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Juliette
I need to know which car seat brand is the BEST, because I don't want my baby falling out of the car seat, (if you know what I mean). If your asking I'm 21 years old, she's due on August 23rd, and I'm really working on that baby bump!
Answer
The safest car seat is one that fits your vehicle, your child, and is used correctly each and every time.
The most expensive car seat, doesn't mean your child is the safest. I have seen parents buy an expensive $300 Britax Convertible and they use it front facing for a child that should be rear facing. That child would be much safer in a cheap rear facing Cosco seat. In fact, all car seats pass the same standards. Every car seat company likes to advertise themselves to be the safest. Also, consumer reports is very biased. They often test seats in ways the manufacturer didn't intend.
Furthermore, you aren't forced to use an infant car seat for an infant. Infant car seat carriers with the base is only for convenience. I find them too much trouble than their worth- the carrier itself weighs about 20 lbs and with your baby in it, it will easily weigh up to 25 lbs. Also, your baby won't stay light for long, and it will get up to 30 and 35 lbs with your baby in it! I know that you won't use a carrier after the baby is 5 months old. You will leave it in the car and buckle your child in it. Nevertheless, children shouldn't be left in a reclined position longer than necessary. Infants shouldn't be left to sleep in their car seats. Travel systems are bad for your baby's health- the child is left in the reclined positioned and as a plus, isn't held! :(
Infants can use convertible car seats. Convertibles are used rear facing by installing it with the rear facing belt path, then are turned front facing and installed with the forward facing belt path.
But to answer your question, the safest car seat for your baby and older toddler or even preschooler is being restrained properly in a rear facing car seat. If you can find a rear facing car seat with a high weight limit and a tall shell for your toddler, then keep her rear facing! Many kids can be rear faced up until age 3 with our American car seats, but some small kids can rear face up to age 4. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping a child rear facing up until at LEAST age 2. In Sweden and in other scandanavian countries, children are kept rear facing until at least age 4 or 5 years old and that is the norm. Of course, their car seats have such high weight limits of 55 lbs! Their car seats are outgrown a little different too. In some states, it may be illegal to use a foreign car seat, but I would trust any swedish car seat with my child's life- their standards are much more strict than our standards. Their car seat standards check for the forces on a child's neck. This is called the plus test. It is so strict, that manufacturers won't even test a forward facing car seat- they know that forward facing car seats will NEVER pass the test as the forces on a forward facing child's head and neck are far too great. Forward facing car seats with the harness are not even sold in Sweden! Parents won't buy them for their 1 year old, 2 year old, or 3 year old. You could buy a Swedish car seat at www.car-seat.se, but 1st buy a US car seat to keep your little one rear facing until 20 lbs. Swedish rear facing car seats are huge and are meant for children over 20 lbs. Just make sure you watch the installation video.
If you want long rear facing time, but are looking for a US seat, I would check the fit of the Diono Radians in your vehicle. You can go to toys r us to check out the fit, or you can
The safest car seat is one that fits your vehicle, your child, and is used correctly each and every time.
The most expensive car seat, doesn't mean your child is the safest. I have seen parents buy an expensive $300 Britax Convertible and they use it front facing for a child that should be rear facing. That child would be much safer in a cheap rear facing Cosco seat. In fact, all car seats pass the same standards. Every car seat company likes to advertise themselves to be the safest. Also, consumer reports is very biased. They often test seats in ways the manufacturer didn't intend.
Furthermore, you aren't forced to use an infant car seat for an infant. Infant car seat carriers with the base is only for convenience. I find them too much trouble than their worth- the carrier itself weighs about 20 lbs and with your baby in it, it will easily weigh up to 25 lbs. Also, your baby won't stay light for long, and it will get up to 30 and 35 lbs with your baby in it! I know that you won't use a carrier after the baby is 5 months old. You will leave it in the car and buckle your child in it. Nevertheless, children shouldn't be left in a reclined position longer than necessary. Infants shouldn't be left to sleep in their car seats. Travel systems are bad for your baby's health- the child is left in the reclined positioned and as a plus, isn't held! :(
Infants can use convertible car seats. Convertibles are used rear facing by installing it with the rear facing belt path, then are turned front facing and installed with the forward facing belt path.
But to answer your question, the safest car seat for your baby and older toddler or even preschooler is being restrained properly in a rear facing car seat. If you can find a rear facing car seat with a high weight limit and a tall shell for your toddler, then keep her rear facing! Many kids can be rear faced up until age 3 with our American car seats, but some small kids can rear face up to age 4. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping a child rear facing up until at LEAST age 2. In Sweden and in other scandanavian countries, children are kept rear facing until at least age 4 or 5 years old and that is the norm. Of course, their car seats have such high weight limits of 55 lbs! Their car seats are outgrown a little different too. In some states, it may be illegal to use a foreign car seat, but I would trust any swedish car seat with my child's life- their standards are much more strict than our standards. Their car seat standards check for the forces on a child's neck. This is called the plus test. It is so strict, that manufacturers won't even test a forward facing car seat- they know that forward facing car seats will NEVER pass the test as the forces on a forward facing child's head and neck are far too great. Forward facing car seats with the harness are not even sold in Sweden! Parents won't buy them for their 1 year old, 2 year old, or 3 year old. You could buy a Swedish car seat at www.car-seat.se, but 1st buy a US car seat to keep your little one rear facing until 20 lbs. Swedish rear facing car seats are huge and are meant for children over 20 lbs. Just make sure you watch the installation video.
If you want long rear facing time, but are looking for a US seat, I would check the fit of the Diono Radians in your vehicle. You can go to toys r us to check out the fit, or you can
Has anyone tried both the Maxi Cosi and the Chicco Keyfit carseat/travel system? suggest?
Determined
Which would you suggest?
Answer
Across almost all review sites, including Consumer Reports, people say the Chicco Keyfit is the best infant car seat.
Here is one baby review site that has some good reviews of the Keyfit: http://www.viewpoints.com/Chicco-KeyFit-reviews
Across almost all review sites, including Consumer Reports, people say the Chicco Keyfit is the best infant car seat.
Here is one baby review site that has some good reviews of the Keyfit: http://www.viewpoints.com/Chicco-KeyFit-reviews
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