive!

The only conclusion I can draw is good is just preparing you for sleepless nights and new responsibility that’s about to take all over you! So get rid of the cleaning bug, put on your best pregnancy dress and enjoy a lavish day for yourself every once in awhile, because you might have to let it go for at least 3 years once the little one pops out of you!

All About Baby’s Footwear

When your baby takes those first few tottering steps, it is indeed a very exciting time. It is also the time every parent start to look for appropriate footwear for the baby.

Some parents even buy shoes for babies when they start to crawl! But experts do not recommend this as footwear at that stage can hinder the development of baby’s feet. Babies who have not yet started to walk only require protection from cold in the winter. Soft baby booties and socks will suffice for this purpose.

Once the child starts to walk, shoes play an important role because they provide safety, support and comfort for the child. Here are some tips on choosing baby’s footwear:

The right size: Very rarely do footwear shops in our country measure a toddler’s foot before recommending footwear, and then again, the three dimensional aspect is rarely taken into consideration. Additionally, most children and some adults have one foot larger than the other.

This means that getting the right sized shoe for your toddler can take some time. Too large can mean that the child could trip and fall; too small will cramp the child’s growing feet and cause him pain. It is recommended that there be a space of about half an inch of growth-room from the longest toe to the front of the shoes. You may get the right size by inserting a finger in the heel end of the shoe when the baby tries it on.

You can also make the child wear the shoes in the shop and then make him walk and run for a few minutes. After this, check for any red marks or for pinched toes.  You will also notice that if the shoes are uncomfortable, the child will hesitate to walk in them and generally appear very restricted in his movements.

The right material: Children run around a lot and their feet can get hot and sweaty twice as much as an adult’s. The material of the shoes should be preferably something natural and breathable. Soft leather or canvas is ideal.

Flexibility:  Soft-sole shoes that are flexible are advised for the growth and development of your toddler’s feet. When the child walks, the shoes should bend not only in the middle but also in the front where the toes are.

Re-check size every 6-8 weeks: As babies grow fast, their shoe size will change every two or three months. From the age of 12 months to 24 months, re-check shoe size every eight weeks. After 24 months, one should check the shoe size every four months.

Fasteners: Avoid lace-up shoes as the child can trip over open laces and fall often. Velcro fasteners are the most convenient for parents. But remember that children learn fast and very soon you will find your child peeling the Velcro, removing the shoes and running around gleefully, barefoot!

Skid resistant footwear: Footwear with soles that have traction to limit your baby’s falls is very useful. This will reduce the number of falls which peak at this stage.

How many pairs? There really is no upper limit, although it is debatable if your baby will wear a lot of it, as she will outgrow them so quickly. Practically, three to four pairs would be a good idea. One for daily wear, one or two pairs for occasions, and one for playtime in the mucky garden or park!

Orthotics: Some parents start to panic when they don’t see the arches on their baby’s feet and rush to get orthotics for their child. But this is not necessary; on the contrary, they might harm the normal development of the child. A child may start to develop arches on their feet only after two or three years or even four years of age.  So it is best to wait and then have a doctor diagnose the problem and suggest suitable orthotics.

Children who hate footwear: Many children hate footwear. They need time to get used to the idea. First get them used to some comfortable baby socks and then try some shoes. Allow them to choose the pair they like and there are greater chances that they will wear those without giving you much trouble!

Buying a Baby Walker - Momandmeshop

Baby walkers, also known as push toys, are getting to be very popular, despite some fears that they cause injuries and accidents. When chosen with care keeping in mind some important criteria, these can be fun and a safe way to support baby just as she begins to show signs of standing up and walking.

Baby walkers help to develop muscles in children and at the same time help baby to gain balance and coordination of limbs as she pushes around with the walker.

There are various kinds of baby walkers one can choose from. The sit-in walkers are safe to use as soon as baby has learn to sit by himself. Sometimes these walkers have some extensions with toys and gizmos attached. which then makes the walker an activity center.

Traditionally, the wooden push trucks have been used to make the child comfortable with walking.  The electronic ones have a whole of lights flashing on them, music playing, with lots of things to pull at and to wiggle.

All walkers come with wheels attached on a mostly circular base and the whole idea is to get the baby to push the walker and as the wheels increase the momentum, the baby moves with it, holding on to the walker. The movement induced by the wheels makes the baby place one leg in front of the other in order to keep with the walker.  This action can strengthen leg muscles and help the child to balance.

Choosing the Right Walker

Keep the child’s age, weight and height in mind when choosing a walker. Take the baby with you when you buy the walker as then you can ensure that it is suitable in every way.  There may be manufacturer’s guidelines about weight that you may need to check out. Check to see if the baby’s feet touches the ground if it is a sit-in kind of a walker.

Another important factor is to choose one with a wide base and a smaller frame on top as this kind of design keeps the walker more balanced. Walkers with larger wheel sizes are good as it gives stability to the walker.  All wheels should be level and flush to the surface. Walkers with wheels with friction tape or those that have locking wheels are useful as the walker stops moving when they reach uneven ground, thereby saving baby and walker from toppling over.

Some walkers, which are adjustable, can be a great buy as then it can be used for a longer time by your growing baby. Sharp edges and hinges are a no-no.

If you can find walkers with a base width of more than 36 inches, go for it. This width will mean that the walker cannot pass through doorways and so you don’t have to worry about baby wandering into a dangerous area like the kitchen or a staircase.

A walker with a removable tray is helpful as the tray can be used for putting food and toys for baby as he moves around.

Precautions

Babies should never be left alone without supervision and this applies to one in a walker too. Many parents hold the opinion that a baby is totally safe in a walker and that therefore they can be left alone for a few minutes. This is incorrect as baby’s accessibility within and without the house is now suddenly much more, and a jutting rod or a sharp corner can cause injury to baby. For this reason, it is important to child-proof your house, especially when intending to use a baby walker.

Paediatricians also advise that the walker should not be used more than 30 minutes at a stretch and no more than an hour in a day, which will ensure that there is yet plenty of tummy time and that baby is getting enough practice rolling and crawling.

Is Yours An “Average” Pregnancy?

Talk to any two women who have been through pregnancy, and it’s amazing just how much of a difference there is! It seems like there is really no “average” pregnancy. Even if you take two sisters, one has weeks of morning sickness, the other has none whatsoever; one woman loses her pregnancy weight in 3 months post delivery and another is still carting it around 2 years later! (And isn’t it fun to compare notes and discuss how each one’s experience is so different?) One wears pregnancy tops throughout her pregnancy and the other never has to buy one! 

When each woman’s experience is so different, naturally, each woman’s questions and challenges are also a little different. At the same time, women also love to discuss their experiences with others and get tips on what worked for others, what didn’t. After all, in many cases, there is no hard-and-fast rule – it’s a question of finding out what works for you.

These days, it has also become easier to find the information that will work for each of us, thanks to the wealth of information that technology makes accessible to us. The newest addition to this is the Mother’s World mobile app developed by Mom&Me that makes it possible for expecting mothers to get information specific to their condition, in a very friendly mobile format.

On entering the date of the last menstrual period or the due data, it offers the mother-to-be completely personalized information suited to her week of pregnancy.

Besides information on the baby’s growth and activity at each stage, and the common doubts women have during pregnancy it can be customized by expecting mothers in a number of ways. For instance, it allows you to track your emotions during this period and understand them better. Best of all, you can connect with other moms through the Mom&Me blog and Facebook page. You can also find pregnancy dresses online at great rates and best brands.

So, if you’re looking for helpful information and tips that work for your pregnancy, do check out the Mother’s World mobile app!

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A Drive to Pune with my Adorable Little Brat!

The other day I traveled to Pune and back with the brat. It is a journey I have done umpteen times before, but this one was unnerving because a) it was the first time I was doing it on my ownsome lonesome and b) I was traveling not by car but by an AC bus with a baby car seat still attached to my little brat. Call me chicken, come on, I dare you.

As is the norm with me, worst case scenarios always present themselves in slide show format in my mind before I undertake any such acts of bravery. At the last minute, I almost called off the trip, but then steeled my heart and ventured forth.

The brat, thank the Lord, is a much better behaved child than he used to be; I still remember with horror the flight back from Bangalore, which was delayed interminably and all I remember is running around the old Bangalore terminal in circles trying to keep sight of the brat! This time, I could take the risk of hoping that the brat sat peaceably in a single seat for the duration of the journey, four to five hours, without having me pluck out each strand of hair from my head in frustration.

I was also a wee bit worried because the brat has been known to suffer from motion sickness. I have unpleasant memories of drives to Goa, when the entire contents of his stomach were heaved into every corner of the car, my clothes and my hair. I debated about giving him Avomine before the journey, but decided against it – I didn’t want him drowsy and sleepy through the journey.

I would not mention the V word, and instead treat the trip like one big adventure. And so we did. It was a mamma and brat adventure; waiting for the bus at the pickup point, keeping him in charge of the bags (all of two), having him find the seats in the bus, making him count the red cars on the road, giving him a Rubik’s cube to keep him occupied, pointing out hotspots like the DY Patil cricket stadium (known to him courtesy IPL), and not letting him eat anything through the journey.

We made it safe and sound to Pune and back. I really had to be amazed at the sturdiness of the baby car seat that I bought online. If you guys are interested to buy baby car seats, contact me and I will give you the list of best brands available. The boy helped me with the luggage, behaved himself, managed to keep himself entertained, and slept a fair bit of the way. Could it be, shudder, shudder, that the child has actually grown up?

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The Everyday Superhero in Our Lives - The Incredibles

We walk around in our milk and pureed food-stained clothes. Contact lenses a thing of the past and the once-upon-a-time-never-to-be-seen-in-public glasses, now firmly pushed on our noses. Our hair greasy from the fine sheen of drool and the occasional spit-up.

As we move through public places, scrunched over baby strollers or slings and baby carriers dangling from our chest, dressed in our baggy shirts and flat shoes, we are comfortable in our public personas. No one knows about the powers that are concealed within. Our secret identities remain secret.

That baggy top with the loose sleeves shield our biceps that are now bulging thanks to carrying around our little ones. What passers-by will never know from looking at our flip-flop clad feet is the power of lightening speed that they possess. The power to dash at a speed unseen to the naked eye as our precious baby breaks into a wail in her crib or hurtles towards the wall on all fours or vrooms past in the walker that she/he was just gifted.

No one knows that our unremarkable looking ears will test positive for the gift of supersonic hearing- an imperceptible sigh, the slightest wail, the beginning of a sneeze – you name it, we hear it. Hey, sometimes we hear it even before it happens. (But then that could possibly be a side-effect of extreme sleep deprivation as well.)

And then, of course there is the eye sight. Don’t let the dark shadows underneath them or the aforementioned eye- glasses fool you, we miss nothing. From the tiny speck of non-existent dust or the barely visible red welt on her leg that may or may not be a mosquito bite. (Fingers crossed hoping it’s not a mosquito bite!)

Oh and six months of exclusive nursing (in both public and private places) later, we all know how blurry the line between inner and outer wear becomes, much like those other popular figures who wear their inner wear as normal attire.

And sure, to the non-superhero public that shawl is just a nursing shield, but we, the members of the league of extraordinary women know it as an essential part of a superhero costume – the cape and a super baby car seat to get the kid secure on a wild ride to the supermarket, school or anywhere else!

Who are we?
Just your everyday mother by day and a superhero in disguise every other moment, from the time we became mothers.

Like they say in the Incredible, we are no one but “average people, average citizens quietly and anonymously making the world a better place”.

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Why is it important to buy car seat for baby in India?

Using a Breast Pump – Guidance for Mothers

For working women, a breast pump is a godsend that allows them to express their milk and store it for use in the course of the working day when they might not be around to feed their babies. This allows mothers to express quickly, without the tedium of manual expression, and saves time, which is often scarce.

Kiran Manral talks to Cee Kay*, Mother of two children aged 12 and 4 now, about her experiences with a breast pump. She used the breast pump for her second child.

Why did you start using a breast pump? How old was your child then?

I started using breast pump to augment supply by day 15 or so (I don’t remember exact day). I was having lactation problems.

Did you research the models in the market before buying one? What were the parameters you looked for?

I first rented a pump from the hospital for about two months to see if it would help me at all. Once I verified that pumping did help my supply, I bought Medela’s “Pump in Style” because my research indicated that it was one of the best models available. A friend had it as well and she highly recommended it.

This one also comes with dual shields/pumps which save time as you can pump both breasts at the same time. The features I looked for were:

1. Dual pumps.
2. Hospital grade.
3. Had to have graduated suction levels.
4. Had to be easy to carry since I planned to pump at work.
5. Had to have a discreet case that I could carry to and from work without it being too obvious. I bought the backpack style for easy carrying option.

For how long did you use the breast pump and why did you stop?
I used it for a little over three months and I stopped after my supply dwindled to about three ounces for the whole day. I grudgingly realized that I wasn’t lactating and that it was just not worth the stress.

What would you advise women who want to start using a breast pump?
My Ob-Gyn strongly dissuaded me from using one after my first delivery. If I had used one, my first daughter could have gotten at least a few months of breast milk. I regret that. Get a second opinion if that happens to you.

Second, there is no shame in using a breast pump. Don’t let anyone tell you that.

Third, don’t overdo it. The guidelines usually allow for pumping for 20 minutes on each side. I ignored that once and over-pumped. I got swollen ducts as a result and my supply went further down. I still regret that.

How did using a breast pump help you?
It made me feel like I gave it my best shot. I know I worked hard and tried my best – if it didn’t work even after that, then so be it. Frankly, my daughters have thrived on formula too, so in the event of not having enough milk, it is okay if you need to supplement with or switch over to formula.

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What I Learnt From My Mother about Parenting

Infant health, infant milestones, baby care and toddler health are a vast minefield of uncertainties for the young mother. With the parenting advice and communities available on the Internet, and ease of connection on social networking sites and blogs, shopping sites with a vast collection of pregnancy dresses, one wonders if young mothers still turn to their own mothers for parenting tips.

It takes a village to raise a child. The child’s maternal grandmother was the elder traditionally at the forefront of that village. Has this changed in the current generation? Whom do new mothers trust for pregnancy tips through the challenging nine months and positive parenting tips for the exhausting toddler years?

A few mothers pay tribute to what their own mothers taught them about parenting!
Positive Discipline and Responsibility. Jennifer Pinto, 35, a Zumba Instructor in Bangalore, tends to ask her more experienced women friends about dilemmas in parenting her 3 year old son David. “Still, certain aspects of my mother’s parenting have influenced me,” she says. Jennifer has taught David to clear up his toys after play, and to put back anything he takes out. “I believe that getting a child to participate goes a long way towards helping him become a contributing member of society.” Jennifer feels that watching her mother parent her sister and herself has inspired her to start positive discipline and teach responsibility early in David’s life.

The Right Baby Books. “I prefer parenting books!” laughs Megha Pai, 31, Mumbai-based stay-at-mother to a 5 year old daughter. “But, I admit that I copied my mother in that! I remember her array of books including Dr. Spock’s Baby Care, recipe books for children’s favorite foods, and books on infant health and homeopathy.” Seeing her mother using ‘bookish’ advice has given Megha the confidence to also search for her answers in books from the parenting and infant care genres. “I don’t care when people mock me for relying on parenting books. I’ve learnt and grown as a mother, and I feel my daughter is happier, as a result.”

Sibling Differences. Priya Rao, 35, a stay-at-home mom currently on a break from a legal career in Bangalore, has been inspired by her mother-in-law. “Becoming a mom for the second time was a bit challenging. My two daughters, aged 1 and 3.5, are very different from each other in certain ways.” Priya was strengthened by learning about her mother-in-law’s equanimity in accepting differences between her grown-up son and daughter. “She always says that two children born to the same parents are still going to be completely different. She has had so much grace in tailoring her parenting to the unique needs and personalities of each of her children. It’s helped me change my expectations and appreciate what’s special about both my daughters.”

The Importance of Touch. Monika Manchanda, 35, mother to 3 year old Ojas, is a Software Freelancer based in Bangalore. “I was quite a nervous new mother, scared even to give my baby an oil-massage,” she says, and recalls the infant care tips from her mother, “Give the baby enough touch and love; that is what will bond you both and go a long way in building a relationship. Trust your instincts. Be careful but not afraid… whatever you do, know that you can’t break the baby!”

Grandma’s influence and inspiration has not been sidelined by these mothers. Possibly, faster communication, parenting books and other resources only augment the basic support that a woman traditionally offers her daughter in mothering. Let’s not forget how the internet has helped mothers boost their morale with comfortable maternity dresses online and other maternity wear that helps them go out in style and live their life with confidence.

When Loving Parents Forget Life Saving Products such as Baby Car Seats

The other day, as I stepped out of my building complex, a car passed me by. A man was driving, at moderate speed, WITH A TODDLER IN HIS LAP. I bellowed furiously at the retreating car and then noticed the mother of the toddler was sitting right next to them.

I gasped and sputtered and ran out of expletives I wanted to spew and then realized there was no way they could hear me, given the windows were up and the air conditioning on.

Everywhere I look around, I see perfectly loving parents, doing things that could only be idiocy. Putting toddlers in the front seat without a seat belt. Making children walk on the outside in the face of oncoming traffic. Letting kids run wild near escalators and stairways. Buying toys which have small detachable parts.

Setting up disasters waiting to happen.

Car Safety wonder if it really doesn’t strike them that these could be dangerous, or that there is a certain insouciance about not bothering with safety rules for these parents. Internationally, the rules about baby car seats being mandatory for infants and toddlers up to two years, might seem a little extreme to us here, but they are extremely necessary given the high speeds most vehicular traffic on their road have. Internationally, they have car seat guidelines about how toddlers should ride in a rear face car seat, until they reach two or the weight and height limits of their car seat. From the age of two, there are forward facing car seat for baby abroad. All children below 13 are expected to be seated in the back seat, with a seat belt, and in the middle of the car where the possibility of injury is the least.

They are pretty strict about the using of car seats for infants and toddlers, not to mention their insistence on the use of seat belts for all passengers in the car. I would think that even if car seats aren’t mandatory in India, parents who can afford one should definitely invest in one in order to ensure the safety of their kids in the car. I didn’t have a car seat though, when the child was small. There wasn’t much awareness about them back then and the child was always firmly in an adult lap.

Car seat for baby, booster seats for toddlers and seat belts for bigger children. And yes, those parents who let the kids stand on the seat and put half their torsos out of the sun roof, I have no epithets too strong for you.

Buying the Best Baby Car Seat for a Safe Drive with Your Little One

If you are becoming parents for the first time and have no idea about which infant car seat is the best one, you should remember that the best baby car seats are the one that fits your baby, your car and one that fits into your budget as well. Here is more information on how to choose a car seat for baby that suits you:
 

The Car Seat must fit the Baby  

Car seat sizes can be confusing as many of them conform to European standard requirements. When choosing a car seat, it is essential to keep your baby’s age, height and weight in mind. Your baby’s comfort level should be kept in mind – the child needs to be comfortable in his car seat.

The baby car seat must fit the vehicle
This is another point you should keep in mind while hunting for a car seat. There are several types of vehicles on the market now and not all car seats will fit every vehicle. Find out if you can take the car seat to your car to check whether it fits properly. If the car seat does not fit properly or does not fasten properly, do not buy it. The safety of your baby will be compromised if the seat does not fit properly. Keep in mind that the seat should be held tightly by the seat belt. There should be very little movement.

Tanmaya Karmarkar, a mother of two suggests buying a car seat which can be fixed into the seat belt. Such seats, she feels are more practical from the Indian perspective as they can be easily removed when not required. Fixed car seats can cut down on the amount of space in the car.

Weight limits
Ensure that you check the weight limit on any car seat that you are buying. Car seats can generally accommodate a baby up to 10 kilograms; however, there may be seats that have a higher weigh limit. It is advisable to purchase seats with a higher weight limit as you can use them for longer periods of time.
 

Safety Features
This is the most important point to keep in mind while purchasing a car seat. After all the main reason why you are buying one in the first place is that you want to keep your baby safe while you are driving. Pay close attention to the way the harness is adjusted on the car seat. This harness will have to be adjusted periodically as the baby goes through growth spurts. Buy a well padded seat with plenty of neck and back support. Ensure that your baby can move her arms freely and be able to look around as well.

When buying a car seat for infants, it is best to buy ones that face backwards. This is essential as infants cannot support their necks and therefore need neck support. Put your child in a rear facing seat if she weighs up to 13 kilograms. Look for accessories like little pillows in the car seat which make sure that the infants head does not wobble too much while she/he is traveling.

Shuchita Singh Basu, another mother, recommends buying a car seat which has a long enough seat to keep the child strapped in. She feels this is important as it prevents the child from being thrown in case the brakes are applied suddenly. Another aspect she feels that should be looked into while buying a car seat is whether the car seat can also double up as a baby carrier. Hence the car seat can be taken out and used to carry the baby at times as well. Some infant car seats can also be used as a rocking chair in the house.

Convertible baby car seats are that can face either forwards or backwards. They can be used by both infants and older children. If you decided to buy an infant car seat, you will have to switch to a convertible car seat once your child outgrows the infant car seat.

Keep the above in mind and you are sure to pick up a seat that you will be able to put to good use in the years to come.

Compact & Lightweight Baby Strollers For Travelling Comfortably

Mom & Me presents Lil Wanderer baby strollers with features that will help your little one have a comfortable trip along with you! With wide seats, 3 types of recline, adjustable leg rest, and compact folding, this light-weight stroller makes it perfect for travel.