car seat buying guide

CAR SEAT
BUYING GUIDE
Find the right fit for your lifestyle and your family
2015
Let’s get started
While it may cost less, shopping for
job to help you find the right seat,
a car seat can feel nearly as complex
and we’ll give you all the help that we
as shopping for a car! Our handpicked
can in instructing you how to install
selection of car seats includes only
it, but remember: ultimately, this final
the best models from the best brands,
step in ensuring your child’s safety is
but quality is only the beginning –
up to you.
there are many factors to weigh when
determining which seat is right for
Also, remember when buying a car
you and for your child.
seat that the average seat expires
after about 6 years (your manual will
The purpose of a car seat, of course, is
give you the exact number for the
safety, and the “best” car seat is going
model you purchase), so keep an eye
to be the one that you can master the
on how long you’ve had the seat and
correct installation every time. It’s our
purchase new ones appropriately.
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Types of
car seats
You don’t necessarily need “one of
each” of these styles of car seat, but
each is appropriate for different ages
and stages, so you’ll probably wind up
with more than one. For instance, you
might start with an infant bucket seat,
graduate to a convertible car seat, and
then move on to a booster.
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Types of Car Seats: Infant
• Often referred to as a “bucket seat” because it has a
carry handle
• Usually holds up to about 30 pounds, depending on
brand and model
• Designed for infants from birth to about 10 months,
depending on the upper weight and height limit
• Uses a 5-point harness
• Varies in weight from about 9-13 pounds, not
counting the base
• Designed to be rear-facing at all times, which is safest
• Has a base that stays installed so it’s easy to pop the
for your baby
seat in and out
• Can be installed without the base, for planes and
cabs
other INFANT CAR SEATS include:
UPPABABY MESA
Chicco Keyfit 30
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Nuna Pipa
Cybex Aton Q
Orbit Baby G3
Infant Car Seat
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Types of Car Seats: Convertible
• “Convertible” means that it can be used rear-facing
or forward-facing
• Weight of product is variable, but seldom relevant
since it stays installed at all times
• Suitable for use from birth (usually) until about age 6,
depending on weight limit
• It’s safest to keep your child rear-facing for as long as
possible
• Uses a 5-point harness.
• Stays installed in the car – no removable base
• Typically accommodates child up to about 65
pounds, or 49” tall
other CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS include:
CLEK FOONF
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Peg Perego Primo
Viaggio SIP 5/70
Chicco Nextfit
Britax Boulevard
ClickTight
Orbit Baby G3
Toddler Car Seat
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types of car seats: combination
• A combination seat starts as a rear-facing or forwardfacing car seat and converts to a belt-positioning
booster seat
• Has both a 5-point harness and seat belt pathways for
booster mode
• Accommodates children between 2 and 8 years old
• Stays installed in the car, no base
other COMBINATION CAR SEATS include:
BRITAX frontier 90
Clicktight
Diono Olympia
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Diono Rainier
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types of car seats: belt-positioning booster
• Designed to accommodate children from 4 to 8 years
of age, depending on lower and upper weight limits
• Has red-indicated belt pathways for shoulder and lap
belt
• Can remove seat-back to convert to backless booster
mode
other BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEATS include:
CLEK oobr
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Peg Perego Viaggio
HBB 120
Bubble Bum
Clek Olli
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car seat brands you should know · part 1
Designed in Britain, made in the USA, Britax car seats
The Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat is wildly popular
This fabulous premium brand boasts unique and
are well-trusted and well-loved –everyone you know will
because it’s light and easy to use. The next step up in
beautiful design, plus light but strong magnesium
recommend them, and with 65 years in the business,
the Chicco collection is the NextFit convertible car
frames and easy-to-install rigid LATCH. The Clek Foonf
they definitely know what they’re doing. There are
seat, which adds even more nifty features: SuperCinch
convertible car seat has an anti-rebound bar and
many models to choose from, with a variety of cool and
LATCH for easy installation, the ReclineSure 9-position
a patented energy absorption system, and it’s
cute designs (everyone loves “cowmooflage”!).
leveling system, a steel frame, and more.
surprisingly narrow – a great choice for three-across
installation. And the Oobr and Olli boosters combine
great safety features with a look that will make older
kids eager to sit in their booster.
With a load leg, Linear Side Impact Protection, and
This brand offers a variety of convertible seats, many of
an amazing space-age look, the Cybex Aton Q and
which transform into boosters, offering amazing value.
other high-tech Cybex seats are definitely worth
Plus, the steel frames, high rear-facing weight limits,
the investment. A terrific belt-tensioning plate and
and terrific ease of use make Diono seats a great buy.
premium push-on lower LATCH connections also make
Oh, and the Radian folds flat for travel!
installing your Aton Q unbelievably easy.
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car seat brands you should know · part 2
Along with snazzy European style and an impressively
The Orbit Baby Infant Car Seat and Toddler Car
This Italian-made brand is your source for elegant
light weight (7.7 pounds!), the Nuna Pipa adds rigid
Seat are part of the a la carte Orbit collection which
European style and plushy, luxurious comfort, along
lower LATCH for easy installation, a stability leg that
lets you customize the perfect travel system. Along
with impressive safety features, including lots of Side
reduces forward motion up to 90%, and the stylish and
with impressive safety features, we love how Orbit
Impact Protection. The Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible
convenient Dream Drape for weather protection and
Baby seats can be rotated to put your child in and then
Car Seat adds a nice high rear-facing weight limit, too.
cozy napping.
rotated into the correct rear-facing position, and we
also love the amazing ease with which you can install
the car seat base.
The UPPAbaby Vista stroller is a major favorite among
our customers, followed closely by the Cruz. If you’re
rocking either of these snazzy stroller models, then the
MESA infant car seat is an automatic yes! The MESA
can ride high on either UPPA stroller with no additional
purchases needed – the MESA comes with an adapter
for the Vista, and needs no adapter for the Cruz.)
Furthermore, the SmartSecure installation system and
superb SIP make this a great choice for absolutely
anyone, whether your stroller comes from UPPAbaby
or not.
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AnATOMY OF A CAR SEAT · Part 1
for Children,” and
Head
Support with
Side Impact
Protection
is typically used for
Provides additional
installation in the car
side-impact protection
1
LATCH
3
This stands for “Lower
3
Anchors and Tethers
3
for any rear-facing
2
2
TOP TETHER
and is not typically
car seats. LATCH or
This is part of the
removable. The bottom
seat belt installation
LATCH system, and
of the head support
is equally safe; the
your car will have a
should be right above
purpose of LATCH
metal hook point that
your child’s shoulders to
is simply to make
is symbolized by the
provide optimum head
installation easier for
symbol above. This is
protection.
parents and caregivers
used for any forward-
(again, recall that
facing child in a 5-point
correct installation is
harness to help prevent
key, so easy installation
forward movement in
IS a safety feature!).
the event of a collision.
1
Most cars made after
1
2001 are equipped
with LATCH points,
usually on the outboard
seats. They typically will
feature a LATCH logo.
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AnATOMY OF A CAR SEAT · part 2
Harness
Slots
seat before you make
and the upright position
the purchase to see
for forward-facing
While some seats have
how the straps will fit
installation.
no-rethread harnesses,
and how much your
others have adjustable
child can grow into
harness slots that need
it – every kid is a bit
release
Button
7
to be changed as the
different!
This is a metal flap or
4
button that most car
child grows, to ensure
4
seats are equipped with
It’s not just about
Retainer
Clip
comfort, it’s also about
This clip is present in all
tighten your child into
the way the harness
American car seats and
the car seat. Pushing
distributes force across
is sometimes referred
the button or lifting
your child’s body, so
to as a chest clip. This
the flap will allow you
make sure you’ve got it
should be secured right
to loosen the straps
right.
at armpit level on the
allowing your child to
child.
climb in and out easily.
correct positioning.
4
5
5
To tighten, pull the
For rear-facing children,
the harness slot should
6
7
to easily loosen and
6
Recline
strap that hangs out
fall at or below their
This is a feature in
from the button/flap
shoulders. For forward-
most convertible car
until they are snug.
facing children, the
seats. This recline is
harness slot should
usually intended only
be at or above their
for safety rather than
shoulders. It is always a
for a comfort recline.
good idea to measure
The seat should be in
your child in the car
the reclined position for
rear-facing installation,
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Car seat FAQ:
A few questions to help you narrow it down
For how long can I use an infant
car seat?
Is Britax still the best brand for
car seats?
Your car seat manual will tell you exactly what the
Every brand we sell is awesome in its own way! Britax
height and weight limits of your seat are. Read more
is immensely popular for good reason, but there are
here.
plenty of up-and-coming brands with a variety of cool
new features. Read more here.
Is there one car seat I can use
from birth to booster?
What is the safest car seat?
Yes, but we love the convenience of an infant car seat
We wish we could provide you with the perfect stats,
for the littlest passengers. Read more here.
but unfortunately, there just isn’t any objective way to
determine this. We can tell you for sure that every car
What is the narrowest
convertible car seat?
seat on the market undergoes rigorous safety testing
– they all do a superb job at protecting children from
injury. Learn more about car seat safety here.
We have two models we recommend if you need to
squeeze in three in a row. Read more here.
Britax Boulevard
clicktight
My kid hates being in the car
seat. What do I do?
No matter how your child feels about it, a car seat is
legally required, and absolutely necessary for safety.
Find some tips here.
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Installation & Car Seat Laws
The most important aspect
of buying a car seat is being
educated on how to install it
properly.
Car Seat Laws:
• Children must be
rear-facing for a
minimum of 1 year
All the safety features in the world don’t make a
AND 20 pounds;
difference if they aren’t used properly.
experts recommend
that kids should ride
It’s a good idea to consult a Child Passenger Safety
rear-facing for as long
Technician (CPST) and have them check your
as the weight and
installation – you can find one through many local
height limit of your
police or fire departments. Search your zip code at
seat allow. Rear-facing
http://www.seatcheck.org/ to find one near you. Or,
is safest!
just ask the staff at your local Magic Beans, and we’ll
put you on the right track.
• Most states require
kids to ride in a car
Not all car seats fit in all car models! We have plenty of
seat or booster until
floor models, and we encourage customers to try them
they are 8 years old
out in their car before they purchase.
or 57” tall, whichever
comes first.
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Need
some advice
choosing a
CAR SEAT?
We’d love to
help you.
Call us at
866-600-BEAN or email
guides@mbeans.com
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Magic Beans is a collection of parent-owned
stores with warm, friendly service and
a hand-picked selection of toys and
baby gear for all ages
MA
BOSTON · BROOKLINE · Cambridge
NORWELL · WELLESLEY
CT
FAIRFIELD
mbeans.com · 617-264-2326 · mbeans.com/spillingthebeans
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@mbeans