Am I the only one who has trouble with carseats?

Question

For something so important, it seems like they should be easier to install and put together. I just had to call Graco to walk me through adjusting the straps because nothing that seemed logical worked. Now, I'm dreading going out and figuring out how to get the thing in my car again. Is this just me? I read the directions, but I really have trouble with this. I'm hoping it will be easier when I can turn the seat around so my baby is facing forward.

I didn't have much trouble with the base-style seat. (Well, some... but that's another story). Our pediatrician insisted we switch to a regular seat (can be rear or forward facing) because of my daughter's height. By the way, I often see babies much older than my 8-month-old in those infant carrier/base car seat systems. So, either my doctor's paranoid, or they need to change seats.

I think I seriously need to start a campaign for car seat reform in my county! The fire and police departments here do not install or check carseats. I checked. There is a seatcheck program, BUT it's only available 2 days a week (weekdays, when people have to work) and it generally takes 2 weeks to get an appointment. Once a month, they offer seatchecks on a Saturday.

Answer 1

We had trouble with our rear-facing seat too. I think most everyone does. I also can't wait until my son can be forward-facing...it'll be so much easier to put him in and take him out!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am having a problem with the one I have for my son. he is foreward facing now and his seat keeps tilting in towards the middle of the van. his seat is in a bucket seat. my husband really got it in their tight the other day by leaning on it but now it doesn't look like it is sitting up far enough. we had a problem with the infant carseat as well getting it in tight enough and level.
I think if you are apprehensive about getting the carseat in properly you could get the police or public health to check it for you, they have free clinics run by public health along with the police around here to make sure that your car seat is in properly. we went with the infant car seat and I am trying to find out when the next local one is to get the current car seat checked and properly installed if it isn't right now.

when we used the infant car seat ours had a base that we left in most of the time, that made it a lot easier and when we had to take it out and put it back in it was easier to push the base in really tight kneeling on it instead of trying to do this with the car seat in there too.

Maunals don't seem to help much with certain things anymore.

Good luck with your car seat.

Answer 3

No, studies have shown that the majority of people are not using their car seats appropriately. I don't know about where you live, but here in WV and maybe in your state too, you should ask, car dealerships and the police departments will check and help you learn how to install your car seats properly... I don't think there is a charge for this, but you may want to ask before you walk in assuming it's free.... Hope this helps

Answer 4

It does get easier. They make it very complicated. The good news is that once you install the base and adjust the straps, you should not need to make any major adjustments for a while. Yes, Forward facing is a bit easier.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Carseats are evil things, but eventually you will get the hang of it.


When I had to babysit a newborn while her mother worked and went to school, I had to drive her places with me, and I *HATED* installing the car seat.... Evil things. Evil evil. You're right. You'd think for as valuable and important they are, they'd be easily installed.


However, I did go to my local police office and they did help me install it and made sure it was safe. :D

Answer 7

Get one with a base that stays in the car...that will make it a whole lot easier. I have a Graco with a base and its wonderful

Answer 8

I know I hate when we have to take the base out of the car cause its such a hassel to get it install back the proper way! I feel ya sister :o)

Answer 9

Hey, it can be confusing, plus you're probably getting flustered because you know how important it is to get it in there right. If all else fails, take it to you local fire department, they usually do it for you for free. Good luck.

Answer 10

first what kind of carseat do you have
what kind of car
is it necessary to take it out all the time