Why My Carseat Blankie

He's buckled in to his car seat with nothing behind him or his head, then the blanket is placed on top, and if extra protection is needed she covers him with a over the top car seat cover. The safest way for baby to travel!

It's Stylish, Sassy and Safe! And is the perfect size for travel. 

Here's how I came up with the idea! After having my second Spring time baby, I decided that the full one piece zip up pieces (that went behind my baby) for my car seat were just too warm for my baby. And come to find out later that it wasn't even safe. In New England in March and April you never know if it's going to be 30 or 60 out!

I needed something that was conveniently sized to fit the car seat, so there's no extra bulk in front of the babys face (like a traditional size blanket), and small enough so if my children decided to make it their "blanky" it wouldn't be too big for them to carry around all the time, and the pattern would be something they'd love for ever.

This is the perfect size to fit with most bucket style car seats, and then transfers well to the toddler car seat as a lap blanket. People are even using it in the stroller and bouncy chair. One mother at one of our craft fairs came over with her umbrella stroller and tried it on after a quick look she said "I'll take it", I asked her how she made the decision so quickly her reply "it doesn't hang down and get caught in the wheels of the stroller".  It really does seem to be the perfect size!  

They each have their own, it not only doesn't get caught in the wheels, but they aren't fighting over who has more blanket covering them! This is a lifesaver for us!

 While doing a bit of research I recently came across an article on About.com that supports the use of a smaller blanket for the car seat vs. the big puffy buntings and zip up one piece units that fit around the car seat. Check it out at http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/a/carseatcoat.htm

It has some really great information for new parents about car seat safety and things to think about when you're deciding how to keep your baby warm and safe in their car seat this Winter.  My sister just asked me for a 2nd My Carseat Blankie now that the weather is cooler for her 5 month old. Layering the blankets is still the safest solution!

Don't forget to log on to SeatCheck.org  to find a place near you to have your car seat checked, or even professionally installed.

Please visit my web site at www.mycarseatblankie.com to see our great selection of blankies.
Or you can visit us at the Wellesley Marketplace in Wellesley, MA on November 19th!

Happy Fall!!

She's enjoying hers in her bouncy chair.

Fly Safely with your child

Between achy ears, close quarters and favorite trinkets left behind, it takes a brave parent to dare to bring a child on a plane. And then there’s the car seat debacle. The first time we flew with our baby, we paid for an extra ticket so we could have him securely fastened in his car seat. Once we managed to maneuver ourself, the baby, the car seat and the diaper bag onto the aircraft, we were horrified that the car seat barely fit. And after a flight attendant gamely helped us wedge it in (with a little sweating and cursing on all our parts), it certainly wasn’t at the ideal angle.

Now there’s a better option. For kids over one year who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds, the car seat struggle is over. The CARES child aviation restraint system is an FAA-approved safety harness that fits on any airline seat. It weighs only one pound, and it’s all you’ll need to bring on board (well, aside from the diaper bag, toys, snacks, etc).

 
CARES was invented by Louise Stoll, a grandmother who was horrified to see her pregnant daughter waddle off the airplane lugging both a heavy car seat and a toddler. Now this godsend gadget is a must-have for families that fly. It just slips around the back of the seat, and snaps over your child in seconds. No sweating, no cursing. Phew.

CARES is the solution to safe and easy air travel! 

Let's Talk Bus Safety

So no car seats on the bus, but at least there's seat belts! 

My son started 1st grade this year in another new school. So as a new student in a new school you get to watch the new kid riding the bus video during orientation. We all gathered at the school and watched a bus safety video with our kids. It had a lot of great information and I'm hoping he took in a little of it, but still feel like I need to help him remember some of the tips and information throughout each week. He had a bad experience in our last town as a Kindergartener, so I decided to just pick him up and take him in each day since I knew we were moving again this year.  But now that we're in the town we hope to stay in for a while it's time for him to learn some bus rules. So far we're 7 days in and he's loving riding the bus! 

Here are a few safety tips to help you with your children. 

 

Walking to the Bus Stop

Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus stop; never run. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.

Go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. While at the bus stop, wait quietly in a safe place well away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting

Getting On and Off the Bus

Enter the bus in a line with younger students in front. Hold the handrail while going up and down the stairs.

When entering the bus, go directly to a seat. Remain seated and face forward during the entire ride.

Riding the Bus

Always speak quietly on the bus so the driver will not be distracted. Always be silent when a bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is coming.

Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Keep the aisles clear at all times. Feet should be directly in front of you on the floor and bookbags should be kept on your lap.

Never play with the emergency exits. Large instruments or sports equipment should not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

Hands should be kept to yourself at all times while riding on the bus. Fighting and picking on others creates a dangerous bus ride.

Exiting the Bus

If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and she may begin moving the bus. Make sure that drawstrings and other loose objects are secure before getting off the bus so that they do not get caught on the handrail or the door.

Respect the "Danger Zone" which surrounds all sides of the bus. The "Danger Zone" is ten feet wide on all sides of the bus. Always remain 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the "Danger Zone" and where the driver can see you.

Always cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where you are.

Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and tell you parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.

  

Thank you to this wonderful sight for some great information on School Bus Safety.

Watch a quick safety video.

Child Passenger Safety

7 out of 10 kids in safety seats are NOT buckled in properly!
Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of kids!


In 2009, there were nearly 62 million children age 14 and younger in the U.S., 20% of the total resident population. To help keep them safe on the highways, NHTSA advises that children 12 and younger should always sit in rear seats, and that parents should always read child restraint instructions and the vehicle owner manual instructions. 

Parents and caregivers are urged to have their children’s car seats checked on National Seat Check Saturday, September 24. As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 18-24), certified child passenger safety technicians will be available to inspect car seats and provide hands-on advice free of charge.  

Visit SeatCheck.org for a place near you! You don't need to wait for September. Call today!