Car seat...... - What brands do you use.....?

akbutterfly83 wrote: I'm trying to figure out what brand car seat to get Mason..... the one I found that i like so far is: Safety 1st Enspira 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat... for children from 5-80lbs.... but i don't know any one with this brand......

Any info, or advice on a good car seat...... is apreciated.....

thanks everyone........

Boys r us replied: Well, with Tanner my oldest, I was in a hurry to get him into a "big boy" carseat, but quickly learned that the longer he's in his infant carrier the better!
It's so much more convenient that way.

But anyhow, onto your question..we have three, one is the Cosco Eddie Bower one, the other two are the Graco Sport comfort ride. I like the graco the best b/c it just fits him better and plus it matches my car with the black leather trim it has.

akbutterfly83 replied: Thanks for the input.....

If anyone else has any..... please do share... it's apretated(sp?).........

Thanks!!!!

Jamison'smama replied: For the convertable seat---we have Evenflo Triumph. It was the second best rated carseat in Consumer Report magazine at the time--right behind Britax. We actually liked it better than the Britax for our needs. It worked well rear facing (after she outgrew the carrier-type) then now forward facing.

Evenflow Triumph

We also had a Graco Comfort Sport for traveling--much lighter to carry around the airport than the Triumph--

mom21kid2dogs replied: The best way to select a car seat that is best for you is to try one out at a store that lets you do this. Do you live near a Babies R Us or TRU? They will let you use their demo seats to install in your car. This way, you can actually see which car seat fits your vehicle, fits your son and is one that YOU can install and use correctly each and every time you use it.

Because of your son's age, you will need a convertible seat. Small babies don't fit particularly well in these seats and I second Boys r us's about not rushing him out of his infant seat. Infant seats afford infants the most protection possible and every step "up" the car seat chain you go, the less protection that seat will offer your child. Don't be in a hurry to ditch that infant seat. Most children won't outgrow them until 4-5 months of age, at least.

Because it is far safer to rear face than front face (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends minimally 18 months) you might look for a convertible seat with a good rear facing harness weight limit. Most are now at least 30lbs but there are a few on the market that allow rear facing to 35 lbs. Another feature you might want to consider/compare are the overall heights of the harness if you feel you child has a shot at being tall or being overly long in the torso. Looking at this factor will help you get the best seat for your child and one that will keep him harnessed longer.

Other things you should consider is ease of installation, particularly if you and or several people will be installing and reinstalling the seat. Take along a pool noodle cut to fit between center seat belts (the optimal seat placement IF you can get a good install there) you can place at the bight of the seat. This is allowed by most manufacturers to assist in getting a good install rearfacing. Rear facing installation is tricky, even for car seat techs so realize that practice will make perfect for most of us "mere mortals" . Check how smoothly the harness tightens rear facing so that you can ensure fitting it properly each time you place your child in it. EPS foam is a very nice feature for a seat to have. There have been no studies to prove it's effectiveness in a crash situation, but it only stands to reason that the stuff they line bike helmets with to protect your head will serve your child nicely in a crash. A rear facing tether is nice to have but only available in Britax seats at this time.

Although it is great to find out what others are using (I'm a Britax devotee myself but loved my Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 for rear facing!) it won't make your child safest. The things that ensure your child is riding safely is a seat that properly fits your car, fits your child and one YOU can use correctly! Britax has all the bells and whistles (and a price tag to match) but your child will be ever bit as safe in a 5 point (not overhead shield seat) Touriva IF it is installed and used properly. It's always a great idea, once you settle on a seat to have a certified car seat tech check your installation. Well trained techs (you might want to check with your health dept first and avoid police with car seat training. Unfortunately, they do not have the most up to date info and advice) can give you great tips and also ensure other car safety issues like proper window shades, identifying things in your car that might become flying cargo in an accident, etc.

Happy shopping! Hope you find something that works well for you!!

coasterqueen replied:
I ditto what Brenda said.

Kila replied: I've got a Graco Snug Ride. I like it.

texasp3 replied:
Absolutely agree with those two big points - find some place to "try on" the car seat or seats. And do go ahead and get an infant carrier for the first few months, especially since he's small.

In addition to the safety aspect, it's so nice to just pop the entire seat in and out when they're really little. Most of the time they're going to be asleep and you're really NOT going to want to disturb him by wrestling him in and out of a bigger seat. Also, when you go into stores or restaurants, those infant carriers fit perfectly in shopping carts and a lot of restaurants how provide carrier slings that are designed specifically to hold them. At home or if you're visiting friends or family, it works as a wonderful place for him to sleep and most of them rock nicely as well. It really makes getting out and about so much easier.

As for what we got... Gabriel was 4 weeks early and just barely six pounds. We had him in a Graco Snugride that was very nice - LOVED it. He grew FAST though, and we soon had him in the convertible seat - we have a Britax Marathon. I had heard so many people say they couldn't get the thing in their vehicle, that I made sure to stop by Babies R Us and try it out - especially since I drive a no frills, four door sedan. Not a minivan or SUV or anything like that! It fit fine!

I didn't even buy the seat at BRU, just tried it out. I gave them a chance to sell it to me. I told them what pattern I wanted and what price I could get it for from a different place (online) and they couldn't get me the pattern or a price that was even close. So, I really didn't feel bad about not buying after trying. They had their chance to be competitive and they blew it.

moped replied: I liked the Graco seat - it is the bucket, stroller and base for the car......we now use the evenflo for up to 80 lbs................

iluvmysweetiepies replied: We have the Graco Snugride too. We haven't really got to "try it out" yet but so far I like it.

loveydad replied: The twins are still in their snugrides at 11 months old!! They're not uncomfortable in them and I haven't bought new carseats just yet. I like the bucket seats.
I don't know any of the names just the brands.

The twits have the turbo booster. It's got a toy story print.

Tracy's is evenflo.

Nicky's is a britax > might be a marathon. I should post pictures of these kids and some expert can tell me.

Andriana's is a Graco- Henry bought it at Walmart. Which one I don't know. It's blue and black I think with like..polka dots on it. Sorry I have no idea.

Peter's is a snugride.

Snugride is the best and I would keep your baby in his bucket seat as long as possible.

I think that one is the one i want to get for the twins!

akbutterfly83 replied: here is a pic of the one i was looking @....

it's a: Safety 1st Enspira 3 in 1 Car Seat 5-80 Pounds

moped replied: I just found that until 20 lbs the bucket was best because when Jack fell asleep I didn't have to disturb him, just grabbed the bucket and away we went!!!!!!!

texasp3 replied: Oh, I forgot to say we really LOVE the Britax!! I find it easy to use, and it certainly appears to be very comfortable. We refer to it as the Barcalounger. We got the denim cover and I was astonished at the quality of the denim. It's a lovely washed indigo, very thick material, but VERY soft. You know how cheap denim can be... Igh! Of course, when you fork over the Britax bucks you SHOULD get lovely materials. I was still impressed at HOW nice, though.

By the way... I go to a family chiro - she is specializes in treating pediatric and pregnant patients (those are TOTALLY different techniques from you basic adult treatments). She told me to check any car seat I used - remove the cover and check to see where the foam padding ends. Almost all car seats have the foam padding stop about 3/4 or 2/3 of the way down the back of the seat. This results in the baby's spine having uneven support. Not a good thing.

I found my Graco Snugride to have padding about 3/4 of the way down the back. I simply added similar padding to extend down the back and across the seat. Gabriel then had even spine support.

I did NOT find this problem with the Marathon - their spinal support system is terrific!