Infant seat safety not using base

[aclayton74]

Okay I know what I think but would like others opinions. I was on another board and the question was is it safe to use an infant seat without the base....of course eliminating the ones that require a base. The majority of the responses were that it was safer to use it with the base and that they WOULD not use it without the base. Well I would rather see a seat istalled properly without a base than one installed incorrectly using the base. My oldest son was born in 1994 and they just came out with the evenflo seat that had a base. I choose the seat without a base. A kolcraft 3 point harness with vinyl seat boy was that a scary seat!! So it just kind of irritated me that these women were like oh no you have to use the base for safety reasons. I ususally shy away from peoples strong opinions this just really bothered me!! Also I choose to use the base for convenience reasons but did use the seat without a base when it was not available to me and felt the seat still just as safe.

[joolsplus3]

Strictly by the numbers (downward rotation as the FMVSS 213 test requires), if they are both installed properly, then baseless is safer. And there's certainly no risk of the base failing and letting the seat fly free (as Consumer Reports is pretty good at making seats do, somehow...Evenflos seem to fail their tests a lot :o). But given that 99% of people are using/installing seats wrong? Then the average population is probably better off with a base so we aren't asking them to make the same installation flubs every time they put the seat in the car. Either way, infant seats are pretty safe for most of the infant population, so I'm not sure I'd expend too much energy arguing the finer details with people who seem closed-minded about it :twocents::)

[kaysmom]

If I'm remebering correctly the using the seat without the base is every bit as safe if it is done right. But, a lot of times people dont take the time to get it right every single time where as snapping a seat into a base that you have to install only once is a lot more convenient, hence safer for most people. But, yeah your right... they were wrong!!:p

[LISmama810]

Yeah, convenience is a big part of proper use. Generally, the easier something is to do, the more likely it is to be done right.

As PPs have said, if the infant seat is installed PROPERLY without the base each time, it's fine. But a lot of people don't want to deal with the hassle, and will likely get sloppy over time. As long as the parents are diligent, it's fine, but most people will do much better with just snapping the seat in.

[aclayton74]

Oh Jools I am not looking to argue with the others on the other board. I didn't even bother responding. I just can't stand when others give information. As with any subject in life I reasearch and try to learn all the facts before I give advice I do not like giving others advice that is not right.

[Unregistered]

What is the proper way to use an infant seat without a base?

[safeinthecar]

What is the proper way to use an infant seat without a base?

That answer varies somewhat depending on the vehicle and infant seat in question. But basically, an infant seat without the base (or any car seat for that matter) is installed correctly by following the instructions in both the car seat and vehicle manuals, with the end result being a seat installed at an appropriate recline angle and moving no more than one inch side to side or front to back at the belt path.

[LISmama810]

What is the proper way to use an infant seat without a base?

There are usually belt guides on the shell of the seat, near the baby's legs. Usually you route the lap belt or lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt through those guides, then lock and tighten as usual.

Like PP said, though, you need to follow the instructions for the particular seat because they're not all the same.

[Defrost]

Like PP said, though, you need to follow the instructions for the particular seat because they're not all the same.

And not all infant seats can be installed without the base.