[CBJ]

Can it be almost five months. Well yes it is. Anyway, Ethan is going to be transitioning from rear to forward facing car seat in a few short months. On this auspicious occation I figured I'd ask the other parents of the Car Lounge for their personal insights and choices on this mater. I've included a picture to sucker everyone in.

Cheers
Chris

 

[american gigolo]

recaro!!!

 

[grue]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

...the other, other white meat.

 

[SidVicious]

Re: The little guy is getting older (grue)

I'd have gone Recaro too, if I could have afforded it

 

[CBJ]

Re: The little guy is getting older (SidVicious)

The Recaro is suggested for children 30-80 lbs. Probably not the best forward facing seat for someone under the age of two.
Grue, I have no idea what you're talking about. So unless you have some insite on the topic, move on.

 

[Natty]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

Quote, originally posted by CBJ »

Grue, I have no idea what you're talking about. So unless you have some insite on the topic, move on.

It sounds like a refrence to "A Modest Proposal" by Johnathon Swift. How "eating babies" is relevent to this discussion is beyone me, however....

Jeff

 

[surefooted]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

Quote, originally posted by CBJ »

The Recaro is suggested for children 30-80 lbs. Probably not the best forward facing seat for someone under the age of two.

Yep, I was going to bring that up. Its a nice seat though for the future. I'm looking at one for my nephew now. But sorry I know that doesn't help at the moment.

 

[Seabird]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

Except for the Recaro, they're all pretty much the same. A single peice injection molded frame with standard web belts. I'm also pretty sure they all use the LATCH system now too. You're in good shape with anything from Grayco (Greyco?). I'm trying to talk the wife into getting a Recaro as soon as my daughter hits 30lbs. They're pricey, but over the long run, they're not too bad since they size-adjust as the child grows.

 

[TravisHasA VR6]

Re: The little guy is getting older (Seabird)

what is this? they make child seats with extra latteral support? wwwhy? pictures?
and it was a reference to Austin Powers

 

[Seabird]

Re: The little guy is getting older (TravisHasA VR6)

Quote, originally posted by TravisHasA VR6 »

what is this? they make child seats with extra latteral support? wwwhy? pictures?

Actually its for really, really short autocrossers.

 

[av_audi]

Re: The little guy is getting older (Seabird)

Quote, originally posted by Seabird »

Except for the Recaro, they're all pretty much the same.

No they are not. Some are flimsier, others haver very thin padding, etc.
CBJ, get one of those seats that go up to 40lbs, not the ones that go all the way up to being a booster seat (80lbs). Also, most of the seats can be used either rear or forward facing, and the usual recommendation is to go rear facing for as long as possible, which usually means up to 30lbs.
TravisVR6, have you seen a baby sleeping in a car seat? Unless you don'tmind having his head flung from one side to the other at every turn, you will need all that lateral support

 

[5drHatch]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

We have an Eddie Bauer, which rated well in Consumer Reports, but I
find it a hassle to latch, and latch, and latch, and latch. My advice is go to BabiesRUs, take your kid, and test sit him is all the seats, buckle and unbuckle him 20 times, and take the seat out and see how it fits in your car.
Also, I've noticed that the straps have gotten limp and deformed with use, making the whole process more of a hassle. If I had it to do over, I'd go for something with stiffer straps.
Of course, I have no idea of the flaws of other seats. I have no other complaints about the Eddie Bauer.

 

[VAB5]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

Britax Roundabout. #1 in CR, and a damn comfortable seat, judging by how much more my daughter likes it than the carrier/seat she was in.
By "a few short months" I hope you mean 7. You're not supposed to have them forward facing until 1 year AND at least 20 pounds. Some even recommend keeping them rearward until the seat maker's recommended rearward limit (past 1 year, of course). Usually that's 22 or more pounds.

 

[Buggen]

Re: The little guy is getting older (VAB5)

Quote, originally posted by VAB5 »

By "a few short months" I hope you mean 7. You're not supposed to have them forward facing until 1 year AND at least 20 pounds. Some even recommend keeping them rearward until the seat maker's recommended rearward limit (past 1 year, of course). Usually that's 22 or more pounds.

Just what I was going to post. My son is 15 months and 22-1/2 lbs and he is still facing rear. We are going to switch very shortly. Keep him rear facing as long as possible. It's the safest.

 

[CBJ]

Re: The little guy is getting older (Buggen)

You are correct with the timing. I am going to look for something that converts as the one I have now is just rear facing. Ethan is neither old enough or heavy enough to switch to foward just yet (5M, 15 lbs). What I'm beginning to find interesting is the vast differences in size you see in babies. Amoungst my friends it is pretty extreme. One is 6M old and weighs, get this, 20 lbs. A big thumbs up to breast fed babies if I've ever seen one.
Cheers and Thanks for the input.
Chris

 

[uncleho]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

Whatever you do, don't get leather... looks cool, but not too great for hot days.
My wife selected ours by pure aesthetics. She got some EB made by Costco or was it Cosco?
Reclining features are a plus. Ours has a few degrees of pivot, but the actuation is a pain. Four point belt is standard fair with cushions for shoulders... something our baby seat did not have

. Its also convertible into toddler size, but we never use that feature - my wife just went out and got a booster for that.
The one thing I hate about most is how heavy they can get and how big. Our 9-5 is our family cruiser and when the baby seat and toddler or booster seat is installed, you can barely fit another human back there.
After seeing those nasty t-bone crashes on Dateline/IIHS, I wish ours had better side head bolstering.

 

[roccostud]

Re: (american gigolo)

Quote, originally posted by american gigolo »

recaro!!!

 

[CBJ]

Re: The little guy is getting older (uncleho)

I bought a britax galaxy. Nice seat, great features. The Adjustability of the straps is a one handed deal. Very simple. Also the buckle has a great piece of padding on the back of it so it is soft on his body and less likely to inure in the event (god forbid) of an incedent. It has latch as well as a tether so it is anchored at the back at the base and from the front to the front seat rails (it is rear facing right now). Unbelievably secure. As was mentioned earlier the quality of plastic and the type of compressable foam used is different in this seat and something that costs 99 bucks. I HIGHLY recommend spending, I'm glad I did.
Cheers
Chris

 

[pkagel]

Re: The little guy is getting older (CBJ)

we got a Britax Marathon with the latch system in it online for cheap because it was last years model but the only difference this year is the new fabric colors. the latch system works great if you get the latch funnels from vw which makes installing it in the jetta a breeze.

 

[jeglseder]

Re: The little guy is getting older (VAB5)

Quote, originally posted by VAB5 »

Britax Roundabout. #1 in CR, and a damn comfortable seat, judging by how much more my daughter likes it than the carrier/seat she was in. .

I don't know which Britax we have but it is fantastic. I highly recommend it as it is easy for my sone ot get and out of and even my wife can get him strapped in it.