Carseat

Heatherbrae · August 2016

I'm ready to switch my 7 month old to a big girl seat, any suggestions on brand/seat?

cali1710 · August 2016

I was JUST wondering about this the other day, when to switch then to the car seats. Interested to see what others suggest.

KFrob · August 2016

I just read a consumer report article that said by at least 1 year or when LOs head is one inch from the top of the seat, which ever comes first. They suggested two inexpensive ones that I saved for when we make the switch. They were:
Evenflo Sureride for $100 and the Cosco Scenera next for $45

I'm ready to move her since she's getting so heavy to lug around in the infant carrier. My husband thinks I'm rushing it.

cali1710 · August 2016

@KFrob she's getting so heavy!!! I'd like to move her but not sure if shes ready.

Kelley421 · August 2016

I've decided on the Diono Radian RXT. But.. I'm using these infant seats as long as I possibly can, at least until after first birthday. You can continue using the infant seat and still just take your baby out of it, if you don't want to lug the seat + baby.
my reasons for choosing the Radian- it has a rear facing tether, slim style so I can fit 2-3 next to each other comfortably, steel frame, and then into a booster up to 120lbs so I will never need buy another seat.
I found thecarseatlady.com to be a good resource.
also Zulily has these seats sometimes for $199, which is a great deal.

failuretofly · August 2016

I agree with @Kelley421, I've heard great things about Diono. I dont think 'they're too heavy' is a legitimate reason to stop using the bucket seat? Just don't take it out of the car? The same as you'd do with any other seat.

KFrob · August 2016

Not taking it out isn't really an option for us since there's one seat and multiple bases in multiple cars. She moves between mom's car, daycare, and dad's car throughout the day. On trips where I know I can I'll just take her out and leave the seat in. When we switch over we'll obviously have to be purchasing several seats

Also all of the convertible seats I've looked at have a minimum weight of 5lbs so there's no size that LO has to reach to switch over if you're ready.

Edit added more

kraane · August 2016

Rear facing convertible seats are just as safe as the infant seats so it's just preference. Some people use convertibles from birth.
We just switched our LO to a convertible because I was taking her out of the bucket more often anyways. We actually got one for each vehicle. The Evenflo Sureride and the Peg perego 5-65. I am happy with the height and weight limits on these seats as she should be able to rear face until at least 3, maybe 4. I like them both but I have to watch the straps on the Sureride to make sure they don't twist. This seat has a single cover so it should be easy to clean.
The peg is so easy to get her in and secure but I had to use a rolled towel under to get it properly level. (Made sure this was allowed in my manual) The peg also has a 10 year expiration date so we should be able to use it for our next child.
Not every seat fits properly in every vehicle so I encourage you to try them out before you buy if you can.
I did a lot of research before buying mine but remember all the seats pass the same safety tests to be approved.

mestokes · August 2016

We switched at 4 months because LO was big and uncomfortable in the infant car seat. We got the graco 4ever from target when it was on sale and they had a deal where if you spent $250 on baby stuff you got a $50 giftcard. It's a $300 seat we got for $210 and we love it. If you have a babies r us near you, I've heard they do a carseat swap twice a year where if you turn in your infant car seat you get a certain percentage off a new carseat - I think it's 25%. Might be worth looking into!

kraane · August 2016

Kelley421 said:

I've decided on the Diono Radian RXT. But.. I'm using these infant seats as long as I possibly can, at least until after first birthday. You can continue using the infant seat and still just take your baby out of it, if you don't want to lug the seat + baby.
my reasons for choosing the Radian- it has a rear facing tether, slim style so I can fit 2-3 next to each other comfortably, steel frame, and then into a booster up to 120lbs so I will never need buy another seat.
I found thecarseatlady.com to be a good resource.
also Zulily has these seats sometimes for $199, which is a great deal.

I have heard the booster mode is often outgrown (height) around the same time at the harness mode so buying a dedicated booster is often needed anyways. I was looking at getting a seat that was able to convert into a booster but after doing some reading we decided on rear facing forward facing harnessed convertible using those until the limits on the seat and then buying a dedicated booster. Although the radians are slim and good for 3 across situations.

krrpe99 · August 2016

We're going to wait until the weather gets cooler before we transition. In Texas it's too hot to leave the car seat in the car right now. Even though our Kong-baby is so heavy to carry, it beats trying to put her in a scalding hot seat.
I'm not sure what we're going to do next summer!

charliesmommy6 · August 2016

We bought the Britax click tight advocate and are switching this week - at least in my car which LO is in for the longest car rides. He's too uncomfortable in the infant seat and I find it hard to buckle him in when the seat is already in the car. It was pricey but I've heard good things about it and he's going to use it for a long time so that's how I'm justifying the cost. I'll update later this week once I actually install the seat and start using it

Kelley421 · August 2016

@kraane The Radian is rated as a booster up to 57", at which point usually a booster is no longer required.
Then again, there is probably no WAY a 120lb kid would rise in a booster. My ten year old is 100lbs and would be mortified to be in a booster seat. Marketing strategy to show a huge range.
I agree, all seats pass the same tests, it's whatever works best for you and your car.

Becky012016 · August 2016

We got the graco 4ever and love it! For those of you waiting to switch seats until the last possible moment- make sure your LO hasn't outgrown the manufacturer's specs first. We had the graco click connect 30 meaning the seat was good until DS reached 30lbs OR 30in, which ever came first. DS is barely 16 pounds but already 29in so it was time to make the switch.

ShortStuff5 · August 2016

my husband and I just switched our daughter to a Chicco next fit zip convertible carseat she could have been in it the whole time weight starts at 5 lbs to 40 rear facing and 22 lbs to 65 lbs forward facing we love it definitely recommend. The whole cover can be unzipped and washed. She enjoys it so much better as well than her little seat. It comes with an infant insert that's used up till 11 lbs then taken out. I would post a picture of her in it but this app does not let me post any pictures.

ekscopp · August 2016

We have the graco 4ever. I love it! I switched bc I couldn't carry the bucket seat any more. I like the switch, but it's tough getting used to having to carry her around and not be able to just plop her down anywhere! In a weird bonus, it turns out this car seat is a magic pooping seat! She goes in it almost every time she is in it I swear!

stephanienjer · August 2016

We have a Graco 360 ready to be installed. We have two infant seats--one for each car, and one of them is too narrow in the shoulders already. You can see her scrunched up a little. And while I know that you're not supposed to reuse a seat, we're using this one, because it was for a temporary foster baby, and doesn't expire for some time. I'm flying with LO on my lap across country in November, so I'm hoping to hold off on the other seat for then. My reasoning is that we can ship it via Prime directly to my mom in CA, and then we only have to personally ship it back to Indiana. I am leery about checking a car seat, since impact is such a concern, and they are less than careful handling baggage.

mesamyt · August 2016

@krrpe99 Living in Arizona I feel you on the heat thing. We use car seat coolers and a towel to cover the buckles and seat so it won't get too hot. The car seat coolers are ice packs that have been sewn together (in adorable fabrics, of course). We use those if we know we will be out and about a while. They've been wonderful!

teachmegs817 · August 2016

Whatever you ladies choose. Always check Target's Cartwheel App. lately I've been seeing a lot of their car seats featured for 10-25% off. My dad ended up getting one for the grandkids, for his car. He can use it for all 3 of our boys. It was a Graco one, that got good reviews too. I believe it was an additional 25% off, on top of already being on sale. We got the Graco My Size 65 convertible car seat from Babies R Us.

maureenmce · August 2016

ShortStuff5 said:

my husband and I just switched our daughter to a Chicco next fit zip convertible carseat she could have been in it the whole time weight starts at 5 lbs to 40 rear facing and 22 lbs to 65 lbs forward facing we love it definitely recommend. The whole cover can be unzipped and washed. She enjoys it so much better as well than her little seat. It comes with an infant insert that's used up till 11 lbs then taken out. I would post a picture of her in it but this app does not let me post any pictures.

We just got this one too - my husband was in a car accident (with our LO too, but luckily they were both ok!) and we had to get a new car seat anyway, so we switched to a convertible one. I still have the infant one in my car (we each need one since I do drop offs at day care and he does pick ups.) Anyway, LO loves the bigger seat! I'll get the same one for my car once she's outgrown the infant one.

jblake320 · August 2016

I got the graco 4ever and it's awesome! The adjustments are easy and it's the only seat she'll ever need!

BarrettJ89 · August 2016

I really don't look forward to switching Brynlee to a convertible seat... her older brother is still too young to be reliable with walking (not plopping/throwing tantrums) as he's only 19 months... the idea of carrying both or trusting my son to SIT in a shopping cart, etc makes my brain hurt. Plus, it's going to be a real challenge to fit both, rear facing convertible seats in my truck. I don't think they'll fit next to each other, plus it would be a major pain to climb into the center to buckle one kid in... but my 9 year old stepdaughter has to fit in there somewhere!

l4rk · August 2016

Kelley421 said:

@kraane The Radian is rated as a booster up to 57", at which point usually a booster is no longer required.
Then again, there is probably no WAY a 120lb kid would rise in a booster. My ten year old is 100lbs and would be mortified to be in a booster seat. Marketing strategy to show a huge range.
I agree, all seats pass the same tests, it's whatever works best for you and your car.

Interesting... it's actually the law where I live to use a booster until 9 years old, regardless of weight, unless they are over 4'9.

It's also the law here to rear-face until at least 1 year, and they recommend continuing to do so until 2 or 3. I was surprised to read this thread where so many people are already switching!

mestokes · August 2016

@l4rk our convertible seat rear faces

I'm planning to keep my LO rear facing for at least 2 years!!

Kelley421 · August 2016

Every state has different laws. My state law is rear facing until age 2, and height/weight requirements on boosters. That brings up another important point though for everyone to check their state laws.
After watching videos of what can happen when you switch to forward facing too early..well I'd rather rear face as long as it is safe to do so

MissMheMhe · August 2016

We plan on rear facing until he outgrows the limit of the seat we choose. We're looking at the Safety 1st Grow and Go.

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