Welcome to my incredibly-Wordy-Wednesday. Don't mind me while I vent.
I am so overwhelmed about CAR SEATS right now that I'm starting to shut down. I'm thinking that maybe we'll just avoid driving anywhere for the next eight years so that I won't have to be involved with them.
I've been asking everyone I know, searching the Internet, and trying desperately to figure out what's the best car seat. There are so many criteria to fill! I want it to be safe (not just kind of safe, really safe... I'm not exactly known for my driving skills), and comfortable, and last FOREVER - because I cannot go through this again. It also needs to be easy to get in and out of the car, because judging by the prices I think we'll just be buying one.
Oh, and lets not forget that once I find one that fits those criteria, there's the possibility that it might not fit in my car.
I just about think I have it all figured out, when I come across some terrible review, or a friend tells me that they had a bad experience with that model, and POOF, back to square one!
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And now follow me onto a rear-facing tangent...
During the course of this lovely process I have stumbled upon lots of information about how much safer rear-facing car seats are versus their front facing counter-parts.
I was so looking forward to getting to turn my little Bug around and get to see her happy face in my rear-view mirror when she turned one. But now, the research has forced me to consent that we will stay rear facing as long as we can... go here to read more.
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So tell me, what car seat do you have? Why do you love it or hate it?
And just in case you are having similar problems, here's a pretty good board with lots of information to confuse you: IVillage CarSeats.
Car Seats Make Me CRAZY
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8 comments:
we have used the britax roundabout and have really loved it. It is by no means the cheapest, but the reviews are really good about how safe it is.
And....you can get a cow print for the cover. Are you now sold?
we have the britax regent....it is one of the only car seats that stays a 5 point harness seat up to 80lbs which makes it very safe..it is ranked #1 on consumer reports for safety....it is proven that in a hard hit collision seat belts do come undone..so it is best to be in a 5 point harness as long as they have to be in a car seat and not be in a booster with a seat belt. It is expensive however it is the last car seat you have to buy before they sit in your car seat itself. It is also worth it for the safety part although the big expense. We bought one of these car seats...it is huge but it has been great..we do not switch it from one car to another..that maybe a challenge if you plan to. I keep it in my car which is what we drive with Owen about 90% of the time. We bought the evenflo triumph car seat for our second car...it was a cheaper option but still ranks very high on the safety list...the kids grow out of this seat at 50lbs. and then you can move them to your safe britax one. We plan to have more kids so the oldest child will always be in the Brtiax as it is the safest up to 80lbs. and the younger will be in the evenflo as it is just as safe until 50lbs when they are ready to move to the britax and then the older child would move out of a car seat all together. The cover also comes off so you can wash it. The Britax doesnt have any bells and whistles...it is a car seat meant for safety and this one ranks #1 so we got it. I have moved the Evenflo from one car to another and it is easier to move than th ebritax however it only goes to 50lbs and then you will have to buy a boost in which boosters are only seat belt secure not 5 point harness. I feel it has been well worth the money. We asked for money towards it for Owen's first birthday and it workes well. let me know if you have other questions...I know it is hard, we researched it a long time before deciding on them. Also if you order it online it is cheaper than in the stores and usually has free shipping.
I am Karla Rausch's cousin and happened to see your blog entry. We have 4 kids and currently have 2 toddlers in Evenflo Triumph car seats. These aren't as expensive as the Britax, but still rated well on consumer reports (at least when we bought them 3 years ago)! We have twins that we are getting ready to transition out of the baby seats and are thinking about getting the Radian 65 or Radian 80 by Sunshine products because they are narrow and can fit 3 side by side in a van or car. They collapse for easy movement and are rated well in crash tests. I don't have them yet, but thought I would share the info. Good luck! It is something that is stressing us out at the moment as well!
I don't know you but I am friend's with Amy Domingo so I happen by your site from time to time. We have the Evenflo Triumph DLX. I just got it last week and we love it! We got it from Babies "R" Us. It wasn't as expensive as a Britax, but like others have said has really good ratings. Super easy to install and looks really well made. It is rear facing until 30ish pounds and then forward facing until 50 pounds. Good luck! I would go with an Evenflo Triumph for the money and the quality!
Holy Cow...now I'm stressing out about it and I've still got several months before Owen is in a big boy car seat. Keep the great advice coming and thank you, Heather, for bringing the craziness of it all to my attention! I'll get started on this right away... :)
Hey Heather! There are some nurses and other health care workers that are car seat certified through a special program (I am not one of them). Maybe someone at your doctor's office is or can get you in touch with someone who is. I asked one of the girls who is certified here and she said any car seat that has a 5 point harness and will go from 20-40lbs of weight. She also said as long as Bug is over a year and over 20 lbs that front facing should be okay. Good luck!
I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who commented. You were GREAT BIG HELPS!
We did finally order a car seat and can't wait to try it out!
Someone mentioned that the 5 point harness is the same on all car seats however on all car seats the 5 point is the same BUT only until 40lbs.....only the Britax at this point STAYS a 5 point harness after 40lbs....it stays 5 point till 80lbs. On all other car seats after 40lbs you have to switch to a booster seat which then you become protected only by your car's seat belt...and thatis what is not safe...ALL car seats with high safety rating are great UNTIL 40lbs but after 40lbs you have to have a Britax at this point to STAY in a 5 point harness..just wanted to clear that up for those looking on here. Trust me we did almost a half of year research before switching Owen to his Britax Regent...which we LOVE and know he will forever be safe in!
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