Car seats?

[kt_mom]

Well, its time to start looking for a convertible car seat for DS. He is only 5 months old but quickly approaching 20 pounds. Its become increasingly difficult to use the infant carrier. He sits up very well with support so I think he'll do good in a rear facing car seat. He seemed to really enjoy it in the DVC van on our last trip. I think he likes being up and being able to see out the windows.

The problem is I will need to purchase two car seats. My mom keeps him during the day and she will need one for her car.

I want to get a good, safe car seat without spending a fortune. The one for my mom's car can be pretty base model because it will only be used when she goes out to pick up the girls from school each day. For our car though I would like to get something that will also be comfortable for traveling and such as he will spend much more time in this one.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bren's Mom]

For your mom's car, I'd consider either a Cosco Scenera:

http://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Scenera-40RF-Convertible-Seat/dp/B003VRXQ14

Or a Safety 1st Onside Air:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4232167

Both are good occasional use seats.

For your every day vehicle you might consider a Graco MyRide, $120 at Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Convertible-Car-Seat-Edgemont/11016293

An Evenflo Triumph Advance (any model, this is just one that's currently on sale at $101):

http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Triumph-Advance-Convertible-Harbortown/dp/B000YZD0QM

The newer Evenflo Triumph Advance 65 (the original has a 50lbs harness):

http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Triumph-Convertible-Car-Seat/dp/B003VSAW6U

$130 at Sears right now:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04988678000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2


or a Britax Roundabout 55, currently 3 different covers are $160 at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Roundabout-Convertible-Seat-Davenport/dp/B003OUWIJE

All of these will rear-face for a good long time, at least until age 2-3 for most kids. If you're not aware, rear-facing as long as possible is recommended.

Coleen
CPST

 

[Sarahlovy]

Bren's Mom gave a great run down- I just wanted to add that I LOVE our MyRide 65- Kiddo is 16 months now and we have been using it since about 8 months.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

We have a Graco my ride 65 for our main vehicle and a Cosco Scenera for my Mom's car (later DH's car when we finally live together again). We also fly with the Scenera since its so light and cheap, I don't worry if it breaks etc as much.

 

[tinker&belle]

We also have a scenera for our younger DD for her second seat. It is a great seat and a bargain as well. I don't know much about the current seats since it has been a few years, but I know there are tons more options now than there were a few years ago.

I have a Britax Regent (it doesn't rear face, so it wouldn't really apply for you) and two of the fisherprice seats that Britax made. They are similar to the Britax marathon which I know tons of people have and swear by. I took the cover off our Regent this weekend to wash and I was suprised by how thick the foam is underneath, it is really impressive.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We have the Evenflo Triumph 65 and our son really likes it. He is 20 months and still rear facing in it. He is very comfortable and it is sturdy.

 

[soonerfan2008]

I love our Radian--it rearfaces to 40 or 45 pounds, which means I can keep my kiddos riding in the safest position until 3 or 4! Kohls includes it with their 30% off sale that is going on right now!

Whatever you choose, I'd get something with a high rearfacing limit.

 

[blessedby3]

I have a Cosco Scenara for our 2nd seat...rarely used, but does the job.

For our main seat, I have the Britax Marathon.....and I just LOVE this seat. I wish I had known about these seats YEARS ago when my other 3 were in them. The non twist straps are worth the money themselves. I hate the straps that get twisted from so much use. These are wonderful and the adjusting of the straps is quick and easy. The velcro on the sides is wonderful too. No more digging the straps out from behind my dd...they are already on the sides and waiting for her to be put in! The installation is a breeze and the seat is so comfy for our dd. We put her in it at about 5 mos too. Not because she was at the weight limit in her bucket (she is only 27 pounds now at 3) but because the bucket was so uncomfortable. She loves this Britax seat. It harnesses up to like 65 pounds...I think she will be in high school then

It was a bit pricy, but I LOVE it! The cover has held up really well too! I have washed it a few times and it looks great. She has been riding in this seat for almost 3 years now

 

[disneygirl 17]

We have a Graco MyRide and love it.

The sales guys at Babies R Us said safety First car seats are return the most often - people tend to not like them once they start using them.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
The one area I will never complain about the expense is on carseats. Think about how often your child uses it and that it's your child's life it's protecting. Look at Consumer reports. We did get a great rating Graaco when my daughter was little. Although, now that we have two Britax I would never invest in any other seat

The Britax marathon should get you to 65 lbs. We just purchased the Regent for our 5 year old and it can be a five point harnass until 85 lbs.. I can't say enough about the ease of adjusting these carseats not to mention the side impact protection. Etc.

However, if you plan on using a car seat for airline travel, you will probably need a smaller seat than a Britax because at last check they were not FAA approved.

Good luck with your search. Car seats always take me days to research!

Michelle

 

[effervescent]

I used to be a huge Britax fan until we got a second kid-friendly car and I got a pair of MyRide 65s. I love, love, love that car seat! My kids are slightly smaller than average, but my newly 3yo still rides rear facing quite comfortably and my 5yo uses it forward facing. They are very affordable and install easily.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I just moved my 9 month old to the Graco MyRide. I love that seat!

 

[Swimalie]

For occasional use, I would look into the Cosco Scenara. When our son turned 5 months old we got the Britax Boulevard and we really liked it. He rear faced until 2.5 years old. But, at age 4.5 he was too tall for the straps yet we weren't ready to take him out of the 5-point harness so we bought the Britax Frontier. The Frontier is a forward facing only seat, though. I highly recommend the Boulevard if your son will be sitting next to a window without air bags or even in the center seat (which is where our son is). If he will be in a seat with air bags next to him, then I'd go with the Marathon. The main difference between the two is that the Boulevard has the wings that offer side impact protection to the head which the Marathon does not.

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I like the Cosco Scenera that was mentioned for my mom to have when she has to go out with him. For our car I think I like the Graco My Ride 65 one. Walmart has a good price on both and free shipping on the Graco.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I like the Cosco Scenera that was mentioned for my mom to have when she has to go out with him. For our car I think I like the Graco My Ride 65 one. Walmart has a good price on both and free shipping on the Graco.

The one one walmart.com for $39 and change is the older one. Still fine, it's just got a 35lb rear-facing limit instead of the 40lb rear-facing limit on the new one I linked. Just so you are aware.

And realize that not all car seats fit all vehicles well, or kids for that matter. So if you have a Babies R Us nearby, try out the MyRide in your vehicle first. They will let you take the sample seats out to the car, just ask at customer service. They usually make you leave a driver's license at the desk. See how it works in your car, and try your little one in it as well. (Be sure to try it rear AND forward-facing!) Then you'll know you're making the best possible choice.

 

[Swimalie]

One thing to check for in all seats is the height limit. Most likely your child will outgrow the height before the weight. I know my son would have outgrown the Graco seat you have mentioned in height but he's way under the weight. The Graco seat only goes to 50 inches and 65 lbs. That's pretty short for long-term use. So keep that in mind when you are looking at this next seat.

Also keep in mind with cup holders that if they don't securely keep that cup in place, then in an accident, that cup can become lose and hit someone. I'm not a fan of cup holders in kids car seats unless they have the rubber around them to really hold the cup in place.

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks for the tip about trying them out at the store. I didn't know that. I may see if my husband wants to go see what they have this weekend.

I think we'll be okay with the size and height limits though. DD is almost 8 and only a few inches over 50 and she's been out of this kind of car seat for a long time. She used a high back booster for awhile and now she sits on backless booster seat. I'm sure we'll do the same for DS when the time comes. But thanks!