"Big Girl" Car Seat for 14 Month Old

I know car seats can be a huge expense but I think it is one thing you shouldn't skimp on if possible. The only problem with used car seats is you don't know if they have been in an accident. After a car seat has been in an accident they are no good. If you can find a way to afford it ( ask for help from family for an early birthday gift or something ) the Britax car seats are definitely the best and most safe. I have one and love it. Unfortunately Britax are the most expensive but worth it if you ask me. They will last you for years so really you get a lot of use out of them. Good Luck! :)

I have two Eddie Bauer ones that we got at Sam's Club. It was like $70! They look nice and convert to a booster seat.

My daughter is only 4 months old and we wont be having to look into a front facing car seat for a while. But before I make big purchases I always research and read other reviews on the product I am looking at to find the best of what I am looking for in our price range. I like the babies r us website http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2256196 this is the web site to their infant/toddler car seats. Just click on a car seat and it will take you to the info and at the bottom there are reviews.
Here is the Walmart web site for the convertable car seats... some are actually fairly cheap and have the rating when you click on the product http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=91368
And here is the Target web site for convertable car seats, also rates! http://www.target.com/Convertible-Car-Seats-Baby/b/601-##...
Hope this helps!

One thing the other messages didn't touch on--make sure it's a seat that can fit the highest weight and height possible that is a 5 pt safety harness. The booster seats that you pop in at out of for different cars (when they are older) are also dangerous because it's been said they can detach the seat belt in impact.

I noticed a lot of suggestions for a used car seat and while I'm a huge advocate of recycling kids toys/clothes/gear...be carefull when buying a used car seat. Best if you personally know the previous owner because a car seat is supposed to be destroyed if it's been in an accident - stress on the plastic could reduce it's ability to perform as needed. And make sure it's not more than 5 years old.

Good luck with your search!

Hi K., my daughter uses one we got from WalMart, I believe it was between $50-$90. It's a little high if your short financially (as I always am) lol But it is worth it because it has 2-3 settings for the straps that go over the shoulders (like a normal car seat) and when she gets bigger those are removable and it can be used with a regular seat belt. This seat can also lean back a little bit so that her neck doesn't get kinked when she falls asleep.
I hope this helped a little. Good Luck!

Hi,
You can always try to find a cheap one on Craigslist.org. They are used but you can have them send a picture and go look at it before you decide to buy it. I have bought a lot of baby stuff on there for a lot cheaper.
Ree

Well the 1st car seat I got for my boys was an Evenflo Triumph (about $100 4 years ago). I liked it soo much a kept an eye out on E-bay for one similar to it and got my second one cheaper(just checked E-bay has one for $50). My 4yo moved out of his last month not because he was too big for it, safety wise it was still good for him to be in it but because we felt it was time for him to switch to a bigger kid chair. He met all the criteria for switching. Booster seat wise they have some decent ones at Target and Walmart for about $10-$15. They are just the bottom part so they are not bulky also they substitute for booster seats for inside the house. My kids are too big for high chairs but can't quite eat comfortable in the regular chairs. The booster seats are perfect.

Hi K..
Whatever car seat you're looking at, make sure you do this one thing:
Take your baby with you, and put her in and out of it 2 or 3 times.
I was shocked at how different they can be when it comes to things like "ease of operation" and "comfort."

T

If you are going to get a used carseat, check other mothers or kid to kid. Other Mother's checks to make sure that the carseat hasn't been recalled and they won't take it if its more than 5 years old. I have gotten 3 of my carseats at Other Mother's, my most recent one Eddie Bauer Alpha Omega I got for only $39.99 and it still has a long life left on it. It will last for my daughter until I have to get a backless booster carseat and I started using it on her when she was 6 months old.

Hi K.,
I don't know what city you live in but most cities have freecycle.com and if you haven't heard about it...you register, then OFFER something. Just look around your house for some item or a bag of clothes that you can OFFER. Once you've offered something you can WANT something. Or you can just watch for someone offering the carseat. This is a great organization that recycles decent useable (not junk) items and it's totally free. I've received bunk beds, a new dog house, a bike, etc. I've given away many items that are too good to go to a lnadfill, but I'm not into garage sales (too much work). Anyway, I often see carseats offered, so you might check it out.

Please do no buy anything made by Cosco or Dorel Juvenile Group Manufacturers. Check who manufactures the car seat that you are looking at. I beg of you for the safety of your child. They have had some recalls in the past few years and hopefully will have another recall within the next two to six years.

I tell you this because we lost my grandson in Feb 2007 because the car set did not do the job is should have done. When my daughter and her son was in a car accident, the back seat of her car buckled right where he sat in his car seat. The car seat split in two pieces right down the center. This is what caused Andrew to be ejected from the car. If it had not split, he might have survived.

So please do not buy andything from Cosco or Dorel Juvenile Group. Do plenty of research on car seats. Look at the number of recalls the manufacturer has had and what they are recalled for.

I understand you wnat to keep the cost down, but your child is worth the extra cost for the safety of her life.

A car seat should not be more than 5 years old. You can pick a used one up at a very, very reasonable price at some of the resale stores or the Boys & Girls Clubs Thrift Shop, maybe the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I know I have donated our car seats in great condition to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale.

Have you tried contacting the fire department or the police department. I know that sometimes they give out car seats for free that will be a good fit for your car. If they don't give you one, they may be able to tell you the best car seat to get.

K.,
I saw an Eddie Bauer one at Costco for 64.00. It's 80 at Target. The back comes off so it will be a booster too. It also hase a 5 point harness. Brown and plaid.
K.

Talk to your local Fire Department. Yes I did say Fire Deptment. They can give you the best advise on all carseats. They go to car dealerships and show which carseats to buy and how to adjust them correctly. (They also have safety schools for children.)