Backpack carrier basics

A backpack carrier lets you travel in ways you never thought possible with a baby, including rugged, backcountry hiking and snow shoeing. But it can also be used for smaller, less exotic trips to the mall, the zoo, or even Disney World. Thinking about getting a carrier? Here are five things to keep in mind before and while you’re shopping.

Hold off on this purchase. If your baby is a newborn, there’s no need to buy a carrier just yet. Backpack carriers are intended for children old enough to sit up independently--usually at least 6 months old--up to 40 pounds, plus 10 pounds of gear, depending on the model. The weight of the pack itself can add another 4 to 7 pounds to your load, so consider that when choosing a pack. A heavy carrier might make it more difficult to carry your child.

Bring your baby. When your baby is about 6 months old, take her with you when you’re shopping for a backpack carrier and if your child is game, do test runs in the store to try on carriers for size, fit and comfort. If you expect to be wearing them during colder months, try a backpack with a coat on and your child.

Practice, practice. With the help of a knowledgeable salesperson, try putting the carrier on and taking it off. Have your spouse do likewise to make sure it fits you both comfortably. If you and your spouse will be switching the pack back and forth, adjust the straps to fit your torso so you can see if it’s easy to do (or not). Walk with the backpack to be sure the frame doesn’t hit the back of your head, that it’s not too long for your height, that the straps fit properly so they won’t slip off your shoulders, and that the frame doesn’t start to dig into your lower back after a few minutes. You should be able to walk comfortably with your arms at your sides and carrier directions should be easy to follow.

Look for a snug-fitting safety harness. The safest backpack carriers have a harness for the child that connects the shoulder straps with the crotch, torso, and hip restraints for a snug fit.

Be wary of second-hand equipment. A backpack carrier is something many parents pick up at tag sales. If you decide to buy used, check for recalled brands at the www.cpsc.gov. Inspect carriers for excessive wear, which can dangerously weaken straps and seams.

For more information, see our full report on back pack carriers, which includes features to consider, cautions to take, and Ratings (for subscribers).

The well-dressed baby

Your new baby will need clothes, but how much and what to buy can vary widely, depending on how much you want to purchase yourself, and what you can expect as gifts. Our advice is to buy very little and wait for the baby bounty to arrive from friends and relatives at a baby shower, or after your little one arrives. Don’t worry. Even if this isn’t your first baby, you’re bound to get clothes (gift-givers can’t resist the adorable duds). In the meantime, here’s our just-the-basics list--the minimum to have on hand so you’ll feel prepared:

•    Four sleeping outfits or one-piece sleepers with attached feet. Sleepers and sacks are preferable to covering a baby with blankets, which can be a suffocation hazard. Snug-fitting cotton and flame-resistant sleepwear are the safest choices for children. Loose-fitting sleepwear that’s not made of flame-resistant material is a fire hazard.

•    Six side-snap T-shirts.

•    Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch.

•    A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one).

•    Six pairs socks/booties.

•    Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits.

•    Cotton sweater or light jacket.

Summer babies

•    Brimmed hat with elasticized chin strap to keep your baby from batting it off.

Winter babies

•    Snowsuit.

•    Warm knit hat with elasticized chin strap.

See our full report on baby clothing for shopping secrets, what's available, and recommendations.

5 features to fret over when selecting a stroller

If you’re stroller shopping, go ahead and register or buy online if you want to. But first, take the models you’re considering for a spin in the store. You’ll learn a lot when you compare maneuverability and see firsthand how easy it is to adjust the backrest, fold, lift and carry the stroller. See if it can be opened and closed with one hand or whether it requires two. You might even take floor-model contenders to your car to see how well they fit in your trunk, which can be a deal breaker. While you’re at it, focusing on these key features can help narrow your selection: 

1. The restraint system. If possible, look for a model with a sturdy five-point harness, which will help keep your baby from slipping out. Some strollers offer only waist and crotch straps, but many offer an adjustable five-point harness (two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap), much like those found in car seats, which help keep a baby or toddler from slipping or falling out should the stroller tip, or climbing out when you're not looking. The straps should be height-adjustable for proper fit, and they should be securely anchored. Most are made of thick nylon webbing. Look for buckles on the harness strap that are easy for you to operate but difficult for small hands to unfasten.

2. Wheels. The larger the wheels, the easier it is to negotiate curbs and rough surfaces. But big wheels eat up trunk space, so if you have a small car, take that into consideration. Pneumatic (air-filled) tires are relatively new in stroller design. You’ll need a pump, which is not supplied with some models. Some manufacturers have created wheel assemblies that can be completely slipped off the frame, which makes it easier to replace a damaged wheel, fix the tire, get it filled, and transport the stroller in compact spaces, such as the trunk of a car.

3. Brakes. Check that any stroller you intend to buy has a good parking brake, one that’s easy to operate and locks one or (preferably) two wheels. Parking brakes on two wheels provide an extra margin of safety. One-touch brakes (a single lever or foot bar that activates both brakes) are a convenient feature.

4. Canopy. To protect your baby from glaring sunlight or inclement weather, a canopy is a must-have. Canopies range from a simple fabric square strung between two wires to deep, pull-down versions that shield almost the entire front of the stroller, when necessary, which is ideal. Some canopies have a clear plastic “peekaboo” window on top so you can keep an eye on your baby while you’re strolling. That’s a nice feature. A canopy that is reversible (it can be rotated all the way to the front of the stroller) is a handy option, too. If you’re walking with the sun in your face, flip the reversible canopy to keep it out of your baby’s eyes; same with the wind. You’ll use these features more than you think.

5. Large storage basket. A roomy, easily accessible storage basket underneath the stroller makes errands with baby much easier. Sizes of baskets vary. Try to choose one that's at least big enough to accommodate a diaper bag. When shopping for a stroller, press on the storage basket's floor--it shouldn't drag on the ground when loaded. Make sure you can access the basket easily, even with a bulky item like a diaper bag in there, and when the stroller seat is fully reclined.

For more information, see our stroller overview, five common stroller mistakes, and stroller Ratings (for subscribers).

Bisphenol A update

We recently reported in this blog on bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used in the manufacture of some baby bottles (polycarbonate: clear, hard plastic bottles), food containers and certain food can linings.

Canadian health authorities have announced their plan to designate BPA as a toxic substance, a first step toward a ban on the sale of products with BPA. Please read our Safety blog for the full story.

The National Toxicology Program of the Department of Health and Human Services recently released a draft report on the potential for developmental and reproductive health risks associated with exposure to BPA. 

Also see the Consumer Reports May story on BPA in bottles and cans. And stay tuned for further updates.

--Desiree Calamari, Web associate editor

8 easy ways to kid-proof your kitchen

No doubt, your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your house--and where your baby can get into a slew of trouble if you’re not careful--because there’s a lot going on and so many tantalizing things to see, touch, and taste. Prevention is the key to avoiding accidents. Here are eight simple yet important ways to make your kitchen safer for your kids.   

1. Lock down cabinets, cupboards, and drawers. Anything that might be harmful to a child should be stashed away in drawers, cupboards, or cabinets equipped with child-resistant safety latches or otherwise inaccessible to children. This list includes all kitchen cleaners; plastic wrap and food storage bags; food-wrap packages with a serrated edge; knives, scissors, and other sharp objects; refrigerator magnets or any small kitchen knickknacks; any type of liquor.

Likewise, some all-purpose cleaners come in orange, blue, green, and purple bottles and smell fruity. It’s easy for young children to mistake them for fruit juice, especially since some of these cleaners don’t have child-resistant caps (nor are they legally required to). So use locks or safety latches, and lock up cleaners, detergent, bleach, and other harmful products. Keep all chemicals in their original containers; never transfer them to soda bottles or other beverage containers. Labels often give important first-aid information.

2. Take cover with hot beverages. Get into the habit of drinking hot beverages from a travel mug to avoid spills.

3. Be prepared in case of fire. Don’t leave the stove unattended while you’re cooking. Keep a box of baking soda near the stove to extinguish grease fires. If a grease fire should break out, first try smothering it with a pot lid. Purchase a small fire extinguisher and mount it nearby. Get familiar with how to use it.

4. Limit kitchen access. When you cook, use a gate for the kitchen or keep your baby in a play yard, swing, or high chair--in view but out of harm’s way.

5. Stow away a stepstool. Keep your kitchen stepstool in a closet when you’re not using it to prevent your little one from climbing into trouble.

6. Don’t warm bottles in the microwave. Decide on an alternative for warming bottles of breast milk or formula or heating jars of baby food. A microwave can create hot spots in the milk or food that can burn a baby’s mouth and throat. It may also cause jars, bottles, and nurser liners to explode. Holding bottles under or in warm tap water for a few minutes should do the trick. If you are mixing powdered formula, follow label instructions to use hot water, and then let the bottle cool down before giving it to your baby.

7. Small appliance cords--it’s a wrap! To prevent your baby from tugging down small appliances-- including coffeemakers, food processors, and toaster ovens--wrap up and fasten cords out of reach with twist ties or rubber bands, or tape cords to the wall with masking tape. Push electric coffeemakers and teakettles away from counter edges.

8. Pull off front stove knobs and store them safely until it’s time to cook. You can also buy childproof knob covers. When possible, cook on the back burners, and always turn all pot handles toward the back of the cooktop. We tested the Safety 1st Stove Knob Cover, $5.99 for a set of five. These covers work on stoves, usually gas, with knobs on the front. They didn’t fit on all stove knobs and were difficult to use, but they were ultimately effective. Simply removing the stove knobs would also work.

For more information, see our reports on childproofing devices and what NOT to buy.

Don't buy these 5 baby products used

Want to save money? Preowned baby products can be a bargain. But for some items, like those we list here, you’ll want to buy new because it’s safer.

Don’t buy a used…

Play yard. Why? Newer models are more likely to meet current voluntary safety standards, which address problems of earlier models. Older, used models may have a top-rail hinge that can collapse, forming a steep, V-shaped angle that puts children at risk of being trapped or strangled, or they may have been recalled for one problem or another.

Car seat. A used seat may have been in a crash or recalled. The manufacturer’s instructions may be missing. If you must use a secondhand seat, avoid those with an unknown history or that are older than 6 years. In the world of car seats, a 6-year-old model is a relic--and risky.

Crib. Older models may not meet current safety standards or may be in disrepair. If you must use an older crib, avoid those built before 2000, about a year after the latest voluntary standards for slat-attachment strength took effect. Check the manufacture date on the crib label, which is required by law. Currently, 12 states have laws banning the sale of unsafe used cribs or prohibiting their use in child-care facilities. Your state may have such a law.

Breast pump. We’ve said it before--using a preowned pump is like sharing someone else’s toothbrush. It’s unhygienic. And unless a breast pump is a hospital-grade rental, it’s only meant for one user anyway.

Soft infant carrier. Strap-on carriers and slings have been subject to recalls, so buy new to ensure that you’re carrying your baby safely. Even with a new model, check the straps, snaps and other closures regularly to be sure they’re in good working order.

To play it even safer, make sure any used baby product you’re considering hasn’t been recalled. For the latest recall information, visit www.recalls.gov. When buying new, send in the registration card so you’ll be alerted to any recalls automatically.

Toy industry attempts to rebuild consumer confidence in toy safety

When I reported on the New York Toy Fair back in February, I noted that the Toy Industry Association was working on a new conformity assessment program to ensure that all toy manufacturers are following consistent manufacturing and testing guidelines, as well as a developing a new safety assurance mark that participating manufacturers could display on their wares. As my colleague Don Mays writes in the Safety blog, progress is being made on these items, but it may not be quite enough for consumers to feel comfortable that the toys they are buying are safe. Take a read and let us know what you think.

--Desiree Calamari, web associate editor

Buckle up if you're pregnant

If you're pregnant, you should wear your seat belt every time you get into a vehicle. Many pregnant women worry that using a seatbelt when driving could be unsafe for their baby, but a recent study from the University of Michigan debunks that myth.  Please check out this posting by Liza Barth to our Cars Blog for the full scoop. And see our Ratings and recommendations on car seats.

Do you use a baby sling carrier?

If you use a baby sling carrier (or know someone who does), you'll want to read this post on our Safety blog. Some sling carriers have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and there are serious safety concerns. Check it out!

Baby-proofing the baby’s room

Your baby spends lots of time in the nursery, so you’ll want to make sure it’s as secure as possible, especially as your baby becomes mobile. Do this quick safety check to help prevent baby’s-room mishaps:

Baby furniture. Check all baby equipment frequently for loose or broken parts or malfunctioning hardware. Stop using anything, particularly a crib, if it has broken or missing parts. Avoid high chests or tables. Bolt bookcases and chests to the wall so they won’t tip if a child climbs on them. As we’ve mentioned previously, use furniture straps. They secure a piece of furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping or toppling over when a child grabs on to balance himself or tries to climb. Some furniture may come with straps; if not, you can purchase them separately. Your anti-tip device will come with instructions and it is important that they are installed correctly in order to be effective. In most cases, you will attach the anti-tip device to the furniture itself and then drill the unattached end into a stud in the wall to prevent tipping. Toppling furniture can cause broken bones, bruising, and death from crushing injuries.

Crib notes. Once your child attempts to climb out of the crib, consider using a bed with child railings or putting the mattress on the floor. Place the crib well away from wall hangings, toys, windows, window blinds, curtains, and other furniture so that an adventurous baby can’t reach anything dangerous.

Crib bedding. Be sure that the crib mattress is firm, that there are no gaps between the mattress and the sides of the crib, and that the mattress cover and sheets fit snugly. Soft bedding—including pillows, padded bumpers, quilts, and comforters—is a suffocation hazard for infants, so keep those items out of the crib. Instead, dress your baby warmly enough for comfort. If you use a  lightweight bedding, it should be pulled up no farther than a baby’s waist and tucked securely under the sides and bottom of the mattress. Better yet, don’t use a blanket at all. The fewer items in the crib along with your baby, the better.

Floor and carpet. Position furniture and toys so you’ll have a clear path when you enter the room at night. Any area rug or throw rug should have a nonskid backing or, better yet, be secured with double-faced tape, so no edges stick up.

Toy chests. Don’t store toys in wooden chests with lids that can slam shut or automatically latch when closed. Children can suffocate in this type of toy chest. Chests designed specifically for holding toys have hinges or lid supports that will hold the lid open in any position to prevent such accidents. Even with proper hinge support however, there is a possibility that one child could close the lid after another child has climbed into the chest. For this reason, open shelves or crates are safer alternatives and make it easier to find toys. Or look for a chest without a lid, one that has ventilation holes that won’t be blocked if the chest is placed against the wall, so a child can breathe if she gets trapped inside, or one that leaves a space between the lid and the sides of the chest to allow ventilation when closed.

Soft toys and mobiles. Keep soft toys out of the crib. They’re a suffocation hazard for young babies and can be used as stepping stools for climbing out. If you buy a crib mobile, be sure to hang it out of baby’s reach. A mobile should be taken down when babies are able to push up on their hands and knees, at about 6 months.

For more information, see Childproofing baby's room. 

Evenflo recalls more Discovery car seats

Evenflo has recalled 1,038 of its Discovery infant car seats. See our Safety blog for complete details on this recall. And sign up for e-mail alerts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Choosing a changing table? Consider these 4 things.

Although you might disagree, a changing table isn’t a must-have. Technically, you can change a baby just about anywhere she’s safe from falling, even the floor, which is the safest place. But since you’ll be changing about 2,000-plus diapers in your baby’s first year alone, it’s sure nice to have one. A changing table can put you at just the right height for diaper duty and help keep supplies like diapers, ointment, baby wipes, and a change of clothes, organized and within easy reach. But what makes one changing table better than another? Here are four important features to keep in mind to help you narrow the field.

1. Assess the safety strap. The changing table you’re considering should have a pad that affixes to the table with a safety strap. Changing pads are also sold separately, but use a pad in a size the changing table manufacturer recommends.

2. Consider storage. Many changing tables have open shelves that make it easy to reach diapers and clothing, either stacked in plain sight or arranged in decorative wicker baskets, but some have drawers or a combination of drawers and shelves. Having at least one drawer, preferably right under the table, can help you quickly retrieve the supplies you need, though some parents prefer the easy accessibility of open shelving. A drawer offers an advantage over open shelving because it can hide diaper supplies that can be tempting to the curious toddler your baby will become in less time than you think.

3. Look for barriers on four sides. A traditional changing table is usually surrounded by a restraining barrier made of rails or wood sides. According to the latest JPMA/ASTM safety standards, changing tables with a flat changing surface must have a barrier on all sides of the changing surface. If there are only two or three sides of protection instead of four, don’t buy it. Changing tables with a contoured changing surface need only have barriers on two opposing sides to comply with the latest safety standards. Still, keep a hand on your baby at all times when he’s being changed for added security and always use the changing table or pad’s safety straps.

4. Check table height by bending over the table in the store. Changing tables vary in height. Some are as low as 36 inches; others as high as 43 inches. Anti-tip devices (or furniture straps) are a good idea for all. To prevent back pain, you’ll want a changing table or dresser that’s in proportion to your height. If you’re tall, go with a taller table or dresser and secure it to the wall with an anti-tip device to reduce the risk of tipping. If you’re short, aim lower. (Tops in our tests: The Parent Units Heavy Duty Topple Stop Furniture Fastening System, $17.95 for two, www.parentunits.com.)

Quick tip: Don’t forget changing pad covers. Two or three washable changing pad covers are a good number to have on hand. If you buy a cloth changing pad, make sure it has a waterproof layer on the underside, which helps the changing table stay dry and sanitary. Make sure the covers don’t interfere with the pad’s straps.

Sanity saver—or overkill?
Are you using a changing table—or changing your baby elsewhere? We’d love to hear from you about how necessary you think this purchase is, and what you learned by using one or doing without.

Buying a family-friendly vehicle

We’re expecting our second child in the spring and we’re car shopping. We want to buy a new vehicle that’s family friendly. Any pointers?

You bet. To zero in on a vehicle that’s right for your growing family, consider these questions before you hit the car-sales lots:

How many people will you be carrying? If you have one or two children, a small or midsized sedan should do, while saving you money and offering better fuel economy than a larger vehicle. But remember, kids must ride in the back, away from front airbags, and in appropriate restraints, so if you expect to transport a group—your own kids plus friends some day—you’ll want room to put them all in the back. A roomier choice is a minivan or SUV that offers seating for as many as nine. All vehicles that seat seven or more include a third-row seat that can be folded down or removed when not in use. You must still use an appropriate car seat for each child.

How old are your children? Plan ahead. Young children may not need much room now, but the kids will grow. Also consider how much room you’ll need for child safety seats. They can take up a lot of space, and having your seat kicked from the rear gets annoying. If you have older children, consider a car that has as many safety features as you can get and that will be easy to handle as they learn to drive. Small and midsized sedans and wagons are usually good choices; larger vehicles are harder to maneuver.

How much cargo space do you need? The trunk of a sedan may provide enough cargo room for smaller families. A vehicle with more space may be a better choice for large families and those who travel frequently, have a lot of outdoor activities requiring lots of gear, or need extra room for transporting a stroller, a play yard, or portable infant swing to and from Grandma’s. Depending on your cargo needs, your choices range from small wagons to minivans to large SUVs.

How flexible is the vehicle? Does the rear seat fold down? If so, is it a split design that lets one side fold separately from the other? Can the front passenger seat fold down to accommodate long items? If you’re considering a seven-passenger vehicle, check to see if the third-row seat folds flat or has to be removed from the vehicle to enlarge cargo capacity. Remember that vehicles that sit lower to the ground are easier to load and unload.

What conditions will you be driving in? If you’ll be driving in rain and very light snow on predominantly cleared roads, a two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicle will work fine. All-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) provides additional traction that is a plus for heavier snow conditions or for traveling on dirt roads without high rocks, deep sand, or steep inclines. If you drive on a lot of snow and ice, switch to winter tires for extra grip and safety, no matter what type of vehicle you have.

How important is fuel economy? As a general rule, the larger the vehicle, the lower the fuel economy. Small, lightweight sedans usually get the best mileage; heavy SUVs get the worst. If you need more cargo room than a sedan can provide, consider a minivan, smaller SUV or wagon. Some have as much usable cargo space as a larger SUV, but they usually get better fuel economy. In our testing, hybrids have achieved some of the best fuel economy in their classes, but you’ll pay a premium for one. Diesel cars also typically get better fuel economy than similar-sized gasoline-powered vehicles.

What safety equipment is included? By law, every passenger vehicle comes equipped with dual front air bags. But most now also have sophisticated systems have occupant sensors to determine if the air bag should deploy and at what strength. An increasing number of vehicles have head-protection air bags that deploy to protect occupants in both the front and rear seats. In general, the safest place to put an infant car seat is in the center rear seat of the automobile, whether or not your car is equipped with air bags.

Our auto experts also highly recommend electronic stability control (ESC), especially on SUVs. It’s designed to help keep the vehicle under control and on its path during cornering and prevent it from sliding or skidding. Stability control can help prevent SUVs from rolling over and can be a very important feature for helping to protect new, inexperienced drivers.

Visit ConsumerReports.org for our latest new and used car ratings (available to subscribers).