July 22, 2008

Car Seat

I just spent the past 10 minutes or so asking the following question as a comment on some of your blogs... I decided to just ask it here to save time.

Matthew has outgrown his infant car seat (>22 lbs). I have no idea which one to get now. I have spent the last several weeks researching and am actually more confused about the whole thing than I was in the beginning. Since he is less than a year old the seat will still need to be rear facing. We have a very small car with a tiny back seat (something that will hopefully change in the near future, but not before we need a new car seat). Most of the reviews on the seats I've looked at complain about how huge these things are.

So tell me, what is your favorite car seat? What do you like/dislike about the seat you have? Do you wish you had a different one? Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry this post doesn't have video or pictures. I will try and post again later with something more interesting. :)

10 comments:

Testing said...

did you get the email reply i sent a link? we wanted one that was versitile but still light enough for travel. this one has gone through a lot of airports and car switching. also, make sure it goes up to the 40 lbs limit, then they can use a booster seat until they're older (8 years old or 80 lbs here in HI)

Carli said...

so I just got her an amazing car seat at babies r us. It is a graco safe seat for up to 40 pounds. What I love is that it reclines in 3 different positions which makes it comfy for her to sleep in. It is way soft and padded. We broke it in on a trip to yellowstone and she loved it! It was only 130.00 too! Let me know if you want a picture of it.

Paige said...

http://www.albeebaby.com/fiprsavodeco1.html
is made by the makers of the expensive Britax car seats. my friend has it and it is great. though it is the larger size, it should fit in the back of your accord.

I don't know if there is Target over there, but the Britax Roundabout is super nice, though it only goes up to 40 pounds, very safe european designed seat. Britax is discontinue-ing the model so here and in Texas at least they are marked at 50% off. They are consumer reports top rated. They also don't take up very much room.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-9394105-3276660?ASIN=B000PGB0MQ&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000PGB0MQ|Britax_Roundabout_Convertible_Infant_Car_Seat_Latte&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000PGB0MQ&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

If you are not worried about the rear facing issue and just want to be able to get a car seat that will last you until you never need a car seat again, go with the Graco Nautilus.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8112222

I would NOT get the Cosco Alpha Omega 3 in 1. It is also called the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1. We had it with Hyrum & all we had was problems. I mailed the dumb thing back to them twice because the straps would not tighten or something would break. Then I would have to buy another one to use while they were mailing me a new seat back.

So I am a little bit baby research crazy these days...go figure. Good luck! I am curious to know what you end up with. Also, when are you guys moving back to Texas?

Stephanie said...

We use Britax. I love this seat because it is comfortable and roomy and very padded. I know Krystyn uses them too and she has a website where you can get them very discounted and in any pattern because in the store they are sometimes a bit pricey!
Good Luck!

Scotts of Paradise said...

We have two Britax - one Roundabout and the Decathalon. We love both. They are always at the top of the Highway Safety Report crash test list. The Roundabout is better when they have to be rear facing because it's way smaller. I made the mistake of buying the Decathalong before she was born and it was way too big. If you want let me know, I can price it for you at the military store. Then you won't have to be pay shipping.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Yep, Steph is right. I love our Britax. We have a Boulevard, which is a little bigger, but you could do the Marathon which is significantly smaller. They both goes up to 65lbs. I think Steph has the Marathon. With your little man being as big as he is, I would recommend one that goes up to 65lbs and is convertible. And, yes, they are pricey, but they last for the length of time your kiddo will be in it. They are ranked highest!

Check travelingtikes.com They have free shipping (I think HI is included.) They have some of them on sale.

A friend has the Alpha Omega and hates it!!! I've also heard good things about the Graco Comfort Sport (it reclines while it's installed).

If you want to email me, feel free..the address is on my blog.

AnnaYoung said...

I've read that the child has to be heavier than 22poiunds AND longer than. . well I cna't remeber the length requirement, but I remeber reading and hearing during the baies r us carseat training that the child had to exceed BOTH the height and weight requirement before they go into the bigger, front facing seat. . . I'm sure this doens't help with your research, but I just thought I'd share.

The Youngs said...

I love our car seat. It's the Eddie Bauer 3 in 1. It goes up to 100 pounds. Is Matthew too long? Caleb was too long for a little bit but I just had him tough it out until he was 11 1/2 months and then put him front facing. My doctor said even if they are the height and length requirement they have to be at least over 11 months because to sit forward because of their neck muscles. Well good luck!

Alicia said...

I didn't do a TON of research before buying the next seat from Makoa. When he was >22 lbs we bought the COSCO brand seat from walmart. It can face backwards and then forwards after a year old. It is big a bulky, no doubt. But he grew right into it, and can still use it at 18 months old... and will be able to to use it for a while longer (until 40 lbs, I think). Probably not much a help - but that's just us. :)

Veronica said...

Wow I'm so behind in my commenting! I wish I could help w/ carseats. I have yet to find one I love. I'm going to check into the one Carli suggested!