My 1 year old is starting to outgrow his infant rear-facing car seat and needs a new one. In the stores I see the forward facing booster car seats, but they all too oversized for him.
2007-03-13 10:01:19 · 8 answers · asked by msdhoward 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You'll want to look for a convertible seat. These seats can rear- or forward-face, depending on the size of the child.
I would highly recommend that you keep your son rear-facing for as long as possible. Here's why:
A frontal crash is the most common type of crash. In a crash like this, the passengers snap forward and then back (we continue moving with the speed of the crash, until impact, and then we fly back). The amount of force is equal to the velocity x weight. So a 22-lb child in a 40mph crash becomes an 880-lb force.
Anyway, the risk here is the baby's legs. In a crash, his whole seat would slide towards the front of the car, taking his legs with it, and then slide back. Theoretically, when he slid back (w/ lots of force, this isn't a gentle slide) they could slam in to the seat back, and cause them to break. I say theoretically, because there have actually been no reported cases of this actually happening.
The alternative would be if the baby was forward facing. If he was, his head/neck/spine would snap forward and then slam in to back of the carseat. In a severe enough crash, this might cause a breakage or internal decapitation. The spinal column is much more sensitive than the legs.
So, how many people have you ever met with a broken neck? And how many with broken legs? Broken legs are more easily repaired than spinal columns.
The absolute bare minimum for forward facing is 20 lbs AND 1 year.
Depending on your budget, you should look at either the Britax Marathon (abt 269), the Cosco Uptown (abt 100), or the Cosco Scenera (abt 40)... the Marathon has more bells and whistles, but the Uptown and Scenera are great seats too.
No matter which seat you choose, be sure to read the manual and have it checked by a certified passenger safety technican. 8 out of 10 carseats are installed incorrectly, often with fatal errors - with car accidents being the number one killer of children, this isn't a place anyone wants to mess around!
2007-03-16 15:37:20 · answer #1 · answered by starlight 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best choice would be a convertible seat with a 5-point harness. A rear facing seat is the safest position for as long as possible. Most convertible can be rear facing up to 10-15 pounds. The Graco Comfosport is a good seat and is reasonably priced.
2007-03-13 11:51:11 · answer #2 · answered by mom2twinboys 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you need a convertible seat for him with a 5 point harness. I bought the Eddie Bauer one that was rear facing..then turn it around till he's the right weight to go to a booster seat.
2007-03-13 10:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could get the inbetween seat. There's one I"m not sure what it's called but a one year old is to small for a booster seat and you should get the inbetween seat i mean inbetween an infant seat and a booster seat.
2007-03-13 10:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by Irish Girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to buy a convertible seat.. you just need a forward facing toddler seat with a 5 point harness - make sure it's 5 point (meaning one strap over each shoulder, one strap over each thigh and one in the crotch) this is very important! He did really good for being a year and still in a rear-facing, both mine were barely 7 months and too tall for a rear-facing! It is very important that he not be in a seat that is too small.... call your local fire station, they are great for car seat safety information, most will even show you how to properly install them!
2007-03-17 09:21:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You need a convertible car seat. Boosters are for bigger toddlers. The evenflo triumph is typically rated best, and best value for 1-3 year olds who fall in the typical height and weight group.
2007-03-13 10:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by lillilou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is 1 and he just has a regular front facing car seat it was only $40.00 and goes up to 50lbs. You will see them at wal-mart or some place like that. The booster car seats are just more expensive but mine works just as well.
2007-03-13 10:07:05 · answer #7 · answered by ProudMommy05 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you need a convertible carseat one that can be rear or forward facing look at the ones in the link no boosters til age 4
http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2256196&cp=2255983.2256187
2007-03-13 10:06:00 · answer #8 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋