UPPAbaby Universal Carrycot Stand, Grey (2015)

Product Information

The ventilation, as well as the apron, are function-wise closely related to the hood, and thus deserve more attention. Ventilation Nevertheless, you may find some justification for an inclining carrycot - a baby suffering from reflux. Some babies do; some babies don't… I wouldn't worry beforehand. You can still go around this by placing a wedge pillow in an ordinary (non-inclined) carrycot. A wedge pillow slightly elevates the head along with the shoulders and torso, which is actually a more ergonomic and safe way in reflux prevention and treatment. You can definitely survive without the inclining function, and I wouldn't consider this function important when choosing the right carrycot. Compatible with Mountain Buggy® protect™ infant car seat and many other leading car seat brands – refer below In theory, attaching the carrycot in a forward-facing mode is often possible. Actually, some (predominantly Polish) brands are presenting this option as an advantage. Not for me, thank you. With such a small baby in the carrycot, you need to keep a close eye on them and act fast if something happens.

The most common system for moving the carrycot is a handle that is either integrated into the hood or situated just above the hood. Such a handle offers the most stable and most comfortable manipulation. There are also carrycots featuring side straps, but because you have to hold onto and balance two objects in one hand, this system is slightly less comfortable (although still manageable). The third, rather rare option involves using fixed attachments on the side of the carrycot, where you have to use both hands, which makes the manipulation even less comfortable. By any means, I am not trying to put you off leatherette material. I just think that it is important to consider all the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision based only on the look. Inner dimensions of the carrycot I want to emphasize the important fact that is often forgotten. Your baby doesn't require an extreme amount of space in the carrycot, and it certainly doesn't suffer in a 'smaller' carrycot. Another - and a rather good - approach is to choose the stroller system with a seat unit you like and just survive any carrycot that' fits it for those first few months, no matter how large or functional it i In the end, unlike the carrycot, you will use the seat unit for much longer, and most of the disadvantages of the carrycot are bearable or easily resolved anyway. As I already hinted in the previous part - the total size (length, width) doesn't equal to the size of the mattress (= the inner measurements ~ length and width of the carrycot). Quite often, the difference is remarkable. Be aware of some Polish and other, predominantly cheaper brands, as they usually use in their descriptions the larger number to get your attention. The measurement is often taken over the top of the carrycot, in some cases even over the outer 'shell', while in reality, the dimensions of the mattress are considerably smaller. If you consider the real measurements of the mattress important, I would advise you to get it out of the carrycot and take the measures for yourself.

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Fabrics-based carrycots (meaning a lot of fabric used as the main protection factor - and often good foldability) are usually lighter and more compact. How much space they offer depends greatly on the model - they can be really tiny but also extremely spacious. When it comes to material, fabrics are good enough and don't influence the quality of the carrycot much. Sides of each soft carrycot are reinforced with either solid bars or a foldable system, and don't forget - the baby is in every case more or less protected with a hood and an apron as well. The apron is a functional accessory, and you are going to need it (not only) in winter. Thanks to creating shade and protecting the child not only against the cold, the apron comes in handy during the whole year, including some summer days.

The canopy of the carrycot, the seat unit, and even the car seat is for sure an important detail to look at. The rule applying to the carrycot canopy is that it's always better to have more of it (and not to use it) than to get less (and struggle with not-protective-enough sun coverage). A large hood is crucial in summer when the sun can be fierce and sharp, as well as in winter, as partial protection against the elements. When the low sun in the mornings and afternoons is preventing your little one from having a good nap, you will certainly appreciate the option to extend the hood. you still prefer to use the carrycot for your summer baby throughout winter, go for the inner length of 75-77 cm minimum. That's because you will need to accommodate your growing baby as well as the winter footmuff._ An excellent alternative for your summer baby is also a stroller with either a soft carrycot, a cocoon, or at least some head hugger. This option is not too costly and saves some storage space later since you don't need to find space for the full-sized carrycot that is not in use anymore. The seat unit is usually more open and better ventilated than the carrycot, and therefore more appropriate for hot summer days.

I also had a carrycot on the pram which was used A LOT as the baby seemed to only sleep when moving (or being held). The second way of ventilation in a carrycot, usually found in better/more expensive models, is through its base. Using a lever or a button, you can open and close the vents on the bottom of the carrycot. Thanks to such an air circulation system, the temperature of the mattress and the inside of the carrycot are kept at an optimal level. Apart from Italian brands (such as Cam, Chicco, Peg-Pérego) boasting a flip-out ventilation system, you can find them present in many Polish brands and robust, oval-shaped prams, too. With your baby on the way, there surely will be a point when you finally start looking for the right stroller (system). It is also very likely that your search will begin with the right carrycot since it is the first place providing the little one with sweet dreams while being outside. The tiny, vulnerable newborn will need a comfortable and cozy spa - giving many moms a reason to focus, at least at the start, on the carrycot more (compared to other parts of a stroller system). Another extreme sometimes, of course, takes place as well - not considering a carrycot at all... The depth of the carrycot is not too significant unless you need to use a footmuff or feel like buying an extra mattress. The depth of the carrycot doesn't add to the overall comfort for the baby - a shallower carrycot actually may provide a better view. The stroller systems with a 2in1 seat and carrycot in one part are usually quite shallow and, therefore, more suitable for spring/summer, but acceptable in winter too - with the right protective accessories. The mattress Things may get more complicated for a summer baby, depending on whether you are insisting on using a carrycot through the whole winter or you are open to a switch for a seat unit. Two of my sons were born in May, and we had switched an average-sized carrycot (approximately 73.5 cm long) to a seat unit somewhere in December / January (when they reached circa 7.5 months of age). Both of them were big boys with a birth weight of over 4 kg, and we, naturally, used a winter footmuff too at the end of bassinet-use!