Going to be giving some infant seat recs. - comments on my list?

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #1

OK, so I've had a couple of people asking recently for my recs on the best infant seat right now. Here's my short list - anything I'm missing?

1) KeyFit30 - excellent seat, no reservations about recommending, used it with my last two boys.

2) Britax Chaperone - adds rebound control and no-rethread harness. Possible downside of being more of a space hog.

3) Cybex Aton 2 - what I would personally buy right now if we were having another baby. Addition of load-leg IMO is of enough potential safety benefit to justify the price.

What do you think?

 

Pixelated

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• May 1, 2013

• #2

Some others for various situations (and note that we don't have the Aton in Canada (dammit!) and our KeyFit goes to 22lbs only but same seat otherwise).

Also note that all of our rear facing seats must pass an anti-rebound standard that is essentially a straight line from somewhere in the bight of the test bench, and the dummy's head can't cross it. So our seats do that with a combination of (usually) handle required to be up and some bolsters on the front corners of the seat. Because of that I wouldn't personally jump to the Chaperone -- it's huge, heavy, and with a low weight limit. But that's just me

I like the SnugRide 35 for super-duper easy seat belt install and general compatibility everywhere. The 4lb min seat fits newborns nicely with the insert. It's our longest lasting seat by height and weight.

LOVE the SnugRide 30 and the OnBoard/OnBoard Air for super fit on tiny babies. Narrow straight edges of the base are helpful in 3-across scenarios.

We have fewer choices and pay more up here, but that about rounds out my list. The B-Safe seems to fit well in tight front-to-back spaces too but is pricey for the 22lb weight limit, in my opinion.

 

J

jordansmom

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #3

Depending on how soon the families may need the seat, the Nuna Pipa looks very promising!
http://carseatblog.com/21397/nuna-pipa-preview/

 

S

Stelvis

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #4

I'd put the B Safe on that list. We used one with DD. Nice quality, at a nice price point, easy to install. Takes up less space than the Chaperone. Built in lockoffs in base. Pretty high height and weight limits (in the US anyway). I think it fits smallish babies well but don't have first hand experience with that. I liked it a lot.

ETA: http://carseatblog.com/17944/carsea...-recommended-carseats-for-preemies-multiples/

 

S

Stelvis

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #5

Also: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facing_seats_9.html

 

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #6

Pixelated said:

Because of that I wouldn't personally jump to the Chaperone -- it's huge, heavy, and with a low weight limit. But that's just me

Click to expand...

Interesting ... since our Chaperone goes to 30lbs, does that mean even with its anti-rebound bar it can't pass Canada's rebound requirement above 22lbs? That would be an interesting piece of data to know ...

 

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #7

jordansmom said:

Depending on how soon the families may need the seat, the Nuna Pipa looks very promising!
http://carseatblog.com/21397/nuna-pipa-preview/

Click to expand...

Yep, I agree, but I don't want to tell them "this is the most awesome seat in the world ... but you can't have it yet"
Once it's out and really available that'll go on my "price no object" list along with the Aton2!

 

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #8

Stelvis said:

I'd put the B Safe on that list.

Click to expand...

My only reservation with that one is the lack of ability to install without the base - did you not find that to be an issue?

 

J

jjordan

Moderator

• May 1, 2013

• #9

Whenever I'm asked for car seat recommendations, I start with the list from carseatblog (found here) and then go from there.

 

S

Stelvis

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #10

AK Dad said:

My only reservation with that one is the lack of ability to install without the base - did you not find that to be an issue?

Click to expand...

You can install it without the base. I never had to, but you can. Perhaps you missed the belt guides because they're underneath the cover?

http://www.britaxusa.com/uploads/products/user-guides/89.pdf

 

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #11

Stelvis said:

You can install it without the base. I never had to, but you can. Perhaps you missed the belt guides because they're underneath the cover?

http://www.britaxusa.com/uploads/products/user-guides/89.pdf

Click to expand...

Huh, that is funny, I did miss them! Wonder why they're hidden like that? I was talking to a mom a while back who had one and told me that piece of (mis)information - guess that's what I get for not double-checking!

 

AK Dad

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #12

jjordan said:

Whenever I'm asked for car seat recommendations, I start with the list from carseatblog (found here) and then go from there.

Click to expand...

I have been looking there too, but that's too easy!

 

Pixelated

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• May 1, 2013

• #13

AK Dad said:

Interesting ... since our Chaperone goes to 30lbs, does that mean even with its anti-rebound bar it can't pass Canada's rebound requirement above 22lbs? That would be an interesting piece of data to know ...

Click to expand...

Hmm, good question. I didn't actually know that the US version went to 30lbs. Ours does top out at 22lbs.

 

featherhead

Well-known member

• May 1, 2013

• #14

AK Dad said:

Interesting ... since our Chaperone goes to 30lbs, does that mean even with its anti-rebound bar it can't pass Canada's rebound requirement above 22lbs? That would be an interesting piece of data to know ...

Click to expand...

My guess is they just didn't test it to 30 lbs. With an ARB I would think it could pass. But I'm not an engineer, so what do I know

 

N

nannykates

New member

• May 1, 2013

• #15

jordansmom said:

Depending on how soon the families may need the seat, the Nuna Pipa looks very promising!
http://carseatblog.com/21397/nuna-pipa-preview/

Click to expand...

I've played with the pipa(cpst class connections). Its easy to install, I actually thought the seatbelt lockoff was easier than rigid latch! Its a very heavy seat though...fair warning.

 

Brigala

CPST Instructor

• May 1, 2013

• #16

I would also add the Safety 1st Onboard and Onboard Air to your list.

The Onboard is a great budget seat, kind of the SureRide of the infant seat world. It will fit a 4 lb preemie (with rolled receiving blankets for support) and a 25 lb or more toddler. The Onboard Air is just like it, but with: Premium base with lock-offs, preemie support cushions, and Air Protect cells.

After careful side-by-side consideration, we chose it for our daughter over the Keyfit. Although I still love the Keyfit, I've never regretted my choice of Onboard Air and I'd choose it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I bought some as gifts for my DH's baby grandson and for my best friend's baby.

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• May 2, 2013

• #17

Wow, fancy list, there. Mostly I steer people toward Gracos because they fit the widest variety of strollers. The 35 Click Connect is super light, the 40 has a super awesome base (slides forward for extra legroom. 35CC can be put on the 40's base). Love the Onboard, but it doesn't fit in most other brands of double strollers (leg area is too wide to cram into graco and baby trend strollers, even ones that claim to be 'universal'). Major problem right now is that Gracos are switching to Click Connect and other brands aren't specific to that attachment method (yet, it takes time to retool the bars and stuff). Also love the B-Safe and Chiccos (same stroller problem there, though not as bad, and people with that kind of money aren't shopping for double strollers at my store ).