Buying Guides
Car Seat Buying Guide
Cot Buying Guide
Highchair Seat Buying Guide
Car Seat Buying Guide
A car seat is an essential. As parents, you'll want a car seat that gives your baby the best protection in the event of a collision. The key is choosing a car seat that is right for your child's size and weight, and ensuring it is installed properly. Beyond that, it's also important to consider how easy it is for you to install, adjust and use. After all, you will be using car seats for a number of years.
So where do you start?
For a newborn baby.
Up until your baby weighs 9kg (approx. 6 months of age) you will need a rear-facing infant car seat. There are 2 options: you can buy an infant carrier or a convertible car seat.
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Evenflo - Discovery Capsule & Base
A rear facing infant capsule with an included base. Having the stay-in-car base means you can easily transfer your baby to and from the car in the capsule, without having to reinstall it everytime, and with minimal disturbance for baby.
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A convertible car seat is both an infant restraint and a child car seat in one. It is rear-facing until your baby is 9kg, then converts to forward facing. If you choose a convertible for your newborn, buy an infant head support to keep baby secure and comfortable.
For older babies
.Once your baby has reached the 9kg point, another option is a forward-facing seat with an integral harness. This will take your child up to 26kg (approx. 7 years).
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Safe-n-Sound - Royale Convertible Car Seat: Amigo Charcoal
The Royale Seat grows with your child - it converts from a rear-facing baby car seat to a forward-facing toddler seat. Suitable rear-facing from birth until 12 kg, and as a forward facing car seat from 12 – 18 kg.
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Tips.
- Know how to install your car seat correctly.
- Never buy a car seat second hand, because it's often hard to detect whether a car seat has been in an accident. Even if the car seat looks fine, it is not worth taking the risk that it has been weakened
- Never use a child restraint in a seat where an airbag is fitted.
Cot & Mattress Buying Guide
Choosing your baby's cot is one of your most important nursery purchases. After all, your baby will spend more time in their cot than anywhere else.
You'll want a cot that is comfortable and safe for your baby, and that is convenient for you to use. Check that the cot meets the AS/NZS 2172: 1995 standards. This will ensure a safe, well-made cot.
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Touchwood Cot - Villa PanelledStylish and simple in its design, the classic styling will fit into virtually all nursery settings. Handcrafted from solid NZ Pine. Made to the highest quality, it is tested and approved to meet NZ cot safety standards. Features solid panel bar ends.
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With most cots the side will lower, so you can get your baby out easily. Most will have several base positions, which is useful as your baby gets bigger. Generally, cots are available in the large American size. But, where space is limited, smaller sized cots are an option.
Cots are available in a wide range of wood and finishes so it is a case of choosing the one that matches your taste and budget. Some cots will even convert to a toddler's bed at a later date.
The mattress.
Cot Mattress - Enviro Foam: US Standard (131x69cm)This colourful foam mattress has been treated by Dunlop using the ultra fresh process, which controls dust mites, fungus, bacteria and mould. Size: 1300mm x 685mm.
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When choosing a mattress for your cot, choose a firm mattress, in perfect condition. The best idea is to buy the mattress when you buy the cot, so you can check that it fits your cot properly (there should be no space around the edge of the mattress when it is in the cot).
Highchair Buying Guide
You'll start to use a highchair when your baby can sit up by herself, usually around 4-5 months. You can start earlier if your highchair has a reclining seat. You'll use the highchair usually until your child is 2 or 3 years old.
Most parents choose a free-standing highchair. However, if you're wanting to save on space, two options are a table-mounted seat or a booster seat, which allow your child to eat at the table with you.
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Stokke Tripp Trapp - Chair
More than just a high chair, the Tripp Trapp is a revolutionary design that grows with your child and supports natural posture from infancy through to childhood. The Tripp Trapp elevates your child to the height of the family table, creating closeness and interaction between you and your child.
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Free-standing highchairs generally feature a wide tray, for eating and playing on, that is easy to release and keep clean. They have comfortable padding, a 5-point safety harness and a smooth folding mechanism. Some models have adjustable heights so they can be used as a low chair or highchair.
Phil & Teds Me Too Chair - Black
The Phil & Teds Me Too Chair is unique and ultra portable. Weighs less than 1k g. It is sturdy and fully collapsible and has a washable, durable nylon seat. Also has a high quality aluminium frame.
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A table-mounted seat is generally quick and easy to fit to a table, so is useful when travelling. Check that the table is stable before fitting, and check that the seat is fastened securely before putting your baby in it.
A booster seat straps to a dining chair. Just check that your baby can't tip the chair backwards onto the floor.
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