Question Thread for April 23rd chat.

[skipspin]

Here is the chat info:

Wednesday, April 23rd, 1PM Central time.

The main topic is Transporting Babies and Premature Infants

Our guests will be Ann King, RN, CPN and Julie Robbins from Chicco.

Time permitting, we will also field questions on Chicco products in general, however, questions regarding preemies and small infant issues will have priority.

Please post your questions here. Remember that we cannot always use all the questions and the on-topic questions will be used first.

Thanks!

[Kat_Momof3]

Okay... I'll start it off.

with the number of preemies coming home under 5lbs increasing, and with the younger preemies suriving more often than in the past only causing this number to rise, should carseat manufacturers be required to test all seats from 2 or 3lbs instead of 5... not just for safety in protecting these small bodies, but to allow a better fit of the harnesses?

And now next question

In Europe, they have baby carriers for riding in the car that take up about 1.5-2 vehicle seats and allow baby to ride from birth to about 6months while lying flat. For some preemies who are on the larger side for something like a carbed, but who have troubles passing carseat tests, will we see them in the US??

[CRS]

What's RN and CPN stand for???? (that's not one of the questions!).

My question is, what are your thoughts on "foam" inserts intended to help keep premature infants (and even full term infants) breathing? One such as the Happi insert http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/about/news/articles/2008/02/car_seats.cfm that was developed by researchers in New Zealand. Do you feel these are safe?

[joolsplus3]

RN is Registered Nurse. CPN?... uh... something important.. :cool:

I have nothing to ask, this should be a fantastic chat, though :)

[skaterbabscpst]

IIRC, CPN is Certified Practical Nurse. but don't quote me on that. ;)

[cliebe]

Close- CPN typically stands for Certified Pediatric Nurse.:)

Christy

[joolsplus3]

"Is there a standard 'car seat challenge' procedure that all hospitals follow?"

"Do many children need carbeds, and does the hospital help the parents get them?"

[papooses]

Are there any recommendations or resources as far as getting hospitals to hire CPSTs to work with medical staff in lieu of registering their medical staff for the additional training?

[pippi2077]

How much are nurses taught about carseats? Our nurses have aways made sure we had one. For our 2nd child, our nurse reminded us to put the handle down. How much does the normal nurse know about child passenger safety? Do you think they should be taught more? Do you think parents should have a carseat class before they leave the hospita?

[murphydog77]

What are the guidelines for recommending a car bed for discharge? Only for preemies who don't pass the breathing challenge?

Are car beds ever recommended for low weight only, even if the baby passes the breathing challenge?

Re: the KeyFit infant insert: I had a parent write in a post earlier this week that she didn't like the way her baby fit in the KF harness at 12 lbs. after she took the infant insert out. She felt the lap belts were too high on the abdomen and the crotch strap was too far away, leaving space for the baby to slouch. I recommended a wash cloth between the baby and the crotch strap. (Sorry for the long background!) Why must the insert be removed at 11 lbs.? Can it be used for longer as long as the harness fits securely?

[bilbreysy]

What criteria is being used for doing angle tolerance testing on infants going home on hospice....doing it or not doing it?????

[Starlight]

For premature infants going home on (various) monitors, what steps can be taken to ensure that the equipment that must be carried and/or is attached to baby is secure, does not interfere with the safety/use of the seat and does not become a projectile?

[skipspin]

Questions have been forwarded on to our guests for Wednesday's chat!
Hope to see you there!

[Kecia]

Joy, I know the questions have been forwarded to our guest already but there is one topic that I would love to get some answers on if time permits.

I'd like to understand how manufacturers determine the minimum weight limit (5 lbs, 4 lbs, birth) for their CR?

Is there a newborn dummy and if so, what is it called and how long/heavy is it?

Finally I'd like to know what, if any, criteria is used by manufacturers to determine if a child at the lowest end of the manufacturers listed weight and height range can actually fit properly in that CR.

[UlrikeDG]

I'd like to know how big/small the dummy is that certifies seats down to 5 lb, 4 lb, birth.

Also, SafeRideNews has said that it's OK to use a rear facing seat even before a newborn's shoulders reach the bottom slots, while many techs state that any seat where the bottom slots are above baby's shoulders does not fit the baby and must be replaced. How critical is it that a baby's shoulders be at or above the bottommost slots?

[UlrikeDG]

I swear, Kecia's post wasn't there yet when I started mine. ;)

[Kecia]

Great minds think alike ;)

ETA: Your question about shoulders below the bottom slot is a great one!

[CDNTech]

Can we please have the Keyfit in Canada? PRETTY PLEASE????