Best car seats according to redditors
We found 201 Reddit comments discussing the best car seats. We ranked the 101 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 201 Reddit comments discussing the best car seats. We ranked the 101 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I have a three-week old. Here's my very fresh advice.
A swaddling sleep sack is awesome. It's a straightjacket for newborns. Makes it easier to feed (hands don't get in the way), helps calm him/her down, and sleep longer. You can swaddle with just a small blanket, but our baby breaks out in no time. The sleep sack keeps her swaddled for much longer.
Don't buy a ton of newborn clothes. If you have lots of family, you may need to buy none. Put a hint in your announcement on facebook, or the email or whatever, that some baby clothes would be greatly appreciated. You'll get quite a lot. Send a family member to the local swap or big yardsale, and get even more cheap.
For a bassinet, we have this pack and play. It can be folded up in ~3 minutes, and it transforms to a crib later, so it will last a while.
Our hospital sent us home with some extra diapers, enough for 2 days. If yours does the same, that gives you time to run to the grocery store and buy a couple of packs of the same size. Don't go overboard, they grow quickly. This changing pad is cheap, and you can use it on the floor, table, bassinet, etc.
Don't be afraid to blatantly lean on any close by relatives for support. Cleaning, food, etc. They want to spend time with the baby, and they will help you out.
If the hospital has a lactation consultant and you're going with breastfeeding, try to make sure they stop by for at least one feeding. They're very knowledgeable and helped us out alot.
You're probably pretty terrified. I had 9 months to prepare and I wasn't sure I wanted to be a dad. It's amazing how quickly you will fall in love with your little poop machine. I can't stop staring into her little chubby face, and I can't wait until we get to the interactive stages. The care is time consuming, but it's not hard, you'll do fine.
We got this car seat and are happy with it easy to get into the car, easy to remove, you can buy extra bases for multiple cars. They make strollers that the car seat snaps into, so you don't have to take the baby out to swap.
My baby wants to be bouncing when she's awake. Constantly. The swing is only sufficient sometimes. A baby carrier is just the the solution for us. We wear her around and bounce on an exercise ball, or just walk around doing chores.
Before you leave the hospital you will need the carseat. Send a relative out to toy's-r-us to get it. You'll probably want the bassinet immediately too. Everything else you can acquire in the first two days. Save receipts and don't be afraid to return if the baby doesn't like it.
Just switched my 4yr old to this seat, he will remain in a 5 point harness as long as possible and this seat converts to high back booster when they are ready and then to a regular booster, so this should be the last seat we ever need to buy him.
http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Nautilus-Car-Seat-Matrix/dp/B0011URFRE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377792607&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=graco+nauti
First, take a breath. Everything is gonna be all right.
Unless you helped raise your siblings or work in a daycare, most people go into parenthood without much relevant experience. (I had absolutely none.) It's one of those things that you learn on the job.
You have 8 months until the kiddo arrives. Enjoy your last childfree days. Trust me, there will be times you miss them. Get as much sleep as you can now, because the lack of sleep is rough. For me, that was literally the hardest thing about having kids.
If she's not already there, very soon your wife is going to start having morning sickness. While my wifey was puking her guts out, she preferred for me to bring her a glass of water to gargle and drink afterwards, hold her long hair out of the way to keep it from getting messy, and gently rub her back. Find out what your wife likes.
Once she gets to her last trimester, keep a close eye on her health. That's when things can go really bad. (Mine nearly died from preeclampsia during her first pregnancy) She should be seeing her OB regularly -- at least weekly if she has any high risk factors.
Literally the first thing you'll need is a car seat. The hospital will not release your child unless you have one. We used this one which is a car seat and carrier, and has seperate stroller attachment.
After the kiddo arrives home, you need to have a nursery ready. To that end, you're going to need a crib, diapers, diaper cream, wipes, 2-3 baby blankets, and some onsies. (I got this one for my kiddos). I would highly recommend getting a diaper genie too. If you have family members who are retired, having them stay over during the first month or two is a good idea. You'll probably be too tired to cook or clean, so an extra set of hands is always useful. You might also want to stock up on lanolin cream, because breast feeding or pumping is very hard on the titties and has a tendency to tear them open.
The best places to buy infant clothing are Goodwill and Once Upon A Child. They grow so fast that you'll get maybe a month of use out of it before it's time to buy more.
You also need to have some idea of what you're going to do with the kiddo after your maternity/paternity leave is over. Is wifey going to be a stay at home mom, or are you going to put your kid in day care? If you go the daycare route, you need to spend the months before the kiddo is born finding one. Do research to find good ones in your area, then go on a tour. Once you find one you like, put your kiddo on the waiting list. (Yes, they have wait lists for day care, especially for the infant rooms.)
As far as general parenting tips, the first year is the hardest. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's OK to put the baby down in his crib and let him cry, while you walk away for 15 minutes to clear your head. Until around 6-10 months, infants aren't very interactive. Once they're walking (10-12 months) and talking (12-24 months), they're a lot more fun.
Oh, I asked my wifey and here were her tips:
EDIT: Oh, and you'll need bottles, a bottle brush, and a sterilizer. This is the sterilizer we use.
For kids that young, I think carseats are an option too, if you have a travel seat. That said, you would probably be better off going with 3 seats in coach, as it'll give her room to sit and play and stretch her legs. If you go this route, be sure to get an appropriate kid harness for the seat. This is the one I used on our trip to Florida with a 2.5yo.
Even though she's young, when you book, start talking about what's going to happen. Tell her all about planes and about being in the sky. Practice taking off and landing (put her in a chair and tilt it back and wiggle it around). If you have a flight museum nearby, take her out there so she can see a plane close up and get to know what it's all about. She's young, but would probably benefit from exposure to a new thing before it happens.
>If it's tidy, in good looking condition, and a reputable brand, surely it's ok?
NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Absolutely not true. Many structural defects in a car seat from a crash or any other damage are not visible. You just can't know.
Definitely get a cheaper new car seat. Amazon has this one for $46.79 and this one for 49.99 and this one for 79.99.
They are all subject to the same testing and requirements as the car seats that sell for $100, $200, $300. Sure, the ones that cost more might look prettier, the cushion might be made of nicer material, they might be easier to install, it might be lighter, etc. However, safety wise the cheap ones are still completely safe to use.
If you want to save money, you can also just skip the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible car seat. Yes, these are more inconvenient in that you have to take the baby out of the car and leave the carseat in the car as opposed to carrying around the baby seat, but again, these are perfectly fine and safe. You also don't have to buy another car seat that rear faces. Instead of a seat only going to 22-26 lbs, the convertible ones generally rear face until 40 lbs and might forward face for even longer. This convertible seat could last until your child was 3-4 years old. For $67.37. This one could keep your child in a 5 point harness until 65 lbs (that's the average weight of a 7 year old). Hypothetically you could use this car seat until your child does not need another car seat. For $90. That's $13 per year.
Your child's safety is not worth risking over saving a few bucks - you know this already, so don't let the idea of saving a little bit of money get to your head and cloud your judgement.
We always purchased a seat for our kids even when they were under 2 and could fly free on a lap. It's just so much easier to give them their own space strapped in to their car seat (most are airline rated these days).
Now that they are toddlers and have to have their own seat anyway we use this:
http://www.amazon.com/Child-Airplane-Travel-Harness-Restraint/dp/B0012E4FV8
We have had these and like them. Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076PS61XS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AzyBCbY10RKQ9
Ooh! I can help!
So, im getting this carseat:
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KBLM8Y8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Because it changes for every stage the kid will need a seat/booster for. God willing I wont have to buy another at all.
My stroller also has a carseat and changes from newborn to toddler- so i have a spare carseat for other cars, and a stroller in one!
I also got a crib that turns into a toddler bed
A pack n play that has 2 stages: higher pad for basinett (sleeping in our room for 6 months at least) then it will be the pack n play for the rest of his toddler years.
My baby sling thing has front and back facing- so it will last years as well.
Basically everything on my list as far as big stuff goes should last from newborn- up to like 4ish
I realllly didnt want huge items that would only last a little while. If you wanna message me i can send u my link as inspiration, or talk through some junk! Ive been super focused on multi year, fair priced items.
What's your time line for purchasing? If you're able to wait, Black Friday deals are an excellent time to purchase car seats. We bought our Graco 4ever (normally $299) for $117 USD on Black Friday with same day pick-up.
If you're looking to purchase sooner rather than later, some excellent and slightly more wallet friendly convertible car seats are:
I have the Britax B-Agile which is 20% off MSRP right now on Amazon.
You probably need one. [This is a neat one that isn't too intrusive] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H5VJJTE/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Hey! I had a similar dilemma and found this awesome invention. The mifold booster seat. Its a portable car seat that meets NHTSA regulations and can fit in a purse. It's obviously not as safe as a full size seat, but it's perfect for travel or if you want to drop off the kids with someone who doesn't have a spare in their car. We bought one for our last trip to Orlando and my wife just put it in the carryon. I wouldn't recommend it for any long drives, but it's fine for short trips from the airport -> hotel or from hotel -> parks. Super convenient and highly recommended. It'll be cheaper than renting a car seat and you get to keep the seat for future!
​
*P.S. I know this might sound like I'm shilling, but I have no affiliation with the company. Read the Amazon reviews as well. :)
​
https://www.amazon.com/mifold-Grab-Booster-Seat-Slate/dp/B01H5VJJTE/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2GRIMCM6JRF4N&keywords=mi+fold+car+seat&qid=1557342499&s=gateway&sprefix=mi+fold%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-3-spell
Definitely no infants, but if they are old enough for a booster seat get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/mifold-Grab-Booster-Seat-Slate/dp/B01H5VJJTE
It's small and won't take up any trunk space, and compliant with all regulations as far as I know.
All car seats have to meet safety standards so you can really pick any one you'd like. More expensive seats will have a higher weight limit, nicer fabrics, and can be more comfortable.
This is what I have and love:
Chicco Keyfit 30
Graco 4ever - We've moved onto this seat now.
Baby Jogger City Mini (not actually a jogging stroller)
Pack N Play w/bassinet
Swing - I'm pretty sure we got this for $150 at BRU
Edit: formatting
We have been using the Mifold travel booster for my daughter while traveling, and if any of your kids are old enough, they can buckle it themselves. It’s tiny.
Mifold booster seat on Amazon
We've got both of our sons in the Graco Nautilus seat.
We went with the Chicco Fit2. Since we found out we were having two, the thought that it would last more than 9 months and transition into a first-stage convertible seat was enticing. Also got an amazing discount on them around Black Friday, so I think I paid $190 instead of $279 for each of them.
Start with the most expensive items: car seats, strollers, crib, dresser if needed. Set up a time line and estimated cost of each item and buy one thing at a time over the months, especially if you don’t know if you’d want someone else footing that bill.
We bought these car seats in May and we were gifted this stroller in June which we will use the car seat to bring our baby home in from the hospital. Then we found this crib at Target in July which our grandparents ended up paying for.
I’m really not even expecting to get much off my registers which I’m OK with, because I don’t know what I’ll even need. But you will need lots and lots and lots of receiving blankets and cotton squares which I found at Walmart for $1.00 which contained 12. I bought like 15 of those. Lol
Focus on the big items first, then narrow down to everyday basics and shop deals when available.
If you want a car seat, go for this one - the Safety 1st 65. It's the one we travel with because it's very light weight and easy to carry around when on the go. I find it strange you say it's heavy, because it is about 10 pounds lighter than our regular everyday car seat and is one of the few that I found are narrow enough to fit in plane seats. So, I'd recommend sticking with the Safety 1st. And I never used a pool noodle... and honestly don't understand what you'd use it for. Anyway, we used it with great success, and no, she won't be sitting on the buckle because the belt path will be closer to under her thighs than under her butt. (Edit - if you want to be able to carry the car seat easier, get something like this.)
However, ever since my daughter hit 25 pounds (at about 18 months) we use the CARES harness instead of a car seat on the plane. It's the only FAA approved harness that isn't a car seat and it's wonderful. You can get it on Amazon.
We got a Chicco Keyfit30. Amazon doesn't seem to have the combination exactly of what we got available anymore, but these are different color versions of our choices:
Stroller
Seat
Extra base
The convertible seat we got is a Chicco NextFit Zip. I chose that one because it was consistently rated at the top of lists, and the cover zips out for cleaning. This is the exact car seat we have.
If you have a tiny car (prius, etc.) these seats might not work well for you. The convertible one does have a variety of recline positions to choose from so you can sit your kid a little more upright to make more room (if they're able to sit up, don't do this if your kid doesn't have good head/neck control) but it definitely isn't the most compact seat available. It is REALLY easy to install, though - we took kiddo with us while test driving cars since we have to replace our current vehicle in the next month or so. We popped the seat out of the truck, installed it easily in the vans we were driving, and were on our way. Took less than 5 minutes (it is rated as one of the easier seats to install on several of the comparison sites) from "I'll go get the seat" to putting the kid in it.
Edited to add: we moved kiddo to the convertible seat around 11 months, because he was constantly trying to sit up in his infant seat. He'd get really frustrated since it was such a recline. Car rides went from frustrated baby to happy kiddo as soon as we switched seats because he could look out of the window. Technically he's not too heavy for his infant seat even now (27.5 pounds at his 15 month appointment last month) but he is too tall for it (it goes up to 30 inches in height; he was 30.25" at his 15 month appointment.
Your kid is still too small, but look into getting this in a few years. Awesome for ubering with young kids.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H5VJJTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GSHqDb8XSGCZK
For older children, it's a booster seat. All it does really is put the seatbelt strap against your chest as opposed to digging into your neck.
These are mostly for the toddler and preschooler crowd. As R gets older, we have been leaving more and more of the in-flight toy entertainment at home and relying on the iPad. Since she doesn't get much screen time at home, it's a huge treat for her.
We bought the Graco All in One 4ever car seat when my husband was in a small fender bender (you have to replace the car seat any time your car is in any type of collision, no matter how small. And never buy a used car seat because you don't know if they are being donated or sold because they were in a collision.).
So this car seat is pretty big and heavy duty, but it's super easy to install, I take it out and put it back in all the time. The cup holders are built into the seat, not just installable on the sides, so they're sturdy and secure. It's comfortable and keeps our very large toddler safe and secure on long car rides. (We recently did a seven hour trip. My daughter is almost 4 and she's 43 inches tall, and she has lots of room for growth in this seat.)
I think what you want is a Doona. It’s a car seat with integrated stroller legs and wheels. When you need a car seat (with or without base), it’s that. When you’re out of the car and want a stroller, it’s that. Going from the car to the stroller mode, you just lift it out and drop the legs and wheels down like an EMT cart. Going from stroller mode to car, you just collapse it down and pop it into the car.
Super expensive (a lot of car seats and strollers and travel systems are, though), but I’ve heard friends rave about them for travel, and they seem to be perfect if you don’t own your own car and use a lot of Lyft/Uber/metro (it would be WAY easier to carry this down the stairs/escalator than to try to find an elevator for the actual stroller base!).
ETA: this is the video I was looking for to link for you!
I would highly recommend the Britax B-Safe. Its an excellent car seat that is a great product for the price (currently $130 on Amazon). There are a lot of accessories available for it and yes, you can buy extra bases (we have 3 all together ourselves).
I pulled the trigger on a Graco infant car seat and extra base because that was the one I had tentatively put in my registry last week and today it's the cheapest it's ever been on Amazon: http://camelcamelcamel.com/Graco-SnugRide-Connect-Infant-Gotham/product/B00H8MQ4US
Now I'm checking price history on everything else I'd thrown in my registry to see if I need to buy anything else.
Son is 17 months old. We have -
One infant bucket seat that he used until we switched him at 10 months old (though he still fit and probably could have stayed in it another few months).
Three bucket bases (one comes with the seat, so we only had to get two extra). One in my car, one in my husband's. One in my mother's.
Three Convertible Carseats (One Chicco NextFit iZip in my car and one in my husband's, as well as a Graco Extend2Fit in my mom's car.)
We also purchased another convertible car seat for travel only for our recent out of state flight.
Eventually we'll be needing to get... probably... three high back car seats and then three booster seats - but that's way down the line. I haven't researched these because... I'm just so done dealing with car seats already, but I'm wondering if the convertibles we do have can take the place of the high back. But that's future Ernie's issue to figure out.
We've used the Evenflo Tribute for 2 years now on every single flight for our toddler. It's under 10lbs and the tether strap has something to hook onto on the back of the chair, so if you hook the tether strap loosely, it then becomes a shoulder strap to conveniently carry around.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AHVR4N8/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JRYSGT2/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We bought the car seats piece meal, but very economical
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00H8MQ4US/ref=sxts1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480086219&sr=1
We have this one and we love it! We went straight to a convertible car seat when LO was born and 7 months later we have no regrets!
That said, some people prefer the infant ones because you can keep a base in each car, and use the carrier part for baby so you don’t have to take them in and out of the car seat as much. We didn’t mind not having these perks and wound up getting a second (cheaper) convertible car seat for our other vehicle that we don’t usually use and for traveling (I was afraid the airport luggage system would beat up the car seat). I’ve had to remove and reinstall the car seat several times, and you eventually get the hang of it. (Not gunna lie, the first couple times were a shot show though lol)
I read a lot of reviews on amazon to make sure I got a quality seat that was easy to clean. Another thing to look for if you go the convertible route is wether or not a certain seat it will fit in your car rear-facing if you have a small vehicle.
If you think he/she will be big enough for a booster seat we use this inflatable one when we travel. Rolls up really small and gets them up to the right height for the car restraints. Most shuttles I’ve run into have them and I don’t like traveling without them properly restrained.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AQYZCXK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511709376&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bubblebum+car+booster+seat&dpPl=1&dpID=41DvDhLFsJL&ref=plSrch
For car seats we're looking to get this for general use and this one to grow into and keep in one of the cars.
For strollers we've decided on this one after going to the store and looking at a few different ones.
The infant seat fits into the stroller, so we'll be able to use those together until the baby is big enough to get out of the infant seat.
I use this one. It's currently $85 and I have been totally satisfied with it, and it goes up to 40 lbs rearfacing.
https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Mighty-Convertible-Seat-Heather/dp/B01ETUBQZ4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2IQO0YBMQMYLE&keywords=cosco%2Bconvertible%2Bcar%2Bseat&qid=1554595210&s=gateway&sprefix=cosco%2Bconvertibl%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-4&th=1
We're in a sudio so I totally get only wanting what you need!
Crib: Never used. 2 year old still bed shares with us and so will our next baby.
Bottles/pump: Used until we got breastfeeding down and now they're just taking up space in case we need them for our second.
Baby carrier: YES! Life saver! We started with a wrap and an ergo, but switched to a tula and prefer that.
Clothes, diapers, wipes are a given.
We went with this car seat for newborn and switched to this one when he grew out of the other. I wish we had just gotten the bigger car seat since we wore him all the time and didn't need to keep him in the bucket in the store or anything.
We have this stroller which my two year old still loves going for walks in.
Work out childcare backups -- people you can call if you have an emergency, need a date night, need a daycare.
Work out a pediatrician -- ask friends, your girlfriend's OB-GYN.
What I'm glad I had:
What I could have waited on:
Carseat: Chicco Keyfit 30
That stupid baby wipe warmer thing I thought was a waste of money: actually awesome.
Just keep in mind that the FAA allows infants on the lap because it boosts air travel rates, not because it's safe.
The turbulence issue is rare but pretty bad and can kill children. I tend to agree with the thinking that if you wouldn't put your kid in a car without a belt you shouldn't do it in an airplane either. There's only one FAA approved harness for little ones and it's pricey but it works (other harnesses are usually not allowed to be used which is retarded).
You're not asking about this particular issue but you've got good answers for how to handle your gear and I thought I'd suggest one more piece of overpriced "stuff". Happy traveling :).
I think amazon has them and you can buy em off their site. They are amazing cause my son carries his in his backpack in case my husband ever wants to pick him up from school. Soooooo much better than a bulky booster seat.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/mifold-Grab-Booster-Seat-Slate/dp/B01H5VJJTE&ved=2ahUKEwif-amw_-zlAhVHHzQIHaJLACkQFjAPegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw11jv0rT_tlW1VyvnxiQ1lv
How old is your other child? (Do they need a car seat as well?) Depending on the size of your 4 year old, you could use a travel booster seat. My sister has one called BubbleBum(https://www.amazon.com/BubbleBum-Backless-Inflatable-Booster-Black/dp/B00AQYZCXK?th=1), and has used it for my nephew successfully when we've traveled. You could easily fit it in your "mommy" bag while you're out and about. The child does have to be around 40lbs to use it though.
Yes! As a Dad of a 3 y/o and 6 month old, the rear facing car seat (a Chicco Key Fit 30) fits snugly but well! And a Graco toddler front facing seat sits alongside it in the back!
You'll appreciate having the rear-facing behind the passenger seat so that you don't have to compromise driver seat position. I've had the infant seat behind me and I have to limit how far back I can push the seat but it does still fit..
We regularly take the whole family places in the Spark EV, only problem is I can't fit the stroller that the car seat snaps into, so we have to decide if we will compromise with just an umbrella stroller and the 3 y/o walking.
I'll try to take a picture today when I'm home! Right now it's just the car seat base and the toddler front-facing.
We are getting the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1. It has great safety reviews and converts from rear facing (up to 40 lbs) to forward facing w/ harness (up to 65 lbs) to a high backed booster (up to 100 lbs) AND a backless booster (up to 120 lbs).
This seat would work for both your kiddos from now until they don’t need a seat at all.
My almost 2 yr old and I just went to Hawaii from KC and back. She did really well and I was very surprised. I did a lot of research beforehand on basic boarding ettiquite and such for the airline, as well as the various airports we were flying into. Our total one-way flight time with layovers was 18 hrs (ack). The best thing was making it fun and interactive. We constantly looked out the windows, and when the seatbelt sign was off, she was allowed to be unbuckled. She was amazed by the tray table and I brought stuff for her to color with (although she likes drawing on my phone better), snacks, drinks, baby dolls, books, etc. I also bought one of these so we didn't have to use the carseat. It's FAA approved and she actually liked it!
We use the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Carseat
I love how light weight and compact it is compared to the one we initially bought Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 which was so freaking heavy and HUGE.
Our son is a big boy (35lbs at 12mo) and is reaches the tops of my husband's thighs (he's 6'8) and the seat is very comfortable and spacious with room to grow. We bought 2.
I personally would suggest just getting a convertible seat. Technically she is still a ways away from the weight limit for most infant seats (how tall is she though?), so you could definitely get another infant seat, but then you are going to end up getting another seat in the future- so it might save you some money to just buy one car seat instead of two.
We just got a convertible seat since our 9 month old is a freaking beast (he hit the height limit on his infant seat, weighs 22 lbs). It takes up a little more room than the infant seat did, but my guy seems to like it better. It's roomier for him. I linked to the one we got, so far no complaints. It's actually gone down a little in price since we got it.
http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Tribute-Convertible-Seat-Saturn/dp/B006PB2B6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404746146&sr=8-1&keywords=tribute+in+saturn
Ooo I’m so glad you said you’ve been on mint! I have a question. We’re flying mint in December. Our toddler (he’ll be 20m) will have his own seat. Usually when we fly we sit in coach and we put him in his car seat, but this time I’m thinking it might be nice for him to have the option to lay flat. I was thinking of buying one of these cares safety harnesses instead. Any thoughts?
It sounds like she's got lots of room to grow in the Frontier, which gives you some good options.
The lightest weight, longest lasting and least bulky for travel are going to be the Evenflo Secure Kid 300(also branded Secure Kid LX) or the Evenflo Secure Kid 400(also branded Secure Kid DLX). There are marginal differences in features. The 400 has Evenflo's SureLatch, the 300 still has push-on connectors, but a more standard design. The 400 has an extra 10lbs of approved booster weight (which isn't likely to get used by the vast majority of kids anyway).
If you don't like the Evenflo seats, the Graco Nautilus is another option. It's heavier and bulkier, but installs well in most vehicles. A benefit to this one for travel is that when she is out of the harness, the back can be removed and it can either be used as just a backless booster, or you can pack the back of the booster in your luggage (padded by clothing) and have her bring the backless portion on the plane as a carry on so that if your luggage is lost, you at least have a usable booster at your destination.
All of these seats are approved for use on aircraft when used in harness mode.
FWIW - we really like our Graco Nautilus, and it fits in my Dodge Neon.
EDIT - NVM, saw you're looking for RF, and mbnd96 already covered the Nautilus.
You can use something like this for the plane depending on the size of your toddler:
http://www.amazon.com/Child-Airplane-Travel-Harness-Restraint/dp/B0012E4FV8
For riding around in taxis, my wife and I spent a year in Argentina with our toddler. We just held on tight to him while riding in a cab. In Argentina, if they see you rolling up on a cab with a car seat 1.) you're a tourist/about to get robbed and 2.) they'll keep on driving.
One of my Indian friends was traveling to India with her toddler just before we left for Argentina and we asked her the same question you're asking. She just looked at me weird like "why on earth would I bring a car seat to India?" It's not the kind of thing you ever want to tell your inlaws and it's weird as hell the first few times, but that's how it's done in the non-Western world.
Oh, good point! We did make sure that our car seat would fit in the particular planes we were flying in. We were able to use our infant car seat (FWIW, Graco SnugRide 30) without the base, but when we flew after he outgrew that we did have to buy a narrow car seat (again, FWIW, the Evenflo Tribute worked really well on the plane). As it happened, we needed a second car seat at that time anyway, but I'm not sure what we would have done if we hadn't.
https://www.amazon.com/Graco-TurboBooster-Back-Seat-Addison/dp/B01BGVLTM4/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1468372849&sr=1-5&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4006580011
This is a booster seat.
It simply increases a kids seat height to a safe level.
These seats are for kids over 4 years of age.
you are probably thinking of something like this https://www.amazon.com/Graco-4ever-All--Convertible-Studio/dp/B00Y286A0U/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1468373523&sr=1-2&keywords=car+seat&refinements=p_72%3A1248867011
These of for babys and no amount of built in adjustability would be safe for babys. They need a seat specifically for them not just the belt height.
7-8 is really at the very end of the age recommendation for a booster seat unless maybe they are very small. Good luck getting a 7 year old who isn't used to sitting in one to use it. Anyway, there are some that are only about $13, (http://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Juvenile-Side-Booster-Turquoise/dp/B00IP8AEXC/ref=sr_1_5?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1427041059&sr=1-5&keywords=booster+seat) I know they carry them at for around that price at Target, Walmart, etc...
So, I have flown twice with my kiddo. When he was a crawler and when he was 22 mo. When he was little I brought a carseat with us. It honestly didn't fit the right way, there was just no way. This more recent trip I bought this. Even though he was a little young for it. Mmisstrez is saying they won't let you hold infant for take off/landing, is not true in my experience if you are flying them on your lap.
I would check to make sure any seat you buy is approved by the FAA. When I brought the car seat they asked to see the tags certifying it and I had a moment of panic because I hadn't specifically looked for them. They would have made me gate check it. Another thing to think about is carrying everything through the airport. Kid's safety is important, but so is Mama sanity.
My partner used this inflatable travel car seat when his son was young
BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQYZCXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lEAUDbG7HGE24
I've got a Convertible R57. One of my daughters (4) uses the Graco Nautilus. My other daughter (2) uses the Alpha Omega (though I cut off the stupid "pillow" thing). The kiddos both have room, and cup holders Whee!!, and the wife has no problems. Admittedly, the wife is pretty short (she's Asian), and the 4 year old is behind her, but the kiddos have never complained, and the wife feels fine, too.
Hope that helps!
If you get the right seats you'd be fine. I had the Sunshine Kids Radian, now called Diono Radian (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DWB2Q3C/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1539783853&sr=8-3&keywords=sunshine+kids+radian&dpPl=1&dpID=41MCC-AGriL&ref=plSrch) as it is super compact and can be both front and back facing. For the booster if you don't need a back anymore you can get a Bubble Bum for the ultimate in compactitude (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AQYZCXK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1539783998&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bubble+bum+booster+seat&psc=1). If your not buying new seats though a dealer will certainly let you test if everything fits with what you have (or what I would do is buy the new seats first, then test them).
Now, your kids will have to like each other but I think those measurements will work out (sometimes it depends on how the latch centers the seat).
As for the trunk. If you opt against the trunk false floor option you get a wonderful well that should easily fit a stroller. That's something I recommend you go to the dealer and test out.
My kid is finally big enough for a backless booster! We got this one on Amazon and it’s been great. Color really pops on the white seats too!
Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat - Easy to Move, Lightweight Design (Turquoise) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IP8AEXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_hGwjDbD2VCXYF
This here
We're expecting in July and this would be the first item for our bundle of joy :) I can't believe how excited I am getting for this! Either way Happy New Year!
I flew with my 18-month-old for the first time this month and we used one of the CARES harnesses for him (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012E4FV8?keywords=cares%20harness&qid=1451579406&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1). It was really simple and took up a lot less room than his car seat would have, so that may be an option. It helped him to be sitting next to us, I think.
Also learned on this flight that "small" electronic devices only have to be on airplane mode during takeoff and landing, so we were able to have a few episodes of TV shows that he likes downloaded and he could watch them during takeoff and landing. That seemed to help him stay calm. Also, lots of snacks and a sippy cup with water.
I just got a Mifold and it's incredibly small, sturdy, washable and awesome. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H5VJJTE/) If the parent doesn't have a seat for their toddler, I'm golden. It won't work for infants or small toddlers but I doubt there will be many parents/caregivers THAT stupid or negligent.
I agree with all of this. However in response to #2 let me point to this:
https://www.amazon.com/mifold-Grab-Booster-Seat-Slate/dp/B01H5VJJTE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1524848774&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=mifold&psc=1
I had a pax get in with one of these and I was impressed (username is relevant).
"most portable booster seat ever invented designed for kids aged 4 and up, 40 to 100 lbs, and 40 to 57 inches tall"
This does not help with idiots who want an infant to sit on their lap, but I have had pax new to the area not prepared for Colorado laws (booster up to age 7).
Amazon has it for sale for just $140 right now.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011URFRE/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I picked my car seat because it fit in my car and had a nice fabric on it. Have it with my first and like it, so I'm getting the same seat twice. Graco Milestone All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Gotham https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y2864DI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uQSCyb77F41DS
I originally spent big bucks on the Britax B-Agile/B-Safe travel system and felt like it was overpriced for the quality and overhyped here. Turns out convertible seats are also for newborns, I didn't learn that the first time. I guess I assumed there was like a 20+ pound minimum. Nope, as soon as they weigh enough to leave the hospital, you can put them in a convertible seat. I will miss the convenience of clicking the infant seat into the base, but I have an ergo carrier, so I can just use that for running errands.
We got the Safety First Grow and Go: https://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Grow-Convertible-Coral/dp/B015KFDJAM/ We used our completion discount so it came out to be about $109. Not half bad!
The laundry thing was the main driver in our choice to buy. It worked out for us because in our area we were able to get a mortgage payment lower than what it would've been to rent a place with private laundry. But obviously this isn't the case for everyone.
For what it's worth, I grew up in apartments and while it had many cons we turned out fine. If you guys plan to buy in the foreseeable future anyway, I wouldn't mess with the timeline if it'll cause financial strain. Baby won't remember starting off in an apartment. I would recommend upgrading to a washer/dryer unit though. You'll be doing so much laundry and having to babysit the communal machines so that no-one touches your stuff will get super old super fast.
On the parking issue, I've heard really great things about the doona for apartment living. Makes it really easy to transport between the car and indoors especially if you have a ways to walk between the two.
Just a tip I've heard. Is you can go to Babys r us and possibly buy buy baby and use their demos so see how they fit in the car. That way you can try a few out first before you buy it. I mean you can't drive off but it will give you and idea how putting it in and how putting baby in/out will be. Part of me feels that's getting a car seat meant for a small car( https://blogs.babycenter.com/products_and_prizes/got-a-small-car-8-compact-car-seats-sure-to-fit/ I almost bought this one with my old car https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Mighty-Convertible-Seat-Heather/dp/B01ETUBQZ4 ) will be your best bet but it's hard to say. It's one of those things it might be best to try a few out and see what works.
Or cheaper than long term parking is this portable packable “car seat”. I’m not sure how old your kids are or if you’d even be open to something like this, but it’s helpful in a pinch:
mifold Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat, Slate Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H5VJJTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.3s4BbSE6GCH6
We have this travel system and this convertible car seat We really like both. Although, with those trendy little snap in car seat frame strollers all over the place, I do look a little crazy rolling out with a giant jogger. But whatevs, I love that I can take it over any kind of terrain and it's wonderful to jog with. We've taken it on running trails and over rocky terrain in State Parks and it's fantastic! The convertible seat is another beast, but again I totally love it. I am all about things that grow with LO and I feel like she is hella safe in it.
As far as car seats go we have used a slim booster like this one. But your kids need real seats.
For babies that actually needed a seat (like your kids) we just had to lug the forward facing/rear facing child seat around. Getting the straps that can secure a forward facing seat to rolling luggage was a godsend. You can even have the kid sit in the seat while you roll the bag/seat through the airport. It makes life a lot easier if not lighter.
For rear facing seats we just had a foldable stroller where the seat clipped into the stroller.
Everywhere we have been (Mexico and Canada) the hotels had cribs. We did use a little foldable bassinet like so for some trips. Though I can't remember when the kiddo grew out of it. When the kid was older we just had her sleep in the bed with us.
Some places also have car seats you can borrow. I have friends that rented a car seat/stroller in Europe when they visited. They did infant in lap on the plane and then rented the seat/stroller when they arrived. Every car rental place I know of has car seats you can rent. So if you can avoid having to lug one around it isn't a bad idea.
Also, don't forget that the little ones need passports too.
A tablet for the 3 year old with some educational games or some movies will work wonders.
If you are still nursing I highly recommend just getting one of those nursing blanket/cover things and nursing during takeoff and landing. It helps pop their little ears and keep them calm.
I am trying to think of anything else that helped. It is going to be a production either way so good luck. Have fun. The cool thing is that the 3 year old might remember the trip. My first memories are of traveling in Europe when I was 3 and I always thought that was pretty cool.
Foldable car seat. Small enough to fit in a bag or purse. Won't work for infants but should be ok for toddlers. They do have to test car seats before selling them so I assume they're safe (enough). Whether that's correct or not, I don't know.
https://www.amazon.com/mifold-Grab-Booster-Seat-Slate/dp/B01H5VJJTE
Or check these out. Might fit three side by side.
Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076PS61XS/
Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
No upgrades necessary, this thing should last birth to childhood. I'm not a fan of infant carseats though. I'm pretty impressed with it, but we went super cheap with our first (Evenflo, $45) and I didn't want to do that again. Not because of safety, but comfort.
I love this one, it's perfect: http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Nautilus-Car-Seat-Matrix/dp/B0011URFRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375123899&sr=8-1&keywords=convertible+car+seat
https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Mighty-Convertible-Seat-Heather/dp/B01ETUBQZ4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1517589165&sr=8-1&keywords=cosco+mighty+fit
I actually posted on that a couple weeks ago and didn’t get any help :(
The cpst I talked to told me this seat was known for not fitting infants til 9 plus months.
Thank you!
Car seats are very hard and confusing lol
http://www.amazon.com/Britax-B-Safe-Infant-Seat-Black/dp/B008KCR7U6/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1420035085&sr=1-2
IF YOU THINK i AM LYING ABOUT CARSEATS SNAPPING OUT. thIS IS THE FIRST INFANT CARSEAT ON AMAZON.
SORRY BOUT CAPS, TOO FAR TO DELETE NOW.
Safety 1st brand is what I’ve used for 2 kids. Stylish, affordable, great safety ratings, easy to install. They started out with the baby carrier seat with 2 bases (one for each car, highly recommend this). Then switched to a rear facing convertible seat . That seat will last you until 4-5yrs old, then we used the high back booster. They clip into my 09 Outback no problem.
Click here. It's on sale! Hurry before it's gone!
Are you perhaps talking about something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Nautilus-Car-Seat-Matrix/dp/B0011URFRE
We just got our convertible for $142 on Amazon. It goes up to 100lbs forward facing. You can find coupons too. Here's the link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015KFDKB0
Personally I wouldn't want to risk them not being available. For kids that age we have been happy with inflatable boosters. They pack as tight as a pair of pants when deflated and have been useful with travel in general, especially with Uber. We have this one.
This is the one we got: http://www.amazon.com/Child-Airplane-Travel-Harness-Restraint/dp/B0012E4FV8
I was looking at that one https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Y286A0U/ref=mp_s_a_1_13_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523077660&sr=8-13&keywords=car+seat
I got a real small one like this link
Even smaller ones exist link