infant car seats
Anybody have reccomendations for infant car seats?
I am getting ready to register this weekend and infant car seats are something that we definentely want to register for. We need one for a 2006 Ford Fusion and one for our 1997 Ford F-150 that has the extended cab that has the backseat in it. Thanks.
Unfortunatley I cannot just get an extra base because the base of the truck seat is not as wide as the base of the car seat. So, 2 different sizes there.
As far as getting 2 different seats b/c of different vehicles – you’re likely out of luck – simply b/c all infant seat bases are quite similar in size. you are not going to find one base that is significantly smaller than others. The only one that would likely be way too big to fit in the truck is going to be the Graco SafeSeat1, b/c its made to fit babies up to 30lbs, fits 99% of babies to at least 12 months many longer than that. For this reason and b/c of built in lockoffs, this seat is a favorite among car seat techs. The other faves are: Chicco Keyfit22 and Keyfit30 (actually both same seat, just tested to different weights), and Graco Snugride. Basically – most infant seats are pretty gosh darned similar. The only ones you definitely want to steer clear of are the Evenflo Seats. Cheaply made, and frequent recalls that seriously affect safety and their recall fixes stink.
All that said – as a single parent on a seriously limited income, I now realize I should’ve completely skipped the infant carrier stage. Its not a ‘needed’ stage in car seats, its just a convenience thing, and a recent – as in the last 15 years or so – invention to have a stay in car base and separate carrier. Here’s why I think its a waste: doesn’t last babies very long at all. You spend $60 and up on this carrier that is only going to last 5-8 months! And then you have to purchase a convertible car seat, and somewhere down the line a booster seat. If you skip the carrier phase, you just eliminated one seat. There is now one carrier on the market that promises to fit 99% of babies up to at least their first birthday – Graco SafeSeat1, goes to 30lbs. However, there are limitations to this awesome seat. It really will fit most kids that long, but that’s a catch-22. You really going to carry your 25lbs baby in a carrier?! My son was a BIG baby (still is a BIG kid!) and outgrew his carrier at 4 months. And, after baby gets above 10lbs or so, they are a pain in the butt to carry – quite awkward. So its not as convenient as it may at first seem. And some of the ‘convenient’ ways people use them aren’t good.
Carriers should NEVER be placed on grocery carts. It makes the carts unstable and they can tip over, seriously injuring the baby. Also, not all car seats fit all carts, and they don’t lock on, they’re just sitting there, posing an obvious threat. And some of the carts are shaped or sized in a way that it puts the carrier at an unsafe/uncomfortable angle for the baby. I’ve seen babies laying in carriers on carts with their head lower than their feet – not a good idea for digestion or spit up.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says Parents and caregivers should never Place an infant carrier on top of the shopping cart. “Many infant-only car safety seats lock into shopping carts, and many stores have shopping carts with built-in infant seats. This may seem safe, but thousands of children are hurt every year from falling out of shopping carts or from the carts tipping over. Instead of placing your baby’s car safety seat on the cart, consider using a stroller or front pack while shopping with your baby. ”
Also, we are seeing rampant developmental delays becuase babies are in these carriers (and swings, and bouncy seats…) so much. Look around everywhere you go and instead of holding their babies, people have them in these carriers. When on their back and harnessed (and any time a child is in a carrier, he needs to be harnessed, even though its not in a car!) they can not work the muscles they need to develop to crawl, sit up, and walk. In the manuals for these carriers, it even says specifically ‘for use in cars and strollers only’! But we all seem to miss that part.
So I highly recommend skipping the carrier phase. I think they are more a pain than a blessing, and a wasted of money if you don’t have a lot to throw around. Instead, get a convertible car seat that will fit a newborn (more on that later) and a sling, pouch, or wrap. Not one of those silly snugli or infantino carriers, but something like a ringsling, moby, or maya wrap. Wearing your baby gives everybody what they need. Babies get much needed closeness to mom (or dad, or anyone else for that matter!) and you get your hands free to do what you need to do, as well as you can even breastfeed in one! They offer many different positions to use them in, too, and go higher than carrier car seat weights (20-22lbs). Most go to at least 35lbs, so you will get much more use out of it for your money.
OK – so if you choose to skip the carrier phase, be careful about the convertible car seat you choose, b/c not all will fit newborns well. You want it to have low bottom slots.
Perfect options:
The Evenflo Triumph Advance (not the original Triumph, make sure it says Advance) is a great seat. $150 version at Babies R Us has padding similar to Britax seats, top slots of 17″, harnesses to 35lbs rear facing, and 50lbs forward facing. $120 Walmart version just has little less plush padding. Wide open belt path, easy to install, though it doesn’t have built in lockoffs. The harness adjusts at the front of the car seat, you don’t have to take the car seat out of the car just to raise/lower the straps. It’s one of only 2 seats that does this (The Britax Boulevard is the other, I believE), and it has infinite harness adjustment so the harness always fits perfectly until its outgrown. No more tugging straps to tighten them either. You tighten and loosen the harness using knobs on the side of the seat. As a major bonus, it can be used in a recline position even in forward facing mode. Awesome for kids who still sleep in the car. I LOVE THIS SEAT! LOL My son, who is too big for every other car seat at Walmart has the same amount of room in this as the Britax Marathon.
Cosco Scenera – $50 at Walmart/Kmart/Target. Great seat for the price. Goes up to 35lbs rear facing, 40lbs forward facing. Great rear facing seat, but is outgrown very quickly forward facing b/c of short top slots and short shell. You’ll still get you’re $50 worth out of it, though, as it will last most kids to at least 2 years, quadruple the amount of time of an infant seat!
As you’re shopping, remember these rules about seats:
1)the BEST seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly 100% of the time. (This is why convenience features DO make a difference and ARE worth the money! If its easy to use, you’re more likely to use it correctly.
2)Children should stay rear facing AS LNOG AS POSSIBLE!!!! The 20lbs/1 year rule is outdated and provides a bare minimum for turning kids forward facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend keeping kids rear facing as long as possible, up to the limits of their seat, preferably until at least 2 years of age. For good reason: A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age. A child’s vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone. In other countries, rear facing 2 – 3 – 4 year olds is standard, they understand that its safer. Here, we turn them as soon as we get to, seeing it as a right of passage thing or something. Ridiculous. Most convertible seats have a 30lbs rear facing limit, Cosco/Dorel/Safety1st/Eddie Bauer seats rear face to 35lbs, Britax rear faces to 33lbs.
3)Once you do turn them forward facing, they need to stay in a 5 point harness as long as possible. 4 years/40lbs is the minimum for riding in a booster, and most 4 year olds have no business using one yet. If they can’t sit upright for an entire trip, they need the harness of a car seat still. And, even if they do sit properly, a 5 point harness is safer, so you want to keep them in one as long as possible. This is important to consider b/c most car seats only forward face to 40lbs. My son just turned 3, and is in the 95th% for height and weight – 40″ tall and weighs 41lbs. He outgrew the 40lbs seats shortly after his 2nd birthday. It was a total waste of money. He now has a Britax Marathon, which goes to 65lbs, and will be able to fit it for some time yet. If I’d have bought it when he was born, I could have had one car seat this whole time instead of the 3 I wasted money on. They are more expensive for many reasons, this is one.
|
|
Tiny Tillia Pack and Ride Baby Cover, fits Car Seats, Strollers, BRAND NEW! $22.97 |
|
|
Tiny Tillia Pack and Ride Baby Cover, fits Car Seats, Strollers, BRAND NEW! $22.97 |
|
|
Children car safety seat baby car seat $25.55 |
|
|
BABY car SEAT COVER tropical fish choose from 2 colors $58.30 |
|
|
NEW BOYS Infant CAR SEAT COVER-For Graco Evenflo-CHASE $39.99 |
|
|
NEW Infant MINKY CAR SEAT COVER-For Graco Evenflo -ZITA $39.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Green with Mushrooms $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Blue Tye Dye $4.99 |
|
|
New infant Car seat belt covers – pink retro $4.99 |
|
|
New infant Car seat belt covers – Blue w/multi dots $4.99 |
|
|
New infant Car seat belt covers – Skulls and Flames $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Green with cars and trucks $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Blue w/cars $4.99 |
|
|
New infant Car seat belt covers – purple princess $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Sleepy time frogs $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Purple Zebra Stripes $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Brown with blue dots $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Pink Giraffe $4.99 |
|
|
New Infant Car seat belt covers – Pooh and Eeyore $4.99 |
|
|
Sunshade /sun canopy /parasol for Baby Carseat & Stroller pushchair pram NEW! $21.88 |
|
|
Sun shade canopy for Baby Car seat & Stroller pushchair 99% UV CUT SUN BLOCK $21.88 |
|
|
S1 by Safety 1st onBoard35 Air Infant Car Seat WITH EXTRAS $175.00 |
|
|
Gently Used Graco baby Travel Centers $75.00 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi IC099BGW Mico Infant Car Seat w/Back Seat Mirror – Sweet Cerise $190.99 |
|
|
NEW DVR Camera Records Kids/Baby in Rear Car Seat $99.99 |
|
|
View Baby Car Seat w/ Glass Mount Digital Video Camera $99.99 |
|
|
Phil&Ted’s Maxi Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat Adaptor $12.00 |
|
|
Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem/Duo Infant Car Seat Adapter for stroller USED $6.00 |
|
|
Graco Infant Car Seat Boot and Blanket (Birth & Up) = Crash Tested =(BRAND NEW) $0.99 |
|
|
GRACO SnugRide INFANT CAR SEAT REPLACEMENT COVER $61.99 |
|
|
The First Years Via Infant Car Seat Baby Safety Spiro Navy Y11238 LIGHTLY USED $72.08 |
|
|
Chicco Keyfit Caddy Baby Stroller Frame Infant Car Seat Carrier $51.00 |
|
|
ZEBRA AND PINK MINKY Baby Infant Car Seat Cover Graco OR EVENFLO $46.00 |
|
|
North Carolina Tarheels Team Car Seat Window Baby Shade $6.99 |
|
|
medium Lookout II Pet safety Booster dog Car Seat 25LB Suv Van truck Dog Carrier $104.95 |
|
|
infant carseat cover stroller cover JJ Collection BuNdLeMe EUC $6.99 |
|
|
COOL BRITAX ROUDABOUT BABY SEAT COVER IN zebra white $44.99 |
|
|
Farely new Graco infant car seat bought from buy buy baby $55.00 |
|
|
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 Infant Car Seat – Nero $269.99 |
|
|
EVENFLO OSHKOSH BABY SEAT COMPLETE W. BASE $40.00 |
|
|
Toddler Baby Minky CAR SEAT COVER-ZOE fits Britax Graco $32.99 |
|
|
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat Baby Travel Gear CC043AJTG NEW $104.99 |
|
|
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio car set + 2 bases, Newport pattern $0.99 |
|
|
Protect a Bub Car Seat Sunshade fits all infant & toddler car seats free shippin $34.99 |
|
|
*** Infant Baby Car Seat Cover/Canopy Personalized *** $25.95 |
|
|
Graco Vinyl Car Seat Protector Baby Safety Gear Car Seat Booster Accessory $10.99 |
|
|
Safety 1st Complete Air 65 Car Seat Hawaiian Rose New 2012 $179.00 |
|
|
Baby Jogger Mini/Elite/Classic Car Seat Adaptor $59.99 |
|
|
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio sip 30/30 Car Seat – Pois Grey $269.99 |
|
|
NEW Toddler Baby CAR SEAT COVER-NATE-for Britax Graco $32.99 |
|
|
Baby Car Seat Side Back Storage Pocket Backseat Organizer 2 Colors $4.99 |
|
|
Summer Infant Universal Car Seat Slip Cover – Flower Shower $12.50 |
|
|
Red White and Gray Houndstooth Baby Carrier Car Seat Tent Canopy Monogrammed Eli $10.00 |
|
|
High Quality Safety Infant Child Baby Car Seat Seats Carrier Portable Hot Sale $45.99 |
|
|
GIRAFFE BLACK WHITE INFANT BABY CAR SEAT COVER GRACO $39.99 |
|
|
Safety 1st OnBoard 35 Air Baby/Child Travel Car Seat $159.00 |
|
|
Chicco Keyfit 30 – Infant Car Seat- Used $65.00 |
|
|
Baby Jogger Mini/Elite/Classic Car Seat Adaptor #zTS $59.99 |
|
|
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat base $20.50 |
|
|
Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Infant head and body support car seat stroller liner soft $6.99 |
|
|
Baby Infant car Seat Carrier Cover w/Real Tree fabric $34.99 |
|
|
1968 Press Photo Baby Car Seat Belts $27.88 |
|
|
NEW MOSSY OAK/BREAK UP PRINT/BROWN MINKY INFANT CAR SEAT COVER/Eddie Bauer fit $44.99 |
|
|
BRITAX B-READY LOWER INFANT CAR SEAT ADAPTER $62.00 |
|
|
pink panther baby toddler car seat stroller Fleece personalized baby blanket $12.00 |
|
|
NWT Carters Ziggle NB Tag Along Lion Car Seat Attachable Activity Pull Baby Toy $7.99 |
|
|
CUTIE CAT IN THE HAT INFANT CAR SEAT COVER/GRACO FIT $49.99 |
|
|
Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support $5.99 |
|
|
Infant Baby Carseat Cover Wrap Blue & Brown Homemade Protection from Weather $24.95 |
|
|
Handmade “one fits all” stroller/carseat baby blanket $21.95 |
|
|
Handmade “one fits all” stroller/carseat baby blanket $21.95 |
|
|
3D BABY INFANT CAR STROLLER SEAT GREEN CHARMS FIT BEAD BRACELET SUIT PENDANT $0.99 |
|
|
PLAYSKOOL Dollhouse WHITE & PINK CONVERTIBLE CAR + BABY SEAT INSIDE TRUNK OPENS $9.75 |
|
|
NEW CUTIE STARS & BROWN INFANT CAR SEAT COVER/GRACO FIT $49.99 |
|
|
Baby Jogger 50935 Single Car Seat Adaptor for Chicco Car Seats $3.25 |
|
|
Infant Carrier, Infant car seat with base Baby Trend Latch Loc great condition $40.00 |
|
|
Infant Baby Boy Car Seat Cover Blue Brown Fleece Snowflake Flannel NEW Handmade $19.99 |
|
|
Baby Infant Boy Car Seat Cover Blue Sports Ball Fleece Dot Flannel NEW Handmade $17.99 |
|
|
Blue Butterfly Bug Fleece Infant Girl Car Seat Cover Pink Flannel NEW Handmade $19.99 |
|
|
Gender Neutral Baby Infant Car Seat Cover Khaki Dots Fleece and Flannel NEW $17.99 |
|
|
Blue Floral Fleece Turtle Flannel Infant Baby Girl Car Seat Cover NEW handmade $17.99 |
|
|
Maroon Fleece Sports Ball Flannel Infant Boy Car Seat Cover New Handmade U of MN $14.99 |
|
|
My Melody & Kuromi Design Seat Belt Cover Car Use Baby Car $0.99 |
|
|
Light Blue Fleece Elephant Flannel Infant Baby Boy Car Seat Cover Barely Used $10.00 |
|
|
NEW MOSSY OAK/BREAK UP PRINT/BROWN MINKY INFANT CAR SEAT COVER/Graco 32 & 35 fit $44.99 |
|
|
NEW MOSSY OAK/BREAK UP PRINT/BROWN MINKY INFANT CAR SEAT COVER/Baby Trend fit $44.99 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat FootMuff – Sugar Coral $58.34 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat FootMuff – Brown Earth $58.34 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat FootMuff – Total Black $58.34 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat FootMuff – Lapis Blue $58.34 |
|
|
Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat FootMuff – Intense Red $58.34 |
|
|
Baby Carseat Cover – Purple and White Spring Flower Print with Ribbon Ties $34.99 |
|
|
BABY STELLA CAR SEAT-MANHATTAN TOY-NEW IN BOX!!! $36.95 |
|
|
Graco Vinyl Car Seat Protector Baby Safety Gear Car Seat Booster Accessory $10.99 |
|
|
Graco Car Seat Infant – Elyse $99.00 |
|
|
Infant car seat cover Blue & Tan $5.99 |
|
|
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat Baby Travel Gear CC043AJTG NEW $104.99 |
|
|
BABY / INFANT MOSQUITO NET FITS STROLLER, CRIB, OR CHILD CAR SEAT $15.99 |
|
|
GRACO SnugRide INFANT CAR SEAT COVER ~ Damask & Pink ~ $79.99 |
|
|
Britax Chaperone Black/Silver Car Seat & Base – Local Pick Up Only! $80.00 |
5 ways to keep kids safe this summer
Injuries are the leading cause of death for children. Here are tips from the experts on how to handle the biggest threats.
