Cambridge Foodie Blog

There is nothing the kids love more than hopping into the car and going for hamburgers, except maybe heading for ice cream. You will find that you will spend a lot of time playing chauffeur for your kids which is why having a child seat that is built to be safe and comfortable will go a long way to making your life easier. In the US, all 50 states have some sort of law on the books that require children to use a safety seat while riding in a vehicle.

But what should you look for in a car seat? Which aspects are the most vital to offer the maximum protection for my baby? We will break down some of the features found on today’s best car seats to help you better understand how they perform and to make sure that the seat you buy is something that will put your mind at ease.

Side Impact Protection

Riding in the backseat is a crucial step in using a car seat correctly, but this is the area of the car that is susceptible to side impacts. Which ever car seat that you purchase should pass the minimum standards for protection in this area. A seat which has wings that are padded with extra support will not only help sustain any forces from impact but it will also help protect your little one from flying debris such as glass. An infant seat, or convertible car seat in which your child seats deep will help guard them in the event of this type of collision.

Energy Absorbing Foam

This is another thing that most safety seats make use of. The material and padding can help absorb the forces of impact and reduce stress on your child in the event of a crash. Not only is this important for safety, but it can also help contribute to the overall comfort of your child. Extra padding can help take the edge off of various bumps of the road and make the ride a little more enjoyable.

Safety Harness

This is the apparatus that secures your child safely into the seat. Some of the higher end models offer various points of adjustment to guarantee that your child will fit snug and proper while in use. A misaligned harness strap can be very dangerous so it is important to read the manual to ensure you are using it correctly. These harnesses are strong and they are what hold your child in place during a crash.

LATCH System

This is a system that uses tethers and anchors to secure the seat to the back seat of your vehicle. This is an alternative method to using the vehicle’s seat belt. This method was invented to help make things easier for parents as getting the car seat to stay tight and secure can be somewhat of a challenge. Again for the seat to function properly, everything must be snug. A lot of modern seats use this but not all. It is not really any safer than using the car’s seat belt, it is just for convenience.

ClickTight

This is something that is used on Britax model convertible car seats. It is a super simple way to secure that seat to the vehicle with the seat belt. The safety seat area lifts up giving you access to the base and lets you strap the seat belt across the back. When this is done, the seat is the lowered and it “Clicks tight” in place. Again this is a design feature aimed to take some of the hassle out of using the car seat.

Extra Features

All seats being sold today from reputable stores should pass all of the required safety standards and meet the laws of your state for minimum protection. There are added features that you can get depending on budget. Options like a steel frame, energy absorbing frame, energy absorbing base, height adjustment, seat recline, cup holders, colors and patterns are all things that can make picking a car seat difficult. There are a lot of quality choices out there and factors such as price, the weight of the seat (for moving back and forth between different automobiles), style, ease of use, how easy it is to clean, and how comfortable it is for your child, are all important aspects that ultimately make finding the perfect option for your family a tedious choice.

Where To Begin?

The best place to start would be reading reviews from parents who have actually used the car seat and have experience with it. Owner feedback, which most online retailers provide, will give a strong sense of which of the best convertible car seats are worth considering. You can then narrow the field by cost or any other criteria that is on your list. Finding the best convertible car seat for your children is not something to take lightly, but it is something that is also easy to do. Going over the latest child safety seat reviews is a smart place to start your search.

Keep in mind that car seats have expiration dates, and they should only be bought new from a store that you can trust. Buying a used seat off of Craigslist may be a good way to save money, but you have no idea if what your getting has already been in an accident or if it even works properly. Price is always a concern, but buying a car seat should not be an area where you should try and skimp if you can avoid it.

With some minor homework it should be rather easy to find a seat that suits both your and your child’s needs and can offer enough protection and safety that you will drive with a little more peace of mind that they will be protected in the event of an accident.

Bring a new life into this world can be quite expensive. Of course you want to shower them with the best of everything they need, but most of the time this is not feasible. Money is often tight and credit cards end up getting maxed out. This is where creating a baby registry can really benefit your family. This will let you pick out the things that would most like for your new child and let others help you out. Similar to a wedding registry, this is a great way to give family and friends an opportunity to get you the items that want and need for your baby.

Child car seats are often one of the more expensive necessities that new parents must have. This is a terrific item to add to your registry, but if you are one of those that feel a little guilty about adding the most costly items to your registry, there are plenty of quality seats that won’t break the bank. Below are a few of the more practical safety seats that will keep your child protected and be something that you will enjoy using as a parent.

Car Seat Options

Evenflo Symphony DLX

This is an all in one seat which means that instead of having to get a separate infant, convertible, and booster seat you can get one seat that does it all. This is a real money saver over the course of your child’s early years. It is completely adjustable and it can be customized to properly fit your child as they grow.

The Evenflo Symphony DLX is a great mid-range option for parents that has plenty of safety and comfort features to ensure your baby is content and secure. With patented side impact technology, this model passes all the safety requirements to make this more than a suitable option for your car. The best feature of this seat is that it is extremely easy to install. Designed with parents in mind, the DLX can snap into place in just a matter of seconds. It also comes with cushioned materials and has two cup holders to keep its passenger happy.

This is an excellent safety seat that gets very good feedback from owners so you can be confident that you are getting a quality child seat that should last for years to come.

Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat

This is another top notch all in one seat. This model comes with an outstanding 10 year lifespan and it is well designed to stand up to years of wear and tear. It is easy to clean, also has two cup holders, and passes all of the important safety standards required of child seats. This is also a mid-range model that won’t be too much of a burden to anyone wishing to get you something from your registry list.

Graco Size4Me 65

This model does not have the complete versatility of the previous seats on our list as it does not have booster seat capabilities. You will have to be a separate booster seat after your child outgrows this one, but that won’t be for a few years. This is a dedicated convertible car seat and it is recommended for children up to 65 lbs. It does however, get excellent reviews and at this price point it provides superior value.

It has all of the safety features that you will want in a child seat, as well as being easy to clean and pretty easy to install. It has comfy materials and one integrated cup holder which is always a plus. This is a very good budget option.

Diono Rainier

If you wish to add something to your list that is a little bit of a higher end model then the Rainier is an excellent choice. This is a top quality all in one seat that is suitable for children up 120 lbs. This may be the only seat that you will ever need as it can also accommodate children as small as 5 lbs.

It is tall, well built, sturdy, an kids love riding in it. Advanced safety features also make this one of the more desirable car seats that is on a lot of parents wish list. Diono has made quite a name for themselves with their line of seats and have an excellent reputation with owners. Feedback from parents is really impressive and the Rainier is one of their most popular models. It does come with a higher price tag, but sometimes you have to put items on your registry that you may not normally afford. There is nothing wrong with adding something a little more expensive, especially when it comes to child safety.

More Ideas

Fortunately, there are a whole host of convertible car seats from which to choose from. It can actually get a little overwhelming so a little research can go a long way. We suggest reading some of the latest child seat reviews to help you narrow down the list and find the best options. This way to can find car seats with a proven reputation for quality that are in a price range that you feel comfortable adding to your registry.

Letting Others Help

Sometimes we let pride get in the way of letting others help us out. If you are one of those that may feel a little guilty about making a registry you shouldn’t. Babies can be expensive and friends and family usually will jump at the chance to help you out when given the chance. Hopefully some of these more budget friendly convertible car seats will ease your mind a little bit and let you take advantage of the generosity of your loved ones.