Expert on Child Seats?

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Was someone here an expert on child seats? I thought there was a decent thread, but my search would not yield it. Or, I suck at the search.

Graduating from the infant bucket / carrier to the next seat. 6 month old daughter is more hitting length limits than weight limits...

Found these:
https://carseatblog.com/safest-recommended-car-seats/
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

[birddog]

We bought Diono Radian RXT's for all three of our kids. They are built like tanks and have a wide weight range. They are also narrow so depending on how many and what car they are great. We run them three wide in pretty much any car. The construction of them is better than anything else we have had. If we were doing it all over again I would buy these from the onset. Another thing that's great about them is when our kids fall asleep their heads stay supported by the wings instead is slouching forward. We used a graco before and I hated it when they slept in them because they would snore and make noise something fierce. I think they are worth your time to look at.

[CobaltSkink]

thread:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/155736-Car-seats-for-newborns-boys-times-2

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

If you have the money, roll with a good Britax seat. Not sure how much I trust some of those links. Did heavy research on mine.... Site recommending Graco? Oy. No.

What's up with the Graco?
They seem to be pretty ubiquitous at all the kiddo stores.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Thanks for the find, CobaltSkink.



After she was 2 years old/ 22 pounds/ 2 years old, we moved her to a different carseat.
For the primary car, we now use a Britax Boulevard:
http://http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Boulevard-G4-1-Convertible-Laguna/dp/B00OLRKNIW (http://http//www.amazon.com/Britax-Boulevard-G4-1-Convertible-Laguna/dp/B00OLRKNIW)
For the secondary cars, we use cheap Coscos from Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-Convertible-Car-Seat-Harper/26845779

The Cosco is about $40. The Graco is about $90. The Britax is $200+.
For an infant, I would recommend the Graco or the Britax.
The Britax does not have that flexibility, but both it and the Cosco will work from birth to at least 40 pounds.
The Britax and Cosco are both "convertibles", rear-facing or forward-facing. The Britax is very user-friendly; the Cosco not so much.

Good luck.



PS. Infants rear-facing until 22 pounds, 29 inches (about 2 years old).
Then forward-facing OK.
[Beer]
We'll hit one WAY before the other. She's already just over 26 inches, but only about 15lbs. She is just long and lean.

This is the 4th (?) recommendation for a Britax, and a friend mentioned being able to get wheels for one for airports and such. (?) Not a stroller per se like the baby carrier.
Primary, permanent vehicle will be a 2016 4 Runner. I'd like a nice one for this.
Secondary will be either a 2016 Tacoma or 2017 Crosstek or whatever the XVs are called now - my inlaws just got and we can share.

Ideally would like to get one of these on Amazon as I have almost $400 points there...

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

We bought Diono Radian RXT's for all three of our kids. They are built like tanks and have a wide weight range. They are also narrow so depending on how many and what car they are great. We run them three wide in pretty much any car. The construction of them is better than anything else we have had. If we were doing it all over again I would buy these from the onset. Another thing that's great about them is when our kids fall asleep their heads stay supported by the wings instead is slouching forward. We used a graco before and I hated it when they slept in them because they would snore and make noise something fierce. I think they are worth your time to look at.

Nice, I'll definitely look for these too. This may be a perfect Amazon buy.

[MarkCO]

Whatever you buy, install them correctly! I'd suggest you call the local FD and stop by and let them check the install before streapping a kid into it. Doing accident reconstruction, the only severe injuries to kids were when the car seat was not properly installed. If you think it is tight, it should be tighter.

I did an accident where a mom and a teen were killed (front seat) and the toddler (in the back seat) was basically unharmed due to a 40ish mph rear end impact. Car seat saved the toddler.

[jimbolay]

Our 13 month old grandson just outgrew the Graco infant car seat so we purchased a Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 which accommodates kiddos up to 80 lbs and 52 in. height. According to my daughter - this is the last car seat we need to purchase...

[MarkCO]

Have you looked here?

https://one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa_eou/info.jsp?type=all

NHTSA is pretty dogmatic and if it is on their website, it meets the safety standards. Even they will tell you it is more about the instructions and ease of use than the actual ratings.

[th3w01f]

Whatever you buy, install them correctly! I'd suggest you call the local FD and stop by and let them check the install before streapping a kid into it. Doing accident reconstruction, the only severe injuries to kids were when the car seat was not properly installed. If you think it is tight, it should be tighter.

I did an accident where a mom and a teen were killed (front seat) and the toddler (in the back seat) was basically unharmed due to a 40ish mph rear end impact. Car seat saved the toddler.

This!!!

I did about 20 hours of research before we bought a new one a few months ago and what it comes down to is that they're all very safe as long as they're installed properly and fit the child. The main differences are features, we got a Chicco with a zip off cover which has been very nice. Check Babies-R-Us they were having a great sale when we bough and it looks like there are some good sales now. The one we bought is $70 cheaper than Amazon at the moment.

Here's the Britax review that changed our mind.


We've always used Britax in the past but one feature on the new one we were looking (Advocate) at kept us from buying. Basically, if there's an accident the belt has to be cut.

"5.0 out of 5 stars (https://www.amazon.com/review/R1DMKUI2V0FW84/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B013YCXNAO&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=165796011&store=baby-products)Saved my sons life! (https://www.amazon.com/review/R1DMKUI2V0FW84/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B013YCXNAO&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=165796011&store=baby-products)
By Amazon Customer (https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1D03GN4N97W12/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp) on December 24, 2015
Color: Black We have the advocate Clicktight and I can't say enough great things about it! My son is almost 3, 40lbs and 40" and is forward facing in this seat. We recently were in a horrible accident at a high rate of speed and this seat performed the way it was suppose to! This seat saved my child's life.

The only down fall to this seat is that in the event of a crash, you must cut the seat belt to your car in order to remove this seat with the child still in it. I've always carried a seat belt cutter for this exact reason, but it did confuse the fire department and it took lots of yelling from me and direction before they figured out how to remove him as they were trying to pull the seat belt through like you would a normal car seat. I will be providing them with my seat for training purposes. "

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Whatever you buy, install them correctly! I'd suggest you call the local FD and stop by and let them check the install before streapping a kid into it. Doing accident reconstruction, the only severe injuries to kids were when the car seat was not properly installed. If you think it is tight, it should be tighter.

I did an accident where a mom and a teen were killed (front seat) and the toddler (in the back seat) was basically unharmed due to a 40ish mph rear end impact. Car seat saved the toddler.


[Shock] Yikes.

So are these more difficult than installing the base? We had the FD check that, and I went through the "Baby's first Ride" - and I feel pretty good about moving and securing those.

I guess I'm not even positive if I need a convertible or all-in-one / 3:1. [Dunno]

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Here's the Britax review that changed our mind.

We've always used Britax in the past but one feature on the new one we were looking (Advocate) at kept us from buying. Basically, if there's an accident the belt has to be cut.


I guess I'm not super wowed by this. If I get in an accident requiring a FD visit, I don't mind cutting a belt. I'm assuming that'll be the least of my worries...

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

BTW, appreciate all the time and info everyone! [Beer] The more I read, the less sure I am!

[th3w01f]

I guess I'm not super wowed by this. If I get in an accident requiring a FD visit, I don't mind cutting a belt. I'm assuming that'll be the least of my worries...

My worry was something serious and first responders that didn't know they had to cut it. I'm sure they'd figure it out quickl but there's also the issue of a minor malfunction requiring you cut the belt.

[MarkCO]

Belts get cut all the time, especially with the tensioners. Not that I have quizzed FD guys, but all of them should be getting taught to cut belts these days. I'd think even the VFDs teach cutting.

Installing the base is the big part. It takes a lot of force to compress the base into the seat and tension up the belt. Never heard of a FD guy doing it wrong yet and since they do it for you if you ask, safe bet.