Hi Everyone,
We will soon be ready to move from our infant seat (Chicco Keyfit 30) to the next size (convertible? 3-in-1?). I am totally bewildered by the carseat options (and prices!). Would appreciate some advice about what might work for us. Here are some details and specific questions:
1. My daughter is 12 months and small: 17.5 lbs, 28.5 inches (she's 10th % for weight, 25th % for height).
2. I drive a 2006 Prius and would like to put the seat in the middle (no other kids at this point).
3. I've had a lot of local friends recommend Britax and Diono, but the prices alarm me (our infant seat was a hand-me-down). Is it really necessary to spend $250+ on this seat? I know they all pass the same safety standards, so what am I missing between a $280 Britax, a $150 Britax, and a $40 Cosco Scenera? Are there great seats for under $100? What are the reasons to spend more?
4. We plan to do some air travel, so I'd love to have something that is light and narrow and easy to take/use on a plane. I've seen that the Scenera fits the bill, but would this work for a permanent, all-the-time seat, or is there a better option? Or should I get another seat for every day and get a Scenera just for travel?
5. Do all these seats recline the same amount? We would like to get the girl sitting upright so she has a better view! Are there seats that allow for this, or will they all be basically the same?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Rebecca
We will soon be ready to move from our infant seat (Chicco Keyfit 30) to the next size (convertible? 3-in-1?). I am totally bewildered by the carseat options (and prices!). Would appreciate some advice about what might work for us. Here are some details and specific questions:
1. My daughter is 12 months and small: 17.5 lbs, 28.5 inches (she's 10th % for weight, 25th % for height).
2. I drive a 2006 Prius and would like to put the seat in the middle (no other kids at this point).
3. I've had a lot of local friends recommend Britax and Diono, but the prices alarm me (our infant seat was a hand-me-down). Is it really necessary to spend $250+ on this seat? I know they all pass the same safety standards, so what am I missing between a $280 Britax, a $150 Britax, and a $40 Cosco Scenera? Are there great seats for under $100? What are the reasons to spend more?
4. We plan to do some air travel, so I'd love to have something that is light and narrow and easy to take/use on a plane. I've seen that the Scenera fits the bill, but would this work for a permanent, all-the-time seat, or is there a better option? Or should I get another seat for every day and get a Scenera just for travel?
5. Do all these seats recline the same amount? We would like to get the girl sitting upright so she has a better view! Are there seats that allow for this, or will they all be basically the same?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Rebecca