best infant carseat?

Question

What is the best carseat for a 9 month old who weighs 18 lbs. I want one the can be rear and forward facing and that I will be able to use for a good while.

Answer 1

For a baby that size and age you'll want to get a convertible carseat and not an "infant carseat." There are numerous convertible carseats that function as rearfacing until the is old enough and weighs enough to switch to forward facing (although generally a child is required by law to be rearfacing until the child is at least 20 pounds AND at least a year old, it is recommended to keep them rearfacing for longer for safety reasons...18 months or 2 years, ideally).

For help finding the "right" carseat (information on what other parents have to say about a particular make), and information on baby products generally, I recommend the book Baby Bargains and its related website, at http://www.windsorpeak.com/. There is also a great website about carseat compatibility, so you can make sure the seat you're interested in will install well in your car. That site is at http://www.carseatdata.org/.

When we switched from the infant carriers to the convertible carseats I went with the Britax Marathon -- it's expensive but it has a higher weight limit than other convertible carseats, so I don't expect to need another carseat after this. I've read great reviews, found it very easy to install and use, the kids love it, the pattern selection is fun, and it's the only seat that can be tethered in the rearfacing position for added safety. Since I intend to keep my kids rearfacing for another 6 months to a year, that tether ability means a lot to me. You can read some reviews, etc. at http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/Baby_Car_Seats_and_Car_Seat_Safety.htm.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Britax all the way. Their carseats are rated really good by Consumer Reports and are the best bang for your buck. We have the Roundabout model and our baby is very comfortable in it. It also isn't so enormous that it takes up the whole back of our vehicle. It can be used as rear (5-33 lbs.) or forward (1 year old and 20-40 lbs.) facing.

Answer 3

I would look into a Britax convertible seat. They have three that will work for extended rearfacing (going up to 30 pounds rearfacing, I believe), and then have 5 point harnesses to 65 pounds when forward facing. We have my now 13 month old rearfacing still in his evenflo triumph, which is a seat I love, too, but it only goes to 40 pounds with a 5 pt harness forward facing, and 30 pounds rearfacing (which seems to be the normal weight limit).

Answer 4

I would suggest any carseat by Graco. Graco is a WIDELY trusted brand, and just my opinion, feels sturdier than evenflo or any other car seat for that matter. Maybe you should try googling some carseat reviews and see what most other people recommend. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I been using a evenflo Triumph™ 5 Convertible Car Seat.. sincemy daughter was a new born she is now 2 years old ..enclosed the link below

Answer 6

Just buy a convertable. You'll have to go and look at them in the stores. Whats suitable for one parents situation and life style, doesnt work for anothers.

Target has a ton of car seats on their web site, and tons of reviews from parents who have used them. Thats always helpful.

Answer 7

i bought the graco comfortsport for my daughter recently. 4 years ago i got one for my son too. they are comfy and safe, affordable too. i paid $50 for base model for my son and this new one i paid $90, a better model. and as a plus the patterns are better now, my daughter has the flowers on hers :)