Car Seat suggestions

[Queen2PrincessG]

Threebean- For Christ sake we all get. You are great at your job but at the end of the day we are the parents and it is our choice and to be blunt I don't care because it's my sanity I have to think of no one elses. Yes, Icould die drink a glass of water but that doesn't stop me from drinking. There are a thousand what ifs in this world she is 6 months shy of 2 and like I KEEP SAYING WE WILL TRY THE REAR FACING!!! but I HIGHLY DOUBT she will be happy Give it a rest, please. You're making it hostile.

Seanaci- Thanks! Thank you for being honset and sharing your "bad parenting" confession. LOL!

We went to BRU but they didn't have a Boulevard for us to try. We are hitting another tomorrow to see the difference.

 

[ThreeBeans]

*facepalm*

You're of course entitled to do whatever you want. And, no, it is not hostile to correct grossly inaccurate statements that could lead to a child's death.

Don't mistake your not wanting to feel badly for a legitimate 'choice'. You can choose to do any number of very bad things, but it doesn't make it legitimate.

The only hostility I see is coming from people who are motivated by guilt.

Six months from two is meaningless, since two is a bare minimum.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Guilt? I'm confused, what do I have to feel guilty of? think you are mistaken. What you see is "I hear what you are saying but frankly...."

Is it me or are all the car seat fabrics ridiculous warm?

 

[Lavaluma]

Personally, I love the Britax Marathon. After extensive research, I chose the Marathon based on its reviews and ratings. When we first transitioned my oldest son into it, he was a lot more comfortable and that made our car rides much more bearable. He is still in that car seat and probably will be for a while longer. He isn't 40 pounds yet so he cannot move into a booster seat. I'm not in a hurry though, I've joked with my husband that we'll just wait until he reaches the 65 pound limit of the car seat even if he's 10. At first it took me at least 15 minutes to switch his car seat to a different vehicle. Now, it takes less than 5 minutes.
We loved this seat so much, that we bought my youngest the Marathon as well. The design is a little different. Only my oldest son can tell the difference between the seats. They're comfortable for the kids and we feel safer with our kids in them than we would with other car seats.
The only complaints we have are about how hot the car seats get during the summer (that may be all car seats) and one flaw with the design of the cover on the older model. When my oldest was about 20 months, he could reach down and loosen his harness while we were driving down the road. After a few times of getting in trouble, he stopped loosening the harness. Now, it's not an issue on the newer model because they changed the design of the cover so that the child cannot reach their hand in to pull on the lever as easily.

 

[*Seanaci*]

1st paragraph: Ah, the Evenflo Generations, that makes sense. The Evenflo Generations is a forward facing combination seat, so not appropriate for the OP's child. It also has rather short top harness position so it doesn't last very long in harnessed mode despite a 65 lb weight limit. It also makes a really, really poor belt positioning booster when the time comes (it rates very poorly on the IIHS scale, because it positions the belt incorrectly on the abdomen, which can be catastrophic in a crash.) There are several great combination seats, but unfortunately the Generations isn't one of them.


Second paragraph: Uh, no. Yes, it's a guideline, meaning that it's not legally required. It's also not legally required that I refrain from buying my kids cigarettes and encouraging them to smoke once they turn 18. That wouldn't be breaking the law! But I would be making an EXTREMELY STUPID "choice". Laws take a long time to catch up to science. It took us YEARS to get booster laws (and we don't even have them in all states), despite the fact that we knew unboostered kids were dying unnecessarily. Being a legal choice DOES NOT MEAN IT'S OK. It's still a BAD choice.

Third paragraph: yes, it's extremely important that the seat is installed correctly, which is why everyone should see a CPST. It is NOT true, however, that as long as the seat is installed correctly, 'everything is ok'. If a one year is in a crash in a forward facing crash, the consquence can be broken neck, massive head injuries, paralysis, brain damage and death. Not ok.

With all due respect to what you do professionally for your job, all I see in your posts is a)scolding myself for my choice of carseat (I researched carseats...maybe not in enough detail, but I did my homework and we chose the Generations booster/carseat)...and b)continuing to scold the OP about her choice in wanting to forward face her daughter at 18 months. You are more than welcome to disagree...but continually posting and scolding and shoving your knowledge down everyones virtual throat is...disgusting...and I for one am no longer impressed with the knowledge.

Strollers and carseats...subjects that should be banned from the DISboards. >_< (Sorry OP... not blaming you or trying to make you feel guilty for asking for ADVICE and SUGGESTIONS on carseats.)

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I know I already posted that we really like our Britax Boulevard but I wanted to add that my son is also 17 1/2 months old and was 34 in. long and 24 lbs. at his 15 month check up so he is pretty similar in weight and just a little longer than your DD and he fits very comfortably in his seat. We live in California and have the Waverly fabric on our seat and I think it is a great fabric esp. in the heat. I think your DD should be a lot more comfortable in a convertible car seat. I find it very easy to install and uninstall and I believe it is one of the few carseats that can be tethered RF. I know if I am wrong, someone on here will correct me on that. We also had ours installed by a certified technician. I have seen in here that it is only for very short kids but our son is very tall for his age and we haven't had any issues with the height. Good luck on whatever seat you choose!

 

[LaurenLC]

We have a Britax Boulevard 70 CS and couldn't be happier with it. Our daughter seems VERY happy in it. I know that it is recommended that children stay rear facing until 2 or they outgrow the rear facing weight limit. We plan on keeping our daughter rear facing until that time, but if she starts looking uncomfortable in her seat before that time we’re moving it.

 

[miclebarbossa]

The AAP has information on topics ranging from car safety seats to school buses to teen Convertible Car Seat Suggestions CAR SEATS General Child Safety Seat Questions.

 

[ThreeBeans]

With all due respect to what you do professionally for your job, all I see in your posts is a)scolding myself for my choice of carseat (I researched carseats...maybe not in enough detail, but I did my homework and we chose the Generations booster/carseat)...and b)continuing to scold the OP about her choice in wanting to forward face her daughter at 18 months. You are more than welcome to disagree...but continually posting and scolding and shoving your knowledge down everyones virtual throat is...disgusting...and I for one am no longer impressed with the knowledge.

Strollers and carseats...subjects that should be banned from the DISboards. >_< (Sorry OP... not blaming you or trying to make you feel guilty for asking for ADVICE and SUGGESTIONS on carseats.)

Then feel free not to read what I am about to say.

You recommended a seat that is not a good choice for almost any child. I am doing due diligence for other people who are reading the recommendation. If you wish to ignore this advice and use the seat as a booster when it is unsafe in that mode out of sheer orneriness, I can't say I understand, but hey, we're all free to do dumb things.

What I'm seeing here is defensiveness. No one likes to be told that they're doing something wrong, something dangerous, something that could seriously injure or kill their children. Smart parents, however, take new information into account. I know I've learned things from people who knew more than I did, and my response, once I got over my embarrassment, was to change my poor decision, because my child's safety is worth more than my pride or minor aggravation.

Car seats are not pretty decorative toys. They are not there because you liked the cover and, dang it, the state requires you to have one.

They are there because car accidents are over all the number one accidental killer of US kids. This means if someone asks for 'advice and suggestions'...he should be looking for that advice from someone who knows what he or she is talking about. And that means if a CPST (and three or four of them have replied to this thread) says, "Hey, what you are suggesting could kill your child. Please reconsider," an intelligent parent will realize that he is making an error. He won't get hostile and insulting in the way that you or the OP are doing.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I know I already posted that we really like our Britax Boulevard but I wanted to add that my son is also 17 1/2 months old and was 34 in. long and 24 lbs. at his 15 month check up so he is pretty similar in weight and just a little longer than your DD and he fits very comfortably in his seat. We live in California and have the Waverly fabric on our seat and I think it is a great fabric esp. in the heat. I think your DD should be a lot more comfortable in a convertible car seat. I find it very easy to install and uninstall and I believe it is one of the few carseats that can be tethered RF. I know if I am wrong, someone on here will correct me on that. We also had ours installed by a certified technician. I have seen in here that it is only for very short kids but our son is very tall for his age and we haven't had any issues with the height. Good luck on whatever seat you choose!

THANKS for the advice and recommendation. Good to know the Waverly pattern will stay cool in the car. California sunshine is a lot more than we get so that is very good to know. Glad I'm not the only one with a tall peanut!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

We have a Britax Boulevard 70 CS and couldn't be happier with it. Our daughter seems VERY happy in it. I know that it is recommended that children stay rear facing until 2 or they outgrow the rear facing weight limit. We plan on keeping our daughter rear facing until that time, but if she starts looking uncomfortable in her seat before that time we’re moving it.

Thanks Lauren!

BTW your daughter is a cutie pie! Is the picture below of her getting her first pair of ears? My DD will be getting her first official pair this fall.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Then feel free not to read what I am about to say.

You recommended a seat that is not a good choice for almost any child. I am doing due diligence for other people who are reading the recommendation. If you wish to ignore this advice and use the seat as a booster when it is unsafe in that mode out of sheer orneriness, I can't say I understand, but hey, we're all free to do dumb things.

What I'm seeing here is defensiveness. No one likes to be told that they're doing something wrong, something dangerous, something that could seriously injure or kill their children. Smart parents, however, take new information into account. I know I've learned things from people who knew more than I did, and my response, once I got over my embarrassment, was to change my poor decision, because my child's safety is worth more than my pride or minor aggravation.

Car seats are not pretty decorative toys. They are not there because you liked the cover and, dang it, the state requires you to have one.

They are there because car accidents are over all the number one accidental killer of US kids. This means if someone asks for 'advice and suggestions'...he should be looking for that advice from someone who knows what he or she is talking about. And that means if a CPST (and three or four of them have replied to this thread) says, "Hey, what you are suggesting could kill your child. Please reconsider," an intelligent parent will realize that he is making an error. He won't get hostile and insulting in the way that you or the OP are doing.

Yes, but you keep repeating yourself like a broken record AND THAT is what the problem is. We hear you loud and very clear the FIRST TIME. You're tone is very insulting and while you might think peoples responses are stated out of "guilt or shame" it's more because your responses are repetitive. In the end we are going to make he choices we want to and we have to deal with all they entail. Just like the mom that allows her kid to only eat chicken nuggets and grilled cheeses. Or the parent who smokes in the car with their child inside. You do what you think is best and you pray things work out. The other issue is that none of what you are saying is LAW or Ticket Issuing. I'm not going to get a ticket for face forwarding my daughter but I would get a ticket if I did not have my seatbelt on.

You're seeking something that i'm not giving you 3beans. You're never going to get it either. No one has been hostile or insulting to you if anything you have been that way towards others here and that is just not the way of the family board. I respect your job and your education and what you are informing me of but i don't respect how you are doing it.

As Nick Jr says, We aren't perfect we're parents.

 

[Angeni11]

Both our boys have a Britax Marathon and like them. We had to move the littlest one into one at 6 months because he was to tall for the infant one at that point (was over 100% in height then). We did a lot of research with safety being a priority.

Both our sons have very long torsos and they should be able to use the seats for quite a while longer. We even had to buy a new stroller because of their torso height (my soon to be 2 year old doesn't fit in most umbrella strollers due to this). They also look very comfy in them and sleep quite well in them as well (which mommy loves).

As for the rear facing vs. front facing all I am going to say is you should do what you think is safest for your child.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Yes, but you keep repeating yourself like a broken record AND THAT is what the problem is. We hear you loud and very clear the FIRST TIME. You're tone is very insulting and while you might think peoples responses are stated out of "guilt or shame" it's more because your responses are repetitive. In the end we are going to make he choices we want to and we have to deal with all they entail. Just like the mom that allows her kid to only eat chicken nuggets and grilled cheeses. Or the parent who smokes in the car with their child inside. You do what you think is best and you pray things work out. The other issue is that none of what you are saying is LAW or Ticket Issuing. I'm not going to get a ticket for face forwarding my daughter but I would get a ticket if I did not have my seatbelt on.

You're seeking something that i'm not giving you 3beans. You're never going to get it either. No one has been hostile or insulting to you if anything you have been that way towards others here and that is just not the way of the family board. I respect your job and your education and what you are informing me of but i don't respect how you are doing it.

As Nick Jr says, We aren't perfect we're parents.

I have been perfectly civil for this entire exchange. Both you and the other poster have called names, ("Disgusting", anyone?)

You are conflating a legal issue with a safety issue.

You should have been clear from the beginning. Perhaps from now on if you place the disclaimer, "I am only interested in what I have to do legally to avoid a ticket. Please don't give me any information about keeping my child safe." Then you will avoid being annoyed by people who incorrectly assume you wanted actual information. Cheers.

 

[ThreeBeans]

As for the rear facing vs. front facing all I am going to say is you should do what you think is safest for your child.

*facepalm*

Someone thinking something else is safest doesn't change physics. PSA.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I have been perfectly civil for this entire exchange. Both you and the other poster have called names, ("Disgusting", anyone?)

You are conflating a legal issue with a safety issue.

You should have been clear from the beginning. Perhaps from now on if you place the disclaimer, "I am only interested in what I have to do legally to avoid a ticket. Please don't give me any information about keeping my child safe." Then you will avoid being annoyed by people who incorrectly assume you wanted actual information. Cheers.

To end this: maybe you should re read my Original post "We are ready for a toddler seat. I'm not sure which to get! Right now i'm stuck between the Britax Marathon and the Boulevard.

Does anyone have either of these seats? How does your child like it?"

NEVER did I ask about opinions on rear or forward facing.

 

[ThreeBeans]

You still seem to think it's a matter of opinion. It's not.


Also, "Toddler seat" doesn't exist. There are infant seats, and convertibles. It was completely unclear that you weren't interested in safety. (Because, you know, most parents are.)

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

You still seem to think it's a matter of opinion. It's not.


Also, "Toddler seat" doesn't exist. There are infant seats, and convertibles. It was completely unclear that you weren't interested in safety. (Because, you know, most parents are.)

WOW, just wow. It is an opinion/choice. There is no law. Just a guideline. I'm not most parents good or bad it's my choice int he end. Good Luck and have a good day 3beans. You've really "opened" my eyes to the world of a CPST.

 

[starshine514]

I must admit, I didn't read all 5 pages of this thread...

I didn't realize the rules had changed about the rear-facing. With DD6, they only said rear-facing for a year. With DD4, I didn't do as much research, but I remember that they were starting to recommend extended rear-facing.

For my girls, we used an Evenflo Triumph, next I purchased the wrong seats and they had Evenflo Generations seats (not realizing how low the harness height was for these, when a kid reaches only 43 inches and then they have to move to booster mode) - my DD4 still uses these for everyday riding, my DD6 has a Britax Frontier and a Britax Parkway. I like the Frontier much better. When I purchased it, it had the heighest harness height on the market (things may have changed since then).

Anyway, I would highly recommend the Britax Frontier (which could be her last car seat), if they weren't recommending backwards seating for another 6 months for your DD. That said, I would recommend a convertible seat, but it's been so long since I used one... I must say that the Britax seats are much easier to install than the Evenflos, which allows you to have a secure fit even when you travel and are trying to install a car seat in a rental car while your family is waiting.

Be critical and don't just pay attention to the weight limits on seats. Your child is thin, so these will mean very little to you. Your child will likely exceed the height requirements long before she exceeds the weight limits. I seriously considered the Graco Nautilus for DD6, until I realized she would already need the top set of harnesses (when I went and tried it out at Babies R Us). You can go and try out the seats at Babies R Us without buying them there. I know it sounds like a horrible thing to do, but the seats can be $50 or more cheaper on Amazon... Go try out the seats you asked about and any others that you are interested in, read the reviews on Amazon as well.

Remember the best car seat is one that fits your child, fits your car and that you will use correctly every time!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I must admit, I didn't read all 5 pages of this thread...

I didn't realize the rules had changed about the rear-facing. With DD6, they only said rear-facing for a year. With DD4, I didn't do as much research, but I remember that they were starting to recommend extended rear-facing.

For my girls, we used an Evenflo Triumph, next I purchased the wrong seats and they had Evenflo Generations seats (not realizing how low the harness height was for these, when a kid reaches only 43 inches and then they have to move to booster mode) - my DD4 still uses these for everyday riding, my DD6 has a Britax Frontier and a Britax Parkway. I like the Frontier much better. When I purchased it, it had the heighest harness height on the market (things may have changed since then).

Anyway, I would highly recommend the Britax Frontier (which could be her last car seat), if they weren't recommending backwards seating for another 6 months for your DD. That said, I would recommend a convertible seat, but it's been so long since I used one... I must say that the Britax seats are much easier to install than the Evenflos, which allows you to have a secure fit even when you travel and are trying to install a car seat in a rental car while your family is waiting.

Be critical and don't just pay attention to the weight limits on seats. Your child is thin, so these will mean very little to you. Your child will likely exceed the height requirements long before she exceeds the weight limits. I seriously considered the Graco Nautilus for DD6, until I realized she would already need the top set of harnesses (when I went and tried it out at Babies R Us). You can go and try out the seats at Babies R Us without buying them there. I know it sounds like a horrible thing to do, but the seats can be $50 or more cheaper on Amazon... Go try out the seats you asked about and any others that you are interested in, read the reviews on Amazon as well.

Remember the best car seat is one that fits your child, fits your car and that you will use correctly every time!

Thank You so much for your rec. shhhhh- the seat is about $120 less on amazon so we will be purchasing it with them. BRU is good for testing but not for buying.