Extended Rear Facing Advice Needed

cecilyandgautam · April 2013

Inspired by the previous post, could you ladies help me out? Our DD has outgrown the infant seat and we're getting a new one this weekend. The convertible seats are so much more expensive than the simple forward facing ones but I understand the rear facing is ideal for at least 2 years (or longer?). Could you ladies share any info that would make the extra $100 seem like a no brainer to DH? We're planning on more kids too, so this could get used by baby#2 before it expires.

Also, for my own purposes, do you have any seat recommendations? We have a sedan and a somewhat large child (80-90%) and to be honest, I can't imagine how she's going to fit facing backward for another year. We have her in a Graco SnugRide 35 and her feet are already overflowing.

Thanks for any tips!

mexicolombiana · April 2013

When you say the regular forward facing ones do you mean booster seats? From what I understand, the convertible ones can last forward facing quite some time until like 40 lbs. We have a small jeep compass and our girls fit pretty well back there rear facing.

I just barely switched my toddler to forward facing and she's almost 3. The baby is 15 months old and I plan to keep her rear facing well past her 2nd birthday.

You should look into those 3 in 1 seats where they can be rear facing, then forward facing til like 60 or 70 lbs then turns into a booster. Like a Graco Argos or similar.

EDIT: wait do I see that your daughter is over a year old and still in an infant car seat? That's crazy! I didn't know they could stay in the infant seat that long. Ours only lasted until like 7 months or something in the infant ones plus it got so heavy to carry around. Maybe that's why it was so easy for us to switch to convertible because our girls really didn't fit in the infant one for very long so we have gotten a lot of use out of our convertible.

We have a Safety 1st Air protect that I like and the specs say:

The Complete Air 65 keeps your child well protected through two separate stages: from 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches as a rear-facing infant car seat and from 22 to 65 pounds and 34 to 52 inches as a forward-facing toddler car seat.

So from what I understand we can use the convertible seat until they are pretty big.

ASmallWonder · April 2013

The feet is totally not an issue. But I think you might be confused about what seats you're able to use right now. Even if you were to forward face her, you would still need to do so in a convertible (with a few exceptions). My concern is that you may be looking at high back boosters by mistake. To be clear, there ARE a few forward facing only seats (like the Graco Nautilus) but at about $130 you really could and should get a convertible for the same price. The Graco MyRide for example is even cheaper on Amazon than the Nautilus.

https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Ride-Convertible-Seat-Prentis/dp/B003JSX68I/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1366921947&sr=1-1&keywords=graco+my+ride+65

KatFCo · April 2013

We wanted to use a high back booster for DD so we bought a 3 in 1 seat--we used the Eddie Bauer one. One of the negatives about these is that the cover can get kind of nasty after the first child, but DD is still in hers, using as a booster, so we just bought DS a new seat. We use a Graco Classic Ride 50. It's not too expensive and goes up to 50 pounds. It doesn't turn into a booster, but because it was so inexpensive, it's not like we'll be spending that much more money for a booster.

By the way, DS just turned 1 and he's already almost 32 inches long, and he has plenty of room.

cecilyandgautam · April 2013

mexicolombiana:
EDIT: wait do I see that your daughter is over a year old and still in an infant car seat? That's crazy! I didn't know they could stay in the infant seat that long. Ours only lasted until like 7 months or something in the infant ones plus it got so heavy to carry around. Maybe that's why it was so easy for us to switch to convertible because our girls really didn't fit in the infant one for very long so we have gotten a lot of use out of our convertible.

Yes, she's in the Snugride 35, which can go up to 35 lbs or 32". I don't remember her exact weight, but at one year, she was around 31" and definitely under 30 lbs, so she technically was still safe in it - snug, but safe. We're now at 15 months and she's probably hit the 32" mark or surpassed it, we'll find out on Saturday.

Thanks for recommending a couple brands though - that's helpful.

cecilyandgautam · April 2013

elmoali:
The feet is totally not an issue. But I think you might be confused about what seats you're able to use right now. Even if you were to forward face her, you would still need to do so in a convertible (with a few exceptions). My concern is that you may be looking at high back boosters by mistake. To be clear, there ARE a few forward facing only seats (like the Graco Nautilus) but at about $130 you really could and should get a convertible for the same price. The Graco MyRide for example is even cheaper on Amazon than the Nautilus.
https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Ride-Convertible-Seat-Prentis/dp/B003JSX68I/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1366921947&sr=1-1&keywords=graco+my+ride+65

This is really helpful, thank you! We might have been looking at the wrong seats, but I have actually used the Nautilus while traveling internationally and I borrowed it from a friend. I definitely don't want that as our main carseat though - it's better than nothing but didn't seem like it would really protect her from anything.

I appreciate the recommendations. Thanks!

cecilyandgautam · April 2013

Wow, that was a quick response. Thanks ladies! Much appreciated. I'll take a look at these recommendations.

kalette · April 2013

On my phone, but someone please share that video! That's what got my DH on board.

Nvm, found it! Or one very similar anyway..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8mFsXNXOLwfeature=youtube_gdata_player

orangecurls · April 2013

The graco mysize is 144 at babiesrus. The chicco nextfit is 224 at my local target or use a 20 off coupon at babiesrus. Both are really good seats, they will last you a long time both forward and rear facing.

namara5532 · April 2013

Your DH might also be swayed by your state's rearfacing laws. In my state, babies must rearface until they're 30 lbs. That meant when he got for tall for the carrier we had to buy the more expensive convertable that rearfaced as it was the law.

Netty_3 · April 2013

We have the Evenflo Triumph in both cars, a Corolla and Tacoma and we have enough room...in all fairness we're not the tallest of people though. You can look through Consumer Reports to find ratings on seats and then maybe narrow it down to three and go based off of price from there. We chose the triumph because it was the highest rated...keep in mind that every seat should at least meet the bare minimum federal requirements for a seat, and there are cheaper options. We got one of ours on sale at Target...and they go on sale occasionally at BRU. I don't think you can put a child in a booster until they're much larger.

I think my seat goes rear facing until 40 lbs. and then forward facing until 65 lbs...that's a long way away. I would show him literature about rear facing and the benefits...it really does make a difference if you're in an accident, because in a rear facing position there is less force on their necks, and can prevent serious neck and spinal cord injuries. They have some videos out there too...but they are pretty graphic and upsetting.

Netty_3 · April 2013

kalette:
On my phone, but someone please share that video! That's what got my DH on board. Nvm, found it! Or one very similar anyway..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8mFsXNXOLwfeature=youtube_gdata_player

Thanks for posting the link...my DH fights me constantly on this...luckily he goes along with it, but it's annoying.

preggersin2011 · April 2013

I swapped LO out of her infant seat just after she turned a year, she still fit in it but she looked to uncomfortable laying back so much. Her seat was rated to 32" and 35lbs. I stopped taking the seat out of the base around 6 months and left it in the car. LO is in a higher priced seat on a daily basis now, it had 30 degree and 45 degree reclines for RF. even in the 45 degree position she is more upright than in the infant seat. As a back up seat for when she gets sick, or someone is babysitting and I want them to have a car seat for emergencies- i bought the cheap $40 one in the store. It works, might not have all the bells & whistles but it meets min safety standards. My friend kept her kid in the convertible seat until age 4+.... i see many kids at day care (so under 5yrs old) sitting in booster seats that are belted not 5pt harness. i think there is a lot on confusion which is probably why so many statistics show people use car seats wrong.

Aurora_Borealis · April 2013

Your comment about 'the extra $100' doesn't make sense to me. There are decent convertible seats for under $100.

I bought DD's convertible seat for $85 on walmart.com.

It RFs to 40 lbs and FFs to 65 lbs, which are rather high weights. It's called the Safety 1st Guide 65.

lageorgiapaperie · April 2013

The Cosco seats from WalMart are about $40 as mentioned above, way cheaper than the Graco seat you have now and more importantly, SAFE. They rear face to 35 lbs I think. Rear facing unitl 2 is is now the AAP recommendations, it is safest and babies don't mind having to cross their legs, it's more comfy that way!

boogerbearoriginal · April 2013

Ditto PPs, you can get Cosco seats for ~$50 that can be installed RFing up to 35-40lbs depending on the seat.

I just looked at Target's site, and they are having a baby sale and I see several options for under $100 and even more for less than $150. You can get a britax roundabout, which I always see recommended for $127.99.

So, I don't get your comment about the cost. Sure you can get a fancy seat with all the bells/whistles for $200+, but there are lots of affordable convertible seats.

ETA - I have a fusion, so a smaller sedan. And LO is in the Evenflo Triumph RFing, and fits fine. His feet touch the backseat, but he's a very tall child and has done that since before 12m. He now will climb in on his own, so I can only assume he is perfectly comfortable.

skibunny59 · April 2013

kbruington:
Also, my mom just bought a Cosco convertible car seat at Walmart so DS can ride in her car and it was $43. You don't have to spend a fortune.

This is the same exact car seat my mom has.

Rosebud2587 · April 2013

Here's a list of recommended convertible car seats by price, found at car seat for the littles on fb. Convertible seats under $100 Cosco SceneraCosco AptSafety 1st Onside AirEvenflo SureRideSafety 1st Guide 65 Convertibles from $100 - $199 Graco My Ride 65/70Evenflo Triumph 65 and MomentumThe First Years True FitBritax Roundabout 55Safety 1st Complete Air 65 (40" rf height limit)Britax Roundabout 50 Classic (found only at Target)Britax Marathon Classic (found only at Target)Combi Coccoro ? Shorter shell, but takes up a small amount of space in tight areas. Also fits preemies wellDiono R100Graco Size4Me 70/MySize 70/Headwise 70 Convertibles over $200 Britax Marathon 70Britax Boulevard 70Britax Advocate 70Recaro ProRideDiono R120 (no head wings)Diono RXT (headwings)Maxi Cosi Pria 70Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70Clek FoonfChicco NextFit

bluejayway · April 2013

SandAndsSea:
Even FF, the child needs to be in a harness until generall 4 years old.nbsp; After that, they can use the cheaper booster seats and the car seatbelt.nbsp;
With extended RF, even if their feet are touching the back fo the seat, it's not a big deal, they will cross their legs, bend their knees, or let their legs hang over the edge.nbsp; It's still totally safe for them and much safer than FF.
We have the Radian which can be used up to 120 pounds as a booster seat, so we won't have to buy any more carseats for 1 car.nbsp; In my small car, we have a Britax Boulevard that will still last until DS is 70 pounds, but we will need to replace it with anbsp; booster in a few years.nbsp; I like that both have side impact protection and have adjustable harnesses that will grow with them.

We have these same two carseats. My almost 3 yo is RF in the Radian and my 14 mo DD is RF in a Britax Boulevard. Both seats are fine, but I love the build and slim profile of the Radian. Way more room for extended RF.

superchixor · May 2013

We got the Britax Boulevard. I never thought I'd spend $300 on a carseat but it was the safest one in the store and it should last her a long time. She also had the Snugride 35 and her feet were halfway up the backseat. With the Britax, she is still rear facing for 4 more months(she's 20 months) and she's in 70% in height. Her feet still look uncomfortable so it's not going to fix that problem if your LO is tall, until they forward face. I drive a 4runner and it fits great.

superchixor · May 2013

mexicolombiana:
EDIT: wait do I see that your daughter is over a year old and still in an infant car seat? That's crazy! I didn't know they could stay in the infant seat that long. Ours only lasted until like 7 months or something in the infant ones plus it got so heavy to carry around. Maybe that's why it was so easy for us to switch to convertible because our girls really didn't fit in the infant one for very long so we have gotten a lot of use out of our convertible.
We have a Safety 1st Air protect that I like and the specs say:

My daughter used the Snugride infant seat until about 13 months or so. The weight limit is 35 lbs.

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