Comments on: Any suggestions for a good convertible car seat?

By: Shelby's Momma

Shelby's Momma — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:54:47 +0000

I use the Britax Marathon. The angle for rear-facing actually needs to stay the same due to safety, but a larger carseat can make things more comfortable. My top picks:
Britax Marathon- Rear facing 5-35lbs, forward facing 22-65lbs. It has the patented versa-tether strap, known only to Britax, which keeps the head of a rear-facing carseat from flying up in an accident. Also has a washable seat cover that can be replaced. It expires in six years instead of 4-5 Drawback: Tall kids. My daughter is in 3T-4T clothing and measuring at the second to tallest harness slot and is only 2 years old! For boys the Decathalon works better since it has a crotch strap that can be adjusted.
Sunshine Kids Radian80: Rear facing 5-35lbs, forward facing 22-80lbs. This seat is more slim than the Marathon, but also taller and has a higher weight limit. It also folds for storage when not in use, but has the same expiration as Britax. Drawbacks: The slim seat has no side wings, meaning if your little one drops something it will most likely hit the floor.
Evenflo Triumph: Rear facing 5-35lbs, forward facing 22-50lbs. Affordable yes, but I find the harness adjustment to be an absolute pain, and you can’t take the harness out to hand-wash even! The seat cover comes off with long velcro pieces holding it on the seat, but the straps and buckles are there forever. No soaking a super sticky chest clip in warm water (never submerge your crotch clip).

There are new seats every time I turn around, but these are the ones I have experience with, and they are listed in the order I recommend. There are lots of 40lb weight limit seats as well, but with most states moving to a 6 year and 65lb harness restriction, and with safety recommendations saying the same I simply rule these out. Good luck and be sure to take baby to the store to test him in them, and the seats themselves in your car! I know Babies R Us will do this.

By: Emma's MumMum & 22 Weeks w/

Emma's MumMum & 22 Weeks w/ — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:46:06 +0000

Cosco Alpha Omega. It goes to a booster seat as well. Don’t spend a ton of money….they all are held to the same government regulations.

By: cugini2006

cugini2006 — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:21:15 +0000

Honestly you will be wasting your money with a convertible car seat. Unless you plan to keep him rear facing past one and 20 pounds. The best seat on the market that is well worth the money is the Graco Nautilist. It sells at wal mart for $154.00 depending on which store you goto. Babies R us is about the same, and if you look in their adds you might find a 10-20$ off coupon. This car seat is highly recommened for a 20 pound 1 year old. It will be the ONLY car seat you will ever have to buy again!!! It harnesses up to 65 pounds, then goes to a high back booster, then goes to a backless booster, till your child is 100 pounds. If your looking for a ‘cool color’ then this isn’t the seat for you. It only comes in grey and black for right now. But honestly…whats important? color? or safeness? I just bought this seat for my daughter who is 23 pounds and 33 inches tall. And she LOVES it!!! she has a cup holder, arm rests, and it lets her seat out. It also has every pre-caution there is. As far as ‘not pinching the legs, etc It also has a pad that goes under their bottom, so if they spill a drink, or have an accident you take the pad off, and wash it. You don’t have to take the whole car seat apart. It’s very easy to install. It is heavy though.
I am completely SOLD on this product. Goto your local Babies R US and ask them to demonstrate that car seat to you with your child in it. It’s GREAT!
If you really need your son out of the infant seat, I would just buy a cheap rear facing seat from wal mart, then buy the Nautilist. But remember. He must stay rear facing till 1 year AND 20 pounds!! And they are trying to pass a new law that children must remain in a car seat till 65 pounds. And the longer you can keep him harrnessed the better!!
GOOD LUCK !

By: Jacob's Mommy

Jacob's Mommy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:11:45 +0000

Britax costs WAY too much, there is no reason to buy a $300+ car seat. We bought the Safety First Alpha Omega and we love it…our son also seems very comfortable in it. I bought it for $130 at Wal-Mart.

We have a much cheaper one for my husbands car and I hate it…mostly because it’s not very cusiony and you have to take the entiire lining off to adjust the straps. Buy one that has the No Thread Harness adjuster for sure..they’ll have handles on either side of the seat where you pull or push the harness into the spot you need it without having to re-thread it.

By: Tati

Tati — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:51:51 +0000

honestly i just went to the store and looked for one that was within my price range that looked comfortable, i have no clue what brand it is but that method worked well, he’s forward facing now and all is fine… only advice is when you are looking at the seats check how easily the straps and be adjusted and make sure the seat ‘lining’ can be removed for washing

By: Johnny's Mommy

Johnny's Mommy — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:27:15 +0000

Britax Marathon. Anything made by Britax is good though. Kind of expensive.

By: Artie Lange Fan

Artie Lange Fan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:09:50 +0000

I think the Britax seats are the best

Mine goes to 65 lbs