Getting the next car seat ...

[holliberry28]

Jan 11, 2016 9:30:09 GMT -5 @poppyc8 said:

We already switched last month and LO loves her seat. She has a Chicco next fit convertible. I bought it from the strong recommendations on this board. It's Rear facing.

DS has a peg perego convertible that is now forward facing.

+1.  We also switched to the Chicco Nextfit after recommendations on here.  It's way more comfortable than our bucket seat.

We used the UppaBaby Mesa Car Seat, and while it was super easy to take in/out, M just look crammed in it.  So we just decided to switch when we saw Target had it on sale.

[belle0720]

1. When do you plan to make the switch? Waiting for LO to hit the weight/length limit or doing it by ear based on his/her clues? We currently have the Maxi Cosi Mico and the limits are 32" and 30 pounds. LO is only 26" and under 16 pounds. So we have quite a while before needing to switch to a convertible. H's parents are going to get a convertible for the days they watch her though.

2. Choosing a rear facing or front facing? We'll be rear-facing until at least 2 years old.

3. Choosing a convertible one if front facing? Yep, convertible.

4. Any brands/models you like or recommend? The Diono Radian and Clek Foonf are supposed to be great. We really like Maxi-Cosi so we plan to go the Maxi-Cosi Pria.

[veggiemo]

Jan 11, 2016 10:35:15 GMT -5 belle0720 said:

Jan 10, 2016 11:57:56 GMT -5 madymoiselle said:

1. When do you plan to make the switch? Waiting for LO to hit the weight/length limit or doing it by ear based on his/her clues?

C is neither at weight nor height limit but I think it is getting tight, especially if she is wearing a coat, so actively looking at what to get next.

2. Choosing a rear facing or front facing?

I think the recommandation is to keep them rear facing until they are 2? So would like to get one that allows that and maybe can be turned? Not sure it exists...

3. Choosing a convertible one if front facing?

If We go for front facing then yes definitively a convertible one.

4. Any brands/models you like or recommend.

Not yet

To the bolded, (if it hasn't already been mentioned) you shouldn't be putting a coat on your LO before putting them into the car seat. Here's a good link: thecarseatlady.com/warmandsafe/

Great point! No coats in the car seats please! I have one of those JJ cole bunting-type car seat covers (the kind that fits over the seat like a shower cap) and between that a blanket, LO is plenty warm.

[jillywilly]

1. When do you plan to make the switch? We already did! We needed another car seat because often DH does day care drop off and I pick-up, and we can't leave the seat there. It seemed silly to invest in another bucket, and I baby wear when we go places anyway, so it made sense to make the switch. Plus, DS is a chunker, so carrying the bucket was HEAVY! We'll buy a second convertible seat for DH's car once he buys a new one this spring so we make sure whatever we get fits.

2. Choosing a rear facing or front facing? He's rear facing until he exceeds the weight limit for rear-facing on the seat

3. Choosing a convertible one if front facing? Convertible - should last him forever!

4. Any brands/models you like or recommend? We have the Chicco NextFit zip, and I really like it. We'll probably look into a less expensive option for DH's car though when we get the second seat since we mostly drive around in my car with DS.

[billyhorrible]

veggiemo, I was surprised myself. Based on LBB I had this perfect little plan to switch around June, when LBB would be almost 5 and ready for a booster. Hahahahahahahahahaa

[littlemissgrump]

1. I think we'll make the switch soon. I was waiting until the weather got better but we end up taking him out of his seat half the time anyway. He still has 13 lbs of usage, my arms don't have enough muscle for all that!

2/3. We're going with a convertable and rf for as long as possible.

4. We have a Britax that was given to us by a friend but it is a little more worn than I would like, it's perfectly safe but the cover is all wonky and doesn't match up with the straps. I think we'll use that one for travel. We have cats with short back seats so I think we will go try on carseats someday soon.
***poof***

[mirage86]

Has anyone gotten a car seat that is covered through their insurance? I believe E qualifies for that, but I don't know yet if they only offer a certain seat or if we could choose any seat and have a certain amount of the cost covered.

[megeliz1]

We LOVE the Chicco Nextfit. DD1 is still RFing at almost 2 in hers and is still super comfortable. We have one for Nora, my June '15 baby as well, but waiting for warmer weather if we can hold out because we don't have a garage.

[mirage86]

Jan 11, 2016 16:59:23 GMT -5 madymoiselle said:

Jan 11, 2016 16:22:14 GMT -5 mirage86 said:

Has anyone gotten a car seat that is covered through their insurance? I believe E qualifies for that, but I don't know yet if they only offer a certain seat or if we could choose any seat and have a certain amount of the cost covered.

I did not know insurance would cover car seats... is that health insurance or car insurance ?

Health insurance. It was mentioned in a letter we received when E was signed up to our state's health insurance, but there weren't any details of how it works or how I should go about actually getting the seat.

[dogmama22]

I'm so happy to hear so many June mamas planning to RF until at least 2 and longer. I work in childcare with well educated families and it's amazing how much improper car seat use I see. Most FF around 1.

[megeliz1]

DD will be 2 in April, still RFing, and never once have I had to clean footprints.

[erbear]

+1 on the shower cap bunting. It's super warm! LO hates it, though, and pulls at it. We bought her a hat and mittens set and she hates the mittens more, I think!

I want to see if our health insurance covers a seat! Probably not.

[veggiemo]

Jan 11, 2016 22:10:37 GMT -5 megeliz1 said:

DD will be 2 in April, still RFing, and never once have I had to clean footprints.

But when you FF they just make the back of the front seat dirty, so you're screwed either way! DS said to me today "mom, I gonna make the seat all messy!". Mother F.

[veggiemo]

Another FYI (sorry, seems like this thread needs a lot of tips): legs scrunched does not equal discomfort. It is perfectly comfortable for a super tall kid to RF and cross their legs in the seat. And it's SAFER. Please, everyone, read up on car seat safety. It's such a good thing to be knowledgable about.

And while we are at it, is everyone putting the car seat clip at the armpit level?


If anyone has a better pic, please share.

[veggiemo]

@akwild where are you going when you travel with the fleece? To the grocery store and back? If so, I would say fine, as long as you feel the straps are tight enough to M's body. Anything longer than that, I would say no. Imagine wearing a fleece coat and being encapsulated in a tight seat for a long trip in a heated car. Not fun.

[veggiemo]

Jan 12, 2016 0:31:14 GMT -5 @akwild said:

Yes just to and from the store. Although I admit I hardly put her in a coat because I hate wearing a coat (and to think we live in Alaska) most of the time when she does have a coat it's because I feel people judge.

I hear that, I hate wearing a coat too, it's always in the way. I'm in Michigan, so not as bad as Alaska but at least I'm not preaching from Florida or something!
You're doing a good job, don't worry what others think. You know what your kid needs

[tiffbot]

veggiemo I need you to have a talk with my MIL. I just get disapproving tisks every time I (properly) put both of my kids in their seats, especially the infant bucket seat where she can stand over me and watch (most recently "it's so tight! Her poor neck!" All the while DD's smiling back up at us and I'm wrapping her up in a blanket and FIL mentions 'aww she looks so comfy in there!"-lol). Oh, the sarcastic 'no jackets is the new 'thing' you can't do now' grinds me. I tried to stick up for myself when DS was a baby but I've given up, I just don't respond now. ETA: it's not a fight worth having, because I know I'm doing it right and it's too much of a safety issue for me to even pretend to compromise on it

Sorry, obviously needed to vent that one out, lol.