Britax Duo Plus Isofix

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When you travel with kids there are certain items you should remember to take with you to make your journey easier by keeping the kids happier. You must not be put off by what you may perceive as a tortuous event with restless and noisy, bored children.

Just get yourself well prepared and you’ll have a good trip. Unlike traveling with adults, children just need a bit forethought so you can respond quickly to their needs. Planning is absolutely key, so try these tips and you shouldn’t have unanticipated problems.

Safety should be very important and a quick look around your own home will give you an idea of what you ought to take without loading the kitchen sink! If you are vacationing in strange surroundings, you could find a small rubberized doorstop useful. They can provide a a bit more security if you’re in a hotel as you can wedge the door from inside to stop them opening the door quickly and running out. A little nightlight is another good option in a strange place as this can help them locate the bathroom in the night.

The medical items you need to consider are Band-Aids, tissues, sun screen, antiseptic hand gel, wet wipes, pain killers (that are suitable for children and adults) and emergency telephone numbers. Naturally, if your little one has a special condition you will be aware what to add to the list.

Travel with kids on long journeys can be quite a headache when children become bored. I’m sure you’ve been asked, “how much further” or “how much longer” on many occasions! Remember to break your journey at least every few hours to allow the driver a rest and also the children time to stretch their legs etc. Always have something to eat and lots of drinks with you in the event you get caught in traffic jams.

Bring crayons, puzzle books, highlighter pens, pieces of paper, cards and some plastic bags. Having closable bags are helpful to put food, damp clothes and any bits and bobs the children may acquire such as pebbles or seashells off the beach. Handheld electronic games or portable DVD players may also be useful and if you already have them, your children probably will insist in any case. You might find an audio head set for this will come in handy for you!

Other items that you ought to consider include sun glasses and hats, umbrellas, a lightweight weight wind breaker or beach tent and your camera of course. Finally, make sure you carry your passport and travel papers where you know you will find them the evening before you go. This helps prevent last minute panics. Pinning notes on your front door to remind you may be helpful for a double check. Remember to take photographs of your children with you in case they go missing.

All the above can help you enjoy your trip more and prevent the dread of the journey when you travel with kids. Simply being well prepared and trying to keep them fed, watered and occupied is vital, so make sure you give this plenty of thought beforehand.

Before you go on any long car journey, make sure your child car seats are checked over. If you need a new one, the Britax Isofix car seats have got a excellent reputation. If you have babies and toddlers the Britax B-Smart travel system is an excellent choice.

Second hand baby equipment is a necessity for many people but that does not mean you have to compromise safety or comfort. Hopefully, we can provide you with a few tips here on what to look out for and where to get what you need.

Turning to safety first, the number one product that you really should try to buy from new is your baby’s car seat. If you are totally sure of the seat’s history, fine, but don’t buy from someone you don’t know. Why? Basically, you don’t know whether the seat was ever involved in an accident. If it has been, this may have seriously affected the structure of the seat, even if you can see no obvious signs of damage. Even a very minor bump or sudden stop may become an issue if the seat has been damaged. So, if at all possible, do your research and get the best babies car seat you can for your budget.

Second hand pushchairs are OK as long as you make sure that the brakes work and the wheels look correctly aligned. Give the pushchair a good shake, open and close it a few times to make sure everything works properly and that the locking mechanisms function safety. Look for rust and signs of weakness in the structure and frame and also that the fabric is not torn. You will of course expect signs of general wear, but if the fabric is torn, it won’t be long before it goes completely. Please also note that the latest recommendation for the harness is a five-point rather than a three-point design.

When considering a second hand high chair, you need to firstly consider what your priorities are. Do you want something that is easy to clean, needs to fold when not in use or one with “bells and whistles” on? Then, look for the obvious missing nuts and bolts and that the structure is sound and not damaged, do this by eye and by running your hand over everything to look for sharp edges. Do the catches all work properly, is all the padding secure and finally, is the harness in good working order.

Second hand baby equipment also includes items that baby does not directly use. For example, when buying second hand baby monitors make sure any wiring is safe and that all the plastic bits are intact and do not fall off easily. Give the unit a shake to make sure nothing is lose inside. Check that the cords are less than 20cm long to comply with current safety suggestions. Finally, note that a digital monitor is less likely to ‘hiss’ at you and will be much clearer.

When buying second-hand stair gates, make sure you try them out first as some are more difficult to fit than others. Doing this will also allow you to check the locks work properly. Look at the whole frame as well as the slats (these should be spaced at least 6.5cm apart) for splinters, bumps and bangs. If the gate has been painted, walk away, as this may be covering up damage and the paint used may be hazardous.

Generally speaking, when buying second hand baby equipment remember that if an item carries the British Standards safety mark that this applies to when the product was new, not when it’s been used. Always ask for a set of instructions. These are unlikely to be available from the owner, but you can always search for them on the Internet.

Where to buy?

Good sites for second hand baby equipment.

This is just a list of possible places to get second hand baby equipment. Can’t say how good or bad they are that’s up to you to decide. They are mostly UK ones, but some will have international links as well.

As mentioned, if at all possible try and get a new baby car seat, but other things have a short life span and buying second hand is ideal. Prime examples are cribs and carrycots, baby bouncer, swinging cradles etc.

www.uk.Freecycle.org is as you would imagine, freebies! People just want to help out and get rid of things in your local area.

www.Nappyvalley.co.uk
www.preloved.co.uk
www.gumtree.com
www.adtrader.co.uk
www.friday-ads.co.uk
www.loot.com
www.uk.ebid.net

And of course, possibly the best known place to get second hand baby equipment is to get baby equipment from Ebay.
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