Car Seat Tips

As safety freaks, my husband and I did a TON of research on car seats before finally choosing the Chicco KeyFit. We even asked other new and experienced parents we know for their opinions. When we tested the car seats at a local store, the KeyFit really stood out for several reasons. The major selling point was how simple it is to click the car seat into the base or into the matching stroller–you can even do this with just one hand! The mechanisms literally do all the work for you! The only time you need two hands is when you are lifting the car seat out of the stroller or base. It also features built in “bubble levels” to help you make sure that the car seat is properly in place and allows for seat belt or latch methods of securing the seat or base (seat can be secured in cars without the base).

We had originally planned on a bigger baby, but since our son arrived six weeks early…we got a 4 pounder instead! The NICU nurses were very happy to find out that we already had the car seat they were going to recommend for our itty bitty baby. To be released from the NICU, our son had to sit in his car seat for 90 straight minutes without having any medical issues. That is a long time for a baby to sit in a car seat, but he didn’t mind because he was SO comfortable.

The harness is 5 point (very safe!) and has neck cushions over the straps to keep them from cutting into or making your baby uncomfortable.

We love that the adjustable carrying handle can also be used to help keep the car seat from rocking when maneuvered into the down position. The sun/light shade is a great help as well. My only complaint is that it would be nicer if the sun/light shade came down or out one more notch for a little more protection.

Our four pounder has now grown to a 3 month 11 pounder…and his car seat has adjusted wonderfully with his growth.

Key Features
Car Seat Type:Infant
Seating Direction:Rear Facing
Stay-in Car Base:With Detachable Base
Restraint System:5-Point Safety Harness
Adjustable Harness Height:No Harness Height Adjustment
Adjustable Recline Positions:Adjustable Recline Positions

Other Features
Weight Limit:Up to 22 lbs.
Height Limit:Up to 29 In.
Carry handle:With Carry Handle
Head Protection:With Headrest

Miscellaneous
:23758933

Details

This versatile infant car seat allows parents to transport baby safely and comfortably from home to car and from car to stroller without disturbing baby.

Let me start by saying we had an extremely fussy 4-month old. She absolutely hated being in the car - she screamed from the minute she goes in her infant seat until you take her out. You would think she would fall asleep during a 40 minute drive - nope, not a wink.

I got this car seat to use in my car for my nephew when he was about 1 1/2 years old. I have a pretty small car and a small backseat, but it fit pretty well. I have had 4 adults plus the car seat in the car at once without it being to horribly cramped. The buckles were nice to have somewhat complicated, because he has a habit of bucking things to understand how to unbuckle them, and this was no exception. But he never got the puzzle lock to work quite right. They were not so complicated that I could get him in before he let out the first scream at the injustice of being placed in a seat (every car seat, highchair, etc. is torture in his mind.

My main problem with this seat is that very soon after we installed it, the buckle became much harder to undo. I would almost bruise my thumb pushing the button. Finally, it got to the point that one day, the buckle would NOT unbuckle at all. I got him out after struggling with the straps enough to pull him out past the buckle. He found it very fun and tried to buckle the top back togther the entire time. Like I said, almost great.

Key Features
Car Seat Type:Booster
Seating Direction:Forward Facing

Other Features
Weight Limit:Up to 100 lbs.
Head Protection:With Headrest

Miscellaneous
:22504406

Details

Belt positioning booster designed for children 22-100 lbs. Can be used with 5-point harness up to 50 lbs. 5-point harness with antiskid comfort pads. Adjustable headres with shoulder belt guides. Extended headres support with side impact protection. Removable cup holder can be used on either side.

Key Features
Car Seat Type:Booster
Seating Direction:Forward Facing
Stay-in Car Base:No Detachable Base
Restraint System:Vehicle Seat Belts

Other Features
Weight Limit:30 - 100 lbs.
Height Limit:38 - 57 In.
Head Protection:With Headrest
Additional Features:Articulating Armrests

Miscellaneous
:37398345

Details

The Compass B510 Folding Adjustable Booster Car Seat is lightweight and ideal for travel and storage because it folds down with a convenient built-in carry handle. It comes with many convenient safety features like a 6-position height adjustment, an extra wide comfortable seat and energy-absorbing EPS headrest with wings that improves neck impact protection. The flip-up armrests make it easy for your child to climb in and out by himself and also have retractable cup holders for juice boxes or cans. This model includes improved safety and convenient features.

The Century SE 5-Point (SmartMoves) car seat is way up there, tops in my opinion in the category of rear and forward-facing seats.

Our daughter had to get out of her infant seat at 6 months because she was entirely too long for it, and we chose the Century seat because it had a lot of space, a five-point harness system, excellent padding and was on sale at Toys R Us. Also, it didn’t have the overhead restraint system that makes me fear for pinched fingers, skin and a feeling of claustrophobia with that bulky thing around a child.

Here’s the first booster I purchased. I had much to learn! I was lured in by the small price tag, a reliable brand name, and the thoughts of my son enjoying a bit more freedom while riding in the back seat. It came home with us, Ethan riding along trying to figure out whether or not he liked it. I decided by the end of the month whether I liked it or not. Read on….

Key Features
Car Seat Type:Booster
Seating Direction:Forward Facing
Restraint System:Vehicle Seat Belts

Other Features
Weight Limit:30 - 80 lbs.
Carry handle:No Carry Handle
Head Protection:No Headrest

Miscellaneous
:20709256

Details

Belt-positioning booster for children 30-80 pounds. 3-position belt guides on both sides. Removable cup/juice box holder on left side. Padded armrests for added child comfort. Roomy seat has comfort-support sides for napping. Polypropylene molded shell. Comfortable, padded fabric cover. Meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, including crash testing head excursion limits. FAA regulations prohibit use on aircraft as belt-positioning booster.

My husband and I bought this carseat when we were expecting our daughter. It was quite easy to install in our minivan, even using the seatbelt. I didn’t like the leveling position, however. It’s simply a straight line on the seat. The carseat I have now has a ball that shows if it is level. This wasn’t a huge concern, however. It was easy to detach from the base and the carrying handle was easy to lay back. I wish the straps were easier to adjust. You have to adjust them from the back of the carseat and “hold” the straps in place to get them adjusted. A little difficult with a newborn! Also, after many uses, it seemed to get a little harder to get it to snap onto the base each time. The only other design “flaw” would be the puzzle-type crotch buckle. What infant can undo a buckle?! Otherwise, it is a great seat. The cover comes off easily for washing and the rain guard was easy to install.

I bought this as a travel system and it fit beautifully with the stroller. It was quite easy to put on and off the stroller, as well.

I would highly recommend this seat. It’s a great carseat, with an excellent crash rating, for not a lot of money.