Georgina Wilson calls for mandatory baby seats in cars

MANILA, Philippines — As a model, ‘it’ girl and entrepreneur, Georgina Wilson-Burnand has always been seen as glamorous and fashionable.

But since becoming a mom, Georgina also wants to be known as something else: as an advocate for baby car seats.

During her recent launch as ambassador for baby supplies brand Chicco, Georgina emphasized the value of having a car seat, and not just for vanity.

“I would like to make it one of my advocacies to pay attention to children and their safety in cars. It’s so serious! If you Google what happens without a car seat, I think you would never let them get into a vehicle,” said Georgina.

She knows that car seats are “not top of mind for most Filipinos,” still, she feels strongly about kids in car seats.

“In America, for example, you cannot give birth without having a car seat. But in the Philippines, it is not that strict,” she pointed out.

According to Chicco, one of the best customer feedbacks the company received this year is when a client from South Africa shared that when she had an accident, the car rolled over several times, but the baby was unharmed and was just sleeping after the accident because of the car seat.

Thus, for Georgina, a car seat is the best gift you could give to your baby this Christmas.

Tips for traveling with baby

Georgina has been taking her baby to England since he was three weeks old, and sometimes, on her own.

Hence, for those planning to travel these holidays with their babies, she advised them to first, “Don’t be scared.”

“The baby is so much more resilient than more than you give it credit for…Actually, you’ll be surprised because babies are happy on the plane. We had so much fun in the plane. That age is the best because he will just sleep,” she shared.

Second, bring “simple and straightforward” things that could help you.

“When you’re traveling, you really have to be really efficient,” said Georgina.

Thus, among her must-haves is a Chicco Miinimo stroller that packs into a small square, which she can hand-carry and does not have to be checked in.

Likewise, her son is now walking at 10 months, thanks to a walker.

“Everyone, even on Instagram, message me and say, ‘I can’t believe your baby is walking!’” recalled Georgina.

“After being in the walker for a few weeks, he began walking. And now, he’s just unstoppable!” she narrated. “The walker is the best thing that happened to us. I didn’t expect him to start walking until he is past one. And now he started at 10 months!”

According to her, contrary to popular Filipino belief that walkers are not safe, there are those like Chicco’s walkers that have globally approved safety features. These include a clamp that automatically stops the walker from falling off the stairs, making such models safer.

So, for those traveling with their kids for the holidays, Georgina assured: “Just come prepared. Have your bag ready with everything. Don’t be scared because your baby will be just fine!”