Should you use infant car capsules for twins or triplets or go straight into car seats? It’s always a hot topic of debate in the multiple birth community. There are definitely people who are pro capsules and then there are just as many people who think capsules are not necessary. While there is always an option to hire capsules, not all families live in an area where baby equipment hire is available, and will choose to place their multiples directly into car seats.
Please note: This article is not saying NOT to use capsules, it is simply listing some of the reasons that other multiple birth families gave Twinfo regarding their reasons not to use capsules.
Here are seven reasons why you may decide not to use capsules for twins, triplets or more.
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Babies will grow out of capsules
Anything that is geared to new babies seems to come with a hefty price, and capsules and car seats are no exception. As a result, some families feel that it is simply not economical to buy capsules for their multiples, and then have to spend more money on car seats when their babies grow out of the capsules.
When you have multiples, the cost of the necessary items gets very expensive. One way to save money is put your babies straight into car seats, forgetting capsules altogether. Car seat laws in Australia are very strict, and there are stringent rules about car seat manufacture and their grading. These days you can get car seats that will last your multiples from when they are born until they legally no longer require them.
Click here for the Australian Government standards on car seats.
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Capsules take up a lot of space
The first thing you need to check is the depth of your car, from behind the front seats to the rear seats. ome capsules can be quite bulky and need a decent amount of depth. If you, or any regular drivers of your car, are tall, you may find that there is not enough room to install capsules.
Do you have other children who still require car seats? Depending on the make and model of your car and configuration of the seating, you may have no choice. Capsules, simply, may not fit.
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Tight car parking spaces are a nightmare
If you are unlucky enough to end up in a tight car park, it can be very difficult to get the capsules in and out. Ideally, you need to open each car door fully to get the capsules in and out of the car. Sadly, the ‘parents with prams’ car parks are few and far between.
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Capsules are heavy and you can seriously hurt yourself
Carrying several capsules at once can get heavy, particularly as your babies get older and heavier. Some people are physically incapable, due to injuries or other medical conditions, of carrying several capsules at once. If this is the case, you should bypass capsules. Also, remember that if your multiples are born by c-section, the birth mother should not carry the babies AND their capsules for at least 6 weeks.
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Never wake a sleeping baby!! Let alone two or more sleeping babies!!
Some people say that their babies transferred from their car seat to their cot really well. Some say that they use capsules so they don’t have to wake their babies to transfer them to/from the car. Other people say that their babies never transferred regardless of using capsules or not. The jury is out on this.
Regardless, it is important to note that babies should not be in a capsule for extended periods of time. When a baby is in a semi-upright position for a long period of time is can put a strain on the baby’s spine and can restrict airflow to their lungs.
Click here for the Red Nose SIDS recommendations for car seats.
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You may not travel enough to justify the purchase
If your babies are rarely in a vehicle, then some people choose to move straight to car seats.
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You need the perfect pram
Some prams these days will allow a car capsule to be clipped into the pram. If you have a pram that does not have this functionality, you may not want to bother with capsules. Instead you might decide to move straight to car seats. These days there are a mind-boggling amount of twin prams (and thankfully now several triplet and quad style prams) to choose from. And remember…..just because it fits a capsule does not mean it will be easy to store.
As you can see there is no exact science. It is going to depend on your family and your circumstances as to whether you choose to use capsules for twins, triplets or more.
Twinfo is Australia’s largest, most supportive, online community for parents of twins and triplets. Twinfo offers advice, products and services that make raising your babies easier, freeing you up to enjoy all the precious moments.
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