There are many choices and options when it comes to new carseats for infants.  Which one do you choose? Are the most expensive carseats always the best?  Let’s answer some of these basic questions here.

Buying a New Carseat for Your Infant

Many people assume the most expensive carseats must be the best. However, all car seats currently for sale have met or exceeded all government requirements. Make sure you buy a carseat that fits your budget, and your infant.

A small infant may fit best in an infant carseat.  These are the carseats with handles you can carry. Some come with a stroller and some do not.  There are mixed opinions on where the handle should be during travel (up or down) so make sure you read the instructions on your personal infant carseat to make sure your baby is riding as safely as possible.

Make sure the carseat you buy has a good return policy. You may find you get it home and it doesn’t fit in your car, or you don’t like it, or even worse, your baby doesn’t like it. (It happened to us, and we had lost the receipt, turned into Grandma’s carseat) In the event you don’t want the carseat you want to make sure you can return it for another model.

Using Your New Infant Carseat

Car models 2000 and above come equipped with the LATCH system.  It is just as safe to use your car’s seatbelts as it is to use the LATCH system.  LATCH was basically meant to be quicker and easier. (I have not necessarily found that to be the case in some vehicles).

Do NOT use both the latch system and the seat belt.  Safety tests have not been done using both, and some incidental evidence shows it could even be dangerous.

Make sure your infant carseat is at a maximum of 45 degree angle.  Most car seats now have a bubble to show you if you are within the correct angle.

Your infant should always ride in the backseat, rear facing until they are BOTH 1 year old AND 20 pounds.

Once you have your carseat installed have it checked by a certified technician. These checks are free and can usually be found at hospitals and sometimes car dealerships.  Even if you do your best, studies show 80% of carseats are installed incorrectly, so have it checked.

Make sure the connector is even with your baby’s armpits, across the chest.  Make sure it is not around the neck or stomach, which could cause severe trauma or death during an accident.

Buying and Installing the carseat for a new infant can be one of the most stressful things you do before you bring your baby home.  It can be done, and once checked by a certified technician you can rest assured your carseat is installed properly and your infant will be safe and sound.

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Many every day products we assume are healthy and ok to use on our infants, in fact, contain harmful ingredients and may pose a danger to our new babies.  There are many natural products on the market that are new for infants.

Skin Care

There are many lotions available for infants, and although they generally are not necessary many moms use them. You are better off using some natural apricot oil if your new infant gets rough skin or has other skin problems.

Bath Time

This is probably one of the best places to use natural products. When you put a baby in warm water their pores are going to open up and allow even more absorption of whatever product you are using.

Most people just automatically buy Johnson’s Baby products.  It’s just what people use. However, many of Johnson’s products contain chemicals that release formaldehyde. These chemicals are also known to increase episodes of skin irritation as well as exzema. [[de Groot AC et al; Contact Dermatitis 1985 Feb;12(2):87-92]

Many people use perfumed and yummy smelling products on their babies in the bath. However, the perfumes in soaps and shampoos can irritate and create allergies in children.  Many babies are especially sensitive to scents. The chemical used to create the yummy smells may not be healthy for your infant as well.

Natural Products New for Infants

There are many companies who specialize in natural products for infants.  Many mainstream companies are creating new natural product lines just for infants.

These natural products contain organic ingredients, and use the healing and cleaning properties of essential oils.  Many essential oils have anti bacterial and fungal properties and can be used instead of harsh chemical preservatives.

You can find these new natural products for infants online and in your local health food store. More and more national grocery and department stores are carrying these new products for infants as well.

Now there is an alternative. Something new for infants, G diapers.

G diapers are a mix between disposable diapers and cloth diapers. This can be a great compromise for new moms who just can’t handle cloth diapers.

G diapers are a new flushable diaper. They are environmentally friendly, since you flush them down the toilet they do not add to the landfill. Babies are less likely to get diaper rash as they are “breathable”. They are comfortable and easily fit most infants.

There is no elemental chlorine, no perfumes leaving your child less likely to react badly to these diapers.

These diapers are cute, coming in nice colors and not bulky ~ which can be a problem with cloth diapers. They also fit snugly to help contain leaks.

The process of using a g diaper is pretty easy. You receive a two part system. The cute “g pants”, and an absorbent insert. You insert the pad into the snap in liner and you are good to go. When the pad becomes soiled you simply unsnap and pull open the pad. You then dispose of it in the toilet by giving it a little swish with the swish stick (which is provided).

Many parents are finding the new g diapers for infants are curing terrible cases of diaper rash. Many state they have tried many different diapers but had no luck curing their infants diaper rash until they found the g diapers.

If you are looking for an alternative to both cloth diapers and disposables you might find that g diapers are the new diaper for infants.