Any recommendations for cozy carseats for 13 hour drive with 2 yo

[tlbwriter]

As far as the footrest, we were discussing it at a local meeting and I honestly felt it was a better idea that what we've seen some parents using already--no offense tblwriter--but buckets, upside-down totes and other items are so rigid and can be thrown around in a crash.

None taken.

I thought the fact that this product was secured under the seat and very soft was a nice alternative. Some of the other techs disagreed, but couldn't really pinpoint an answer why.

I thought it was because it went under the seat... perhaps it was too padded or something. Anyway, I don't know if it would work with a booster, but I'd love to find something safe that would. Short of buying a $$$ Recaro booster that comes with a footrest, that is!

 

[dtsaos]

I'm curious how the Toddler Coddler works, is this the right product?
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/33179/325781/117.html#readmore

How is this attached to the seat? I've not seen this one before and was wondering how it stays in place and whether or not any part of the padding is underneath the child's shoulders or neck?

As far as the footrest, we were discussing it at a local meeting and I honestly felt it was a better idea that what we've seen some parents using already--no offense tblwriter--but buckets, upside-down totes and other items are so rigid and can be thrown around in a crash. I thought the fact that this product was secured under the seat and very soft was a nice alternative. Some of the other techs disagreed, but couldn't really pinpoint an answer why.

yes, that is the product I was referring to, but I have no idea how it attaches. I also have to agree about the upside down totes and buckets-etc. Just doesn't seem like a safe alternative to me, and dito-no offense tblwriter.

 

[tlbwriter]

I should specify that the bucket in question is a lightweight thing that kids can use to make sand castles. It weighs less than my purse (well, lots of things do ). But I appreciate the comments.

 

[dtsaos]

How big do kids have to be to use a booster seat instead of a car seat?

 

[welovedis]

the bucket in question is a lightweight thing that kids can use to make sand castles.

Ahh that makes a little more sense, lol!

I think the footrest is not much different that a seat protector that goes under the carseat. As long as the underside is non-slip then it should be fine, IMO.

I don't know enough about the Toddler Coddler to say something one way or another about it. However, if it attaches to the seat in anyway that would connect it to the straps or place the product under the child's shoulder or body (where it should be in contact with the seat) then I would not use it, JMHO.


LOL about the Recaro seats, I never thought they were worth it until I saw one at an Expo, bought it on the spot with the footrest. My DS (who is 8 1/2) won't ride in a car without it.
If anyone's interested, here's their site:
http://www.recarochildseats.com/

 

[tlbwriter]

LOL about the Recaro seats, I never thought they were worth it until I saw one at an Expo, bought it on the spot with the footrest.

{sigh...} I'd love one, but I'll never convince DD to give up this:

 

[welovedis]

Thanks for that pic, I'd never seen one of the Princess seats, very cute. And the Turbo Booster is a great seat at a great price!

 

[tjmw2727]

Unfortunately, many of the things One Step Ahead carries aren't particularly safe. You shouldn't add aftermarket products (like play trays, padding, etc.) to a carseat. Luckily the Marathon already comes with pads to keep the straps from rubbing on your child's neck. And a pillow is fine. The Toddler Coddler is okay if it doesn't go between the child and the carseat.

I haven't read past here but I wanted to back up the above statement. Never add "accessories" to your CSR as they can often cause injury in the event of an accident. Many of these add on's have sharp edges or objects or can cause suffication in a child who has sustained an injury.

While on the subject, esp on a long drive, make sure to have the car packed properly and as few loose objects as possible. They can become projectiles even in a sudden stop.

I also totall agree that a Britax is a great investment, particularly for a 2yo who will get lots of use. If possible give it a try in the vehicle first to make sure you get a good fit, as others have said it is very big.

TJ

 

[beth_cam]

Booster seats say 30lbs or up BUT the only reason for this is some kids get too tall for a regular seat but are still under 40lbs. The child really need to be tall and broad enough for the seat to fit properly. As well as there needs to be a maturity level where the child can and will sit properly in the seat (not trying to get out of the belt, keeping belt over shoulder not under arm, sitting straight in seat). Another thing is how the 'relax' in the seat if my 4 year old even gets drowsy not even fully sleeping he tends to slip to one side of the other, either out from behind the belt,or to the otherside sot he belt is accross his neck. It really isnt an appropriate alternative for a Child under 4 unless he is too tall/heavy for a regular carseat. And this on a long trip - well sleeping in these seats can be difficult, not just the head lolls since nothing really holds the body up. This can be helped some if your seatbelts lock by pulling them all the way out. A really good booster seat as far as padding goes is the evenflo one but the delux brown one with reading lights on it. I've never felt another seat like it for padding except the britax.


I really liked the britax seats especially since they allow you to keep a child in a 5 pt harness after 40 lbs. Both my kids were getting too tall in their carseats closing in on 40 lbs , but never seemed to be able to get comfy in a booster. However the britax that is for infants rearfacing as well as for older children, my older child (not quite 4) was already too small. ANd the bigger one that I couldnt install well in the car.

We really liked the Cosco Alpha Omega It was pretty padded and I was always very disappointed with anything elses padding (till the evenflo booster). There are 2 different models one with a 5pt harness and one with a 3pt harness and a pull over bar. (a lot of people feel the 3pt with a bar isnt as safe but they do both pass the same safety standards). Once the children got that big, they really liked the pull over bar since they could kind of use it as a table. You can get these with delux fabrics as well. THe cost about 100 less than the britax but as far as I know you can still only use the harness through 40lbs. However there are seatbelt guides so it can be used as a booster up to I think 100 lbs. about the 3pt: Neither of my children had a prayer of getting out of this on thier own. It was impossible for them to be able to get to the release latch due to its location and the fact that the bar wouldnt let them get there. It has very simple strap adjustments.

A tip : while looking at carseats, run your hand with very very firm pressure up and down the BACK of the seat. 1 seat we had,(I am a carseat conoseour? lol ) the kids got bruises on their backs there was a kind of lump in the back and I have found that several other seats have a similar spot in them. Their is a kind of cut out but somehow the top of the cut out ends up being a lump.

Another tip : if the carseat can be properly secured this way, lean the vehicle seat back a good bit so the child can be more comfortable. We tried several different things made for this and different seats to no avail the only thing that works is tilting the seat back.

 

[MommytoMJM]

{sigh...} I'd love one, but I'll never convince DD to give up this:

ROTFLMMEO!!! That is what we have for DD too!

 

[amylucinda]

I've actually made incredibly light footrests out of the $5 rolled-up, blue camping pads at Walmart. They weigh next to nothing. I leave them rolled up, put them in a pillowcase, and secure the roll with Army velcro boot blousers (2" wide elastic with velcro on both ends to form a circle.) Then this gets secured to the nearest seat floor attachments with more boot blousers through the blousers encircling the pad.

It's large and somewhat stiff, but lightweight with no sharp edges. They get squished down after awhile, but then I just rotate them 90 degrees to squish them back the other way.

I couldn't find the pad on Walmart's website, but I believe it's just like this one, which weighs 10 ounces:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...ngId=-1&addon=374053-374059&ext_cat=undefined


And the boot blousers:

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/boot-blousers.htm

 

[DizChick05]

Britax carseats will be the way to go!!!

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

What's your budget? A Britax Marathon would be a great choice. Britax seats are well-padded, and since the Marathon can be used up to 65 lb with the harness, it will last you a good long time. But they're on the pricey side (about $240).

We invested in this seat when my DD was still facing backwards as the seat we had was made of a non-breathable fabric and she was sweating herself to death.

This is the BEST seat I have ever seen. Nicely padded, safe and even though it is expensive, will last so long we will definitely get our money out of it.

Toys or Babies R Us puts out pretty good coupons quite regularly for car seats over a certain price. We waited for one of these coupons to come out and bought the seat then.