In Reply to: OT- Baby seats and monitors, Mike TX [Profile/Gallery] , Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:05:43

We test baby seats where I work (it's not our primary business, but we have crash test facilities and the testing brings in some extra cash). I think we may have cut back on baby seat testing in the last year or two, though.

Anyway, rule of thumb is you get what you pay for. From what we saw, the better seats tend to be more expensive. Aside from crash test results and ease of use, look at things like how easily little finger can get caught in gaps in the plastic shell, how snug the head restraint is for side impact (they're not tested for side impact, and head restraints that are closer to the head are better), etc.

Graco and Britax I remember were two of the better seats, though I forget which models. I'd stay away from seats with wheels (stroller) that fold up and stay on the seat. It's a lot of weight for the seat to have to support in a crash. As someone suggested, see how well the seat fits on the car's seat. You don't want it moving around a lot. Also take it someone qualified to inspect how you've installed the seat (with the child, to check his/her fit).

Regarding keeping the child rear facing until 30 lbs, it's definitely safer rear facing, but that puts a lot of stress on the seat (in a frontal crash). A child that's too heavy for the seat in a rear-facing position may be more than the seat can withstand. I would suggest seeing if you can support the rear-facing seat somehow (like against the back of the front seats). It may not help a lot, but it's something. Also, make sure the belts are snug (not super tight, but not loose). Tighten lap belts first, then shoulder belts.

Also, they are supposed to be rear facing until 20 lbs AND 1 year of age. It takes time for the neck to develop enough to support the head when forward-facing.

posted by 138.162....

• OT- Baby seats and monitors, Mike TX , Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:05:43
  • Re: OT- Baby seats (long), Roger (NAWC), Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:58:25 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Keep rear-facing as long as you can..., CrNiFe , Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:34:52
  • Recaro Signo..., CWilson, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:55:45
  • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, MarkB, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:33:05
  • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, polemera, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:18:31
  • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, MGS, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:37:16
  • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, BrianG, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:19:25
    • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, KYB-MI, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:42:01
      • Re: Rear facing, MGS, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:30:09
    • Re: OT- Baby seats and monitors, Dr Tom, Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:40:35

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