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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Car seat ratings?
What's the best place to check car seat ratings? I use Consumer Reports as a product buying bible, but I know it's not reliable for car seats. We need to buy 2 new ones in the next few months- where can I check ratings?
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Posted 2/26/15 9:41 AM  |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Car seat ratings?
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
Eta: the best seat for you will depend on your vehicle, child's height and weight, and how many children/seats are in the back seat. Here is a link of recommended seats and their reviews. http://csftl.org/recommended-seats/
Message edited 2/26/2015 9:47:09 AM.
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| Posted 2/26/15 9:44 AM |
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
I know, thanks. I was interested in ease of use, fit to vehicle, etc.
Message edited 2/26/2015 9:51:17 AM.
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| Posted 2/26/15 9:47 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by wingsofsong
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
I know, thanks. I was interested in ease of use, fit to vehicle, etc.
I edited my post with a link. I know some people don't like them but post on car seats for the littles facebook group with your vehicle info and children's stats and budget and see what they recommend.
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| Posted 2/26/15 9:52 AM |
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by wingsofsong
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
I know, thanks. I was interested in ease of use, fit to vehicle, etc.
I edited my post with a link. I know some people don't like them but post on car seats for the littles facebook group with your vehicle info and children's stats and budget and see what they recommend.
Thanks. I've heard about csftl but wasn't really sure how it all worked. I'll check it out, thanks.
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| Posted 2/26/15 9:54 AM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Car seat ratings?
I used the info in baby bargains... they had info on some national rating guidelines, I ended up getting the b-safe infant car seat (and so glad we started with infant, DS came early and was only 5.5 pounds).
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
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| Posted 2/26/15 10:09 AM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by wingsofsong
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by wingsofsong
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
I know, thanks. I was interested in ease of use, fit to vehicle, etc.
I edited my post with a link. I know some people don't like them but post on car seats for the littles facebook group with your vehicle info and children's stats and budget and see what they recommend.
Thanks. I've heard about csftl but wasn't really sure how it all worked. I'll check it out, thanks.
CSFTL is a great group. If you don't get an answer, bump your post. Sometimes the group moves VERY fast and things get lost in the shuffle!!
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| Posted 2/26/15 10:12 AM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
I used the info in baby bargains... they had info on some national rating guidelines, I ended up getting the b-safe infant car seat (and so glad we started with infant, DS came early and was only 5.5 pounds).
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
It's a matter of opinion at this point. Some parents like to max out the seat (remember, the B-safe also has a 1" above top of head rule too. And it's whatever is reached FIRST in regards to limits)
you can begin to leave the seat in the car if carrying it in and out gets to be too heavy. Or you can switch whenever you want. Just remember, with a rear facing child, the straps need to be coming from below their shoulders. There are a few convertible seats that although they say will fit an infant, do not in actuality because of this.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me. I'm a certified CPST ("car seat tech") 
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| Posted 2/26/15 10:19 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
I used the info in baby bargains... they had info on some national rating guidelines, I ended up getting the b-safe infant car seat (and so glad we started with infant, DS came early and was only 5.5 pounds).
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
We switched when DD was almost 10 months, 26-27in, and 17.5 lbs. the infant carrier was just getting too heavy to carry and leaving it in the car wasn't an option bc one of us drops off and the other picks up from daycare. Most convertibles can be used from 5lbs and up. We have a Graco 4ever in one car and a Graco Milestone in the other. Love them both!
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| Posted 2/26/15 10:38 AM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Car seat ratings?
Consumer reports rates in terms of ease of use, fit to car, etc. They also factor in price. So more expensive 'safer' car seat may not rate as high due to the cost factor. They rated the Chicco Nextfit as their #1 last year. I have one in each car. We really like. Super fast and easy to install. Fits to most cars. It has the longest rear facing fit for most kids. My son is on the taller side so this was important.
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| Posted 2/26/15 11:09 AM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7634 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
DS is 10 months and I just ordered him a convertible car seat (which should be arriving in the next two weeks - its on back order).
We got the Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible since it is easy to switch between cars. My sister has it and likes it. She was able to fit it in her tiny Chevy Cobalt so that was an added plus - my car is only slightly bigger.
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| Posted 2/26/15 11:12 AM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Car seat ratings?
We switched my son at 7 months. He was already 28 inches and 19 pounds. The infant was ridiculous at that point. We were using a convertible seat though from the time we started daycare at 12 weeks in my car. We couldn't leave the infant seat at daycare and my husband and I switched drop-off and pick up. So we opted for using a convertible in my car just for daycare pickup instead of spending money on a second infant seat.
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| Posted 2/26/15 11:47 AM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
This is not true. Yes, they all need to pass MINIMUM safety standards, but that does not mean they are equally safe. Think about a car - is a Kia as safe as a Volvo? Is a small car as safe as an SUV? They all pass the same safety standards!
I very highly recommend the Britax new click tight car seats. They are incredibly easy to install and we can get them so much more secure than the same Britax that uses the latches. The seats are very safe and comfortable too.
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| Posted 2/26/15 12:01 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
We only had DS in the infant seat for 4 months. He was well below the max out of the seat but we were tired of in and out of the carrier and couldn't leave it in the car due to the amount of people we had driving DS around. The weights on the convertibles go pretty low so it was never an issue.
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| Posted 2/26/15 12:12 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Car seat ratings?
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
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| Posted 2/26/15 12:22 PM |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
As I said above, I highly recommend the Britax click tight seats - very easy to put in and out.
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| Posted 2/26/15 12:53 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by dlj97
Posted by jessnbrian
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
As I said above, I highly recommend the Britax click tight seats - very easy to put in and out.
So, I'm maybe a little dense, but it really is that simple that you lift up that section, thread the belt, and then close and click?
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| Posted 2/26/15 1:05 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ElizaRags35
All car seats are equally safe. The difference between a $40 seat and a $400 seat is padding, cup holders, fabric, etc. but they all pass the same safety tests.
This is not true. Yes, they all need to pass MINIMUM safety standards, but that does not mean they are equally safe. Think about a car - is a Kia as safe as a Volvo? Is a small car as safe as an SUV? They all pass the same safety standards!
I very highly recommend the Britax new click tight car seats. They are incredibly easy to install and we can get them so much more secure than the same Britax that uses the latches. The seats are very safe and comfortable too.
A $40 cosco scenera is just as safe as a $279 chicco nextfit provided they are installed and used correctly.
Link from NHTSA
Message edited 2/26/2015 2:15:25 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/15 1:31 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Posted by dlj97
Posted by jessnbrian
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
As I said above, I highly recommend the Britax click tight seats - very easy to put in and out.
So, I'm maybe a little dense, but it really is that simple that you lift up that section, thread the belt, and then close and click?
Even if it really is that easy you will not really want to take a seat in and out everyday. They are bulky and not fun to install even the easy ones. I suggest getting 2 cheaper seats before one expensive one and moving it from car to car.
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| Posted 2/26/15 2:01 PM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
Personally I'd just get one seat for each car if it is going to be a daily thing. My DH and I each one in our cars.
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| Posted 2/26/15 2:02 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by SLPRunner
Posted by jessnbrian
Those who have to take the convertible carseat in and out daily, which one do you have and is it easy to do? That's the issue we're going to be coming up against soon. We decided not to get the second base for the b-safe because we figured we'd be transitioning out of it soon. Ahhh decisions decisions!
Personally I'd just get one seat for each car if it is going to be a daily thing. My DH and I each one in our cars.
I agree. I can't imagine having to uninstall and reinstall every day. You can get 2 less expensive seats. The Evenflo Sureride is a recommended seat around $100 and it lasts until 40lbs rearfacing and 65lbs foward facing.
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| Posted 2/26/15 2:08 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
6m I hated hauling it up and down stairs.
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| Posted 2/26/15 3:06 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by jessnbrian
I used the info in baby bargains... they had info on some national rating guidelines, I ended up getting the b-safe infant car seat (and so glad we started with infant, DS came early and was only 5.5 pounds).
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
My dd turns one is less than two weeks and she is still in the infant car seat- I have the b-safe seat and while it is heavy to carry dd in the seat it has been amazing this winter. She is still within the height and weight limits but probably for only a bit longer- she will reach the height limit
Soon.
Message edited 2/26/2015 11:06:44 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/15 10:04 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Posted by Xelindrya
Posted by jessnbrian
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
6m I hated hauling it up and down stairs.
I had my 3rd DD in the convertible until a year. It was convenient for when she fell asleep in the car. Now we have her in a Britax Boulevard. I love that seat. I can't really vouch for it being easy to install, since my husband installed it once, we had it checked, and it hasn't been out since.
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| Posted 2/26/15 11:02 PM |
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Car seat ratings?
Anyone who used the infant car seat, how long did you keep your DC in that one before getting a convertible? I know we have a long ways before he hits the limits (another 7-8 inches or 17 lbs), but just curious!
I loved the convenience of the infant seat. So we kept them in it as long as we could. For our first, that was 18 months and for our second, it was a little over 15 months. Our third will be 10 months next week and we will have to stop using it in July (she'll be 14 months then) because it expires then.
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| Posted 2/26/15 11:21 PM |
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