Lets talk car seats...

mandyreads · October 2014

What brand did you go with? Or thinking of going with?

mandyreads · October 2014

I have been scouring Target and all the sites. In store, Target only has like 4 to choose from. And I haven't been pleased with them from what I am reading on reviews. But today I happened over to Walmart's site and found the Urbini Tour Travel System. Anyone ever used one before? So far I am liking what I see. Unfortunately they don't have one in-store that I can actually look at.

I don't want to pay out the wazoo for something that they will only use until they are sitting up well and can be put in one of the bigger/convertible car seats.

NeonNoon · October 2014

We're thinking of going with a Cybex Aton and we'll get a stroller that'll work with it. They have three models to choose from but are quite pricy. We have an FJ Cruiser and aren't ready to upgrade to a bigger car, and our other car is a two-seater. So, fit is our biggest issue and I've read the Atons are quite small. The price of a Cybex is easy to justify when the alternative is buying another car!

The FJ back doors are only half/suicide doors. So, getting the seat (or baby) in and out is going to be a challenge. The Cybexes also claim to have some technology that transfers the energy from a crash into the base rather than to the child. This is apparently standard in Europe but rare for seats in the US. We haven't checked them out yet, but I did find a store that stocks them so we can measure and maybe even try it out before we buy. It's a baby boutique store. I looked for it at our local BUR and they didn't have it. I didn't try Walmart or Target.

Texas requires child seats until age 8. So, we have a lot of seats in our future (but hopefully more kids too).

I have no experience with the seat you're looking at, and no experience with baby seats overall, sorry.

NicoleWI · October 2014

We had a Chicco Keyfit 30 with our first kids and unfortunately it has expired by date. I'm going to get another one. We loved our Chicco.

mandyreads · October 2014

NicoleWI My brother and sis in law found one brand new at a yard sale and love it.

NeonNoon I understand. One of the things I have read about the Urbini is that is is very narrow. We actually ended up trading my Kia Soul in (OH how I miss it) for a Dodge Grand Caravan when I was around 8/9 weeks along. There was no way 4 kids and us could all fit into the Kia Soul.

ksgsmu · October 2014

Chicco key fit 30's for the twins... I will use them with the city select double stroller

Lady2010 · October 2014

I am most likely going with the Chicco Keyfit 30 but I have also heard / read good things about the Graco SnugRide Classic Connect (or is it the Click Connect) 30. I need to do a little more research but most likely going with the Chicco.

Since we live in a city and don't use our car tons, the weight is an important factor for us (a lot of my city dweller friends have the Chicco and love it)

Also need to still look into what is best for our car type...

Tsuga76 · October 2014

We went with the Britax B-Safe. It wasn't cheap, but I was able to get it on sale, with multiple coupons at Kohl's online. After doing some research, I was sold on the B-Agile stroller due to ease of use, weight and size, and the fact that Britax does not use the worst flame retardant chemicals. The B-Safe fits with the B-Agile, is also well-reviewed, and a low-toxicity option. I haven't used it yet though, so we'll see how I feel about it in a few months!

NeonNoon · October 2014

Thanks for the tips @hikerlady

anonymousmotley · October 2014

I used the Graco SnugRide 35 for my daughter and it was used until she was almost 2 years old!!! My suggestion is if you're going to get a carrier, get one that's rated for a higher weight so they can be rear facing as long as possible. If I had gone with one that was only good till 22 lbs, she would have outgrown it by the time she was 5 months old!! We probably stopped carrying her in it around that time but we loved keeping it for as long as we did because we have 2 cars (base in each car) so it made it a breeze when had to use either car.

After we retired the Graco, we put it in the shed until we were ready to really part with it. After a year, we discovered a leak in the shed and found it totally ruined by mildew.

Not sure what carrier we'll get this time, but probably another Graco since we still have the stroller.

My daughter is now 4 1/2 and we just bought the 3rd (hopefully final) car seat, which is a booster with a removable back and is good until 110 pounds.

Between the carrier and the booster, we had the Britax Marathon 70 Convertible because we wanted her in the 5 point harness (and rear facing) as long as possible. Unfortunately, it's not very convenient for a newborn (or 2 cars) so we won't use it until this new one outgrows a carrier. And for sure, it's NOT going in the shed!!

Now that I've read your posts, I was mostly curious about the Cybex because I never heard of the brand. I found this Consumer Report rating. Thought y'all might be interested in reading: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/04/5-best-car-seats-for-your-baby/index.htm

Good luck ladies!!

JilliansMoma · October 2014

Lady2010 said:

I am most likely going with the Chicco Keyfit 30 but I have also heard / read good things about the Graco SnugRide Classic Connect (or is it the Click Connect) 30. I need to do a little more research but most likely going with the Chicco.

Since we live in a city and don't use our car tons, the weight is an important factor for us (a lot of my city dweller friends have the Chicco and love it)

Also need to still look into what is best for our car type...

I have the Chicco Keyfit 30 and it's on it's 4th kid! I checked the expiration date and it's still good. I feel that I have gotten my money's worth. The girls all did really well with it and longevity of use really does depend on your child. DD#3 was out of it faster than the other two because she grew the longest the fastest. I really liked the portability of it and we got it as a system with the stroller. All still going strong 6 years later. I also second the two base idea we even got one for my mom's car.

The best advise we ever got was to always buy two car seats (one for my car and one for DH car). It's something we've always done and it has worked really well for us. We never fight about who has what car to do pick up/drop off and we are always ready to go!

2ndGeneration · October 2014

I got the Chicco Keyfit 30. And the Chicco Nuevo stroller it fits onto. It fits into my Jeep Patroit, where the Graco seats didn't.

These seats have sure changed. The one I had for my other kids only went to 18 lbs and had a 3 point harness.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

@2ndGeneration - Boy, have they! Almost 18 years ago, with my son, I had just a carrier 3 point. No base, no LATCH system and no styrofoam absorber. Just the cushion kind of foam. Just a carrier that the seatbelt went over the top of. When I think about that now, I think "it's a good thing I never found out how unsafe that thing really was". If I had been in an accident, surely it would have flipped top to bottom or vice versa.

@NicoleWI, @mandyreads, @ksgsmu, @Lady2010, @JilliansMoma, @2ndGeneration + the Consumer Report has me seriously considering the Chicco. Thanks for the tips, ladies!!!

My_Matt · October 2014

I haven't even began to look! I think that I haven't quite grasped how little time I actually have to get everything done. ((gulp))

MsMacual · October 2014

Our infant seat is a Chicco key fit 30 and it is great. We have two bases (one for each car) and it is super easy to use- the straps don't twist, the base was easy to install and level, and it is super easy to adjust the straps as LO grows. The seat is a little heavier b/c the bottom is not as open as some other brands, but the ease of use totally outweighs the weight for me.

Right now our son is using a Britax Roundabout and a Marathon that we borrowed from my sister. I am going to buy two roundabouts this fall for him to use untill he's ready for a 5pt booster. I'm pretty sure his boosters will be Britax Pioneers. I love how easy britax seats are to install and use (similar pros as our chicco) which is why we'll probably stick with them. I also looked at Diano Radians as they are a little narrower and would give a little more room in the back seat (I have a smaller SUV and sometimes it feels tight with two seats). I would look very seriously at the Chicco convertible seat (Nextfit) if we were skipping the infant seat.

I think a huge factor is which stroller you are going to buy as different seats work or don't work with some strollers. At the end of the day every car seat meets or exceeds the federal stafety standards so your child is safe whether you buy a $40 seat or $400 seat!

harmonicbabe26 · October 2014

We used a Graco Snugride 30 with our first and we'll be reusing it with this baby.
When she turned 1, we switched to Graco All-in-One Smart seat.
Loving both. The Smart seat can be used from birth, but personally I liked popping the baby in and out when she was asleep without having to wake her in the process.

I have to disagree with whoever said to get the highest weight rated infant seat. IMO it's ridiculous to keep a kid who is like 18mo in an infant seat just because it is rear facing by default... A reclined 18+mo?? Good luck with that...

mandyreads · October 2014

anonymousmotley well we never used the latch 7yrs ago. Bad Momma Award here. But a funny story is when I was a baby, my mom would out either me or my twin brother in our little carriers down in the floor board (up front) and one in the seat next to her. My husband said it was a miracle that any of us in my family survived. lol

tahitiandreamin · October 2014

We also had a Chicco Keyfit with DD. It was super easy to use, even for the grandparents. We moved DD out of it at 8 months because she was so tall. They really become cumbersome to move around once babies hit a certain size/weight. We were all so happy to move DD to her Britax convertible at 8 months... she loved the change too! I really wouldn't worry about getting a seat with the max weight because you won't want to try to get them into the seat after a certain age and they won't be happy with it either.

I second the suggestion to really look at your stroller. That narrowed things down a lot for us.

Samuelismomma · October 2014

Chicco key fit 30 and stroller, used it for DS and loved it.

Mrs.McIrish · October 2014

ksgsmu said:

Chicco key fit 30's for the twins... I will use them with the city select double stroller

I'm also doing the Chicco Key Fit for the twins but with a double snap & go. I want the city mini double after they are out of the infant seats. I'm buying them from another twin mom I know from my clinic whose boys are just out growing them.

supersarah77 · October 2014

Wow, lots of votes for the Chicco Key Fit 30! We have a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30. We had one for DD1 and then our car was stolen, luckily we had a back up infant carseat in MH's car so we bridged the couple months until she switched to a convertible carseat around her first birthday. Zulily recently had the Primo Viaggios for a good price so I snatched up another one for this baby. We already had a backup base and the adapter for our BOB stroller so it made the most sense.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

I am loving this model: https://www.chiccousa.com/gear/strollers/bravo/bravo-stroller-polaris.aspx

Unfortunately, it's not available until December so I can't give it a test run to be certain I love it. I love the fold up ease, but I most love that it's a convertible stroller!! The only issue I have with it, is it doesn't have a snack/cup tray for the bebe. It does have a bar that snaps on and I suppose there may be snap on accessories that can be purchased to fix that?

I am def leaning toward Chicco, ladies.

harmonicbabe26 said:

We used a Graco Snugride 30 with our first and we'll be reusing it with this baby. When she turned 1, we switched to Graco All-in-One Smart seat. Loving both. The Smart seat can be used from birth, but personally I liked popping the baby in and out when she was asleep without having to wake her in the process. I have to disagree with whoever said to get the highest weight rated infant seat. IMO it's ridiculous to keep a kid who is like 18mo in an infant seat just because it is rear facing by default... A reclined 18+mo?? Good luck with that...

That was me. Not sure if it's a recommendation everywhere, but in Texas it is recommended that children be in the rear facing position until 2 years old or 35+ pounds. I had great luck with my daughter in her infant seat until she reached the weight limit and she was almost 2 years old then.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

mandyreads said:

anonymousmotley well we never used the latch 7yrs ago. Bad Momma Award here. But a funny story is when I was a baby, my mom would out either me or my twin brother in our little carriers down in the floor board (up front) and one in the seat next to her. My husband said it was a miracle that any of us in my family survived. lol

Girl! I hear ya! I have a picture from when my brother was little (maybe 3 years old, so this was 84ish) and he's STANDING in the front seat as we're driving back from the beach. A miracle indeed!! haha

anonymousmotley · October 2014

@mandyreads - I have a nice scar through my eyebrow because my 'moms arm seat belt' didn't work!

I've been sitting here, since reading your comment, thinking about life in the 70's AND 80's and how completely unsafe we all were!! LOL Sleeping in the back windshield...driving around town on the back of my dad's motorcycle without a helmet...I could go on and on and on. LOL

mandyreads · October 2014

@anonymousmotley‌ yeah me and hubs were just talking the other day about how my dad would drink a beer on the way to dinner sometimes or smoke while gasing up the car.
My mom even told me when we got a bit bigger our car seats would just hang over the seat in the car. Nothing latching it on. Hit a pot hole? It would go up in the air lol.
I also got hurt once when we got lightly rear ended by a semi at a red light. I went flying from the back of the station wagon to the front.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

Sounds like we had the same childhood...LOL @mandyreads‌! Sorry you got an injury tho! Hope it wasn't a serious injury!?

mandyreads · October 2014

No...nothing serious. Lol

tahitiandreamin · October 2014

@anonymousmotley Did your DD actually fit in the infant car seat until she was 2? My DD didn't hit the weight limit on our Chicco when we moved her to a rear facing convertible but she definitely hit the height limit. We kept her rear facing until she was 20 months and then we turned the convertible around.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

She was 19 months. She still hadn't outgrown it by then and we kept it in my husbands car while the convertible one was in mine, so we didn't have to take the convertible out if he needed to take her somewhere. And the only reason we upgraded was we had gone on a long road trip for the holidays and she was driving us INSANE! So before we headed home, we grabbed the Britax Marathon and some DVD's so she could face forward on the way home!! She was an angel all the way back!

xuxachi · October 2014

I have used and liked a britax infant car seat with both kids and will use again. The model starts with a C but I don't see it on their website.

2ndGeneration · October 2014

mandyreads said:

anonymousmotley well we never used the latch 7yrs ago. Bad Momma Award here. But a funny story is when I was a baby, my mom would out either me or my twin brother in our little carriers down in the floor board (up front) and one in the seat next to her. My husband said it was a miracle that any of us in my family survived. lol

The vehicle I drive now is the first one we've had with either tether points or latch! I have a friend who is a certfied carseat installer who is going to install the bases for us this week-I don't even know how to use the latchy thingy lol.

I rode in one of those carrier seats too, somehow being unbuckled on the front floorboard of a 1967 Volkswagon Bug was safer than being unbuckled on the seat LOL. My mom did buy a carseat for my brother when they were invented and even got a car with seatbelts in the back, which the old bug did not have, and put him back there and me IN the seatbelt, which most folks didn't do then in the 1970's.

NeonNoon · October 2014

Did you make a decision with the Urbini @mandyreads? It's ship-to-store here too. Also, cool in utero picture!

mandyreads · October 2014

I did order it. I should be getting it sent here next week. Went ahead and shipped to the house bc it was free shipping. I figured I better do it now so I have time to return it if it is not what i want. @NeonNoon‌

topaz7777 · October 2014

Just make sure you get one that has easy straps to tighten and release and a smoothly operating buckle. It's really annoying to fight with them every single day...

mdogan29 · October 2014

We're also looking at the Chicco KeyFit 30 (we have it in our registry @ BabiesRUs), they have a coupon on full-priced car seats right now -- it's for in-store only, have to print it out: https://trus.imageg.net/graphics/media/trus/DP100314A_BASE_V1.pdf (good until 10/23)

2ndGeneration · October 2014

I was really suprised how much the Graco seat hung over the Patriot's seat! Some of these carseats have gotten so huge now. What do people with lots of little kids DO lol-when I had lots of littles I had a minivan but many people drive SUV's now.

I'm scared to even consider the big convertibles later haha.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

mdogan29 said:
We're also looking at the Chicco KeyFit 30 (we have it in our registry @ BabiesRUs), they have a coupon on full-priced car seats right now -- it's for in-store only, have to print it out: https://trus.imageg.net/graphics/media/trus/DP100314A_BASE_V1.pdf (good until 10/23)

Thanks for the coupon! I'm for sure going with the Key Fit

BostonGayGal · October 2014

I've had Britax, Maxi Cosi, and Chicco seats and my favorite has been the Chicco by far. But the Aton also interests me...

mandyreads · October 2014

Mine comes in today! Cannot wait to get it here and see what it looks like.

anonymousmotley · October 2014

mandyreads said:

Mine comes in today! Cannot wait to get it here and see what it looks like.

Did you get it?

mandyreads · October 2014

Yes. I forgot to comment. I love it. It is narrow though. But I think it will suffice until she can sit up on her own and move to a convertible car seat. @anonymousmotley‌

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