car seat buying guide
Transcription
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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 2 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 3 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 MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS Nuna Pipa Cybex Aton Q Orbit Baby G3 Infant Car Seat MBEANS.COM 4 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 MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5/70 Chicco Nextfit Britax Boulevard ClickTight Orbit Baby G3 Toddler Car Seat MBEANS.COM 5 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 MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS Diono Rainier MBEANS.COM 6 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 MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS Peg Perego Viaggio HBB 120 Bubble Bum Clek Olli MBEANS.COM 7 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 8 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 9 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 10 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, MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 11 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 12 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. MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 13 Need some advice choosing a CAR SEAT? We’d love to help you. Call us at 866-600-BEAN or email [email protected] MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · CAR SEATS MBEANS.COM 14 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 facebook.com/magicbeans @mbeans