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Safe and snug through the car wash

There’s nothing overtly remarkable about the new Britax Roundabout 50. Sure, it is safe for children up to 50 pounds with the 5-point harness. Yeah, it has the Britax patented Versa-Tether strap on the back. And yes, it’s pretty. But those are not the most important things about this car seat, not according to this mom.

It’s easy to install.

How many hours of your life have you spent fighting to get your child’s car seat installed just right? Have you actually driven to one of those car seat safety centers, or sought the help of your fire or police stations? In our family, car seat installation usually includes a lot of sweat, cursing, and argument. There are often rolled-up towels involved.

One the day I wanted to put the new Roundabout into my car, courtesy of Britax itself, I asked my husband to do the deed before he left for work. Of course he forgot, and I forgot to remind him, and I was down one car seat with no choice but to do the install myself. I took a deep breath and went in.

And I was finished in about 30 seconds.

Oh wait. First I ignored the directions, just like a man, and did it wrong. Parents, please read the directions. Learn from my mistake. You will thank me. You must take the LATCH strap from where it is stored in the seat during delivery, and move it to the lower openings. Only then will you be able to stretch the strap long enough to click the latches into both latch loops in your car without using superhuman strength, which apparently I possess because I succeeded in totally doing it wrong the first time.

But! Once I read the instructions I installed this bad boy in about 30 seconds. It is snug, safe, and looks fantastic. And thank goodness it will allow my boy to sit in a 5-point harness for a bit longer.

Recently there was an incident in which a Britax seat saved a child in a crash with a train!  Here is a special video about that story.

My infant carseat expires in about 3 months… not quite enough time to use the old seat for my new baby. So I’ve been surveying the aisles of Babies R Us, Target, and the like for a new seat.

And, really, if I’m going to get a new seat, I might as well get a travel system to make life easier, right? The Bertini B5 catches my eye time and again at BRU, and not just because its also in my garage. With its sharp-looking fabric of black and white with yellow piping, its certain to be a set you give a second look to as well. (Please, go to the store and take a look yourself, or see my image of the stroller here. Its so much a sharper look in person.)

We’ve tested out the B5 carseat in 3 cars, making sure it fits with ease. (According to Car Passenger Seat Tech Dr. Laura Jana, this is extremely important when selecting a carseat. Always ask to take it outside to your car(s) and make sure its a comfortable fit.) Surprisingly, I could fit the Bertini, a Britax Roundabout and a Britax Marathon 3-across in the second row of my Honda Pilot. The squeeze was extremely tight, but it was doable. In the VW Routan (image here) which I recently tested, I found it difficult to install, but not so much because of the B5′s LATCHs, more because the LATCHes are difficult to access in the Routan. It also fit nicely in our Honda Accord, though only 2 seats will fit in there.

A feature I love in the B5 is the ability to keep the handle in the upright position. This isn’t something all seats do (read your instruction guide because all seats are different) and with 3 kids any little step you can avoid (like clicking the handle down) is a bonus.

The seat features EPP ProTech foam (energy absorbing) and adjustable stay in car base which uses either LATCH and tether. As well you can strap the seat directly into the car. And while it provides more legroom than the average seat (allowing for longer babies and longer use than many seats), it also comes with an insert for smaller babies. The seat has been tested and approved for babies 4 to 35 pounds.

The stroller, which is approved up to 50 pounds, offers a large seat base, huge basket, and an easy-to-collapse one handed release. The highlight to the stroller? It stands upright and clips in the baby seat simply by placing the carrier onto the stroller.

This post was written by Julie Pron, a mom of nearly 3 children who is attempting to enjoy nesting. In addition to Car & Caboodle, she writes for a carload of blogs including Just Precious, Mommies with Style and Popshopology.

Looking for a good reason to pick one infant car seat over all the others? Well, how’s this for starters? The number one safety issue when it comes to car seats is proper installation. So for peace of mind, it makes sense to pick the car seat that makes it easy: the Chicco Keyfit.

Consumer Reports has given the Keyfit top marks for ease of use. Not only is it easy to install, but its proprietary system lets you know when you’ve done everything correctly. The Keyfit features a spring-assisted level foot, centralized LATCH adjuster and 2 bubble level indicators to set your mind at ease. (Even if you don’t know what all those features mean, trust us: You’ll appreciate them!)

Oh, and one more reason to love the Keyfit? You’ll get more use out of it than the standard infant seat, since it’s made to accommodate babies up to 30 pounds.

Ali Wing, baby product expert, is author of giggle guide to baby gear and founder of giggle.  Follow Ali on Twitter and the Giggle Fan Page on Facebook.

So I was hanging out at a local resort/swim club this weekend with my family. OK yes, I’m not technically a member but I have very nice friends who are and allow us to tag along on hot days. . . thanks S&D! But I digress. . . So I was hanging out at the club and I spotted the most adorable carseat covers for a set of twin girls.

They were hot pink canopies and what looked like a dark black? interior. I wondered to myself if they were Itzy Ritzy carseat covers since I they looked super cute and the Itzy ones are. But I thought they didn’t make a fushia/black combination. So I leaned a little closer and saw they weren’t black but leopard skin print (so cute!). Hmm. . . I thought. Just like the ones Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn have for their twins, how cute!

They a slow idea formed through my thick skull and I actually looked at the Dad with the twins instead of the carseat covers and yes, it was Jerry O’Connell! Well I’m an enthusiastic celebrity watcher/stalker like the best of them so I grabbed by baby girl and jumped over to the baby pool where Jerry O’Connell had both his twin daughters on his lap and was introducing them to the pool. I asked if he needed any help with the two of them (I’m such a good samaritan. . .) but he had it covered. He really handled both those girls alone beautifully. I’m not sure I would do such an artful job with 2 six-month olds myself!

Just a good reminder that if you’re looking for celebrity style without the typical pricetag – check out the Itzy Ritzy carseat covers. You can personalize them with your child’s name (Just like the O’Connell twins have) and they really are just so adorable! (Both the carseat covers and the twins.)

Written by the Baby Gear Guru’s of www.LetsGoStrolling.com where they know how to make parents lives with babies easier and better. Shop the best selection of strollers, diaper bags, baby gear and more with their knowledgeable customer service.

My son is not a sleeper. He skips his naps. He’s up half the night. He’s averse to swings, slings, and bouncers. Where he does sleep, without fail, whether the car is moving or stationary, is his Maxi Cosi Priori Carseat.

I like to call it his Lazy Boy seat. He’s so chilled and blissed out in there. It’s honestly a relief to see him like that. Sometimes I drive to the Target three towns away, just to get him a little more shut eye.

Of course we did not get the Maxi Cosi Priori seat just to lull our boy to Z-land. We were drawn to it for a number of reasons. One, because we really love the brand. Maxi Cosi makes very high quality products and it is a treat to have them available, at last in the US market. Everything about this carseat is a reflection of the Maxi Cosi attention to detail. It exceeds safety standards and goes above and beyond other carseats in the same (infant/toddler convertible carseat) class.

What are some of the features that have me recommending this carseat to all my friends?

• The well padded seat covers are padded and completely remove for washing
• The seat can remain rear facing for your infant up to 35 lbs. This is a much higher weight limit than many carseats have for rear facing use. Many studies have shown that it is safest to keep your child rear facing as long as possible to prevent head and spinal injuries.(I have to confess though – I turned my son at 25 lbs for a number of reasons)
• Once your child is forward facing (20-40 lbs) they can still chill and get those z’s thanks to the multiple recline settings. I don’t think I’ve seen many other carseat in this class that has so many recline positions.
• The straps have holders that hold them aside while you are loading/unloading your child
• Superior side impact protection keeps kids safer.

I’m a huge fan of the Maxi Cosi Priori. It was the natural progression for us after the Maxi Cosi Mico, which we also adored. I suspect we’ll transition our son into a Rodi eventually. Lets just hope that he’s sleeping through the night by then!

About 2 weeks before the Philadelphia Auto Show, I laid the bait. Talked about how much fun it would be for the kids to be able to explore and sit in race cars and trucks and see a “real Herbie” (our 3-year-old is bit obsessed.) What I didn’t do was go overboard on how we were going to really explore auto options for a family of five. I may have given a few hints, but let the huz get his own idea about why we were going.

The “day of” we piled into the car and got there just as the show opened. The boys were super excited. The Auto Show is a dream-land experience for 2 preschool-age boys. The cars they’ve been vrooming and racing and crashing in their imaginations were about to be real, huge and touchable. And, “yes!” we answered, “you will be able to climb in!”

Upon entering, we were teased with the fancies: You can’t ignore the shine of Mercedes and Lexus’ new models. But moving on to find  “Herbie” minivans “Herbie”, we entered one of the show floors of the Philadelphia Convention Center. Of course, the three year old wanted to only see the VW Beetle, his “Herbie.” And while he was hoping to sit in an orange Herbie, we were fairly certain he’d be happy no matter what. Our search for Herbie began, but we found a few things to distract us along the way.

We definitely had to stop by the DUB Live display, presented by DUB Magazine and the Philadelphia International Auto Show. A race car museum and an expanded vehicle display, it included vintage cars and extreme transports. We saw souped-up racers, IRL models of gaming cars, and custom bikes. Wide-eyed, bewildered and a bit overwhelmed, the boys walked through this museum trying so hard to keep their hands to their sides.

Onto the new-car show, we had no idea how big the event would be. Upon entering the doors to the Exhibit, I decided it was time to share my list of cars that I needed to see. But before I got too far into the list, the huz interrupted, proclaiming “we will not be buying an American car. I don’t even want to look at them.” I saw his point. This was the same week that the auto industry requested, and was granted, a bailout of sorts from the President. Quickly, I scratched a few suggested cars from the list.

Highlights of the show included climbing in and out of over 47 cars (the 5-year-old counted), getting locked into the pick-up of a  Toyota, exploring the “shops” which included sales of  hundreds of mini-replicas, and driving race cars at the racetrack. (We finally stopped when people began to comment that the huz had won several games in a row. I replied that he’s been doing it for a while, meaning, of course, that it was his 6th race of the day. But others’ looked at me like he made a hobby of this.)

Of course, the absolute bestest part in the whole wide world, the part that 2 little boys will  never, ever, ever forget: studying the ins and outs and all abouts of a REAL LIVE HERBIE! (a pretty soft green one.)

Of course, I had a few highlights of my own… exploring potential minivans that looked promising. More about that soon.

The Product: Convertible Car Seat (5-40 LBS)

A Convertible Car Seat is what your child will use from the time they outgrow their infant carrier until they move into a booster seat. Convertible seats are used rear facing until your baby is at least one year old and 20 pounds and then may be used in the face forward position. Check your individual seat for the latest guidelines as they are changing constantly. Most convertible car seats have weight limits in the 40 pound range, but keep in mind that many children will hit this limit at about 2-3 years old.

Recommendation: Britax Roundabout Convertible Car Seat Review

If you are looking for a quality, safety oriented convertible seat, than you want to buy a Britax car seat. Unlike many other brands, Britax gives special attention to side impact safety and ease of installation. Our children have exclusively used Britax Car Seats since they each outgrew their infant carrier. The Roundabout has been Britax’s best seller for many years now and is considered one of the safer seats on the market. If you are interested in the Roundabout, I would also suggest that you check out it’s cousin, the Britax Diplomat.

Some features that differentiate Britax Car Seats:

• Locking clips which make the seats very easy to install using a regular seat belt in the case that you are traveling or don’t have LATCH in your car.
• An industry first reversible tether (Versa-Tether). When the seat is the rear facing position, the tether is attached using a special clip to the underside of one of the front seats. This feature dramatically improves installation and security. One you see how well this works, you will be surprised that no other companies offers this feature.
• The Britax LATCH clips, which you can see in the picture (above right) are designed like seat belts and are extremely easy to attach and release versus other seats. They also store away inside the seat when not in use.

A lot of parents are looking to understand the difference between buying the Britax Roundabout vs the Britax Marathon (See Review). I will try to help answer that question, because one is not necessarily better than the other. The primary difference between the Roundabout and the larger Britax Marathon is size, although the Marathon also has slightly better side impact protection. The Roundabout is designed for 5-40 lbs (Rear Facing: 5-33lbs Front Facing: At least one year old and 20-40lbs). This means that your child will likely outgrow the Roundabout by the age of 3 and then you will need to make the decision as to whether you want to move them to a traditional booster seat or a booster with a five point harness such as the Britax Frontier or the Sunshine Kids Radian. Many experts recommended that you keep children in a five point harness as long as possible. However, the smaller size does make the Roundabout perfect for airplane travel and it is FAA approved.

If you have a smaller car, you may not be able to even fit one of Britax’s larger seats, especially in the rear facing position, which is when the extra seat height comes into play with the front seats. If you have two cars, you may want to consider purchasing one of each (Roundabout / Diplomat and Marathon / Boulevard). This way you will have one seat that will last longer and another that will fit better in the smaller car and which you can use for travel. This is what we did and what we have recommended to all of our friends. If you only have one car, I would choose the seat that fits best, giving consideration to your airplane travel needs.

Britax is the industry standard for parents who are concerned about safety and want the best and easiest to use car seat. Their seats are worth the premium and you won’t be disappointed.

Devil’s Advocate:

If you have the room in your car and are only buying one seat, I think you may be better off with the larger seat that your child won’t outgrow too quickly. In this case, the Boulevard or Marathon may be your better bet.

Bobby’s Best offers easy to read reviews of everyday consumer products that get to the heart of what’s good and bad.  We hope you love their unbiased baby gear reviews by experienced parents that don’t bore you with minor details.

The Product: Infant Car Seat

An infant carrier seat is for newborns weighing up to 20 pounds. These systems allow you to easily carry around your baby in the “carrier” portion which then attaches to a base in your car to form a rear facing carseat. Your baby will spend a good deal of time in his/her carrier and will probably use it for many of their daytime naps.

Bobby’s Best Recommendation: Graco SnugRide Review with EPS

The Graco SnugRide is the market leading seat. Its lightweight, easy to assemble and take apart, well priced and comes in numerous colors and patterns. A key feature is that is can also be used in a car without its base, which is very important if you want the ability to put the seat in someone else’s car or if taxis are your primary form of transportation (i.e. New York City). The Graco SnugRide also fits very well with all of the universal infant seat carriers and comes with a carrying handle for your convenience when transporting your baby. Another thing we loved was the sunshade which was great for keeping sun out of our kids eyes and helping with the wind in the winter weather.  This is the infant seat we used very happily with both of our children.

Consumer Reports continually rates this seat as their top pick. However, make sure that you get the higher end version with the EPS and GracoPedic foam as this provides the necessary side impact protection and in general is a more comfortable seat. EPS foam is known as one of the most reliable and effective impact absorbing materials available. The regular Graco SnugRide seat has no padding between the fabric and the plastic frame and you will wince thinking about your baby’s head hitting that plastic. The premium versions of the seat can often be identified visually by their foot warmer cover and are mostly sold at specialty retailers.

If you have a second car or your parents will also be helping out, it makes a lot of sense to buy one or two extra bases so that you can use the same seat in different cars.

Graco also has a newer seat called the Graco Safe Seat, which offers the ability to fit infants up to about a year old. However, in addition to performing poorly in the Consumer Reports test, most parents will find that it’s just too difficult to carry a seat around with a 20lb + infant., despite the convenience of being able to transfer them.

Devil’s Advocate:

While the Graco SnugRide is a safe and popular seat, Graco has been resting on its laurels as they really haven’t made any fundamental changes to the product in over five years. Personally, I’d like to see them be a little more innovative.

Bobby’s Best offers easy to read reviews of everyday consumer products that get to the heart of what’s good and bad.  We hope you love their unbiased baby gear reviews by experienced parents that don’t bore you with minor details.

Today is the last day to enter to win this week’s Carseat Giveaway- the Clek Olli. We just adore this carseat. Check out full review posted below!

Until we got a Clek, I never really believed that carseats could be fun. They were always a necessary evil, something that we invested in because we were responsible parents. Our kids sat in them begrudgingly, for the most part. But only after we spent half an afternoon cursing and moaning as we attempted to properly install them.

And then there was the Clek Olli. It’s a backless booster, meant to be used with older children, between 40-100lbs and 40-57 inches. They must be able to sit properly with a lap positioning belt to use it safely. What sets Clek apart from other boosters is that is latches. Easily. Click Click. You may wonder why that is necessary, but slam on the brakes or take a sharp left and see what happens to other boosters. They slip and slide and can actually pose a threat to the person seated in them or beside them if they accidentally trigger the release of the lap positioning belt. Or they can become an airborne missile inside your car. Not good.

The Clek Olli is narrow enough to let other passengers sit in the back seat with the kids, but wide enough not to pinch anyone’s bottom.

And finally – not to be forgotten, they are fashionable. They look cool. Our Clek is zebra print and looks just amazing with our black leather car interior. Like we tricked out our vehicle with custom kiddie seats. We keep an extra one installed "Just in Case" knowing full well that the kids will end up fighting over who gets to sit in the extra carseat. Which is a lot better than having them fight over riding in a carseat to begin with.

It can be tough getting your “big” kid into a booster. For those of us who have kids who regularly measure in the 90th percentile and above for height and/or weight, the booster seat options are not as thrilling. Similarly when you have an older child who ages out of a booster long before they measure out, finding an acceptable solution for them can be tricky.

The Sunshine Kids Monterey expandable booster seat is the answer to both of these common problems. Designed to accomodate kids up to 63 inches and 120 lbs, your little one is not likely to outgrow this carseat. It’s actually large enough for many moms to ride in, comfortably, as our tweenaged tester pointed out.

Simple styling keeps  this booster from looking too “baby” which should appeal to older children who have legally aged out of mandatory boosters but who should still be in a booster for safety.  The seat is extremely adjustible, in the height, head rest angle and back width. It can be completely customized for your rider as they grow.

This booster carseat is very easy to install. Although it can be used both with the back and backless, we’d recommend leaving the back attached. The back portion provides excellent side impact protection, as well as head and neck support for backseat snoozers. The backless option is a good one, however,  for carpooling parents and those who need to switch the seat in and out of the car frequently. Even with the back attached, the seat folds flat for storage and travel.

We love that this booster is latch equipped  – no need to worry about it flying around the back seat.

Our testers fought over this seat. It was very comfortable to ride in for all three of the children we tried in the seat. At ages 4,8, and 12 and ranging in height from 43 inches to 57 inches, and 45 to 78 lbs,  all three youngesters were able to customize the seat for their size and shape.  Everyone appreciated the two recline positions on a long trip. The seat fit excellently in the captains chair of our minivan (Honda Odyssey), and also in a small (Hyundai Sonata) sedan. In the third row of our minivan, however,  the seat was difficult to install in the center latch position of the car. It made buckling the passengers on either side, nearly impossible. Note: This is not unique to the Monterey, we have found the same issue with almost every latch equipped carseat tested in the third row of the Honda Odyssey.

Sunshine Kids Booster seats are slightly “tipped” back. This aligns the child’s pelvis so that the seatbelt rests properly across their pelvis. It is a requirement for European safety standards and reduces the amount of lap belt force in the event of a crash.

Features:

• Child height: up to 160cm
• Child weight: 15 – 36kgs
• Adjustable height
• Expandable width Comfort & Fit:
• Adjustable 12 position headrest
• Expandable seatback width
• Longer seat bottom for leg support
• EPE foam insert cushion under child
• 2 recline angles
• Rubber bottom to grip vehicle seat Safety:
• Deep sidewalls for side-impact protection
• Contoured seat shape for proper fit
• EPS foam protects head, torso and hips
• Reinforced seat bottom for proper positioning
• LATCH connectors (for optional installation)
• Adjuster in front for easy tightening Convenience:
• Extra deep cup holders prevent spills
• Washable cover
• Also use as a backless booster
• Packs flat for storage