What Goes into Making a Good...
Toddler Child Seats
Plastic, foam, and fabric, that is what makes a child restraint isn't it? Is a child restraint the same as a child seat? Toddler versus convertible versus high back booster…is there really a difference? Absolutely!
As a child grows, parents really need to take a look at what options exist for having a secure seating option for their child. This can be a daunting task. Buzzwords of the day can confuse the top parenting experts; memory foam, side impact protection, recline, infinite adjustability, and the list goes on and on. So where can a toddler seat differ from another and what should parents and grandparents look for?
Child restraints or child seats, really are a mixture of plastic, foam, and fabric. They differ through engineering wonder, technical innovation, and style, but the purpose is all the same. Manufacturers understand the critical aspect of seats growing with children, thus the life cycle of child seating exists—infant seat to convertible seat to toddler seat to high-back boosters. Manufacturers also understand the federal regulations that all child restraints must test and pass.
Toddler seats in particular fill an integral part of the child seat lifecycle. The child is starting to grow in a more upright position, spinal alignment is important during the growths spurts, and overall they have a greater interest in what is going on around them. They want to be a part of the action to.
The first item to look at to decide on a Toddler Seat is the seat's usage. Review the specifications that the manufacturer lists, such as age and weight ranges. Time and time again it is heard that the toddler seat stage is the best investment that can be made during the child seat life cycle. Look at the starting age and weight restrictions versus the size of the child. Some families are lucky and will take a child directly from an infant seat to a toddler seat.
The second item to review in making a good toddler seat is testing. All seats are required to pass the same tests for eligible sale in the United States. Manufacturers perform additional tests on their own and this is a good marker on construction and development practices. Do they conduct side impact testing and are they tested to a European standard or an internal specification? If it is an internal specification, review how it was developed and what it incorporates. Also, review the available public test reports from NHTSA. Here, a parent can see the largest technical differential in seat performance.
Vehicle fit is very important as well. Buying a child seat on-line has a few levels of risk in it because parents cannot put their child in a seat to check their size nor can they test the fit of the seat in their car. Toddler seat bases can vary in dimension and geometry, and you want to assure they are getting the best in-vehicle fit possible to create the highest level of safety performance of the seat. It is essential to remember that the child seat and car work as a system in the case of an accident, and this system should be optimized. An integral part of this system is also the latch system. There are a few different types of latches available and the connector of this system is worth reviewing to determine its strength and ease of use. Typically manufacturers prefer the mini-connector with a strong plastic housing and push-button activated clip, as they had better performance results during testing.
Headrests in form and function are essential to making a good toddler seat. The headrest must be adjustable to multiple locations and it should be clearly indicated which heights should be used in harness mode and in booster mode. The strength of the headrest application should also be reviewed. Plastic has the ability to flex and this tendency typically increases moving pieces, so check the structure of how it locks into place and how secure it is in each headrest location. The headrest also plays an important role in limiting the head of a child to "flop" forward when they fall asleep. At the earlier years of toddlerseat use, this is surprisingly important and should be reviewed.
Finally, side impact protection is a major factor in what goes into making a good toddler seat. The concept and development of child safety seat side impact protection (SIP) was born out of the auto-racing world. When looking at the structural components in a motorsports seat, the necessary area of energy absorption in racing seats builds the structural foundation for SIP in child seats. The primary intent of SIP is to protect a child from the initial impact, which is typically the largest single impulse of force that could be transferred to a child. This protection cannot be created solely by foam padding or a specific type of foam which is a common misunderstanding in the market. In fact, the structural shell or seat itself plays the largest role in removing energy from the impact and limiting the amount of force that reaches the child. The foam padding is the second line of defense.
The foam padding in a seat does play many roles; comfort to the child, improved ergonomics, and safety protection. These features can be accomplished in many different ways, therefore manufacturers look at different types of foam to create the ideal balance for safety and performance. The type of foam, density of foam, and geometry of foam are all critical characteristics and this is why connecting Side Impact Protection to a specific foam type is taking the major factors of protection out of the equation. A secondary benefit that exists in child seats designed with SIP is the presence of other occupants and miscellaneous items within the car, such as toys, that may come in contact with the child while driving. Building a protective capsule around the child is therefore a positive design element.
Editorial provided by Jonathan Sieber, Director Sales & Marketing, RECARO North America.
Breastpump
Breastfeeding is an intimate experience that develops a special bond between mother and baby with benefits for both. Some nursing mothers find breastfeeding easy and uncomplicated, while others find it more challenging. Regardless, all mothers breastfeed better with the support of family and friends, and often with the help of a quality breast pump. A pump can ease the nursing experience by allowing mothers to return to work, stimulating and maintaining milk production and letting others help with feeding.
Many mothers who plan to breastfeed choose a breast pump before their baby is born, often during the third trimester, so they can avoid last-minute shopping trips with a newborn. Others may wait until after baby arrives, so they can see how breastfeeding progresses with their little one. Either way, when your customer comes to you for breast pump advice, congratulate her on making the best choice for herself and her baby.
A variety of pumps are available for moms to choose from; you can help customers make the best choice by focusing on their breastfeeding and breast pumping needs. Be sure to encourage moms to look for manufacturers that focus on research-based development in designing their pumps. Research shows breast pumps that mimic a baby's nursing rhythm are more comfortable for mom, leading to faster let-down and milk flow and a more efficient pumping experience. The three types of breast pumps are hospital-grade electric, personal-use electric, and personal-use manual.
A hospital-grade electric pump is designed to help build and maintain mom's milk supply. These pumps are generally recommended for women who have difficulty nursing because of medical reasons, such as mothers of low birth weight, premature infants who may have trouble latching on to the breast. Hospital-grade pumps are available on a rental basis from a variety of sources, including hospitals, lactation consultants, pharmacies, and some specialty retail stores.
Personal-use electric pumps are often faster and more effective at removing breast milk than manual pumps. They are ideal for working moms who pump throughout the day to maintain their milk supply.
A double electric pump can cut pumping time to 15 minutes by emptying both breasts simultaneously. These pumps are easy to carry to the office and come with all the necessary attachments, including removable cooler carrier and cooling element, battery pack, AC adapter, and collection containers, lids, and stands.
A high quality double electric pump will retail between $280 and $400. Encourage your customers to look for these features in a double electric pump:
- •New technology: A baby's natural sucking pattern begins with rapid, high frequency sucking and changes to a slower, suck/swallow pattern following milk ejection. Breast pumps that mimic this rhythm are designed to feel more like baby, leading to faster milk flow.
- Adjustable speed and vacuum levels: Customized pumping allows mom to set the levels at what is most comfortable for her.
- Portable convenience: A good-looking, easy-to-carry case for discreet pumping makes mom more comfortable while at work or traveling.
- Battery pack: With the battery pack, mom can pump anytime, anywhere.
Personal-use manual pumps are small, light-weight and easily portable. They are best for stay-at-home moms who will only miss the occasional feeding due to sore nipples or plugged milk ducts, or because of a night out with dad.
A high quality manual pump is an affordable option under $50, and should include a breast shield, containers, lids and bottle stands. The best manual pumps will include these features:
- New technology: Just like the best double electric pumps, the best manual pumps allow mom to mimic her baby's natural sucking pattern. By starting with rapid, high frequency pumping and switching to slower, deeper pumping at let-down, mom's pumping session will feel more authentic and comfortable, leading to faster milk flow.
- Ergonomic swivel handle: Allows maximum comfort and flexibility.
- Ease of cleaning: The parts should disassemble easily for quick washing and sanitizing.
- Compatible with most standard baby bottles.
Remind your customers that they should never buy or share a used personal-use pump. Breast milk can transmit bacteria from person to person (but usually not to baby) and personal pumps cannot be fully sterilized. Hospital-grade and rental pumps are specifically designed with barriers and filters that prohibit milk from entering the motor, thereby preventing cross contamination.
Another consideration when deciding to borrow or even lend a previously owned electric pump is the pump's motor life. A high quality electric double pump might last through the breastfeeding of your second child, or even several children. However, like computers or other electronic products, an electric breastpump has a limited lifetime. By using your own pump, you can compare the pump's performance with each child. However if you borrow a pump, you cannot gauge its performance to ensure it is operating at full capacity
Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for mom and baby, with benefits that last long after nursing has ended. Your support and advice on choosing the right breast pump can help your customers get a great start on their breastfeeding experience.
Editorial provided by Lisa Rittenhouse, Director of Retail Sales–Consumer, Medela, Inc.
Safety Product
The child safety product business is one that has expanded a thousand-fold over the past 20 years, both in use and dollars spent. Parents are more concerned than ever about the safety of their children. The government is also more concerned about child safety as recalls hit a record number. Having knowledge about what products are available, what features are available, and who it will appropriately protect will instill a heart-warming experience into the hearts of your clientele, however, if you don't ask the right questions you might not choose the best products. Sometimes even the simplest of products can do more harm than good. And, of course, we both know price matters too!
While strolling through a big box store recently, I wandered into the safety product section. I looked at the wall of products to see what was new, what was improved, and what was garbage. The number of different products that claimed to protect from the same hazardous item was overwhelming. After spending quite some time searching for a sales person I went to the service desk and asked for some assistance. A loud page later, I found myself standing, waiting in the aisle, wasting still more of my time waiting for a sales associate to arrive. Finally one shows up, so I ask about the baby monitors, as I was interested in the new video monitors. The answer from the department head…"Well, I would suggest the most expensive one. It probably works the best." Great advice. She knew nothing about the product. I didn't buy the product.
Parents come into the stores having researched products on-line, through magazines such as Consumer Reports, and from word-of-mouth. They may not know all the features that a product offers but many are looking for a product that has a certain feature or one that doesn't have a certain feature as they have learned it just doesn't work from other parents. Knowing what features the product offers makes the difference
between a walkout and a returning client.
Many of the boutiques do not sell safety products because they feel it is not a "Value Adding" product line. Quite the contrary, as it re-assures your customers you truly care about their children. It also gives your customers yet another reason to return as they seek knowledge about safety products to ensure they are purchasing a product designed to meet their needs. Gaining inside knowledge is as easy as asking the manufacturers what sets their product at the front of the pack and how to properly use the device.
After all, even the best vehicle booster seat is only safe if the child is properly fitted to it.
You can never know everything there is about every product you sell nor are you expected to; however, you should have the answer to the common customer's questions before they even ask. Doing so will demonstrate to the customer that you are proactive in protecting their children.
One of the first questions you should ask is what laws or regulations, both mandatory and voluntary, apply to this product and how does it not only comply, but exceed them? Many times, these laws or regulations only set a minimum level of acceptance. Knowing how your products exceed these minimum levels will prove to be a worthy endeavor. Many times this is what sets a product you sell apart from your competition.
Next, ask who recommends using this product. Many organizations only look to see if it complies with the laws or regulations, so please don't just rely on their recommendations.
Third, ask for the names of a few of the parents that are currently using the device. Who better to tell you both the pros and the cons than the end user? Don't be afraid to tell your clientele both the pros and the cons of the device. Doing so will ensure you have a happy client as everyone hates bad surprises.
Finally, ask the manufacturer who is their number one competitor. What better way to decide if you are carrying the best product to meet your clients needs then to compare products? Who better to ask than the manufacturer? Rest assured, they know who makes a similar product.
Selling a product that either gets recalled or has a bad reputation can cause more harm then good to your store's reputation. If the product gets recalled it might look like you didn't do your homework before selling the product. Worse yet, selling a product that either fails to protect a child properly, or is a hazard itself could cause serious harm or even death to a child. Trust me, I know too well. My daughter nearly suffocated on a device made to protect her. Researching every product you sell is a must especially when it relates to child safety products!
While I am certain every parent would love to be able to purchase only the best of products, the truth is they only have a certain amount they can afford to spend. The product must meet the client's needs while at the same time staying within their budget. Take outlet safety protection for example. While parents would love to put outlet safety plates over every outlet within their home, the homes of their in-laws and at their friend's home, this is extremely costly. Instead, you recommend that if the child refuses to leave the outlet alone, then they should use the cover plates in the high-risk areas, such as any outlets located near their beds or next to the toy box. Again, knowledge is everything! Children can defeat these devices given enough time. It should be explained to parents that these devices are designed to be training devices. When your child goes near or plays with an electrical outlet, the child should be trained to leave them alone.
By spending just a little time training your staff, you can offer your clientele not only a product, but the service of selling them safety devices that fit their needs.
Editorial provided by George DeCell, Inventor & Chief Safety Dad, SafetyCaps, Inc.
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