NYC Cabs ... do I need a car seat for my baby?

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New baby, NYC. How do you get about? Visiting NYC with a baby? For many new parents the subway just doesn’t feel safe because of heightened security alerts or just the prospect of exposing a young infant to communal germs and dirt. Buses can be unreliable or crowded and bad weather, distance and a tight deadline may force many parents to consider hailing cabs with a baby.

The question is – how safe is it?

Things to think about

Cabs are cars driven by people you don’t know.

Cab drivers may drive at fast speeds, cutting and dicing through traffic with dizzying moves.

Is the cab in good working condition?

Cab drivers are subject to the law.

What the law says

Taxi cabs are exempt from requiring car seat so it’s up to your own judgment.

“Drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles and their passengers, are exempt from laws regarding car seats and seatbelts.  Keep in mind, the TLC encourages everyone in the vehicle to buckle their seatbelts while riding in a cab.  There are no Taxi and Limousine Commission rules regarding this, as it is a State exemption. Passengers with children are encouraged to bring their own car seats, which the drivers must allow passengers to install.
*NOTE - Children under the age of seven are permitted to sit on an adult’s lap.”

What if …

“Studies show that NYC taxi passengers are 2.5 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed than the passengers in the other vehicle involved in the crash.  Accidents happen – but you can prevent injuries.  Have NO REGRETS; protect your children. Make sure that quick taxi ride to school or a playdate doesn’t send your child to the hospital.”

8 Tips on taking a taxi

1. Give yourself plenty of time so you can fit the car seat securely
2. Hail a cab as close to your location as possible
3. Request that the cab driver pulls to the curb so as to avoid blocking traffic
4. Ask for help if you need it
5. Use a stroller that comes with the seat
6. Ask the driver to drive slowly and safely
7. At your destination again ask the driver to pull right in where it’s safe to alight and where you won’t block traffic
8. Get your baby out first and pay the driver last

Tips on fitting

• Keep kids rear-facing as long as possible (at least age 2) – it’s 5 times safer than forward-facing!
• Keep kids in a 5-point harness car seat until at least age 4, at least 40 pounds, AND mature enough to sit in booster
• Use a booster until the child passes the 5-step test

Car Seat Compatibility chart

Still worried? 

keep reading here

Chelsea Clinton welcomes a baby girl - Charlotte.

NYT

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton finally have the titles they have long wanted: Grandpa and Grandma.

Their daughter, Chelsea, gave birth to her first child — with her husband, Marc Mezvinsky — on Friday and posted the news on Twitter early Saturday. “Marc and I are full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky,” Ms. Clinton said.

Mr. Clinton, in a statement on Saturday afternoon, said that “Charlotte’s life is off to a good start.”

“Chelsea is well and glowing,” he said. “Marc is bursting with pride.”

As late as Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Clinton was on stage delivering speeches and moderating panels at the Clinton Global Initiative gathering in New York.

The Clintons’ soon-to-arrive grandbaby was a constant topic of conversation at the meeting. When asked by CNN if he would “baby-proof” the White House — the implication being that Mrs. Clinton would not only run for president in 2016 but also win — Mr. Clinton replied, “One thing at a time.”

Congratulations Clinton family. 

What's better than Daycare? ... Explore + Discover

Your NYC Neighbor – is a way of introducing New Yorkers to a rich community of savvy parents. New York is a diverse City bustling with all kinds of families and personalities. We also love to grab tips and recommendations from moms and dads in certain neighborhoods and throughout the 5 Boroughs, and especially people who have created a product, service or site that helps new parents or appeals to children. Meet Daniel Koffler at Explore + Discover.

Daniel – tell us about yourself

I grew up in Great Neck, NY, just outside of the city.   Went to college in DC at George Washington University, where I met my wife.   I’ve been working with my father (and brother) since I graduated from college (roughly 10 years ago)—I have the greatest job in the world: we are school operators, and as such, get to have a direct impact on countless families and individuals every day.  It’s a big responsibility, and we take it very seriously—but have a lot of fun doing it.   I am married and have an amazing daughter (my wife is amazing too!).

Tell us about your latest venture?

Our latest venture is an early childhood program called Explore + Discover(www.explorediscover.net).   The premise behind the program is that while there is (and has been) quite a bit of attention to the preschool years in the private sector in NYC for a long time—and recently, a big push to open Pre K programming to all NYC students—there hasn’t been much attention paid to early childhood opportunities for families and children before that point in the development cycle.

Fast Facts

Location: 444 2nd Ave, NY NY

Center size: 80 students

Student ages: 3m-23 months

Curriculum: Arts Oriented

Admissions: Rolling

Classes start: Sept 8

When we started looking around to see if our hunch was indeed a reality, it turned out we were indeed correct.   That’s not to say there isn’t programming available for the 0m-3yr population—there is, and some of it is pretty good.   Our approach is a bit different, in that we are taking into consideration the science behind brain development in the early childhood population and using that as a foundation for the establishment of a safe, nurturing and developmentally-appropriate setting for infants and toddlers to realize their potential, and be well-prepared both academically and socially-emotionally, for the next stage(s) of life and development.

Sounds like expensive daycare … what’s different about Explore + Discover?

You know, when you think about it, isn’t what I’m describing what everyone would want—and expect from a professionally organized program—for their child?   I think the primary difference is that we are DOING it!   To our knowledge, and we did a good bit of research locally, nationally and internationally, there aren’t many programs that are built to the specifications of this population.

Generally what you’ll find are thoughtful and highly-regarded nursery age programs who may have created a section for infants and toddlers as an accommodation to current families with younger children/siblings.   There are also larger scale daycare centers that cater to large corporations as an accommodation to employees.   Both of these scenarios can offer many benefits, and I don’t mean to use the word ‘accommodating’ in a negative or dismissive manner!

Rather, we think that infants and toddlers are a very different population than nursery-age children, and deserve their own environment and everything that goes into creating that.   To name a few of the thoughtful things that our leadership team established in creating this program, contrary to the traditional 0-12, 13-24 month model that is very prevalent in a daycare/infant & toddler setting, we have created another layer of division in there, so our model looks like this: 3-9 months, 10-17 months, and 18-24 months.  This was a decision based on typical/developmentally appropriate mobility of the children in these age groups, and when you think about it, makes a lot of sense!

We are also doing a number of things to keep parents very much involved in the process, and one thing that sticks out to me is a Nursing Room that we’ve created to allow nursing mothers to be with their children or simply be on-site during the day without having to consider how to address this very real and practical aspect of early childhood!

There is so much more that I could go into—my recommendation for anyone interested in learning more about those nuances, though, is to give us a call or pay us a visit!

Can I enroll my baby now? Mid-term?

Read More 

Your New Baby's Nursery Made Simple

Baby Does … NYC

is now connecting expectant moms with a great new nursery make-over service - check it out. 

NYC expectant moms and dads can take the sting out of creating the perfect environment for their new baby. Experts in the fields of color, style, design and early childhood development (think toys/books) will master-mind your NYC baby's nursery. 

Book your FREE appointment today: babydoesnyc@gmail.com or call 212 246 6467. 

Now available ... complete set: bassinet, mattress and white ruffle.

Click to enter

5 Cool Baby Products for Fall

None of us likes to think of the cooler nights closing in but they’re coming. Here’s 5 cool baby items to keep your NYC baby as snug as a little bug in a rug! Get more tips here. 

1) Australian Sheepskin. Snuggle Pod by Elks & Angels. 

Keep your baby cozy in their strollers while they get fresh air.

• Organic and Natural
• Calms and Soothes your Baby
• Good all year round (it keeps a sheep cool in the summer and warm in the winter)
• Dirt and Bacteria Resistant (naturally anti-bacterial with self-cleaning powers)
• Out performs synthetics (not petrochemical based, no static, naturally flame-retardant)

As worn by the stars! $279:00. BUY.

2) Stroller Wheel Covers by Mummy Stay Dry.

Don’t bring in the puddle, slush and dirt from wet streets and playgrounds.

• Made in America
• Sustainable
• Easy to clean
• Easy to store

Size: S/M Price: $19.95Size: L/XL Price $24.95 BUY

3) Organic onesie by Tane Organics.

Your baby will want to stay cool and comfortable under warmer jackets and fleece pants.

Inspired by the spacesuit, this rounded coverall with knee patch is the easiest shape to play in. Smartly engineered seams for freedom of movement, and rounded easy silhouette illuminates TANE’s signature shape!

• 100% certified organic cotton
• low impact dye
• machine wash cold

$68. BUY

4) Weleda Skin Cream

Soothe your baby’s delicate little cheeks from windy Autumn blasts.

Protects delicate facial skin against cold, harsh weather.
1.0 FL OZ | $13.00 BUY

5) Frank Hooks

Store all those extra cozy items with these cute little hooks! Frank Hooks is a Brooklyn-based company that makes – you guessed it – Frank Hooks.

Frank. $13. BUY

Emma. $13. BUY

Hank. $13. BUY

Pregnant ... now what?

The first ticket on your register will be items for your baby's nursery. This elegant bassinet is from Pottery Barn Kids.  Keep your newborn nearby in this beautifully constructed bassinet, made extra cozy with the braided detail.

• 21.75" wide x 37.75" long x 39" high
• Bassinet is tightly woven of rattan that’s been sealed, with wood detailing and a cross-braced platform for stability.
• Top can be removed to create a separate sleep basket, which can easily be transported anywhere in the house.
• Bottom shelf provides extra storage.
• Rolls on locking casters and includes waterproof mattress pad.

We have one to give away in October. Sign up as a member (it's free and quick look for 'sign up box') and we will auto enter you for EVERY giveaway we run, month to month. Check out our current raffles. 

Baby Does ... NYC

Your Baby's Road Map 0-24m