I recently realized that often car seat users are confused about some terminology. I thought I'd try to set the record straight.
There are three types of connectors for your car seat.
I. SEAT BELT
Any car seat can be installed in any car using the car's seat belt. Your car seat manual will have instructions on how to properly do so.
You MUST make sure the seat belt is LOCKED. Most cars on the road have automatic locking retractors, which means you can lock them by pulling the seat belt all the way out and then letting it retract. If your car does not have this feature, you must obtain a locking clip and consult your car seat manual on how to use it properly.
II. LATCH
LATCH is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. All cars manufactured in the United States since 2002 are required to have LATCH connectors. These are metal loops usually found in the seat crack. Your car seat has a strap with hooks that connect to these loops and is one method for installing a car seat. Check both your vehicle manual and car seat manual for how to find and properly use the LATCH system.
III. TETHER
All forward-facing car seats will have a TOP TETHER. This is a strap that is attached to the TOP of the car seat back. Your car is required to have at least 3 anchor points to attach this top tether to. The tether prevents the car seat from pitching forward in a crash, which helps protect your child's head and neck. The anchor points can be found in one of various locations depending on the type of car and the type of seats you have. In a sedan, the anchors are typically found behind the head rest on the shelf above the trunk. On captain's chairs in a van or SUV, they are often near the bottom of the back of the chair. In some cars, the anchors are in the ceiling behind the seat. Check your vehicle manual for the locations of these anchor points!
Here's where it gets confusing!
You should not use both the LATCH and the seat belt for installation.
You SHOULD use the top tether with every forward-facing car seat, regardless of whether you use LATCH or seat belt to install the car seat.
I'm a breastfeeding counselor with a side hobby in educating parents and caregivers in proper car seat use. I have four sons, one born by c-section and three born by VBAC. I blog about my life with four kids, pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding, and car seats.
Showing posts with label latch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label latch. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Monday, November 4, 2013
Baby Y's Birth: Photos
I've told you Baby Y's birth story, but I wanted to share some of the photos my husband took of the labor and immediate post-delivery.
Arrival at the hospital, smiling during a (short) break in contractions. So happy this pregnancy is almost over!
Checking in on Facebook! Gotta keep my people informed!
Contraction face.
Oof, that hurts!
Breathe and blow!
At this point, labor had picked up, I had turned around to face the wall, and my husband was busy at my head helping me through the contractions and pushing phase. And then...
It's a baby!
Being warmed and stimulated. His color wasn't pink enough for the nurses.
Crying!
While we're here, let's weigh him! Look at that big boy!
Whew, I did it!
Okay, time to breastfeed.
Come on, nurse!
Okay, some relaxing skin-to-skin.
More skin-to-skin.
Stick out your tongue!
Yay, latched on!
My awesome doctor and nurse.
Yay, he's nursing!
First breastfeeding.
Checking my notifications.
Updating Facebook again.
Aw, everybody's happy.
Switching sides.
Nursing.
Nursing.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
So, Which is Easier, Breast-Feeding or Formula-Feeding?
All right! Now that vacations out of the way and I can get back to a more regular blogging schedule, let's talk about that breastfeeding survey! I asked you to fill out a short, 10-question survey about your own exposure to infant feeding and your feelings about which is easier. I was actually fairly surprised by the results, and I think you might be as well.
I received 26 responses, not including my own. If you'd like to respond and haven't yet, I'll leave the survey up for a little while longer. I can revisit it in a few months and see if a greater number of responses alters or reinforces my conclusions.
The first two questions asked whether, in your experience or observation, breastfeeding and formula feeding are "very difficult, difficult, manageable, or easy." The majority of you answered, for both questions, "manageable," which was surprising to me. The second most popular answer for both questions was "easy." Overall, it seems infant feeding in general, be it by breast or bottle, is not considered a great challenge. Many responders felt the need to clarify or justify their responses by adding comments that different variables may affect their feelings, such as whether they work outside the home (making breastfeeding more difficult), or by stating that even if they thought breastfeeding was difficult, it's still worth doing. Two responders who felt formula feeding was difficult commented that it was because of all the bottle-washing.
And what do I think? I think formula feeding is very easy, if you have a baby who tolerates regular formula. I also think breastfeeding is easy, but there is a greater learning curve. I also think breastfeeding is not easy for everyone, for various reasons ranging from a physical problem with creating enough milk, to emotional difficulties, to a baby with physical or medical problems. All-in-all, having done both, I am going to come out and admit that formula feeding is easier in many ways but that I prefer breastfeeding on the whole.
The third question asked if you know how to properly prepare formula. I asked this because I think most people think they know how, but they may not be aware of the official guidelines to prevent bacterial contamination. The majority of you say that you do know how to prepare a bottle of formula properly. Certainly, preparing a bottle is not rocket science, but I was curious to see how confident we all were about our bottle-preparing skills. For the record, I knew the basics (how to measure, how to sterilize/sanitize bottles and nipples, how to warm the bottle). Some health authorities recommend boiling the water prior to use and not allowing it to cool below 70 degrees Celsius before mixing it with the formula powder. It is important to note that powdered formula is not sterile and is not safe for use with very young babies or babies with immune system compromise. Ready-to-use formula is sterile (but also considerably more expensive).
To contrast this, I then asked whether you know what a proper latch should look like when breastfeeding. Most of you say you do know, which is encouraging. The important thing to remember about your baby's latch is that it should feel right. However, if you're looking from the outside, your baby's lips should be flared outwards. The nipple should fall far back in the baby's mouth, so that a good section of the areola is in the baby's mouth as well. Many lactation consultants will advise you to try for an "asymmetrical" latch, meaning that the baby's lower jaw is closer to your chest than his upper jaw. The baby's chin should not be tucked into his chest, and his ear, shoulder, and hips should be in a straight line - his body should not be twisted, and he should not have to turn his head or strain to reach the nipple.
It really got interesting after this. The next four questions asked you specifically about your exposure to formula and breastfeeding aside from your own baby (if you have one). While most of you had often seen babies being fed from bottles, only about a quarter of you had seen babies breastfeeding on a regular basis. Several of you had seen bottles being prepared, and a third of you had prepared bottles for other people's babies. I was not surprised to find that there was far more exposure to bottle feeding than breastfeeding. Certainly the bottle is a pervasive symbol of babies and baby care in the Western world, especially the United States.
Finally, I asked you to decide which is easier, breastfeeding or formula feeding. The majority of you said breastfeeding is easier. Many who said that formula feeding is easier felt the need, again, to modify their responses by adding a comment that they still believe breastfeeding is better, even if formula feeding is easier.
What's interesting to me is that there was a definite reluctance to classify breastfeeding as difficult. I assume most of the respondents are breastfeeding advocates, experienced breastfeeding mothers (or their partners), or favor breastfeeding over formula feeding with their own children. If we say that breastfeeding is not easy, we may increase reluctance in giving it a try, especially among those who are specifically wondering which is really easier. Those who said formula feeding is difficult generally mentioned bottle-washing as a major turn-off. Those who wanted to comment as to what they found difficult about breastfeeding tended to allude to the difficulties associated with pumping and being "tied" to your baby.
I think this reveals a few basic issues in the "breastfeeding versus formula feeding wars." (By the way, the majority of you were not aware of this issue before becoming pregnant with your own baby.) The first is that there is still not enough general exposure to breastfeeding in everyday life. We need to see more breastfeeding in public, on TV, within our own families. Because of the strong formula/bottle-feeding culture in the United States and other Western countries, many children grow up never seeing a baby breastfeeding. Reinforcing this is baby dolls with bottles, the bottle as a symbol of "baby" in baby shower decorations, congratulatory greeting cards, baby birth announcements, and so on.
The second is that there is a perception that in deciding which feeding method to use, it matters which is "easier." I've written a couple of posts on this topic (for example, here and here). Many aspects of child-rearing are neither easy nor fun, while others are incredibly rewarding. What's important is not whether one is "easier" than the other, but which one is more beneficial to mother and child.
So is breastfeeding easier than formula feeding? In all honesty, no. It isn't. But both have their challenges, and the question is whether breastfeeding is overall more beneficial to mother and baby than formula feeding. And to that, I can say unequivocally, YES, it is.
I received 26 responses, not including my own. If you'd like to respond and haven't yet, I'll leave the survey up for a little while longer. I can revisit it in a few months and see if a greater number of responses alters or reinforces my conclusions.
The first two questions asked whether, in your experience or observation, breastfeeding and formula feeding are "very difficult, difficult, manageable, or easy." The majority of you answered, for both questions, "manageable," which was surprising to me. The second most popular answer for both questions was "easy." Overall, it seems infant feeding in general, be it by breast or bottle, is not considered a great challenge. Many responders felt the need to clarify or justify their responses by adding comments that different variables may affect their feelings, such as whether they work outside the home (making breastfeeding more difficult), or by stating that even if they thought breastfeeding was difficult, it's still worth doing. Two responders who felt formula feeding was difficult commented that it was because of all the bottle-washing.
And what do I think? I think formula feeding is very easy, if you have a baby who tolerates regular formula. I also think breastfeeding is easy, but there is a greater learning curve. I also think breastfeeding is not easy for everyone, for various reasons ranging from a physical problem with creating enough milk, to emotional difficulties, to a baby with physical or medical problems. All-in-all, having done both, I am going to come out and admit that formula feeding is easier in many ways but that I prefer breastfeeding on the whole.
The third question asked if you know how to properly prepare formula. I asked this because I think most people think they know how, but they may not be aware of the official guidelines to prevent bacterial contamination. The majority of you say that you do know how to prepare a bottle of formula properly. Certainly, preparing a bottle is not rocket science, but I was curious to see how confident we all were about our bottle-preparing skills. For the record, I knew the basics (how to measure, how to sterilize/sanitize bottles and nipples, how to warm the bottle). Some health authorities recommend boiling the water prior to use and not allowing it to cool below 70 degrees Celsius before mixing it with the formula powder. It is important to note that powdered formula is not sterile and is not safe for use with very young babies or babies with immune system compromise. Ready-to-use formula is sterile (but also considerably more expensive).
To contrast this, I then asked whether you know what a proper latch should look like when breastfeeding. Most of you say you do know, which is encouraging. The important thing to remember about your baby's latch is that it should feel right. However, if you're looking from the outside, your baby's lips should be flared outwards. The nipple should fall far back in the baby's mouth, so that a good section of the areola is in the baby's mouth as well. Many lactation consultants will advise you to try for an "asymmetrical" latch, meaning that the baby's lower jaw is closer to your chest than his upper jaw. The baby's chin should not be tucked into his chest, and his ear, shoulder, and hips should be in a straight line - his body should not be twisted, and he should not have to turn his head or strain to reach the nipple.
It really got interesting after this. The next four questions asked you specifically about your exposure to formula and breastfeeding aside from your own baby (if you have one). While most of you had often seen babies being fed from bottles, only about a quarter of you had seen babies breastfeeding on a regular basis. Several of you had seen bottles being prepared, and a third of you had prepared bottles for other people's babies. I was not surprised to find that there was far more exposure to bottle feeding than breastfeeding. Certainly the bottle is a pervasive symbol of babies and baby care in the Western world, especially the United States.
Finally, I asked you to decide which is easier, breastfeeding or formula feeding. The majority of you said breastfeeding is easier. Many who said that formula feeding is easier felt the need, again, to modify their responses by adding a comment that they still believe breastfeeding is better, even if formula feeding is easier.
What's interesting to me is that there was a definite reluctance to classify breastfeeding as difficult. I assume most of the respondents are breastfeeding advocates, experienced breastfeeding mothers (or their partners), or favor breastfeeding over formula feeding with their own children. If we say that breastfeeding is not easy, we may increase reluctance in giving it a try, especially among those who are specifically wondering which is really easier. Those who said formula feeding is difficult generally mentioned bottle-washing as a major turn-off. Those who wanted to comment as to what they found difficult about breastfeeding tended to allude to the difficulties associated with pumping and being "tied" to your baby.
I think this reveals a few basic issues in the "breastfeeding versus formula feeding wars." (By the way, the majority of you were not aware of this issue before becoming pregnant with your own baby.) The first is that there is still not enough general exposure to breastfeeding in everyday life. We need to see more breastfeeding in public, on TV, within our own families. Because of the strong formula/bottle-feeding culture in the United States and other Western countries, many children grow up never seeing a baby breastfeeding. Reinforcing this is baby dolls with bottles, the bottle as a symbol of "baby" in baby shower decorations, congratulatory greeting cards, baby birth announcements, and so on.
The second is that there is a perception that in deciding which feeding method to use, it matters which is "easier." I've written a couple of posts on this topic (for example, here and here). Many aspects of child-rearing are neither easy nor fun, while others are incredibly rewarding. What's important is not whether one is "easier" than the other, but which one is more beneficial to mother and child.
So is breastfeeding easier than formula feeding? In all honesty, no. It isn't. But both have their challenges, and the question is whether breastfeeding is overall more beneficial to mother and baby than formula feeding. And to that, I can say unequivocally, YES, it is.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Breastfeeding a Newborn
I'm back in the "breastfeeding a newborn" phase of life. Actually, the new baby has been amazingly good to me. I've written about how my second son was a snacker, eating every hour. This new guy, he eats very enthusiastically, sometimes only for 10 minutes, other times for 20, but he cluster feeds for a bit, then takes a nice long nap, sometimes close to two hours. (Not that I can make any definite statements about his habits at 17 days old, but this is sorta how it's been so far.) It's kind of amazing. I was prepared for another every-hour eater, so this is pleasant.
Before my milk came in, his latch was horrible, it was hot as heck here (no A/C), and he would not let go of my nipple without screaming. I dreaded latching him on, I cried, thinking I couldn't possibly handle a baby like this, I despaired. And then my milk came in, and he became the most content, easy-going guy. I'm very lucky.
I read a very good article yesterday - which I wish I'd read two weeks ago! - about how positioning is more important than how the latch looks, and how the latch feels is more important than it looking like they describe in the books, and suddenly he's latching better, with just a few simple tips. Hold the baby tummy-to-tummy with you, so his ears, shoulders, AND HIPS are in one line. Bring the baby to your breast, with the nipple in line with his NOSE, and let your breast brush his CHIN. This will stimulate him to open his mouth, and then you can drop the nipple in. If it doesn't hurt, you're fine. Also, it helps keep him latched comfortably if you recline a bit. This is called biological nurturing, or laid-back nursing, and it helps keep the baby from flinging his head backward and coming off the nipple in a rather painful way.
I would like to brag a little at this point. Baby was born 8lbs., 3.5oz. By day three he had lost about 6 ounces, and was down to 7lbs., 12oz. The very next day, day four, he was up to 7lbs., 15.5oz. (yes, he gained 3.5 ounces in one day, once my milk came in). Today, he had his two-week appointment, and at 17 days old, he's 9lbs., 14oz. Yes, folks, he gained over two pounds in two weeks. He's a good eater, that one!
Anyway, I have mastitis. I've preached up and down, here and in my book, about getting rid of plugged ducts and avoiding mastitis, and here I wake up yesterday morning with a horribly engorged right breast, chills, achy joints, and a hard, sore spot on the outside of said right breast. Damn. I tried my usual tricks, massaging the spot while nursing, nursing a lot on that side, letting the hot water from the shower help open up the duct, massaging some more. I thought I'd taken care of it, until my 600mg dose of ibuprofen wore off and the chills came back last night. I spent the night alternately having chills and sweats, so I called the doctor this morning and asked for antibiotics. If you can't clear the infection with home remedies within 24 hours, it's not worth taking any chances. Mastitis can be serious stuff. I was hoping to avoid antibiotics, because that can lead to thrush, which is its own ball of trouble. Ah well. I got some probiotics to take along with the antibiotics, so hopefully this will be the end of it.
And, finally, I've decided to start pumping and storing breastmilk again, like I did with my second son, in order to donate it. I have someone in mind to give it to, if she wants it. A friend of my housekeeper's had a baby who was in the hospital for a few weeks after birth. She desperately wanted to breastfeed him, but she didn't have good support, and she didn't have a full supply established. I tried to pass along some tips, but I think it was too late. At three months old, now, her milk is dried up, and her son has had four ear infections already. She's terribly upset. I asked my housekeeper if she thought her friend might take donated milk, and said I'd be very happy to start pumping for her. I won't be able to give her enough to get him off formula, but even one bottle a day may help. Poor baby.
Before my milk came in, his latch was horrible, it was hot as heck here (no A/C), and he would not let go of my nipple without screaming. I dreaded latching him on, I cried, thinking I couldn't possibly handle a baby like this, I despaired. And then my milk came in, and he became the most content, easy-going guy. I'm very lucky.
I read a very good article yesterday - which I wish I'd read two weeks ago! - about how positioning is more important than how the latch looks, and how the latch feels is more important than it looking like they describe in the books, and suddenly he's latching better, with just a few simple tips. Hold the baby tummy-to-tummy with you, so his ears, shoulders, AND HIPS are in one line. Bring the baby to your breast, with the nipple in line with his NOSE, and let your breast brush his CHIN. This will stimulate him to open his mouth, and then you can drop the nipple in. If it doesn't hurt, you're fine. Also, it helps keep him latched comfortably if you recline a bit. This is called biological nurturing, or laid-back nursing, and it helps keep the baby from flinging his head backward and coming off the nipple in a rather painful way.
I would like to brag a little at this point. Baby was born 8lbs., 3.5oz. By day three he had lost about 6 ounces, and was down to 7lbs., 12oz. The very next day, day four, he was up to 7lbs., 15.5oz. (yes, he gained 3.5 ounces in one day, once my milk came in). Today, he had his two-week appointment, and at 17 days old, he's 9lbs., 14oz. Yes, folks, he gained over two pounds in two weeks. He's a good eater, that one!
Anyway, I have mastitis. I've preached up and down, here and in my book, about getting rid of plugged ducts and avoiding mastitis, and here I wake up yesterday morning with a horribly engorged right breast, chills, achy joints, and a hard, sore spot on the outside of said right breast. Damn. I tried my usual tricks, massaging the spot while nursing, nursing a lot on that side, letting the hot water from the shower help open up the duct, massaging some more. I thought I'd taken care of it, until my 600mg dose of ibuprofen wore off and the chills came back last night. I spent the night alternately having chills and sweats, so I called the doctor this morning and asked for antibiotics. If you can't clear the infection with home remedies within 24 hours, it's not worth taking any chances. Mastitis can be serious stuff. I was hoping to avoid antibiotics, because that can lead to thrush, which is its own ball of trouble. Ah well. I got some probiotics to take along with the antibiotics, so hopefully this will be the end of it.
And, finally, I've decided to start pumping and storing breastmilk again, like I did with my second son, in order to donate it. I have someone in mind to give it to, if she wants it. A friend of my housekeeper's had a baby who was in the hospital for a few weeks after birth. She desperately wanted to breastfeed him, but she didn't have good support, and she didn't have a full supply established. I tried to pass along some tips, but I think it was too late. At three months old, now, her milk is dried up, and her son has had four ear infections already. She's terribly upset. I asked my housekeeper if she thought her friend might take donated milk, and said I'd be very happy to start pumping for her. I won't be able to give her enough to get him off formula, but even one bottle a day may help. Poor baby.
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