Bike Helmets
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July 2007
My daughter is 2-1/2 and while she loves riding on the bike seat on the back of my
bike, she has always hated (screamed, writhed, pitched a fit) having the helmet put
on her head. I tell her it won't hurt if she stops scrunching her head down into her
neck and lifts her chin up, but she still mostly does the former, making it a battle to
get it on despite patient encouragement. Today the buckle (advertised as
impossible to pinch kids with) actually did pinch her chin when I put it on and she
was beside herself - major backward step. I don't want to put it on loose and
floppy as this would defeat the safety purpose of the helmet. She loves it once
we're going, with the breeze in her face, but hates helmet going on and off. Tonight
we're putting the helmet on and off her bear, and ''helping'' him with his helmet
phobia - maybe that will help. But any other advice, or experience with this
problem? I want to ride to more local errands with her but can't take the fear and
trauma part.
Kate
Hi,
First, I applaud you for having her wear a helmet, as I see many
kids without helmets riding with their parents who are often
helmetless themselves. To help her understand the importance of
her helmet I think you should stress the safety issue. She can't
go anywhere in the car without being strapped in, and the helmet
is like a seatbelt. Its job is to protect her. If she wants to
ride a bike, which apparently she does, she has to wear the helmet.
One thing you can do is buy some special stickers she can use to
decorate her helmet, and make it clear that the only way people
can see how beautiful it is, is to wear it when she rides.
Good luck,
jamie
My husband and I walked around the house wearing our helmets for
a few days to get our daughter to think that it ws normal and
actually desirable to wear the helmet.
-anon
Put it on loose and tighten it on her head.
anon
Can anybody recommend a store in the area (Oakland/Berkeley)
with a good selection of, and experience in the fitting of,
bicycle helmets for toddlers?a (I would be willing to drive
a little out of the way for a good quality helmet with proper
fit!)a We basically need something that my 2-and-a-quarter
years old son can start wearing so that he will develop the
habit that he wears one whenever he is on a set of wheels,
whether it be a bike, skateboard, rollerblades, etc.a (Right
now he has a very low-to-the-ground tricycle.)aaThank you!
Marian
No need to drive out of your way! Both Missing Link (Shattuck near University)
and VeloSport (MLK at Virginia) would do a fine job. Our son got his first
two helmets there (age 6 months and 3 years).
Fran
Try Hank & Frank Bicycles on College Ave.
They carry the Bell brand for children. I bought one for my son when he was
3. Bell is one of the best brands. My whole family has the bell brand head
gear. This company is well known for making motorcycle helmets.
Cindy
Try the Missing Link on Shattuck at University. A fair percentage of the
staff have kids of their own, and most of them are knowledgeable about
fitting helmets for toddlers. However, just before the start of Fall
semester is one of the busiest times for Berkeley bike shops, so if you go
there (or anywhere else in Berkeley) on a weekend the shop may be too
crowded for you to get individual attention. Go on a weekday morning if at
all possible. Jennifer
From: Fran
Try VeloSport on MLK at Virginia. That's where my son's first helmet came
from. He has a big head, but he started wearing it when he was about 6 months
old. I'd consider selling or loaning it, but it was in an accident. The
brand was a French name (man's name, first and last--Louis Varnaux?).
From: Sally
I bought the smallest one I could find when my daughter was about that age
(9 months) and then stuffed extra socks into it because it was still 'way
too big. In retrospect it would seem that socks would reduce the efficacy
of the shock-absorbing properties so this was not necessarily a good thing
to do. I just couldn't find a smaller helmet.
... in reference to "stuffing" a helmet with socks so it
fits a very small passenger ...
From: Craig
Oooh! Not a good idea. I think most doctors will tell you (they told
me) that you should wait until they're at least a year old. The problem
with putting a helmet on too soon is that their little necks just aren't
ready yet and the added weight of a helmet can actually cause serious
injury (i.e.. you stop short for some reason and they might not be
strong enough to stop their head and helmet from whipping forward too
fast). Most helmet companies don't make really small helmets for this
very reason.
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