If you have ever had the chance to visit one of our stores, you know that at Crocodile we have an opinion. We are proud to be a source of research-based knowledge that parents can rely on when making the tough decisions that accompany the joy of a new baby. Here we wish to share our informed opinions with you through our weekly newsletters. Stay up to date on the latest developments and trends in the world of babies by singing up for our weekly e-newsletter. E-mail us at croctalk@crocodilebaby.com to sign up today!
Visit our
Baby Checklist to help you narrow down those baby needs.
For archived CrocTalks see our
Blog.
Besides a lower price, what's the big deal with the Britax Car Seat Sale?
So maybe you missed the big Britax sale Crocodile had but you may be wondering why we made such a big deal out of this.
Simply put, Britax is the best car seat brand available to Canadians. All the seats are made in the USA in their Charlotte North Carolina location, where they also have their own crash test sleds. Car seats are made to order - so there are no old seats sitting around the warehouse to be foisted on the unsuspecting public. Both simple and complex technologies are employed to make the seat safe and easy to use.
One example of these technologies is the improvement to shoulder belt height. As you probably know, in the forward facing toddler seat, the shoulder belt has to be at or above the child's shoulder - but those kids just keep growing! Previously, you had to uninstall the car seat, un-thread the shoulder belts at the back , feed them out through the lower slot and then feed them back into a higher slot, then re-thread each shoulder belt onto the metal connector and finally re-install the car seat in your car. Now, the Advocate, Boulevards and Diplomat have a nautical screw at the back of the seat which is operated by knobs on the side that raise and lower the shoulder belts and the head protection. Therefore there is no un-installation and re-installation required so there is less room for error.
Another significant improvement are the air cushions on the Britax Advocate. A very significant impact can occur on these outer cushions without reaching the baby's head - previously the impact was onto the hard plastic shell which was easily transmitted into the car seat itself. Yes this is Britax's most expensive car seat, but we think it is also demonstrably the safest.
You may be interested in what consumers have to say about the Britax seats so we give you these links that we have been able to find (hint: read the epinions review first):
http://www.consumersearch.com/car-seats?gclid=CNmY0KPb_6ECFReenAodsTREGA&ef_id=1953:3:s_1f43227f59ae958ec59a0050dfd363ae_3674131762:TAVrj9BbrmIAAAaqEU0AAARA:20100601202031
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/car-seats/car-seat-recommendations/booster-seat.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/convertible-car-seats/overview/convertible-car-seats-ov.htm
http://www.babygizmo.com/mom/review/britax_advocate_cs_convertible_car_seat_-_opus_gray/e9l73p8.html
http://www.babygizmo.com/c/convertible_car_seats/britax/true.html
http://carseatblog.com/?p=4722
http://carseatblog.com/?p=2454
http://carseatblog.com/?page_id=401
http://www.consumersearch.com/car-seats/best-convertible-car-seats
http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/tp/topconvcarseats.htm
http://www.epinions.com/Car_Seats--britax
Comments on the Orbit stroller by a consumer
Croc
odile Baby has now received the Orbit Stroller and Car seat system
after a three year wait caused, not only by Canada's stringent - and
expensive - safety regulations, but also by its popularity in the USA -
the owners have been to busy to open another market in Canada. Cruising
the net I have found a long and useful comment from a consumer, which I
have edited, that highlights his view of the Orbit Stroller ( he was
comparing the Orbit to another stroller which I have chosen to exclude
from here):
" Right out of the box the Orbit was dead easy because it was already
pre assembled-no tools- no watching a DVD or reading assembly
instructions.Things we were unsure of were well laid out in the photo
handbook that neatly zips away in the baby seat.
" Immediately, the Orbit's unexpected strength other than the simple
twist and stroller fold out launch, was the rotating hub. During my
first walk, I must have rotated Maya 15 times; she just loved the
rotating perspectives I was able to show her during our walk whether is
was getting her eyes out of the bright sun light or away from cold
winter breeze, just squeeze and rotate...simple.
" The Orbit's rotating hub innovation is truly a big leap in parent /
toddler stroller ease of interaction. For anyone who has ever tried to
strong arm a 20lb baby seat [ie Graco Snugride] into a car will attest-
the task becomes a chore because you need to align the car seat at a 90
degree to your body [basically put the seat in over the base locking
latches then relift over the latches till everything aligns and then
locks in place. The sideways lifting and fiddling can be hard on the
arms or back.
With the Orbit, the seat goes into the car head first, pull up on the
handle straps to gently guide the seat over the rotating base hub till
unit clicks in place. Once secure the base carries all the weight as you
simply rotate the seat until it locks into the travel position. If your
baby cries or fidgets[especially waking up from a nap while the car is
parked], simply rotate the seat to get easier access to her. Rotate the
seat again when you are ready to take her out. What we love is this..as
the seat rotates in any direction we can take her in and out from the
passenger side or driver side with ease.
"Superior build and wow factor. Being a Dad, I like cool well built
things and the Orbit comes thru! Every detail is so well designed, I
even enjoy using the sliding pod bag because its so easy to load and unload.
"With the Orbit, the pod is a carry bag that closes up so nothing falls
out + it tucks up neatly when you collapse the unit.
The difference in trunk area between these two strollers side by side in
our 4 door sedan?
The Orbit takes up 1/3 the trunk area and will fold up with a one handed
lever twist= easy.
"The Orbit comes with an integrated infant car seat with rock solid all
metal locking base station that installs easily into vehicles with or
with out infant seat latches. This design clearly surpasses our old
Graco Snugride in every way except weight. The Orbit infant is about 4-5
lbs heavier due to the extra padding & lateral protection. The shape of
the shell is like a protective cocoon around our baby/ the Graco is more
open and exposed."
This consumer had not tried the stroller seat because his daughter was
younger than 1 year at the time. We will post commentaries on that in
the near future.
Continuing with last week's theme of constructive consumerism here are a few of the companies that Crocodile has chosen to support. These companies, Bholu and Under the Nile, not only create their hand crafted merchandise with organic and sustainable materials but they also incorporate philosophies of fair trade manufacturing giving back to communities around the world to improve the lives and education of their workers.
The Bubalahs by Bholu are the work of Australian designer Jodie Fried. Designed in Australia, the Bubalahs are brought to life by the hands of traditional Indian artisans. Each piece is hand made using ancient techniques, giving each product its own unique and original personality.
The philosophy behind Bholu is about creating products that we love and live with, while benefiting communities we work with along the way. By using their traditional skills, the artisans gain an income hence independence and opportunity.Bholu, is a Fair Trade and Climate Neutral Company and part of proceeds go back to the women and their communities, along with funding educational facilities and other programs for underprivileged children. In 2008 Bholu won the NSW Telstra Business Award for Social Responsibility for demonstrated leadership by a business for the environment, people, education, and the community.
Under the Nile Organic Teethers come in fun fruit and veggie designs. Through these teethers Under the Nile is doing more than just helping kids make a positive association with healthy foods. They are also proud participants of the 13-Villages-Project an initiative to fight against poverty and its causes in rural Egypt.
The 13 Villages Project is a campaign co-conducted by Under the Nile and its Farm in Egypt (Sekem). It takes place in 13 rural villages in Sharkeya, Egypt. Through vocational training and infrastructural development, the project is improving the health, skills and overall well being of the village inhabitants. They provide excellent health care as well as education on dental and over all physical health. They begin by educating the villagers on how to make our fruit and vegetable toys. Each village receives an advance for their work and the materials needed to produce that toy. Upon completion, Under the Nile pick up the finished goods and pay them fair wages for their work.
