Do your parents of infants...

[Shell]

Keep them in the baby carriers well after it is practical? I have two dcm's with very large babies. Every day they come in practically falling over, struggling while holding the carriers, juggling the door while trying to manipulate a giant seat. I continually mention that I took my own kids out of those early on and used a convertible car seat. These are parents of means, so they can certainly afford two car seats (one for each car), and will have to soon, but yet they insist on these carriers. I also have to store them (I have a spot for this, so no big deal). Why not just buy the seat, and carry the kid on their hip? Anyone else, or am I alone ::

[hope]

Mine do the same. They look like they are going to break their back carrying the baby in. I also have one dcm that doesn't like the baby using my bottles but won't leave 3 bottles of her own here. So every day she brings 3 wet bottles in a grocery bag for me to use. It just seems gross bc the bottles never seem to dry. My families have the money to buy an extra car seat or an extra set of bottles for my home. I don't get it either.

[BumbleBee]

Same here. I have a 12.5 month old who is still in a carrier. He hasn't met the weight/height limits yet on it so it's still safe, but the practical part of it baffles me. What gets me is when they leave the carseat in the car and carry their kid in anyways. They have 2 convertible car seats still in the box so I'm not sure what the purpose of the carrier is at this point. Maybe he falls asleep in it and they like that they don't have to wake him up to take him inside? Idk, he's never arrived asleep in the carrier and he certainly doesn't sleep in the carrier here so I have no idea.

To each their own I guess.

[BumbleBee]

Mine do the same. They look like they are going to break their back carrying the baby in. I also have one dcm that doesn't like the baby using my bottles but won't leave 3 bottles of her own here. So every day she brings 3 wet bottles in a grocery bag for me to use. It just seems gross bc the bottles never seem to dry. My families have the money to buy an extra car seat or an extra set of bottles for my home. I don't get it either.

I have one who does this with sippy cups. Every day I get a wet sippy cup. I just leave it in the kids bag and use one of my own. Each kid has a specific color sippy cup so a new one each day just messes with the system.

[CraftyMom]

Yes! I think part of the problem is probably that the convertible has to be rear facing, and since those seats are much taller than the infant seat they get in the way. Of course they have to do it eventually anyway.

I usually mention something like "Oh that isn't good for your back! Carrying that heavy seat on your arm puts strain on your back in the wrong places"

[Blackcat31]

I don't allow parents to carry their infants in using car seats.

Mostly for that reason. I also want NO part of how they buckle them in or install the car seat.

The car seat stays in the car at ALL times.

I think trying to juggle those bulky heavy seats creates more issues than not.

My door frame and my door have dings and dents and I worry about the moms/dads carrying them down the steps in the winter etc.

Parents must remove their child from the seat BEFORE entering my home.

Solves my issues.

[taylorw1210]

I have experienced the same, also with families who are well off and aren't keeping their children in those seats because they cannot afford an alternative seat.

I have also experienced parents squeezing their poor babies into clothes that are at least a size too small. One day I mentioned something to a dcm about having a really difficult time getting dcb dressed after changes because his pants were too small and she told me, "I know, I'm in denial and he just has so many cute clothes he hasn't worn yet in that size!"

[nannyde]

No car seats in the house. They load and unload in the driveway.

[Shell]

I don't allow parents to carry their infants in using car seats.

Mostly for that reason. I also want NO part of how they buckle them in or install the car seat.

The car seat stays in the car at ALL times.

I think trying to juggle those bulky heavy seats creates more issues than not.

My door frame and my door have dings and dents and I worry about the moms/dads carrying them down the steps in the winter etc.

Parents must remove their child from the seat BEFORE entering my home.

Solves my issues.

No car seats in the house. They load and unload in the driveway.

How do you guys present this? What do you say to a parent that says they don't have enough money for two seats or bases if one parent drops off and the other picks up? Just curious because it's getting ridiculous with all these carriers, and BC brings up a good point about winter and the stairs? Around here, all the centers allow carriers and storage of them in the main hall. I think I might be met with some resistance- like if a parent says it's too cold to carry a baby from the car, or something- I'm sure there would be some excuse.

[Blackcat31]

How do you guys present this? What do you say to a parent that says they don't have enough money for two seats or bases if one parent drops off and the other picks up? Just curious because it's getting ridiculous with all these carriers, and BC brings up a good point about winter and the stairs? Around here, all the centers allow carriers and storage of them in the main hall. I think I might be met with some resistance- like if a parent says it's too cold to carry a baby from the car, or something- I'm sure there would be some excuse.

I tell them it's a liability. I STRESS how much of a liability it is and basically just tell them it's not something I budge on. No car seats on my property at any time.

I also explain to them the dangers of carrying the seat in and out (to my house) and up/down stairs. I tell them the possibility of them falling is too great for my comfort level

I also REALLY push the liability in regards to what Tom Copeland said about the car seats being installed improperly and how it "could" potentially be a liability on the providers part...etc

For those parents that only have one seat, I straight up tell them that swapping seats is THEIR issue to solve and not one I am willing to have ANYTHING to do with. ever.

I don't allow parents to leave seats here for grandparents to use or friends/family who may pick up. That is 100% the parents issue to figure out.

..and so far it has not been an issue for anyone and I implemented this policy about 4 years ago.

[lovemykidstoo]

I hate it when they bring the carseats in. I have one dad that tried to put the carseat on my wood dining room table to put the kid in. Oh yea, let's have it go back and forth and scratch the crap out of my table. Stupid.

[AngelsMommy]

I hate it when they bring the carseats in. I have one dad that tried to put the carseat on my wood dining room table to put the kid in. Oh yea, let's have it go back and forth and scratch the crap out of my table. Stupid.

.. I had to laugh, alllll too familiar!

[AngelsMommy]

My 15 month old dcg still comes in her car seat. An infant car seat. She is only 18 pounds and 26 inches long but it is still a pain. I asked why and they said that it is easier for them that way, I guess parents are all for their convenience these days

[Shell]

My 15 month old dcg still comes in her car seat. An infant car seat. She is only 18 pounds and 26 inches long but it is still a pain. I asked why and they said that it is easier for them that way, I guess parents are all for their convenience these days

It really makes no sense to me. I have one that is just under a year, but a huge baby that weighs as much as my amost 2 yr old dc kids! Cutest little thing, btw. I sometimes wonder if the parents want to keep them babies, and don't want them to grow up too fast? I can't fathom any other reason (when money isn't the issue) why parents need these darn carriers! I also have to add that this is the case with every single infant I have ever cared for ::

[AngelsMommy]

It really makes no sense to me. I have one that is just under a year, but a huge baby that weighs as much as my amost 2 yr old dc kids! Cutest little thing, btw. I sometimes wonder if the parents want to keep them babies, and don't want them to grow up too fast? I can't fathom any other reason (when money isn't the issue) why parents need these darn carriers! I also have to add that this is the case with every single infant I have ever cared for ::

ohhh yes, her parents are wanting to keep her an infant!