Spring E-Book Sale on must have titles!

As a reader reminded me, i promised to do better on posting and would try to post once a month.  I guess that month is up! lol  I've been a bit busy.  At the beginning of the month i actually traveled across the country to visit a new friend and her new little one.  It was great to see her, and great to have a mini vacation (10 day!), but it is good to be home again.

I don't have much time to talk though because i'm getting ready to do a Green Family Expo tomorrow (My booth will be H2O at Home which i STILL need to talk about). 

BUT i did want to share a great deal that i found with all of you.  Right now there is a sale going on until TUESDAY the 23rd.  You can get 30 e-books for only $39!  And they all sound pretty awesome!  I just ordered mine and i just need to dowload them now.  You can read them on your computer and you can send them to your e-reader (like the Kindle) for reading on the go. 

So go to Village Green Network and order yours now!

Here are the titles and descriptions of the books included in this sale (which is 90% savings!)

Grain-free Breads, Snacks & Desserts
Jill Tieman of Real Food Forager

Learn how to bake with gluten-free, grain-free flours in place of wheat. Properly prepare nuts and seeds for easy digestion. Make yummy snacks and treats that actually provide nutrients and are a positive addition to the diet.

The Eczema Cure
Emily Bartlett of Holistic Squid

Learn how to heal eczema from the inside out with real food. How to "put out the fire" that causes your itchy, red, oozing rash -- and step-by-step guidelines for how to get started. Includes detoxifying recipes!

DIY Natural Household Cleaners
Matt & Betsy Jabs of DIY Natural

Learn how to make all your own homemade cleaning products using simple, natural ingredients. These green cleaning recipes take the guesswork out of using essential oils so you can finally utilize their beneficial cleaning properties. Over 60 natural cleaning recipes for every room in your home!

Get Your Fats Straight
Sarah Pope of The Healthy Home Economist

Sarah identifies how the low-fat movement got its start and the devastating effects it is having today. She beats back the arguments for eating low-fat and presents simple, practical advice on what you need to do to regain your health.

Nourished Baby (Completely Revised)
Heather Dessinger of Mommypotamus

Did you know that feeding our children "sacred foods" often prevents the need for braces and can heal cavities? This completely redesigned book features 15+ brand new baby/toddler-friendly recipes including healthy chicken nuggets and bunless sloppy joes!

Skintervention
Liz Wolfe of Cave Girl Eats

All you need to know about healing and beautifying skin, hair, nails, teeth, and everything in between. Whether you deal with acne, eczema, or weak hair or nails, or you simply want to know what to use and why, this guide can help you. It's about taking care of yourself from the outside-in AND the inside-out.

Real Food Nutrition FOR KIDS!
Kristen Michaelis of Food Renegade

Want to teach your kids about real food? Child-friendly lessons inspired by the work of Weston A. Price. A beautiful book full of fun illustrations, coloring pages and activities for younger children.

 

Awaken: 30+ Egg-Free and Grain-Free Breakfasts
Karen Sorenson of Living Low Carb One Day At a Time

Breakfast ideas for those with egg allergies -– perfect for low carb, Paleo, Primal, gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free or dairy-free diets. Takes the guess work out of stocking your grain-free pantry.

Eat For Heat
Matt Stone of 180 Degree Health

Are you tired all the time? Have cold hands and feet? Lost your sex drive? Eat for Heat teaches you how to feel better by reducing beverage consumption, and to overcome your phobias about salt and sugar.

Diet Recovery 2 (Completely Revised)
Matt Stone of 180 Degree Health

Can "eating healthy" make you sick? Diet Recovery 2 is the completely revised guide to breaking free from the empty hunt for the perfect diet and the counterproductive pursuit of losing weight. Learn how to ditch dieting, relax and "eat the food" -- and balance your metabolism and get healthy.

Real Food For Real Life
Emily Benfit of Butter Believer

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the "food rules" out there, you'll love this brand new book about eating healthy, without letting food take over your life. Real food is supposed to be simple! Get back to the basics and check perfectionism at the door, while learning the hows and whys of feeding yourself and your family healthy, whole nutritious foods.

Indulge and Heal: 40 Treats Without Grains, Dairy, Nuts and Refined SugarLauren Geersten of Empowered Sustenance

Discover new grain-free recipes for the SCD, GAPS, and Paleo Diet! Resources and tools for natural healing -- and support and encouragement for a holistic lifestyle.

The Homemade Handbook
Lindsey Gremont of Homemade Mommy

If you want to be inspired to learn to cook real food and to have the courage to experiment in your kitchen with new flavors and techniques, this e-book is for you! Packed with real food cooking tips and techniques from roasting to fermenting + 60 real food food recipes to get you started and test your new skills
 

Fast Paleo Top 100 of 2012
James Gregory of Fast Paleo

The 100 absolute best Paleo and Primal recipes from Paleo bloggers and enthusiasts around the web in one great e-cookbook. Fast Paleo Top 100 of 2012 includes everything from breakfast to slow cooker meals to baked goods and desserts.

From Your Freezer To Your Family: Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes eCookbook
Stephanie Brandt Cornais of Mama & Baby Love

This e-cookbook is full of great recipes that go straight from the freezer to the crockpot. It's also a complete beginner’s guide to real food. All recipes are 95% grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.

The Nourished Metabolism
Elizabeth Walling of The Nourished Life

Want healthy hormones? Learn why you should stop dieting TODAY, how to balance nutrients and energy for the optimal metabolism, a balanced eating plan that doesn’t restrict food groups, myths about sugar, salt and water -- and much more!


 

Real Food Ingredient Guide
Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Do you want to use more nutritious ingredients in your kitchen, but feel confused about which ones to choose? Do you need help deciphering food labels at the store, or knowing which foods to buy at your local farm? Get Kelly's help in this eye-opening, handy referenece manual.

Real Food 101
Kendahl Millecam of Our Nourishing Roots

Are you new to real food? Real Food 101 is a visual companion to Nourishing Traditions-style foods full of step-by-step tutorials with color photos that will teach you how to prepare real food easily and confidently!

The Almond Flour Sweet Treats Cookbook
Stacey Duncan of Nourished For Free

More than 100 delicious and Paleo-friendly sweet recipes using almond flour, coconut flour, natural sweeteners such as raw honey, coconut sugar, stevia, dried and fresh fruits... pastured eggs, coconut oil, coconut milk, fresh and dried coconut, grassfed raw butter, milk, and cream, sprouted nuts and seeds.

Toxic Free: 70 Recipes for a
Toxic-free Home
Robin Konie of Thank Your Body

Many of the ingredients found in commercial cleaning and personal care products have been linked to health problems. From infertility to cancer, the toxic chemicals that threaten our health are some of the most common things we put directly on our skin! Are you ready to ditch the toxic garbage for good?

Nourishing Our Children
Sandrine Love of Nourishing Our Children

Based on the nutritional principles of Dr. Weston A. Price, this book covers dietary principles for parents before and after conception, problems associated with modern processed foods, and vital information about water and fluoride, traditional fats and oils, milk, soy, vital nutrients, and healthy meal preparation.

Indulge: 70 Grain-free Desserts
Carol Lovett of Ditch the Wheat

Take all the guesswork out of making scrumptious baked goods that are grain-free, dairy-free, cane sugar free, and Paleo/Primal friendly. Over 70 + recipes and 162 pages of content. All recipes are dairy free and adhere to Paleo principles.

Simple Natural Health

Nina Nelson of Shalom Mama

A simple, comprehensive guide to natural health: nourishing your body with herbs, nutrition and fitness. Use herbs for upset tummies, sore throats and a whole host of other ailments – and in conjunction with diet to prevent illness.

Afternoon Tea: Grain, Nut, Dairy and Refined Sugar-Free

Suzanne Perazzini of Strands of My Life

107 pages of beautifully photographed treats that are all grain-free, nut-free, dairy-free with no refined sugar. Every recipe includes two photographs alongside clear and easy to follow instructions.

Toadally Primal Smoothies

Todd Dosenberry of Primal Toad

Do you enjoy smoothies? Do want to feel awesome and be able to do the impossible? Toadally Primal Smoothies contains 150 mouth-watering, healthy smoothies that follow Primal/Paleo/WAPF eating guidelines, including 70 low carb smoothies.

Garden and Preservation Planner

Brenda Scott of Well Fed Homestead

Planning, planting, growing, weeding, tending and harvesting a garden is a lot of work! This guide will help you think through what you really need to grow, where to grow it, how to grow it, and how to preserve it.

Restocking the Pantry

Kresha Faber of Nourishing Joy

Make your favorite condiments at home -- without sacrificing the store-bought flavor you love! Avoid high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and food additives. Save money, have fun, and teach your children how to cook. These recipes are all easy to make & kid-approved!

The Grain Free Lunch Box

Jolene Sloam of Yummy Inspirations

Lunch Box Nutrition – what to include plus tons of tips. Lunch Box Organization & Planning – strategies to keep you organized. 50+ Grain, Gluten, Nut, Dairy & Refined Sugar Free Recipes – kid-approved meat, chicken, fish, egg recipes and a rainbow of vegetable and fruit ideas and delicious baked treats.

My OB said WHAT?!?

I just wanted to share that i've been featured on the website, My OB said WHAT?!?

You can see the post here.

If you scroll down the pink comment is my story explaining.

Yesterday a friend of mine shared an article about circumcision.  I was surprised to see that she posted it since she circumcised her son.  This is what she had to say:

"Great article, the best I've ever read. Its very long, 6 parts but well worth the read. As the mother of a circumcised boy I tend to avoid these kinds of articles like the plague because I don't like people making me feel bad about a decision I made because I felt it was in my child's best interests. 

But as a parent I'm always trying to improve myself when it comes to things like carseat safety and parenting method. I always find myself learning more and more about what I'm doing wrong and I love learning so I can be a better parent for D and to my future children, so why would I not want to learn more about circumcision? Because there is soooo much conflicting information! This site says its best to not circumcise, this site says that site is lying that circumcision is best, this site... says that they are both laying and you should only cut off half... you get the gist. 

So once I made what I felt was an informed decision I stuck with it and didn't want to read anymore about it or watch any videos to make me feel the pain I felt when I handed Derek off to the surgeon, because what mother would want to relive that? I hoped I'd never have another boy so I didn't have to battle myself about this decision again, and I knew that if I had been a single parent D would still be intact because without Hubby wanting the circumcision I couldn't have done it, even if it had been for the best. 

But something urged me to read this article and I did, then I made Hubby (my stubborn husband who is very VERY pro circumcision) read it and we've come to the decision that we aren't going to circumcise any more of our children. So please just read this, it is chalk full of information and has actual references =)"

I applaud my friend of taking the plunge to find out more information.  I know it's not easy to learn the truth, but it is so important to try to continue to learn and to grow so we can be the best people and parents we can be.

Before i ever became pregnant my husband and i had decided that if we were to ever have a boy that they would be circumcised.  We felt that way because my husband is circumcised and because i thought that was just what you did.  I feel stupid now for begin so ignorant.   It was when my sister was pregnant with her first that she first introduced the idea of NOT circumcising to me.  I didn't even really realize that was an option! (again, i feel so stupid that i thought that)  I started to do my real research and i was blown away by everything i did not know.  I was so THANKFUL that i had found this information out before we ever had a son.  It pains me to think of the pain we would have inflicted on our child just so they could 'look like his father' and because i though that's what you were supposed to do.  Circumcision is something you can never take back.  Once it is done it is done.  I now believe it is a choice that should be up to the person who owns that body part.  The foreskin serves a purpose.  I'm amazed at how much i have learned about this piece of skin.  I am sad that my husband did not have the choice when it came to his penis and i am sad for the impact it has had in both his *and* my life because his parents were given the wrong information and did not seek to learn more.  I'm sad that i did not know growing up that my own father and brothers are uncircumcised and that i did not grow up knowing that was normal.  Again, i am so thankful that *i* did learn more and that our views have changed.   If my views can change, if my friends views can change why can't yours?

What are you afraid of?  Knowledge is power and it is only when we know better that we do better.  By choosing not to do your research you are choosing to be ignorant and that can cause more harm that you know.

I want to share this article with you and to urge you to read it, no matter what your view point on circumcision is.  You never know how you will truly feel until you finally receive all the facts.  It might hurt to read this article if you have already circumcised your child but remember, when you know better you can do better.  And even i learned some things from this article, so everyone can benefit from reading it.

I love this quote from the article:
"As parents, we are entrusted by God or the universe or by nature with the care of our babies.  They truly are a gift, but one that we do not get to keep.  We have a responsibility to care for them as best as we can, because they cannot speak nor care for themselves.  Though they are babies now, and we have to make decisions for them, they will be adults, with minds and feelings of their own.  We need to make decisions for them that we will be proud to stand behind now and in the future.  If your son asks you why you had him circumcised, how will you answer?  "Because I am circumcised and I needed your penis to match mine?"  "Because I didn't trust you to be able to make your own decisions?"  When making this decision for your son, be brutally honest with yourself.  What does your decision serve: the child's rights, or your ego?"

And with that, will you be the bigger person and learn more?

Myths about Circumcision You Likely Believe

(This article can be a tad confusing to follow.  You'll read the first part by following this link and then you click on each of the next parts (2-6) to read the other points)

EDIT:  My friend decided to create her own blog to she could share your opinions and views and she started with her story of her son's circumcision and her journey to finding out the truth.  You can read it here: http://hippie-mommy.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-changed-my-view-on-circumcision.html

How to buckle a child into a 5 point harness

It's been a while since i've made a car seat safety post, but that doesn't mean i'm not as passionate about it as i was before, i just got too busy to sit down and make a post.  There has been a topic i've been wanting to talk about for a while when it comes to car seat saftey, but i didn't know how best to go about it.  Now i don't have to since The Car Seat Lady has done if for me!

Ok, so i've been wanting to talk about the correct way to buckle a child into a 5 point harness and to bring attention to the fact that many caregivers do this incorectly because they leave excess strap by the child's legs.  I wanted to explain what i mean when i say this and how to check for it and make sure you have a tight insilation.  Then today when i was on facebook i saw a video The Car Seat Lady posted and it was exactly what i wanted to share!  So that's just what i'll do!  

After watching this video a couple of times there should be no excuss for not buckling up a child correctly in their car seat.  And if you do still happen to have some problems (since all car seats are different), take action in your child's (or grandchild, nice, nephew or friend's) life and ASK FOR HELP.  That is why there are CPSTs, to help you keep your child safer in the car.  You can find a local one at Safe Kids USA or on the national CPS Certification website.  (and if you know me personally i know 2 CPSTs that would love to answer any questions you have!)

How to Buckle a Child into a Car Seat with a 5-Point Harness from The Car Seat Lady on Vimeo.


Please pass this post on to everyone you know!  As i've mentioned in other posts,

98% of people are not using their car seat correctly and at least three child endangering mistakes are made by most parents while installing car seats.  This is a huge issue!  Proper information needs to be passed around so that children can be kept as safe as possible while traveling in a car.  

 

If there is a child in your life that you care about, *please* do not stay quite,  pass this information on!

Thank You!

Sharing a blog post: NFP: There's an app for that!

My friend has written another post on NFP, also known as Natural Family Planning.  It has to do with a new tool available to those who want to follow NFP.  It makes me want to go out and get a smart phone!  Just passing it on for those who want the information.

NFP: There's an app for that!

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning and How It's Healthy

I'm sorry i haven't posted in a while.  We are in the middle of packing up to move and so life has just been a bit hectic for me to write anything super indepth.

so, instead i'll post the 3rd article written by me friend about Natural Family Planning

Educate Yourself: Natural Family Planning and How It's Healthy

How to bring a "tree" into your home: Craft/decoration idea

So i think i need to post something other than information about car seats :)

I was lurking on crafster today and i found this awesome post by a woman to put a "tree" in her foyer.  It looks like a super easy craft and something very fun!

I've got a tree growing in my foyer and it's bringing in SPRING!!

Why I Do What I Do: Car Seat Safety

Today my friend who is a CPST shared a blog post that has been going around the internet.  It is a powerful post about WHY car seat and seat belt safety is SO important!  It takes just 5 minutes to read, but it's a good reminder to make sure your seats are in right!

Why I Do What I Do

'The Orphan Seat' - Another article on the new recommendations

Just sharing another article that i thought was worth reading.

"It's a horrible term, but EMTs call the rear-facing seat 'the orphan seat'' because in a bad accident, that child is often the only one who survives."

— Alisa Baer, a pediatrician at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in New York, in The New York, also known as 'The Car Seat Lady'

'The orphan seat'

 

 

 

 

Answers to Your Car Seat Questions from 'The Car Seat Lady'

Just wanted to share another link that i found today.  It is a short article where 'The Car Seat Lady' answers some of the most common questions about rear facing car seats, from the size of your car to your child's comfort.

Answers To Your Rear-Facing Car Seat Questions

Rear Facing Until 2 Years: Why Not? Questions and Answers

Today my friend who is a CPST shared a link that is full of common questions and complaints when it comes to the new AAP recommendations, and then the answer or a come back to these questions and complaints.

My favorite that is shared is this one:

2.) Won’t their feet or legs be injured because they are bent or crossed or touching the back of the seat?  No, but this is a very big misconception among parents. In reality, during a frontal crash (the most common type of crash), the legs will fly up and away from the back seat.  It’s also much more important to protect the head, neck and spinal cord in a crash which is exactly what rear-facing carseats do so well.  If you’re still not convinced – there is this study by CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) that looked at injuries to children ages 1 – 4 who were hurt in crashes and leg injuries were rare for those kids in rear-facing seats. However, injuries to the lower extremity region were the second most common type of injury for the kids in forward-facing seats.  That’s because the legs of a child in a forward-facing seat are thrown forward and can hit the console or the back of the front seat. Study quote: “Injuries below the knee were the most common, particularly to the tibia/fibula, and they most often occurred due to interaction with the vehicle seatback in front of the child’s seating position.”

You can read the article by following the link below. 

Rear-Facing Until 2 Years Old: Why Not?

Feel free to share this information with anyone who is questioning the new guidelines.

What are some of the questions and complaints you have gotten from friends and family when you talked about the new recommendations?  What did you say to them?

New Recomendation from the AAP: Rear Face Until Two Years

Today wonderful news is spreading all across the internet. 

The AAP has finally changed their policy statement when it comes to children rear facing in car seats and children riding in boosters!

"...the AAP advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age."

"The previous policy, from 2002, advised that it is safest for infants and toddlers to ride rear-facing up to the limits of the car seat, but it also cited age 12 months and 20 pounds as a minimum. As a result, many parents turned the seat to face the front of the car when their child celebrated his or her first birthday."

Hip Hip Hurray! 

Those of us who are extended rear facing (ERF) advocates have waited a long time for this.  Because in 2007, that's FOUR YEARS AGO, a study came out saying that children are FIVE TIMES less likely to be injured in an accident if they are rear facing.  

Put another way, an estimated 1,000 children injured in forward-facing seats over 15 years might not have been hurt if they had been in a car seat facing the back, said Dr. Dennis Durbin, lead author of the recommendations.

Even though the APP has said to keep children rear facing until the child reaches the limits of their seat, all most parents have heard (from other parents and even doctors) is that it is ok to turn your child around a 1 year and 20lbs.  So it is great news to hear the AAP is now recommending children not be turned until the age of 2.  

If you want to see a visual of WHY it is so important to keep our children rear facing, just watch this quick video:

Or watch this story of an 18 month old who got in an accident in a forward facing seat:

As the grandfather says in that video above, in a crash while forward facing the spinal cord can stretch up to 2 inches!  But it only needs to stretch 1/4 of an inch to break!

Thankfully, here in the USA it is very easy to keep your child rear facing until 2 years old, or even longer!  New seats are coming out that have higher and higher limits to allow children to rear face as long as even 4 or 5 years old!  

A great resource to compare car seats based on their specifications is this chart put together by some CPSTs (Certified Passenger Safety Technician)
Convertible Car Seat Comparison Spread Sheet

If you are wondering what some good car seats are if you want to extend rear face, these are some recommendations (not in any specific order):

Cosco Scenera 40RF

 

Rear Face Weight Limit: 40lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 40"
Forward Face Weight limit in 5 point harness: 40lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 43"
Average Price: $50
Other Bonuses: 3 crotch buckle positions, narrow seat, Air Craft approved, very inexpensive

Important side note, there is the older model which is just Cosco Scenera and it only rear faces to 35lbs, NOT 40lbs.   

Graco Graco MyRide 65

Rear Face Weight Limit: 40lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 49"
Forward Face Weight limit in 5 point harness: 65lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 49"
Other Bonuses: Infant support cushion, two cup holders, approved for air craft use, lots of padding.

My Ride 65 Review

Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL and Radian XT SL

Rear Face Weight Limit: 45lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 53"
Forward Face Weight limit in 5 point harness: 80lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 53"
Average Price: $240-$300 (but you can find it on sale for up to $100 off)
Other Bonuses: SuperLATCH up to 80lbs, steel reinforced frame, low profile for easy boarding, fits 3 across in most cars, folds up for easy transport and storage, carry strap, approved for air craft, 3crotch strap positions, EPS foam and an 8 year expiration date from the date of manufacture (one of the highest on the market).

The car seat we have for our daughter is the Radian XT SL in the green print above and we love it!  We were able to find it on sale and use an online coupon code to get it for $100 off and free shipping and no tax.  Great deal!  DD really loves the seat as well, she seems much more comfortable in this seat than her infant seat.  And she'll be able to stay in it for such a long time, it should be the only car seat we need before a booster.  This is the car seat we plan on getting for all our children.

Sunshine Kids Radian XT SL Review

Combi Convertible Zeus 360

Rear Face Weight Limit: 33lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 40"
Forward Face Weight limit in 5 point harness: 40lbs
Forward Face Height Limit:  40"
Other Bonuses: Designed to rotate 360 degrees without re-installation, anti-rebound base, correct buckle indicator

Zeus 360 Review

Combi Coccoro 

Rear Face Weight Limit: 33lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 36"
Forward Face limit in 5 point harness: 40lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 40"
Other Bonuses: narrow seat installs easily in a lot of cars, Air Craft approved, light weight, infant padding included, and compatible with Flash EX stroller.

Combi Coccoro Review

The First Years True Fit Convertible

Rear Face Weight Limit: 35lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 50" (with head rest)
Forward Face limit in 5 point harness: 65lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 50" (with head rest)
Other Bonuses: Removable head rest, multi-position crotch strap, no rethread harness.

True Fit Review Video

Britax Boulevard 70, Advocate 70 CS, and Marathon 70

 Rear Face Weight Limit: 40lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 49"
Forward Face limit in 5 point harness: 70lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 49"
Other Bonuses: Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether®, Integrated Steel Bars, quick adjust harness, certified for air craft travel, 2 buckle positions, 

 Britax Marathon 70 Review

Safety 1st Complete Air 65 LX

 Rear Face Weight Limit: 40lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 40"
Forward Face limit in 5 point harness: 65lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 45"
Other Bonuses: 3 crotch strap positions, harness height adjustment from front of seat, built in recline base.

Safety 1st Protect Air Review

 

Evenflo Symphony 65

 Rear Face Weight Limit: 35lbs
Rear Face Height Limit: 1" below shell
Forward Face limit in 5 point harness: 65lbs
Forward Face Height Limit: 50"
Other Bonuses: Sure LATCH, one hand adjustable headrest, infinite slide harness, removable cup holder, becomes a  booster to 100lbs.

Symphony 65 Review

 I hope this information gets you started on your search for the perfect car seat to fit your child and your vehicle.  If you want more information on why rear facing is so important, see my previous blog post

Rear-Facing Car Seats Aren't Just for Babies Anymore
and
Car Seat Safety. It's everyones Issue.

ANd once you have found the seat that fits your car and your child perfectly it is important that you go see a CPST (Certified Passenger Safety Technician) to get your car seat instalation inspected to make sure that you have your child fastened correctly.  You can find a CPST local to you at Safe Kids USA or on the national CPS Certification website.

It is important that you go to a CPST and NOT the police or fire department!  Most police and fire men have NOT taken the training course to become a CPST or if they have, they have not renewed their certification and so their knowledge is outdated!  Outdated when it comes to car seats is DANGEROUS!!  Your child's life is worth getting the right information!  If you know me in real life i have a couple friends who are CPSTs and would be more than happy to do a check for you.  And hopefully within the year i will have taken the training course to become a CPST myself.  And realize that CPSTs offer their services for free :)


If you have any questions regarding this new recommendation from the AAP, or any other car seat question, please don't hesitate to ask me!  If i don't know the answer i will find it for you :D

 (please let me know if the links do not work, i had issues when posting this)

Car Seat Safety. It's everyones Issue.

I am a person who is very passionate about many subjects.  One of those subjects is car seat safety.  Nothing makes my heart and stomach plummet faster than hear of or seeing someone not using their car seat properly.  And what is even worse is that this happens very often because:

98% of people are not using their car seat correctly.  

At least three child endangering mistakes are made by most parents while installing car seats.

Many inspectors completing seat checks for free have inadequate training, expired certifications and/or outdated product knowledge.

That is a HUGE! 

 And this is something i'm torn about.  When i see a car seat not being used right i want to say something so bad because impropper use of car seats puts children's lives at risk.  

In the United States during 2005, 1,335 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 184,000 were injured. That’s an average of 4 deaths and 504 injuries each day.

Among children under age 5, in 2006, an estimated 425 lives were saved by car and booster seat use.  (Imagine how much higher that number would be if those 98% of car seats were being used properly?!?!) (source)

Car seat safety is easy.  It's something that could significantly reduce your child's risk of injury or death.  It makes me so sad when i try to talk with people who i see are not using their car seats correctly and they lash back at me like i'm some horrible person.  That i'm just trying to be a know it all.  But this is not the case at all.  The reason i speak up is because the child cannot.  And perhaps that person *honestly* didn't know they were doing something wrong. I do not want anyone to go through having to bury their child because i *have*.  Even though there was nothing i could have done to prevent her death, it's the hardest thing i've ever had to do, placing my child in her casket for burial.  I do not want any other parent to have to go through that. 

So i will continue to speak up, even if it makes others uncomfortable, mad,  or even hostile towards me.  

So what are the mistakes caregivers make?

Well, the first big thing people are ignoring or just dont' know is that the AAP recommends that you keep children rear facing as long as possibe.  "Toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2." (source)

The rule of 1 year and 20lbs is NO MORE! 

REMEMBER, toddlers are more than five times safer riding rear-facing in a car seat.  And 2 years is just the minimum.  Most children can rear face to 3 to 4 years.

Ok, now that we all understand this we'll go on. I know this next part seems like an overload of information but please, just take a moment of your time to read through these short articles and videos. 
Remember your child's life could depend on it.

9 Lifesaving Car Seat Rules You're Probably Ignoring
7 Car Seat Safety Rules You Still May Have Missed
Winter car seat safety
Does your baby wear a coat in the car?
Car Seat Safety: 10 Nightmare Mistakes
7 Rules for Buying & Installing a Car Seat
Parents issues with rear facing and the counter claims
Car seat tips you may have missed
Booster Seat Safety
Don't let your baby sleep in a car seat outside of the car
If you trust the media your baby is in dangerCar Seat Tips for Preemies and small newborns
worst car seats of 2010

Rear Facing VS. Forward Facing

Forward Facing or Rear Facing?

Importance of 5 point harness

More Information on Car Seat Safety

http://www.carseatsite.com

http://www.car-safety.org

http://www.thecarseatlady.com 

http://www.kyledavidmiller.org

www.kidsandcars.org 

And now i will draw this to a close.  I hope that i did not offend anyone.  I am not trying to imply that i know more than you, or that i'm better than you.  I just want our children to be safe and i do not want any other parent to have to go through the heart ache of burying their child.  Please, pass this information on to all those around you!  Share this post in your blogs, on your facebook, where ever you would like (just please give credit).  Please work with me to keep our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and Godchildren safe.  Speak up when you see someone doing something wrong.  They might not know any better!  But it could still be a fatal mistake.  Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.

And for anyone who knows me in real life, and would like to contact a car seat technician let me know.  She is available for email/phone calls and (free)local carseat checks.
 

Did any of you learn something new from this post?  Have any of you also spoken up when you saw someone doing something wrong?