Tips on choosing the right car seat.

Choosing a car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make. At A Room Of Their Own, we recommend that you follow the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines for car seat safety that are based more on size and weight of your child than on age.

All infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Safety Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. Many parents have traditionally used their child’s one-year birthday as a time to turn the car seat around, but studies have shown that most infants are still too small at this age to ride as safely in a front facing seat during a vehicle crash. And remember that Georgia law requires that an infant be in a rear-facing seat for at least one year and must weigh at least 20 pounds.

Use a three-point harness as long as possible. It is best for most children to ride in a seat with a harness to at least to 4 years of age. If your child outgrows his seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.

School-aged children should use booster seats up to age 12, depending on their size and weight. Children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a Belt-Positioning Booster Seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age. The owner’s manual that comes with your car safety seat will tell you the height and weight limits for the seat.

Here are a few other basic points to make the search a little easier.

• First, buy a new car seat, not a used one. Technology is constantly improving, so this is not the time to cut corners and take a hand-me-down. Plus, you can't be sure if a used seat has already been in a crash or has been recalled.
• When shopping for a newborn, look for an infant-only, rear-facing seat. Young babies fit in these best, and because these seats come with carry handles, they make a new parent's life much easier.
• Look for a car seat marked "JPMA-certified". To narrow your search, you might also read real-people reviews on Web sites such as www.epinions.com. Books like Consumer Reports Best Baby Products are also helpful. And we hope you will ask one of our sales associates at A Room Of Their Own for opinions and feedback we have received from other parents.

Once you've bought a seat, you're not done -- now you have to install it and make sure it fits well in your particular car. Check with your local hospital or fire station to find classes on how to properly install your seat.

Is your child ready for a big-kid bed?

Every child is different, but most toddlers are ready to make the transition to their very first big kid bed between the ages of 18 months and 3 years.

Many pediatricians advise to keep your toddler in a crib as long as possible, but if he or she starts to climb over the rail or repeatedly expresses a desire to move into a big-kid bed, it is time for the transition.

Here are several thoughts to make that transition easier on you and your toddler.
1. Make the move a fun event for your child. Get your child involved in the selection of his bed as well as the new bed covers and sheets. The emotional reinforcement of being involved in the decision help to build self-esteem and satisfaction with the result. You may have to guide their thinking to avoid something you know will be a short-lived fascination. Thomas the Tank Engine can be the best thing ever for a two-year-old, but quickly become too babyish if teased by older siblings or friends. Whatever design you decide on, a great way to reinforce the decision is to make a big deal about showing grandparents and guests his new bed.
2. Choose a bed that is your toddler will not quickly outgrow physically or emotionally. While theme beds designed for toddlers are colorful and fun to look at, your toddler can outgrow it quickly. If you choose a theme bed, look for something generic, like a race car or princess bed. If you choose a twin or double bed, make sure you attach a guardrail so she doesn't roll out of bed. Bunk beds can be fun for children, but doctors suggest they should not sleep in the top of a bunk bed until they reach 6 years old.
3. Consider buying a bed that adjusts in height as your toddler grows. At A Room Of Their Own, we offer twin and full size beds from Young America by Stanley with a dual height adjustment. Start with the bed at a low height. As your child grows, the bed can be raised to a more comfortable height that will also allow room for a trundle or storage unit underneath.
4. Time the move so that it does not coincide with other big events that are happening in your toddler's life. Too many changes at one time can disrupt a child and have an adverse effect on their sleep habits. Try not to combine the move with other big events, like the first day of preschool or the birth of a new sibling. Instead, transition her into a big bed a couple of months in advance.

Once your new bed is delivered, make it a point to stick with their usual bedtime routine. While it is tempting to lie down with your toddler as he or she falls asleep, this habit is hard to break once started. Keep things as normal as possible to ensure a smooth transition into their new big-kid bed.

At A Room Of Their Own, we have arranged the big-kid section of our store to showcase vignettes where your child can imagine how their new bed might look at home. As always, we encourage you to ask questions and have your child “test drive” options before buying. We’ve found that children are much happier with their new bed when they are actively involved in the selection and decision process.