Must Have Tips You Need Before Buying A Car Seat
Buying a car seat is so overwhelming, with so many models and options available. Check out these easy tips to help!
When I was pregnant with my firstborn I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. No, really. I bought so many things that I thought were necessary. For example: a changing table, wipes warmer, an insane amount of bottles (over 20) and many many more things that I would learn that I didn’t need. When you are newly pregnant it is super hard to really know what you would need until you are in the trenches of childcare everyday. 
One of those things that I didn’t do proper research on (unless proper research counts as checking Amazon.com reviews) was my car seat. Now before the car seat crazies start throwing tomatoes at me, I would like to say in my defense that if I’d known then what I know now, I would have been MUCH more selective of my first car seat. I bought an all in one stroller/car seat combo. Looking back, I wish I had done a bit more I research.
Last week I attended a Evenflo event at Blooming Nails & Spa, A gorgeous upscale nail salon with locations all over NYC. We came to learn about the new car seats that would be debuting this summer. This included the ProComfort protection series and the Sure Safe car seat series and let me tell you, both have some awesome features! More on that later.
5 Things You Should Consider Before Buying A Car Seat
1) According to a recent survey 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly. (Have you checked yours recently??)
2) Most car seats have a 6 year expiration date–and it’s not because they are old it’s because the technology of cars is so rapid that car seats designed for current vehicles may not work properly in the future.
3) If you are ever in a crash/accident with a car seat, dispose of it. Better to be safe than sorry!
4) Speaking of disposal if you ever have to get rid of a car seat cut the harnesses to prevent someone from finding it and reusing an old (and dangerous) car seat.
5) Do not buy used car seats! You never know what they have been through… You can’t exactly get the car facts on a car seat right?
Evenflo has two new amazing car seats that are coming out this summer. Evenflo’s main concern is to make the ride as comfortable as possible for the baby yet ultimately keeping them as safe as possible.
Evenflo’s Procomfort Symphony DLX All in one car seat
- Fits 5-110 pounds (the only car seat you would ever need!)
- Multi position recliner
- Gel matrix material that alleviates pressure points
- Installs with these amazing Sure latch connectors that makes installation a breeze (I loved this! These little connectors stay in the car so that you don’t have to bury your fingers in the cushions to find the latch! Genius!)
- Machine washable car seat pad & more
- Available exclusively at Target!
Evenflo’s SureSafe System (4 models)
- 5-110 pounds
- Multi position recliner (for sleeping baby)
- Quick connector latch equipped
- Buckle pockets that tuck the buckles away (preventing the metal from getting too warm and burning baby
- Side impact protection that significantly reduces in side impact crashes through advanced energy absorption
- … And more!
Knowing what know now, I definitely would have started out with one of these models. I am actually quite tempted to replace both of my car seats!
Choosing the right car seat is a critical decision for any parent or caregiver. A car seat can mean the difference between safety and injury during a car accident. But with so many options on the market, what factors should you consider? Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Safety Standards: First and foremost, make sure the car seat meets or exceeds all the necessary safety standards in your country. In the U.S., for example, look for a label that says the seat conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
- Type of Car Seat:
- Infant Car Seat (Rear-facing): Designed for newborns and small babies.
- Convertible Car Seat: Can change from rear-facing to forward-facing.
- Forward-facing Car Seat: For toddlers and older children.
- Booster Seat: Boosts the child’s height so the seat belt fits properly.
- Car Compatibility: Not all car seats fit in all cars. Check your car’s manual to find out what kind of car seats it can accommodate, and consider getting a professional installation if you’re unsure.
- Adjustability & Growth: Some car seats can be adjusted as your child grows, which means you won’t have to buy a new one every year. This can be cost-effective in the long run.
- Easy to Clean: Children can be messy! Consider a car seat with a removable and machine-washable cover.
- Installation & Use: Make sure you can easily install and, more importantly, correctly install the car seat. Some seats come with systems like the LATCH system, which can make installation easier and more secure.
- Comfort: Your child will be spending a good amount of time in their car seat, so make sure it’s comfortable. Look for features like padded straps, multiple recline positions, and adequate head support.
- Expiration Date: Yes, car seats expire! The materials can degrade over time, especially after exposure to extreme temperatures. Always check the expiration date when buying a new or used seat.
- Budget: While it’s essential not to compromise on safety, car seats come in various price ranges. Choose one that fits within your budget but also meets all safety and comfort criteria.
- Check Reviews & Ratings: Before making a purchase, check online reviews and safety ratings. They can offer insights into real-world use and potential issues.
- New vs. Used: It’s usually recommended to buy new because of safety concerns with used seats. If you do consider a used car seat, make sure it hasn’t been in an accident, is not expired, and has all its parts.
- Travel Systems: Some car seats can be attached to strollers. If you’re in the market for both, you might consider buying a travel system.
- Additional Features: Some seats come with added perks like cup holders, side-impact protection, or extra head support. While not all are necessary, they can add to the convenience and safety.
Purchasing a car seat is a significant responsibility, as it plays a direct role in your child’s safety. Spend some time researching, try out installations in your car if possible, and never hesitate to ask for expert opinions or help. Your child’s safety is worth every minute spent ensuring they have the best protection possible.
What are some other great baby related posts to check out?
Did you do a lot of research for your first car seat? How many have you owned? What unnecessary items did you buy for baby?
Hi! I’m Nellie. I am an entrepreneur, a busy mama of 3 and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I have been sharing content for over 12 years about how to cook easy recipes, workout tips and free printables that make life a little bit easier. I have been featured in places like Yahoo, Buzzfeed, What To Expect, Mediavine, Niche Pursuits, HuffPost, BabyCenter, Mom 2.0, Mommy Nearest, Parade, Care.com, and more!
Get comfortable and be sure to come hang out with me on social. Don’t forget to grab your free fitness journal before you go!
I seriously just want to be you for a day…and please let it be a day when you interview celebrities, walk the red carpet, go to a toy show, get a pedicure and take an amazing yoga/belly dancing class followed by dinner with a view of the skyline. Pretty pretty please???
This makes me want to buy another car seat even though I did do a TON of research before I bought my second round 🙂
LOL when you put it like that even I have to step back and wonder if I have done all those things! LOL! It’s like a never ending roller coaster ride that has peaks and valleys but definitely a lot more peaks! 🙂
Great advice Nellie! I will pass it along!
Awesome Kris!
Nellie, I am so jealous about the pedicure at the end! But seriously great advice and do remember hearing much of this when we took a childbirth class when I was pregnant for the first time with Emma.
That’s so good that they tell you that info at the class!! I went to a class but they just told us to go to our local firehouse.
I feel like I need to archive all of these posts for when I have babies! 🙂
Last time I had a good pedicure was last week when I treated myself to a facial, mani, and pedi on a whim. I love a good pedi with a long massage.
YES! You already know I love a good spa 🙂
Oh I so need this! My husband is in charge of researching the car seat for our car and choosing the correct one and getting it installed correctly. Did you know there are actually car seat conceirges that do this? I couldn’t believe it!
I love a good pedicure. I’ve been to Blooming before and they are good! So glad you enjoyed the event! 🙂
Yes! I knew about the concierges!! Bloomings is really nice, its so funny I only started to notice them all over the city after I went there!
We had a fireman install ours and he did tell us that most are not done correctly!
I’m laughing because the Evenflo’s Procomfort Symphony DLX All in one car seat can fit me. Should I get one?? Totally kidding.
The cupcakes look fabulous!
I bet they would be so insanely comfortable too!!
we had a certified professional install our carseat. it came with a lesson and tutorial. as a result, i have checked my friends’ carseats and have told them that they are not buckling their children correctly!
You are so good for passing on that information Catherine!! Lots of people have no idea how to install it!
I did so much research when we had T…it was almost to the point of being ridiculous. We ended up with a Graco carrier, which has been awesome. BUT I definitely like our Britax Roundabouts better. They’re so easy to use, and have some of the best safety ratings. Though I thought the useable lifetime for a car seat was 10 years instead of 6. Thanks for the heads up! (And who doesn’t love a good pedicure…glad to know they like to pamper the Moms too!)
SO good that you were a great researcher of car seats! Soon they will probably reduced it even more because technology is moving so fast!
Mr. C usually does all the research for the carseats, we eventually settled on the same car seat comany that makes racing carseats….not that I’m driving fast, but they had a pretty good ratings, and safty ratings. The down side is that these carseats are large! Can’t fit 3 in a row if I wanted to. But we have been very satisifed with our carseats, and know that the kids are safe.
Thanks fantastic Kalley! We can’t fit 3 either!!
Something else to make me paranoid bout (J/K) going to post this on my Facebook page though! Super helpful
lol Thanks so much Adanna!
Most people make the mistakes of buying used car seats, which they regret later. Car seat is not about the money, but it is more about your own safety and comfort. Furthermore, one should always opt for the car seats from the authorized agency.
I haven’t seen much reviews for the Evenflo ProComfort Symphony DLX Convertible Car Seat for infants are they truely safe or are they lose on the child like i read on one site. I wanna make sure we made the safest purchase for our baby girl.