2007-02-17 09:37:47 · 9 answers · asked by sky2007 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It's impossible to recommend a specific seat for your child without more information from you.
However, here are some general guidelines.
- Avoid any seat with a low rear facing weight limit. Choose a seat with a rear facing weight limit of at least 33-35 lbs, and keep your child rear facing to the limits of the seat. A rear facing seat is outgrown when the weight limit is reached OR there is less than one inch of hard plastic above the child's head.
Rear facing is significantly safer for children because the bones in the spinal column are soft and will separate in a crash, causing death or severe (permanent) injury especially under the age of two. The spinal column bones are not fully formed until around age 5-6.
- Choose a seat with high top harness slots.
Many seats are outgrown by height long before a child is ready for a booster, so choose a seat that will allow for lots of torso growth.
Forward facing seats are outgrown when: the weight limit is met, OR the child's shoulders are above the top harness slots, OR the child's ears are above the shell of the seat.
- Look for a seat with a higher forward-facing weight limit. All seats have a minimum FF limit of at least 40 lbs. However there are several seats on the market now that have weight limits of 55-65 lbs (or more.)
- Don't be in a rush to move your child to a booster. Boosters are for big kids, not preschoolers.
A child under 4 years OR 40 lbs should NEVER be in a booster seat.
The brain synapses that govern impulse control are not fully developed at this time, so the child will not be able to sit properly at all times.
A booster does not restrain your child, it simply lifts your child up so the vehicle seatbelt is positioned correctly. If your child leans over to pick up a dropped item, or falls asleep, the booster will not protect your child at all, and may cause serious injury.
If you have any further questions, please visit http://www.car-seat.org
2007-02-17 14:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by babs19772000 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All seats are safe - some just give you the opportunity to keep your child safer, longer. The best seat for your child is one that fits your vehicle, your budget and that you use properly every single time.
Depending on your child's weight/height he/she might still be able to rear face which is infinitely safer. A seat with a high rear facing weight limit (33-35 pounds) and a high forward facing limit (55-65 pounds) will give you the max safety for your dollar. There are currently NO seats on the market that are truly "the only seat your child will ever need" - most combo seats that turn from a harness seat to booster will leave your child in a seat belt positioning booster long before it is age appropriate. Making sure your child is secured in a 5 point harness as long as possible is the safest route.
As for a specific recommendations
Britax Marathon (can be found online for approx $240 with free shipping) - we have used this seat with two children - both rear facing and forward facing. It rear faces to 33 pounds and forward faces to 65 pounds. My 45 pound 4 year old still fits in it and my 28 pound 2 year old is still able to ride rear facing.
Britax Regent (difficult to find right now but when found runs about $270 online w/ free shipping) - we really like this seat for our forward facing 4 year old. This seat will harness until 80 pounds.
Other recommended seats:
Cosco Apex 65 (must have high seat backs or head rests in your vehicle) - harnesses forward facing to 65 pounds and becomes a seat belt positioning booster to 100 pounds approx $100
Sunshine Radian (some difficult installation issues - must try out before purchasing or buy from a store that will let you return) - rear facing to 33 pounds, forward facing to 65 pounds approx $200
2007-02-18 17:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by amom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All carseats pass the same government crash tests, so technically, they're all safe! Personally, after the infant seat debacle, I wouldn't trust Consumer Reports at all, LOL.
The best carseat is the one that fits your child, your car and your budget, and that you'll use correctly every time. :-)
That being said... my favorite is the Britax Marathon (abt 270). It harnesses from 5-65 lbs, is super comfy, comes in tons of great & fashionable covers, has EPS foam (think bike helmet foam) in the head/torso area, and just installs like a dream.
My 2nd favorite is the Sunshine Kids Radian65 (abt 180). It too harnesses from 5-65 lbs, is super comfy, is available in a few different color options and has EPS foam in the head and torso area. It is a little more difficult to install, but takes up a lot less space.
No matter which carseat you ultimately decide on, be sure you read the manual, and be sure to have it checked out by a certified passenger safety technician (try safekids.org to find a local one). 8 out of 10 carseats are installed incorrectly, and you want to make sure yours is not one of them!
2007-02-17 13:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by starlight 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have a Safety First 5-point harness car seat. It buckles, and is hard for a kid to undo due to where the release is. It also converts to a booster seat. It will carry a child from 10 lbs to 100 lbs. It cost us around $140.00, but I figure it was cheaper in the long run with the conversion. It saved us having to buy a couple of car seats in the span that will carry her.
Some of the perks of the seat are the cup holder, the head rest adjusts, there is a toggle strap for the upper support, and a duo toggle strap to secure the base of the seat, making it added security in the car. That seat isn't moving at all. . .
2007-02-17 09:45:52 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I love my Britax Roundabout. I bought a Cosco Alpha Omega Elite for my first child and HATE it. It is very difficult to clean -- I have to uninstall the entire car seat just to take the liner off to clean it. The seatbelt is also a puzzle-piece latch, which is difficult to operate at times. It is also VERY difficult to adjust the tightness (although there is a strap in the middle that hangs down that you should only have to pull on to tighten or lift a latch to loosen, I have a great deal of difficulty just trying to tighten it. The Britax that I got for my second child is a better quality all around -- better fabric, easier to clean, and best of all, I can buckle one side at a time instead of piecing the two sides before latching. Also, it is much easier to work the tightening/loosening function. I wish I had bought a Britax first instead of that miserable Cosco AOE for my first.
2007-02-20 00:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Britax carseats are THE BEST. I would recommend the Husky because it'll hold your child until he/she is 80 or 100 lbs (I'm not sure which, off the top of my head). The straps NEVER twist and it's so easy to install and adjust.
2007-02-17 11:45:05 · answer #6 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check out consumerreports.com or it may be .org to find out which toddler seats pass car impact safety inspections.
2007-02-17 09:51:44 · answer #7 · answered by M H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
By far the best car seat. MAXI COSI
2007-02-17 09:41:02 · answer #8 · answered by wolffiegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Graco
2007-02-17 09:41:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋