Car seat + bassinet stroller
The best combination for travel with your newborn
First of all, it is a legal requirement to have a car seat for your newborn and if you give birth at a hospital they will not let you go home without one. Since car seats are a no brainer when it comes to your baby’s safety on the go let's look at bassinets (also sometimes called carrycots). Although there are no legal requirements, the list of benefits for your baby’s safety and development is long.
About 5 years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics added sleeping in car seats for long stretches to its list of unsafe sleeping practices. This is exactly where the bassinet comes into play. It provides you with a safe place to sleep on the go. This is the peace of mind we want all Glüxkind parents to experience.
Do I really need a car seat and a bassinet?
Expecting parents often contemplate whether they really need a bassinet vs using only the car seat while out and about for the first few months. Way too many baby gadgets are advertised as “must haves” and while some of those products really are lifesavers, others collect dust and clutter your home.
“Car seats - outside of moving cars - are not safe for naps or overnight sleep.”
Well, bassinets definitely fall into the first category - MUST HAVES. They are by no means to be seen as interchangeable to having a car seat but much rather complement them. Together, bassinet and car seat enable you and your child to go on your first adventures in the safest way possible.
While the car seat offers the highest protection when travelling in your vehicle, the bassinet provides the safest environment during stroller walks or naps on the go. It allows your baby to lay flat and move freely without being in a constrained position that is typical for car seats. During those first few months newborns sleep up to 19 hours per day and it is important to provide them with a safe place that supports them in adjusting to their new environment.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep in a car seat?
In addition to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ advisory related to babies sleeping in car seats, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents not to let a baby sleep in any product that positions an infant at an incline. This means any position where their head is higher than their feet, which includes car seats. So the answer is no, it is not safe for your newborn to sleep in the car seat for extended periods of time, especially outside of moving cars.
What makes a seated position unsafe for infants?
The danger comes from the baby sleeping seated upright or on an incline. “When your baby is seated, her heavy head can fall forward causing difficulty breathing and even suffocation,” explains Dr. Harvey Karp. “That’s why car seats - outside of moving cars - are not safe for naps or overnight sleep.”
“Especially if a baby is under four months, it’s very, very important to move them if they’re sleeping in a car seat,” says Sarah Lazarus, DO, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
That said, don’t panic if your baby dozes off in the car. Sometimes that’s just your last resort to get them to calm down and get the sleep they need. The white noise of the engine with the jiggly movements remind your little one of the womb, their safe place that helps them fall asleep easier. The constant motion keeps babies stimulated and promotes breathing. However, the AAP recommends that you move your child to a flat, firm surface as soon as you leave the car.
Why isn’t everybody using a bassinet?
Bassinet strollers have always been very popular in many European countries where Cities are generally more walkable and the daily use of car seats for infants is less common than in North America.
With frequent trips in cars, the use of bassinets may seem cumbersome and it is yet another piece of gear that needs to be assembles, disassembled and packed up into the trunk. In addition, bassinets used to be only offered by premium stroller brands and are now finally available with more economical products.
To sum it up, we recommend you to get both, a good car seat and a bassinet stroller as there are a lot of benefits to using one as soon as you are leaving the car for more than a quick errand. See our blog post on “Should I buy a bassinet?” for more information on how the use of a bassinet supports your little one’s development.
Best stroller accessories for fall
What are key items that keep you and your baby dry and warm?
As we are heading into the fall season, those late summer days are coming to an end. Now you will probably continue to be out and about, even on rainy or snowy days. We want you to be prepared for those. Here is a short list of fall and winter weather gear for your baby AND yourself that will make outings during the coming months just as enjoyable as your summer strolls.
What are key fall weather accessories for your little explorer?
The every day companion: the rain cover
This one is really straightforward but there are a few things to watch out for.
In most cases, rain covers for the toddler seat come with your stroller if you buy new. If not, tailored rain covers are usually available through the stroller manufacturer’s website or any of their retailers. The included covers are typically for the seat and usually don’t fit well over a bassinet (if you have a stroller that includes one). So before you go out with your fall or winter baby we’d recommend getting a rain cover that fits the bassinet well.
Getting the matching covers for seat and bassinet ensures full coverage for your little one and ideal protection from rain and snow without any leaks. If those aren’t available for your specific stroller brand and model, there are generic options from independent brands. Either way, choose one that is durable. The rain cover will be crunched up and stowed away in the stroller storage frequently and should withstand this kind of use.
Safety tip: Dry the rain cover right after your walk to avoid any mold developing inside the folded rain cover and it’s ready to use when you need it.
Must-Have: Footmuff
THE cold weather gear for little ones! A footmuff is great to protect kids in their seats from wind, rain and cold weather. It’s like a super cozy sleeping bag for the stroller seat, keeping them nice and toasty. Some stroller brands have their own accessories but there are also plenty of independent brands who offer functional and stylish models.
One of our favorites is 7AM Enfant because of their stylish urban designs and use of vegan and functional yet pretty materials. They are offering a broad range of models that fit all popular stroller models.
Safety tip: If you choose an independent brand for your little one’s winter gear make sure that it is compatible with your stroller and allows you to use the seat belt properly inside the muff to keep them not just warm but also safe.
Car seat cover for quick transitions
If you move around outdoors with your baby in the car seat, there is a cozy cover option as well. Babies shouldn’t wear too many layers in the car seat to ensure the straps are tight enough. This can make it challenging to keep them warm during transitions in and out of the car. That’s what the car seat covers are for. They are a puffy cover that fits the majority of car seats seamlessly, slipping on and off in seconds and fitting snugly thanks to a convenient elastic base. It's a true timesaver.
Safety tip: Remove the cover once you are back in the car to avoid your little one overheating as the car warms up again.
Storm cover for rough weather conditions
Similar to the rain cover the storm cover wraps around the stroller seat to protect your little one from rain, snow and wind. In addition, it acts as insulation thanks to its added padding to provide more protection from the cold. Not a must have for most geographic areas in our opinion but if you live in a particularly cold location you might want to add this layer for increased protection and warmth.
Now, how do YOU stay dry and cozy during walks?
Umbrella or shall I say MUMBRELLA™ ?
Chances are you’ve been on a rainy stroller walk before. The options are to either wear a rain jacket and not be completely sheltered from the rain or hold an umbrella for yourself while pushing the stroller with one hand. Neither of those options are really comfortable. This is where the hands-free umbrella for moms (and dads) comes in. It is built to protect from the rain and snow, so you can stay dry while pushing the stroller with BOTH hands. It’s definitely a really-nice-to-have for the pacific northwest where the next rain cloud is never far away.
Hand muffs for the win!
Mom’s and dad’s hands get cold and uncomfortable really quickly when exposed to the weather while pushing a stroller. Yes, you can just wear regular gloves, but there is a more convenient solution that allows you to transition easier in and out of the gloves and stay cozy during winter walks. Hand muffs attach right to the stroller handlebar which makes “runaway mittens'' a thing of the past. Who hasn’t lost a glove on a cold winter walk - while juggling a stroller and a fussy baby. Just slip your hands in and stay toasty. When your little one needs something, slide your hands out, do what you need to do, and slide right back into those toasty muffs. Transitioning between pushing the stroller and tending to your little one has never been easier.
There are many options out there, some are individual muffs others are more like a classic tube muff wrapped around the whole handlebar. We like the ones from 7AM Enfant that let you select matching stylish weather gear for you and your little one.
Last but not least, don’t forget about your safety!
Add reflectors to the stroller
As the days get shorter those morning walks or after work adventures likely happen during dusk and dawn where visibility is limited. Stay visible as you cross the streets by adding reflectors to the stroller. Some manufacturers have their own kits that nicely integrate with the stroller design but you can also use any other reflector kit for bikes, backpacks etc. to increase your stroller’s visibility while out and about.
Should I buy a bassinet stroller?
First off, what is a bassinet?
Starting with the basics, a bassinet is a small crib for those first few months of a baby’s life. It often refers to the mini cribs parents use at home to provide a safe and cozy sleep environment for their infants. As our lives are busy, there is also a “to-go” version of a bassinet. It is the attachment that many, especially premium stroller brands now offer to provide safe sleep on the go. Parents get peace of mind as they go for a stroll in the park, relax at a café or visit grandma while their new baby has the best place to rest and nap.
Bassinets allow your baby to lie flat with room to move vs being propped up on an incline, tucked in like it is typical for when they are in a car seat. Whether a bassinet is necessary in addition to a car seat is a question expecting parents often ask themselves when it comes to transporting their little ones during the first few months. We have a separate blog post on the use of car seats outside of the car but let’s focus on the bassinet for now.
Why lying flat is the most comfortable and safest position for your newborn?
“Inclined positions lead to significantly decreased oxygen saturation and decreased heart rates”
Experts have long recommended that laying a newborn on a flat, firm surface is the best ergonomic position to sleep in. It’s crucial for your baby’s growth and brain development that they can move and stretch their growing arms and legs.
Even more importantly, in a lie-flat position, babies can get all the oxygen they need, and their head, spine and hips will be in the best position for a healthy development.
Researchers at the Bristol University found that putting a baby in a 40-degree inclined position (typical of a car seat) “leads to significantly increased heart and respiratory rates, and decreased oxygen saturation”. In a lie-flat position, no similar negative effects were noticeable.
How does the lie-flat position help my baby’s spinal and hip development?
A lie-flat position helps the spine develop in the correct way, says Hannah Spink, Specialist Pediatric Physiotherapist.
“For a baby’s spine to develop naturally in the way it’s supposed to, [parents] should aim for a lie-flat position. In [this] position, the hips will naturally turn into external rotation and abduction, which is the point where the hips are contained within the socket. If you force a baby to sit up [in a stroller or car seat], then you could potentially compromise that position.” says Hannah Spink.
A newborn’s spine is in C shape as they have been curled up in the womb up until this point. As they develop, the curves of their spine slowly grow from this C shape into an S shape. Now, when your baby is in a car seat for extended periods of time, they are restricted to the C curve position due to the shape of the seats. Spending time on a flat surface is the best way to counterbalance time spent in a car seat and support a healthy spinal development.
Can a baby sleep in a stroller bassinet?
Yes, absolutely! As always, newborns should be monitored and the advice of not using any loose blankets, pillows or stuffed animals while sleeping applies to bassinets just as it does for cribs or any other sleep setting. Babies should never be in a position where they can pull any of those soft materials over their face or cover their mouth.
Some bassinets are also rated safe for overnight sleep, making them an excellent addition to your newborn essentials and could save you yet another costly purchase. They definitely come in handy for naps at grandma’s place, a snooze while you enjoy some me time at a dinner party or as a mobile crib during a weekend getaway.
Should I buy a bassinet stroller?
Back to the initial question, YES you should buy a bassinet stroller. More and more brands now offer this option at different price points providing more families with safe sleep options on the go (and at home). Bassinets support your baby’s spinal, hip and brain development AND help them in getting enough oxygen while they rest and nap.
If those aren’t pretty convincing reasons we don’t know what would be…
Enjoy your bassinet and the peace of mind it gives you during those first months of your new life as a parent :)