UPPAbaby Universal Carrycot Stand, Grey (2015)

Product Information

What is essential when it comes to choosing a suitable carrycot? Do I even need a carrycot? Read all about bassinets in Strollberry's ultimate guide.

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 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! 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.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. With the carrycot facing forward, you wouldn't have a chance to see if, for example, they threw up a bit or an uninvited insect entered the carrycot. A baby's sight is rather short-ranged, so the argument about a better view doesn't apply for the smallest children needing a carrycot. Later, when they are old enough, they will have an opportunity to enjoy the view and all its advantages with a forward-facing seat unit. For use on the following Mountain Buggies (2015+): MB mini, swift™, urban jungle™, +one™, terrain™ and (2014+) duet™

Some brands, such as Stokke, Mutsy, Cam, Inglesina offer the carrycot, the seat unit, and the chassis separately so that you can put together any combination you want. Chance is, if you ask for it, the manufacturer of your chosen stroller system may be able to provide you with only the carrycot part with the stroller frame, so it is worth asking if you really need that. Because the carrycot is generally used only for a few months anyway and usually doesn't get worn out much, a second-hand pram with only the carrycot attachment (and no seat) may be a relatively safe, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly option too. Newborns and young babies need to lie flat in a carrycot at first when you go for walks. Smaller babies don’t yet have the muscle strength to lift and support their upper body and their head. Lying flat also helps the development of their spine. Put simply, lying flat in a carrycot keeps them both comfortable and safe. Child 2 has cheerfully slept alone from very early on, so much so when she outgrew the moses basket at about 3 months I bought a crib (which is bigger) so I can more easily keep her by my bedroom for a bit longer. The ventilation, as well as the apron, are function-wise closely related to the hood, and thus deserve more attention. VentilationI 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 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 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. A new baby comes with lots of equipment, some of it essential and some an added luxury. So, what do you really need when it comes to somewhere safe and comfortable for baby to sleep in those first few formative months? From bedside cribs to moses baskets and sleep nests in between, there is so much choice for you and your baby. Yet, the great news is every iCandy carrycot is suitable for permanent overnight sleeping and here's why...

I want to add a short remark regarding the protective sheets and other rubber covers we use to keep the mattress clean. From the point of health and safety of a newborn baby, and to prevent SIDS, it is not recommended to put the baby on any non-breathable materials. Such a young baby can't regulate its body temperature properly, and therefore, it can get overheated, especially in summer. The inclining function 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. every child is different and all that... for my first I lovingly prepared a moses basket next to my bed, which the baby pretty much never slept in. It made a great dumping ground for blankets, muslins etc i suppose. She was too big for it by about 4 months anyway (and she was a dinky baby) but technically too young for her own room and cot yet.

Tandem Seats

A carrycot plays an essential part in the first six months of a baby’s life – it is a light portable cot that can be attached to the chassis of a pram. When it comes to a travel system, it’s the first configuration that will be used with a newborn. If a pushchair doesn’t have a lie-flat seating option, then a carrycot is a must as it allows a newborn to lie completely flat which is essential for spinal and lung development. According to The Sleep Foundation, it is recommended that newborns have 14-17 hours of sleep within a 24 hour period, so its vital that their sleeping environment is safe and comfortable.

All iCandy carrycots are suitable for overnight sleeping because they adhere to the following criteria in addition to the relevant standard (EN1466):

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The most common way of **providing airflow is through the hood*. It could be a zip-open mesh panel, a closable viewing window with a net, or a fabric part that you can pull aside, opening a mesh section. It is, however, an advantage if the hood can be fully covered even - as opposed to the situations where there is a mesh-only panel, which could be a problem when you need to extend the hood in cold weather without bringing extra cold air into the carrycot. Having said that, even a mesh panel is always better than having no means of extending the hood at all. It is highly unlikely that a baby born in spring will need a carrycot over the following winter. In spring and summer, the baby will still be tiny, so the inner dimensions of the carrycot are not that important for such a baby. You should focus on a quality seat unit, in this case, much more. Welcoming a baby doesn’t mean compromising on your personal or interior design style. With so many fashion-forward colourways to choose from across the iCandy collections, you are guaranteed to find an iCandy pushchair that will not only turn heads along the high street but will complement your home décor too. Plus, as iCandy pushchair bundles come complete with a carrycot* there is no additional expense for parents-to-be. Your little one will be ready to move from a flat carrycot to a pushchair seat when they can sit upright unaided and can lift and support their head. For most babies, this happens around six months of age, but every child is different. Some babies reach this stage a little earlier, some a little later. How to put a baby in a carrycot pram?