Car seats - non-FTMs please come in too!

Huahine · April 2012

Is it too early to talk about convertible car seats?

LO is growing like a weed. I think he will be too long for his infant car seat within a month or two. So I need to start thinking about what we are going to buy him next.

Do any of you have an idea of what you are getting? Or have you already purchased a rear facing seat?

For those of you who have been down this path before, any suggestions about what to look for in a convertible car seat? Anything to avoid?

Geneboat · April 2012

Haven't bought one yet but when we do we are getting the Britax, because it has the best ratings.

raefre · April 2012

We will probably be getting a Recaro ProRIDE. As soon as we knew I was pregnant, DH was asking if we were going to get this as a car seat. His enthusiasm partially stems from the fact that he used to rally and, as a fan of rallying as well, he is familiar and likes the look of Recaro. He figures that if Recaro makes seats for adults, their car seats must rock. Also, I know it will fit in his car and besides, if he is the one using it, he should at least be happy with it.

I currently have him looking for deals, since we won't need one for at least several months.

GeekMom · April 2012

We like our Radian and will be transferring DD into it as soon as it gets above 65 consistently.

Jessie's Matron of Honor · April 2012

I have two convertible carseats for my DS (one for my car, one for hub's car). We first purchased the Britax boulevard because of all the awesome reviews and its solid reputation as a very safe carseat.

We then ended up purchasing the Graco My Ride 65 for my hub's car. I like this one MUCH better than the Britax! It is just as safe as the Britax according to reviews and is much more comfortable for my DS, especially for car trips, because the seat is not as upright as the Britax. Most importantly, though, is that it has built in cupholders. This may sound trivial, but I am telling you, they are life-changing. I cannot tell you how nice it is to throw his sippy cup in one and a cup o' snacks in the other.

So, if I had to do it again, I would get two Graco My Rides, rather than a Britax.

Huahine · April 2012

Jessie's Matron of Honor:
I have two convertible carseats for my DS (one for my car, one for hub's car). We first purchased the Britax boulevard because of all the awesome reviews and its solid reputation as a very safe carseat.

We then ended up purchasing the Graco My Ride 65 for my hub's car. I like this one MUCH better than the Britax! It is just as safe as the Britax according to reviews and is much more comfortable for my DS, especially for car trips, because the seat is not as upright as the Britax. Most importantly, though, is that it has built in cupholders. This may sound trivial, but I am telling you, they are life-changing. I cannot tell you how nice it is to throw his sippy cup in one and a cup o' snacks in the other.

So, if I had to do it again, I would get two Graco My Rides, rather than a Britax.

Thanks JMoH! With the more reclining Graco, do you have to scootch up the seat in front of it to make it fit while rear-facing? When you turn it around to front-face will you have to remove a headrest on the back seat to make it work?

It is the little things like cup holders that I wouldn't even think of as a first time mom. But I can totally see the convenience.

Huahine · April 2012

raefre:
We will probably be getting a Recaro ProRIDE. As soon as we knew I was pregnant, DH was asking if we were going to get this as a car seat. His enthusiasm partially stems from the fact that he used to rally and, as a fan of rallying as well, he is familiar and likes the look of Recaro. He figures that if Recaro makes seats for adults, their car seats must rock. Also, I know it will fit in his car and besides, if he is the one using it, he should at least be happy with it.
I currently have him looking for deals, since we won't need one for at least several months.

A friend was telling me that the Recaros are designed to meet European safety standards, so are safer than any other brand available. If he comes across a deal, I hope you'll let us know about it

Huahine · April 2012

GeekMom:
We like our Radian and will be transferring DD into it as soon as it gets above 65 consistently.

What do you like about the Radian?

kms34 · April 2012

DS1 is currently in the Graco MyRide 65 in my car and DH's. DS2 will move into those this summer and DS1 will get new seats. I'm leaning towards the Graco Nautilus.

We've been SOOOO happy with the MyRide! He always looks so comfortable in it and it's easy to install, wash the cover, etc. Plus they are priced very well compared to other seats. I got one on sale at BRU for $109 and the other on eBay (brand new) for $99. I think they are normally in the $160-170 range.

Jessie's Matron of Honor · April 2012

Huahine:
Jessie's Matron of Honor:

I have two convertible carseats for my DS (one for my car, one for hub's car). We first purchased the Britax boulevard because of all the awesome reviews and its solid reputation as a very safe carseat.

We then ended up purchasing the Graco My Ride 65 for my hub's car. I like this one MUCH better than the Britax! It is just as safe as the Britax according to reviews and is much more comfortable for my DS, especially for car trips, because the seat is not as upright as the Britax. Most importantly, though, is that it has built in cupholders. This may sound trivial, but I am telling you, they are life-changing. I cannot tell you how nice it is to throw his sippy cup in one and a cup o' snacks in the other.

So, if I had to do it again, I would get two Graco My Rides, rather than a Britax.

Thanks JMoH! With the more reclining Graco, do you have to scootch up the seat in front of it to make it fit while rear-facing? When you turn it around to front-face will you have to remove a headrest on the back seat to make it work?

It is the little things like cup holders that I wouldn't even think of as a first time mom. But I can totally see the convenience.

We never used it rear-facing (the 2-year rule wasn't in effect then and my son HATED rear-facing) but with it front facing, we did not have to remove the headrest.

namara5532 · April 2012

As long as your LO isn't too little for the weight requirements, it isn't too early to be thinking about a convertable seat. I personally don't know yet what brand I'm getting, but I'm definately getting him something that will last until he's big enough to sit in the seat normally. Depending on which seat we get and how old he is when he outgrows his infant seat, we will keep him rear facing as long as is feasible.

raefre · April 2012

Huahine:
A friend was telling me that the Recaros are designed to meet European safety standards, so are safer than any other brand available. If he comes across a deal, I hope you'll let us know about it

Will do!

VABride2008 · April 2012

Our convertible seats can RF for up to 40 pounds. They are both Britax and I really like them. We will keep DS in the infant seat for as long as possible though. It can go up to 32 inches or 32 pounds (whichever comes first).

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Car seats - non-FTMs please come in too!

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