Top 6 Best Convertible Car Seats of 2017

There are so many reasons to love convertible car seats. They offer parents flexibility and save the hassle of purchasing multiple car seats for a growing child. They eliminate the worry that comes with knowing when to start using a forward facing car seat as you can simply change the position of the seat once your child outgrows it.

After our last list of the the top convertible car seats, we have an updated list for the coming new year. We were lucky to speak to convertible car seat reviewer Sam Webster from www.safeconvertiblecarseats.com who introduced us you to some of the newest and best convertible car seat options in 2017.

Here are the convertible car seats that we have to look forward to in 2017.

chicco nextfitThe Best Convertible Car Seats of 2017

Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 Convertible Car Seat

A good quality brand and holding up to 70 lbs, this car seat has proven popular with parents and is of superior quality. It looks great and is suitable for use from birth.

What we love? The cover is machine washable and can also be machine dried.

Graco My Ride 65 LX Convertible Car Seat

This car seat can be used from birth up to 65 lbs. It is strong and solid, with Graco car seats a trusted name for parents. This car seat really screams convenience. It has two inbuilt cup holders and a LATCH which makes installation very simple.

What we love? This car seat has inbuilt cup holders.

RECARO ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat

Suitable from birth to 65 lbs, this is a racing inspired car seat that offers the ultimate in comfort and safety. The car seat can be used rear facing up to 40 lbs which is one of the higher limits for a rear facing car seat, and has an adjustable headrest and side impact protection.

What we love? Can be used rear facing up to 40 lbs.

Safety 1st Grow N Go Convertible Car Seat

One of the best on our list, this car seat can be used from birth up to a massive 100 lbs. This is due to the fact that this car seat is a three in one. It can be used forward and rear facing and also as a booster seat.

What we love? The car seat has two cup holders and extra side impact protection.

Britax Roundabout G4 Convertible Car Seat

This car seat is suitable from birth to 55 lbs. Although this holds less weight than others, it is a good quality car seat due to its affordability. The cover is not machine washable, but wipes clean easily. It is not as padded as some car seats but this reduces its size.

What we love? This seat can be used on an airplane comfortably.

RECARO Roadster Convertible Car Seat

Suitable from birth to 65 lbs, this car seat has comfortable memory foam and is very safe. The well padded car seat has a side cup holder and a removable pad for use by younger infants.

What we love? The car seats harness is twist resistant.

What to Look for When Picking a Travel System

So you’re having a baby! It’s an exciting and stressful time with many different things to consider. One of the biggest decisions when having a baby is what travel system to buy. It is a big money item. Your stroller and car seat also have the potential to help make your life a lot easier or to cause you a lot of stress.

For this reason, it is important to really consider what travel system will work best for your family. Every family’s needs and budget are different, so don’t assume that because a travel system works very well for your friend that it will for you. Here is our list of things to look for when picking a fabulous travel system:

  1. Look into how safe the system is

Your first consideration should be safety, especially for the car seat component of your travel system. Although all travel systems have to meet certain safety regulations, there can still be big differences in just how safe they are. Get the safest seat you can afford.

  1. Find the stroller that suits you best

After you have some safe car seats picked, look into the stroller component and make sure you are getting one that will suit your needs well. Will you just use your stroller to get around the shops? Or do you need something to take off road? These are just some of the things you will need to consider when choosing your stroller.

  1. Check how the car seat snaps into the stroller

For your travel system to work well, you are going to want to ensure that taking the car seat out of the car and snapping it into the stroller is an easy thing to do. If this process isn’t straight forward then there is little point buying a travel system in the first place.

  1. Consider the size of the travel system

One of the biggest mistakes new parents make is buying a travel system which is just too big and bulky for their needs. Remember that you will be using this system a lot. You need something that you can lift in and out of the car easily and that actually fits in your car. If you have a small trunk, this is especially something to consider. The stroller needs to fit inside and ideally you need plenty of room left over for other items you might need to transport such as groceries.

  1. Ensure a travel system is the best idea for your family

If, after doing all the steps above, you are not finding a travel system that you are happy with then you may want to reconsider buying a travel system at all. There is always the alternative of buying the items individually.

Many strollers and car seats will work together if you buy an additional car seat adaptor to help you click the capsule into the stroller. This can be a great way to ensure that you get to buy a car seat and a stroller that suit your needs perfectly while still having the functionality you desired from a travel system. Here is an interesting article on this topic.

If you follow the steps above, hopefully you will not have any problem finding a travel system to suit your needs or an alternative. Good luck!

When to Move your Child to a Booster Seat

Similar to choosing when you should move your baby from a rear facing to a front facing seat, choosing when to change your child to a booster seat can be confusing and stressful.

Often you will see that booster seats are “recommended” for 4+ year olds and infant car seats for 0-4 year olds. However, this is a very general guideline and you should not use age to judge when your child is ready for a booster seat. Like with a rear facing car seat, the older your child is when you change to a booster seat, the safer it will be for them.

It can also be better for parents to keep their child in an infant car seat for as long as possible. If you have an active four year old, it can be harder to keep them contained in a booster seat and you should not switch them until they are able to sit still and behave in the car.

How to work out when to move your child to a booster seat:

  • They can sit still in the car and won’t get out of their seat just because they can.
  • They have exceeded the weight limitations for an infant car seat
  • They have exceeded the length limitations for an infant car seat.

Many children will still fit into an infant car seat until they are 5 or older. If this is the case for your child, you are lucky! You can keep them in the infant car seat to ensure they are as safe as possible.

If you have a bigger child you will need to consider moving them to a booster seat once they hit the weight and/or length limitations.

What to look for in a booster seat

You are going to want to find the safest booster seat possible. This means you definitely want one with sides and not just a small booster seat for under their bottom. Ideally you want a booster seat that will suit them until they reach a height or length where it is no longer necessary for them to be in a booster seat to be safe in a car.

For these reasons, pick a booster seat with a long lifespan meaning it has a higher upper limit on height and width. You also want to pick one with the highest safety rating you can afford. It also needs to have a good fit with the belt fitting across your child’s shoulders correctly – this site has some great photos to show you what is a good fit and what other safety considerations you should take into account.

 

All in all, you want to wait as long as possible to move your child in to a booster seat, until they have hit the weight and length limitations of an infant car seat.

When to Move your Child from Rear Facing to Front Facing

Choosing when to switch your kids from a rear facing infant car seat to front facing can be very confusing. Many parents look at the age guidelines and think they should move their baby to front facing as soon as they turn six months old. However, this is bad idea because:

  1. A baby is much safer in a rear facing car seat. If you are in an accident, their head and neck will be much better protected.
  2. Babies are usually more comfortable in a rear facing car seat so they may behave better.
  3. They are more likely to sleep in a rear facing car seat.

The first point is the main one. The longer you can leave your baby in a rear facing car seat the safer they will be.

Your child is 5 times safer at 1 years old to be rear facing and it is recommended to keep your children rear facing until they are 2.

When you should you make the change?

You should make the change ONLY when your baby reaches the maximum weight or length recommendations for your particular seat. This is how you should judge when the correct time is to change the seat, not the time that your baby reaches a certain age.

This will vary by manufacturer. Most seats will need to be changed when your baby hits 20 or 30 pounds.  If you are not sure what the ruling is for your seat, ring the manufacturer or find the information book that should have come with your seat.

What to look for in a rear facing car seat?

Given that your baby will be safer in a rear facing position, one of the most important things to look for in a seat is that it will fit your baby as long as possible. Pick a car seat with a high weight and length limit and it may fit your child for the first couple of years of their life. At the very least, choose one that can be rear facing until 30 pounds and will take a long baby. There are some options available which should easily fit your child until they are 2.

Other safety considerations are important as well, and you definitely want an infant car seat with the highest safety rating you can afford. If you can buy a 4 or 5 star rated seat which will fit your child until they are 2, then you have done a great job.

You may also want to read about when to move from forward facing to a booster seat.

Top 6 Convertible Car Seats of 2015

One of the exciting things about baby car seats is that new models are constantly coming out – and 2015 is no exception! There are also some great car seats still on the market from previous years.

In the list below, we will introduce you to the top 10 car seats of 2015!

Top 6 convertible seats 2015

Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

This handy little seat is suitable from 5 to 65 pounds and can be used in either a forward or rear facing position. It features a whopping 9 position recline and 6 position head rest. It also comes with an infant insert and cup holder.

What we love? The removable seat pad – this makes washing and keeping this seat just so easy.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

This seat is suitable for children 5 pounds to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall. It has an excellent steel frame and shock absorbing impact protect and also has a 7 position recline and 14 position harness. It is certified for use on airplanes and the seat pad is removable for washing.

What we love? Very easy to install

Diono Radian RXT

This highly rated seat has an extra safe steel frame and is suitable for kids of just about any age – it holds up to 120 pounds and also converts into a booster. It has a slim design meaning this is a good choice if you need to fit three car seats in your car. Buying this seat will ensure you never need to get another.

What we love? This seat also folds up which is ideal if you are planning to travel.

Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

This easy to install seat is suitable up to 65 pounds.  It clicks right in! It is big though, so you probably won’t want to be moving it between cars often. It also has a 7 position recline and 12 position harness.

What we love? The easy 3 steps to install this seat.

Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

This seat is suitable from 5 to 65 pounds and offers a 9 position recline and 6 position head rest. It is very easy to install with a latch tightener and bubble level indicator to help you ensure you have the seat in the right position.

What we love? We love that the seat pad is removable for easy washing.

Safety 1st Complete Air 70 Convertible Car Seat

This seat lasts from 5 to 70 pounds and 52 inches tall. There is a 5 point harness and 2 position recline. There is also a removable cup holder and an adjustable head rest.

What we love? This seat is suitable for use on airplanes.

Car Seat Laws in the United States

Gone are the days where you could simply hold your baby whilst driving.  Although this was by no means the safest way for baby to travel, it did make things simple. Nowadays, the restrictions are getting tighter and tighter, to the extent of dictating which direction the car seat needs to face when securely placed in your vehicle. In the US, each state has their own power to make laws in regards to how car seats are placed and what type of seat is necessary.

In every state it is necessary to use a child car seat for infants. For older children, a criteria usually exists which takes into consideration the height and weight of the child to determine where a car seat is necessary, and further to this, what type of car seat. Laws that apply in the states of Wyoming and Tennessee can be used as a guide when looking at car seat laws overall, as these states are generally known to have stricter laws. In Wyoming, it is required that all children under the age of 9 ride in an appropriate car/booster seat depending on the child’s height and weight. It is a requirement that this seat be placed in the rear seat of the car where possible.

For children in Tennessee from the ages of 4 to 8, a booster seat is required where the child is less than 4 ft. 9. The booster seat used must have an appropriate belt position for the child. Where the child is outside of these parameters, adult seat belt laws apply. For infants, Tennessee law dictates which way the car seat must be faced. For baby’s under 1 year old, or where the child is less than 20lb, a rear facing approved car seat is required. For babies from ages 1 to 3, or weighing over 20lb, the approved car seat used must be front facing.  To read more about these restrictions, go to http://www.dmv.org/tn-tennessee/safety-laws.php.

The main thing to establishment in following car seat laws is the type of seat required for your child (if at all).  As laws differ from state to state, it would be wise to look at exact laws for your state when you look into placing your car seat. To find out whether your car seat is approved, it is required that you either email your local DMV, or make an appointment to have the safety of your car seat checked.

The Top 5 Baby Travel Systems

For parents, the carseat and stroller are two of the more important purchases we make. In our opinion, the stroller must be easy to use, durable and lightweight. The carseat, of course, must be safe and simple enough to attach. For more and more parents, the flexibility of a travel system, whereby the baby remains in a single capsule which can be attached to the car/stroller, has become an attractive option.

Many travel systems are of great quality, are easy to use and are relatively cost effective. You can read my article about what to look for when buying a travel system here. With bub getting from Point A to Point B in one single capsule, the trip to the grocery store becomes a breeze. A list of our favorite travel systems are below!

Britax Chaperone Car Seat and B-Agile Stroller

Britax make it as easy as possible with their chaperone car seat which can be attached easily, and is suitable for all kinds of travel. It is lightweight, very responsive and sturdy. It folds easily and attaches to most major car seat brands when you use the Britax car seat adapter. The Britax has the practicality to seamlessly fit into small and large cars alike. With the versatility of the Britax, you can rest assured that whatever opportunity presents, you’ll be well prepared. Needless to say, baby will be happy to travel in style wherever they may go.

Graco Fast Action Jogger Travel System

This ones for the fast paced among us, as the name suggests. It is a larger design stroller and, as expected, a little heavier than others. However this can work in your favor allowing you to have slightly more control over the strollers movements.
The stroller is great for everyday use, with a simple but trendy design.
It is very easy to fold and functional enough for everyday use. If you are in demand of a stroller that can take a lot of punishment then this may be the one for you. It is built to be battered. This is a great quality stroller.

Evenflo Journey 300 Stroller with Embrace 35 Car Seat

The Evenflo features a funky design, with bright and vibrant, typically ‘girly’ colors. As a stroller, it is easily folded and just as easily unfolded. As a car seat, it is flexible and simple to transfer from the base and stroller alike. Although the stroller lacks adjustable height handles, it is lightweight and compact, which makes things so simple. It is an easy fit into the ever shrinking modern trunks. Bargain conscious shoppers note that you may be able to find a great deal on the Evenflo, as there are often great deals about.

Orbit Baby Travel System G2

The Orbit is another great option. It is easily removable from the stroller, and attaching the Orbit to the car is as easy as twisting a knob. The Orbit also features a 360 degree disc, which will enable baby to be faced towards any direction they please, thereby allowing them to get the most out of any family gathering from the comfort of their stroller. We wouldn’t want them to miss out on anything. It can be a little more tricky to attach the car seat to the car than competing brands, but once it is in it does provide a very safe and secure environment for baby.

Graco UrbanLite Classic Connect Travel System

The UrbanLite is a great option for the cost conscious. While it is an affordable option, it is strong, compact and easily maneuverable. As a stroller, it folds easily, is light weight and durable. The basket is large and highly durable too which is great to note. The design of the stroller features nothing offensive to the eye, with neutral colors and a stylish geometric design inside the canopy. This is a great option for those among us that don’t need anything too elaborate, other than a simple, safe and easy to use stroller and car seat.

With so many great travel systems on the market, it’s tough to say which one is best for you. However, we believe with the ease of use, the flexibility to be used on many different surfaces, the durability and great style of the Britax Chaperone Car Seat and B-Agile Stroller gives it a place as the stand out travel system! With their car seat adapter, the Britax makes it just too easy. As the Britax is neither overly large or small, it makes it a great option for families that are still growing! Even the price tag is not bad!

Check out our post about how to pick a baby car seat and how to pick a travel system.

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How To Pick A Stroller

picking a stroller

The first step to picking a stroller, is decided what type is right for you. The Stroller Site has a good guide to what questions you should ask yourself to do this. Don’t just choose a stroller that looks beautiful or that has those cute features; look for a stroller with high durability because it keeps you from having to buy a new stroller when you have another baby, and it saves you money this way. The ideal stroller should also have belts and fixtures that are easy to use and the stroller should include a seat that is washable and removable.

Main Features To Look For in Stroller

A good stroller should have adjustable handles so that you can change them as needed for comfort. Since you’re likely to carry different items for the baby along with the stroller, look for a stroller that has a tray attached to it for storing the items. To protect your baby from the sun’s rays get a stroller with a canopy at the top. A five point harness is important in a stroller and the wheels should absorb shock well.

Buy A Foldable Stroller

If you a travel with the baby a lot in the car, you want to buy a stroller that is both foldable and that will fit well in the trunk or back seat of the car. It’s a good way to measure the trunk in order to get an idea of what size stroller you should buy. When purchasing a foldable stroller, make sure that is easy to use and maintain. We especially recommend an umbrella stroller – here are some reasons why.

Understanding The Different Types of Strollers

A travel system stroller works nice for families who go out a lot because the stroller is bigger and it is usually a combination with a car seat so it can serve more than one function. The jogging stroller is designed for parents who do their outdoor workouts while the baby is in the stroller. This kind of stroller generally has three wheels and runs smoothly on all kinds of outdoor surfaces. The umbrella stroller is for older toddlers.

Test It Out

Another thing you should do is test out different strollers to determine the comfort and functionality of the strollers you’re interested in. If a certain stroller does not move across the surface smoothly or if it lacks storage space for the baby’s items, then you should continue the search.

Read Reviews

Since mothers are good sources of advice for the right stroller, it would be a good idea to read reviews online and magazines by mothers who purchased strollers because they can give advice on which one is the best based on safety, appearance and other important features. Some reviews are not from actual users of the strollers so you want to keep this in mind when looking at reviews.

Here are some great review sites – parenting.com and on thestrollersite.com.

Conclusion

A sturdy and functional stroller ensures that your baby travels well and it could be days or weeks before you find the right stroller. When you purchase the stroller you should look over the manufacturer’s instructions carefully as well as the length of warranty. Finally, enjoy the stroller and maintain it in a way that allows the stroller to last for years.

How To Pick A Baby Booster Seat

When you choose a booster seat for your baby, you want to choose a seat according to the baby’s size and weight. If the child is less than a year old and weighs 20 pounds or less, you’ll need to purchase a rear facing car seat. Until the child is about 4 years old, they should sit in a forward facing car seat with 5 point harness. Once the child is around 4, they can seat in a booster seat until they are big enough to sit by themselves in the car.

The booster seat should also be easy to install and maintain because you don’t want to spend an hour trying to install or adjust the seat. Look over the installation instructions before buying a booster seat.

Choose A Booster Seat With The Right Safety Features

When purchasing a booster seat for your baby, you want to choose a seat that has the best safety features. A good car seat would have tether straps because tether straps keep the seat from toppling and it prevents a baby from getting whiplash. Another thing you should do is have a professional inspect the car seat to ensure it’s installed properly.

Consider The Kind of Car You Have

Not all booster seats will fit well in your car so you should consider the kind of car you have when looking for a seat. If you have a small hybrid car, you’ll need to find a booster seat that is small enough for the back seat if the back seat has limited space.

Brand Reputation Is Also Important

There are so many brands of booster seats on the market that you need to research each brand carefully because some brands are more reputable than others, make sure you choose a car seat that is made by a good manufacturer. Your friends can also give recommendations on which car seat brands are the best. This site is good for recommendations.

Two Types of Booster Seats

This is another thing to consider when choosing a booster seat. The no back booster seat is portable, but you will need headrests to keep the baby safe during potential accidents. There are also the high back booster seat and this is safer than the no back booster seat since it protects the baby against injuries in the car. The high back booster seat is also great for kids who sleep on road trips.

Conclusion

Buying the best booster seat is a matter of doing thorough research and thinking about what is the safest for the baby. Once you buy the right car seat troubleshoot it periodically so that you’ll maintain it for a long time. Finally, if you have additional children you can have them use the same booster when they are old enough to use it, so it is important to buy a quality seat.

How To Pick A Baby Car Seat

picking a baby car seat

There are many factors to consider when picking a baby car seat. Here are some of them…

You want to choose a baby car seat that is not hard to install so before you purchase it, look over the basic installation and maintenance instructions to determine the ease of installation.

Price is also a factor when choosing a baby car seat, but your budget should not be the top factor but quality. Look for a car seat that is easily washable since there will be times when the seat gets dirty. Another important factor is the comfort level of the baby. Touch the padding to ensure that it is soft enough for the baby to sit in for hours.

Read Safety Reports And Reviews

It is advisable that you read the latest safety reports from consumer advocacy groups and government agencies that monitor consumer products because this gives you an idea of which baby car seats are the safest and which car seats have been recalled due to safety hazards. Read reviews of baby car seats from legitimate magazines and newspapers as well as online blogs to find out why certain baby car seats are the best on the market. You can also check out our guide to the best 5 baby car seats.

Five Point Harness

When you shop for a baby car seat, it must have a five point harness because it ensures that your baby stays safe while riding in the car. The harness should also be able to be adjusted as needed to keep the baby comfortable while in the car seat. In addition to this, the seat belt should be placed where you can adjust it from the front rather than the back since it’s safer.

Never Buy A Used Baby Car Seat

You may be tempted to purchase a used car seat, but this is not safe because there may be serious problems such as a broken harness or belt, stains on the padding that are impossible to get out, or another faulty problem. Furthermore, the used baby car seat may be of a brand that was recalled recently because of safety issues. It is safer to purchase a new baby car seat.

Consider The Baby’s Size And Age

For babies who are younger than a year old and who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, you should put them in a rear facing car seat, but if the baby is older than a year old and weighs the same amount, a front facing seat is better. Before you purchase a baby car seat you can test out different seats by placing the baby in the seat to determine if they are suited for their size.

Conclusion

Take as much time as you need when searching for the right car seat and go beyond just the aesthetics and affordability. Your first priority should be safety and comfort for the baby, and those qualities are worth the higher price. Sometimes name brand baby car seats are not the best, but there are little known brands that are excellent quality. Finally, install according to instructions carefully to avoid problems