ciao, mondo! – Peg Perego Blog

Planning a summer road trip with your newborn (6 months or younger)? Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure baby is safe, comfortable, and the trip goes smoothly!

1) Expect frequent stops. Baby will need to be fed, changed, held and more. Because of these stops, your travel time will significantly increase. Plan for it to take about twice as long for you to reach your destination. This may seem like an inconvenience, but keep in mind that traveling by car is oftentimes a better experience for baby (and you!) than going by air or rail.

2) Avoid the temptation to take baby out of her seat. Taking baby out of her car seat (while still traveling) may seem like the best way to calm her down and still meet your expected time of arrival. However, removing baby from her car seat, for even a second, is extremely dangerous. Accidents happen quickly, and, in the event of an accident, there wouldn’t be anything to protect her  should she be in your arms rather than in her seat.

3) Bring a stroller with a full recline (or bassinet option). Keeping babies in their car seats for extended periods of time isn’t good for their development. Though there’s no way around the need to keep baby in her car seat while you’re on the road, having a stroller with a newborn-ready bassinet (or convertible seat) will offer something different than a car seat-Travel System option when you’re out sightseeing.

4) Anticipate a change in your baby’s sleep schedule. Time zones and car napping will affect whatever sleep schedule your baby has developed. At night, when you’re ready for her to fall asleep, keep in mind it may take a bit longer than normal and she may also wake more often. She has, after all, spent the entire day nodding off in the back seat. It’ll take some time for her schedule to smooth out again.

Have any questions about the gear you should use on your road trip? Ask away!

Vacation season is upon us, and many of you have emailed me asking about Travel Bag options for your Peg Perego strollers.

For our 2010 collection, we offer the Travel Bag* accessory for the Pliko P3. This bag also accommodates the Si. But unfortunately it doesn’t accommodate the Switch.

So, for the Switch or any other Peg Perego stroller you may own that needs a Travel Bag, one great place to check is www.jlchildress.com. JL Childress specializes in storage bags for baby gear, sports gear and other types of gear. And, if they don’t manufacture a bag that fits your particular stroller, they take custom orders!

Their prices are very fair (a custom ordered bag for the Pliko Switch was recently quoted at $49.99, with the option of adding full padding for an extra $20**), and their craftsmanship is excellent.

Hopefully this will be helpful to those of you who have upcoming trips and need some additional stroller protection!

*The Pliko P3 Travel Bag may be purchased from Customer Service. It can accommodate the P3 or the Si.

**I’d like to thank one of our customers, Kevin, for doing the legwork on the JL Childress bag for the Switch!

Disclaimer: Peg Perego is not affiliated in any way with JL Childress, nor is this an endorsement of their products. This post is simply a presentation of information to keep you the customer aware and informed of products that may enhance your experience with your Peg Perego stroller.  The information presented in this post, regarding availability, price, etc. of JL Childress products, may change.

As you begin to prepare for a trip to Disney, here are a few tips I’ve picked up on message boards and discussion forums:

1)     Know if you’ll need a stroller. Disney involves lots of excitement, exhaustion and walking, and you’ll find children who at home can go forever without a stroller will suddenly need some assistance getting around. Plan to have a spot on a stroller for each child under 6, and a recline option if you’re traveling with children under 3.

2)     Expect to see a lot of umbrella strollers. They’re the quickest to fold (a must when using the monorail and other public transportation), easiest to fly with (most have Travel Bag accessories), and generally lighter than traditional book-fold strollers.

3)     Claim your stroller with color. As you go on rides and participate in activities, you’ll be leaving your strollers with all the other temporarily unused strollers. Make yours easy to identify by tying a bandana to the handle.

4)     Consider a wheel lock. Leaving the stroller unattended can be a bit unsettling – especially if you’ve brought along a more expensive model. Though you won’t be allowed to chain the stroller to a post, you can put a lock on the wheels or elsewhere on the stroller. The wheel lock would prevent the wheels from moving, while a strategic lock somewhere on the stroller’s frame would prevent it from being folded (this strategy would result in the stroller being left in the parking lot).

5)     Renting is always an option. Even the most well-planned trip has unexpected bumps! Though a bit pricy, Disney does offer stroller rentals. Doubles and singles may be rented each day for a flat fee.

Interested in learning more? For a great forum all about how to do Disney, visit the message boards at Windsor Peak.

I’ve have quite a few questions lately, asking me to differentiate between the Si and the new Vela. Both are lightweight. Both are deemed “travel-ready” strollers. Both are considerably compact.

But how do you know which one to buy?

Let’s go over the basics:

Making the final decision

The Si’s ball bearings make a significant difference when it comes to ride and performance. For the family that will rely on a lightweight travel stroller for more than weekly trips to the grocery store and library, the Si is the best choice. It’s just an all-around more comfortable experience for parent and baby.

But, for the family that either needs a stroller that can navigate the bustling, obstacle-ridden mall or desires a more straightforward travel system, I’d recommend the Vela. It’s so light and easy to maneuver, and the snack tray is an easy distraction for baby—meaning more shopping time for mom!

Visit www.pegperego.com for more information on these great travel-ready strollers.

Holiday shopping is upon us! Before you head out to grab all those great Black Friday deals and seasonal specials, it may be helpful to know how your stroller can not only make the experience better for baby, but easier on mom. Here are things to look for when considering which stroller to take shopping:

1)     Sturdiness. Holiday shopping often keeps you moving from store to store with little to no opportunity to drop your purchases off at the car. A sturdy stroller can greatly alleviate the situation, as it will safely and helpfully accept bags on its handlebars without being wobbly or tippy.

2)     Storage. There’s no need for a shopping cart if your stroller’s basket is big enough! Shopping without a cart will make you more maneuverable, streamlined, compact and available to take advantage of the deals around you.

3)     Recline. Black Friday shoppers know that those early-hour deals can’t be passed up! When bringing baby along for the ride, be sure to grab a stroller with a recline, as he’ll probably want to catch a few Zzz’s as you catch deals.

4)     Portability. Nothing is more streamlined than Travel Systems when it comes to transporting baby via the family car. A good Travel System will allow baby to remain safely within her car seat, as you move it from the sedan to the stroller and back in seconds.

5)     Stand. Some strollers are able to stand on their own after they’ve been folded. This not only keeps your hands free to find a place for all your purchases, it sees to it that the stroller stays out of any rain and snow that may have accumulated on the pavement.

Let the shopping begin!

Wishing you a great Thanksgiving from all of us here at Peg Perego.

For the out and about, light-traveling family who prefers a more traditional look and feel, we present a new product for 2010: the Vela (VAY-lah).

Steering and maneuverability are the Vela’s star features, thanks to the three, larger wheels that turn on a dime and streamline movement. But it’s the single handle bar, book fold, and Ganciomatic Travel System-capabilities that truly set it apart from other strollers in the Peg Perego line. Both the book fold and the single handlebar are more traditional features, highly valued by many families, while the inclusion of Ganciomatic hooks ensure the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat will snap directly into the stroller seat.

And, at only 9.5 pounds, it’s the lightest stroller in our 2010 collection!

Fast facts:

• Travel System-compatible
• Three-wheel design
• Larger wheels for enhanced steering and maneuverability
• Compact book fold stands alone when folded
• One hand fold
• Hinged snack tray with duel cup holders
• Large storage basked
• Included adult cup holder
• 9.5 pounds

The Vela will be available in February/March in four colors: Lavanda (edit: No longer available 12/09), Java, Tropical, Kiwi and Pepper. Please check with your local retailer for availability.

Who says baby can’t participate in Halloween festivities? Whether you’ll be tagging along with the big kids or going solo, here are some trick-or-treating pointers:

1)     If trick-or-treating outdoors, grab your day-trip stroller. With more comfort-minded features and a better suspension system than typical travel stroller, the day-trip stroller will see to it that you’re able to navigate bumpy sidewalks while maintaining maximum comfort. Rear footboards give older children the option of hopping on for a ride, while a deep recline ensures that baby won’t have any trouble dozing off while everyone else keeps going.

2)      If trick-or-treating indoors, grab your travel-ready stroller. The smaller frame will help you zip in and out of large crowds while its lightweightedness will keep you going, mall after mall, stop after stop.

3)     If following a group of older trick-or-treaters by keeping up in the family car, be sure to keep baby in his car seat. While the slow pace may make it seem as though ordinary travel rules no longer apply, that’s simply untrue. Keep baby strapped in, just as you would during any car trip. If he gets fussy, stop every now and then to hold and feed or play with him.

4)     If waiting for trick-or-treaters to arrive at your doorstep, try to include baby in the action by keeping her close by. Put a bouncer, high chair or bassinet in an area that will be out of the way of the cold, outside air, but also within your line of sight. Then, when the trick-or-treaters come calling, baby won’t be awoken by the doorbell, nor will she be left to wonder where you went!

But above all, have a safe and happy Halloween!

As most of you know, the Si is our lightweight stroller, intended for an on-the-go lifestyle. It hit stores last April and since has received great reviews. Users appreciate its weight, maneuverability and Travel System capabilities. So when it came to updating the product for 2010, we didn’t feel the need to mess much with the makeup of the stroller—except for one thing.

For 2010, the Si will have a bumper bar! Made of plastic, covered in felt, the Si’s new bumper will be sturdy enough to allow baby to experience the world around him and flexible enough to allow the stroller to fold with the bar still attached. Adding the bar also ensures greater ease of use for the stroller’s Travel System capabilities, as it holds the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat in place while mom or dad affixes the included straps.

Like all of our bumper bars, it’s both hinged for easy access to baby and completely removable for when baby gets older and desires to climb in and out of the stroller on her own.  Or, the bar may be completely removed. 2010 fabrics for the Peg Perego Si include Java, Red Step, Black Step, Tropical, Nero, Kiwi, and Pepper (new!) And don’t forget that the Si will also be a part of a pre-packaged Travel System with our new Primo Viaggio ES!

Si FAQs available here.

2009 Si Fact Sheet available here.

Saturday (the 12^th) was National Seat Check Saturday! Inspection stations all over the country encouraged parents to stop by and get their safety seats checked for proper installation.

Did you miss the memo? Not a problem. Inspection stations are always open and willing to properly install any car seat. While the LATCH system makes installing car seats, such as the Primo Viaggio SIP, much easier than it was when we used only seat belts, it’s still important to make certain everything is as it should be. (Our engineers at Peg Perego have designed a few helpers to ensure installation happens correctly the first time around, but when it comes to safety, it’s never a bad idea to seek a professional opinion).

To locate an inspection station nearest you, use this handy search tool.

Aside from helping achieve proper seat installation, these stations are available to offer advice on car seat-to-car compatibility. For example, if you’re curious as to whether a car seat such as the Primo Viaggio SIP will install properly in a VW Beetle, these are the folks to call.

For a great article on both the LATCH system and car seat safety week, check out Jody DeVere’s post at blogher.com.

And, we’re getting ready to divulge all the great info on our 2010 collection—including the new travel systems we have in the works! Expect all the juicy details in the coming weeks!

The start of the school year is always bitter-sweet for parents. For the stay-at-home parent, it means a break from the kids and a chance to spend some quality time with the youngest—maybe even catch a bit of alone time. For the working parent, it means a break from the expense of child care, nannies and the ever-nagging feeling that you shouldn’t be working.

But it also means the beginning of the school-year rush. Days and evenings that were spent taking walks, visiting parks and cooking out are now filled with after-school activities, PTA meetings and, of course, getting the kids to school on time.

But don’t let this transition overshadow the needs of the youngest member of your family.

As the family’s lifestyle means more time on the football field and less time in the nursery, it may be tempting to fudge on some well-known safety rules. Suddenly, baby finds herself spending hours in her car seat or sleeping in a make-shift crib. She may be placed in a stroller that doesn’t meet her needs or fastened too loosely in a car seat. While these examples run the gamut of ‘seemingly harmless’ to ‘outright dangerous’, the informed parent knows that they’re equally important in their own way.

And that is why it’s vital to remember the ‘why’ behind such travel and sleep taboos.

For proper sleeping tips, we found this great article. And, for a break-down of car seat terminology and regulations, check out this car seat safety guide from the AAP.

When times get crazy, it always takes a bit to adjust. But, keeping baby’s needs in mind will ensure a healthy and happy youngest family member.