"I have worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner (P.N.P.) for over 30 years," says Linda Jonides. "I continue to thoroughly enjoy forming new relationships with parents and newborns and working with them through infancy, childhood, and adolescence."
Linda Jonides is a pediatric nurse practitioner in a private pediatric practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She received her Diploma in Nursing and Certificate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is a past recipient of the Michigan PNP of the Year Award. She has a B.S. in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University. She has published articles and lectured on childhood obesity, infant colic, role of the P.N.P., growth and development issues, and infectious diseases. She was an author of "Clinical Insights Column," published biannually in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care for nine years. Jonides is past president of NAPNAP. Currently, she is a steering group work member of NAPNAP's HEAT (healthy eating and activity together) project. One outcome of this group's work is the clinical practice guideline, "Identifying and Preventing Overweight in Childhood," that was published as a supplement to the March/April '06 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.
Ms. Jonides has been married to John, a university professor, since 1971.
What kind of stroller would you suggest to start off with? I'm pregnant and I want to get the kind with the infant car seat already in it. Is there any style or make you would suggest that is the safest?
Answer
No one car seat is "safest" or "best." The "best" car seat is one that fits your child's size and weight, and can be installed correctly in your car. Strollers and carriages are not regulated by the federal government, so it's up to you to look for safety features. You did ask about a combination car seat and stroller, and some of those meet the federal motor vehicle standards. One that I have had firsthand experience with is the Century Travelite Pro Sport, but Evenflo and Fisher-Price also have such combinations available. Check out our car seat shopping guide for more information.Car seats are constantly being tested to make sure they pass the safety standards. Sometimes they are recalled. Whenever you do purchase your seat / stroller, be sure to send in the registration card so the manufacturer can contact you should there be any problems. This is one item that you do have to do some shopping around for, to find one that you feel comfortable using and that will work in your vehicle. Another good resource if you have additional specific concerns is the Auto Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393. Good luck!
