For All You Moms, I Need Suggestions On Car Seat, Please
Lounge By butternut Updated 6 Oct 2007 , 9:06pm by TheDomesticDiva
Ok, got a dilemma here. I purchased the Evenflo Journey Travel system -Clairmont car seat/stroller combo for my grandson. This is the model that my son and daughter in law chose on their registry. I am soooo upset and disappointed in the car seat. When you place it in the vehicle, it sits up at almost a 90 degree angle. While driving, his little head goes side to side and then when you stop and start moving again, his head lunges forward and down. He's only 4 weeks old and this carseat in my opinion is dangerous. I can't believe that they actually make them like this. I've emailed Evenflo this morning about it but haven't heard back from them yet. Someone has to sit in the back seat with him and hold his head up. Absolutely ridiculous! I'm so angry about this. Anyway, I would like to know if anyone has a carset/stroller combo that they are actually happy with? I don't know how the stroller part of this one is because they haven't used it yet but something has to give with this carseat. Thanks so much for any help that you can give.
Sounds like the carseat is not compatiable with the seat of the car. Look at the back seat and see if it is angled for adult rearends (don't know how else to explain) My sister had this problem and changed to a graco with a removable base. Hate to suggest it but some auto makers know this is a problem and sell their own carseats (Jeep is one). Maybe call customer service for Evenflo, see what they say
You could also see if there is a carseat checkpoint in your area. Call the Highway Patrol and ask if they do it, or if they can tell you who does. They would be able to tell you if the seat is compatible, and also if it is installed correctly.
I'm sure that somewhere on the net, though, there is a list of cars and compatible seats.
I love my Britax carseats. My five year old still fits in hers...it is newborn-40 pounds.
Britax, Britax, Britax!! ....um, did I mention Britax???
We've only ever used Britax seats for our son - he's now 4 and into a Britax booster (because he's so tall we had no choice but to go to a booster). They are consistenly rated highest in terms of safety. They are pricey, but you'll have the seat for years.
first of all it seems like most infants do roll their heads forward in car seats (I too think its scary but I have yet to hear someone say that it didnt happen)........they do make a little neck pillow/brace thing that goes around the front of the neck to keep it where it belongs until they get more head control (but my son is 2 1/2 and if he falls asleep in the car seat his head is always falling over....its just the nature of them being asleep)!
Here is one of the neck support things I found quickly online
http://www.target.com/Kiddopotamus-Cradler-Adjustable-Head-Support/dp/B000DZS7BG/ref=br_1_9/602-0524579-0268612?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1
I cant afford Brittax car seats, but I will tell you one I love..... Costco Alpha Omega car seats, they are rear facing, forward facing and turn into boosters....I have seen one as cheap as $70 at Sams club but I think we paid about $160 for ours...
You also need to make sure that your seat is installed correctly....most car seats have a line on them (if not a little level) and that line and level need to be parallel to the street........my car seat recommended using towels if needed under the base or even a bit of a pool noodle if the seat is really slanted....... ITS very important to have the seat installed properly. READ the MANUAL!
here are the two seats we own (only in different fabrics)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2799848&cp=2255983.2256187&cp=2255983&fbn=Brand+Name+Secondary%7CCosco&f=PAD%2FBrand+Name+Secondary%2FCosco&fbc=1&categoryId=2256187&parentPage=search
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2738083&cp=2255983.2256187&cp=2255983&fbn=Brand+Name+Secondary%7CCosco&f=PAD%2FBrand+Name+Secondary%2FCosco&fbc=1&categoryId=2256187&parentPage=search
I am a Britax mommy too! I LOVE my britax my 5 and 3 year olds still sit in them. I am abotu to upgrade my 5 year olds seat, she will be sitting in a 5 point harness for at least a couple more years.
We used the Graco 'Safeseat' until our daughter was about 14 months. It is a rear-facing reclined seat. I have the carseat/stroller combination and I loved it. The stroller was nice and I could fold it closed with one hand. We chose it primarily for the carseat (removable with a fixed base in the car), because my daughter was due to be large at birth and it has a higher weight limit than some.
We have now transitioned to a front facing Britax (Marathon I think) and I love it. My daughter has never liked riding in the car, but she likes this seat. It sits up high and is much more padded than others.
I recommend some research on safety if you decide to choose another carseat. When I was deciding what to buy, I was surprised that the stores were selling some that had questionable safety records.
Thanks so much everyone. I did call Evenflo this morning and told them what was happening. I was told that his head certainly should not fall forward and down like that and gave me some suggestions to pass along to my daughter. One was to make sure that it is on the correct level for an infant and the other was that if it still needed more incline, to roll up a towel or blanket and place under the base of the carseat to create a slight incline. I suggested that if they have to do that, to go to the fire dept and have it inspected to make sure that it is safe with the adjustment. I told her that if this didn't work any better then I want to take it back and purchase a different one. I am already checking into the ones that have been suggested by everyone here. As always, you've all been a great help. Thank you soooooo much!!
I have found that almost all of the car seats I've seen do this. It's they way the backseats in the cars are made. My first infant seat that I had for my DD (sorry it was too long ago to remember the name) had an adjustable base. My 2nd and 3rd DD's infant seat didn't have an adjustable base so we had a piece of wood wrapped in a towel to prop it up. I've found using towels or blankets are only a temporary fix because the blankets get pushed down and you constantly have to adjust it. I've also seen at Babies R Us they have a foam block that is made specifically for this. HTH.
For safety, you cannot beat a Britax! ....They are expensive, but when you consider that they are crash-tested at 60 mph rather than the usual 30 mph of the other carseats, it's worth it to me. We have two Britax Marathons, and I would not purchase another kind. I did find out that Britax also is the maker of the Fisher-Price Safe Voyage carseats, so I'd imagine they are just as safe! For infant seats, we loved our Graco Snugrides, and they also got top marks. Hope that helps!!
This article is interesting (from American Academy of Pediatrics).......sort of stresses that it doesnt matter as much Which car seat you get so long as it is installed correctly and fits the child.
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
Two words for ALL mother... Mighty Tight! It a little seatbelt ratchet thing that costs about $15 and makes the sealt belt actually tight enough. I have never seen a car seat (without one of these) that does not move side to side more than an inch like it needs to be.
I actually have this car seat for my son and so does my mother.
I would say your back seat actually slants which is making it tilt and about any other rear facing seat you buy(Britax included, I also have one of those.) Will do the same thing. It sits fine in my SUV but my mom has to roll up a large towel to place it under the base to level out his seat in her Lincoln LS. We haven't had any problems once it sits level.
HTH
Chele
KoryAK wrote:
Two words for ALL mother... Mighty Tight! It a little seatbelt ratchet thing that costs about $15 and makes the sealt belt actually tight enough. I have never seen a car seat (without one of these) that does not move side to side more than an inch like it needs to be.
Actually, we have Pontiac Silhoeutte and our seatbelt does get very tight without needing any additional hardware. I put in the seat and have my 6 year old sit it in to put some weight in the seat (he's a big kid) and then I pull tight. When we're done the carseat doesn't budge at all! When he was younger, I had to use myself as the weight, but that took longer as I was the weight and the buckler (if that makes sense?!). When trying to get the seat belt tight, I think the important thing is having the right amount of weight in the seat while pulling the belt as tight as possible.
As for which brand of car seat, I don't think it's the brand that's important so much as making sure it fits your vehicle. I had three kids in a matter of 4 years, so I became a (self described) car seat expert in a short period of time 
Cars are all a little different so what works in one vehicle may not work in another. Found that out with our oldest as his baby car seat would only work in one of our vehicles and not the other. You just have to find what works. Personally, I don't understand why people spend so much money when you can get something just as safe for less (no offense to those who do, but we are family on one income and try to save where we can). Like mkerton said, it's not about what seat you buy so much as ensuring it's installed properly and fits the child, as well as fitting your particular vehicle.
I have to disagree that the brand doesnt matter at all so long as it fits your child, just because if you research the safety ratings of these seats, some of them break away from the base if you get in a crash and the seat goes flying. In some cases, you really do get what you pay for. I'd say whatever you're going to get, research it first.
LadyDZA wrote:
I have to disagree that the brand doesnt matter at all so long as it fits your child, just because if you research the safety ratings of these seats, some of them break away from the base if you get in a crash and the seat goes flying. In some cases, you really do get what you pay for. I'd say whatever you're going to get, research it first.
My point in reference to brand is that just because you buy something expensive doesn't mean it's better. Clearly, when buying something for your child you should do research. But that doesn't mean you can't find quality items that are just as safe (or in some cases safer) even if they cost less. It's not so much the brand or the money spent, it's about how the seat performs. If you do your research (which is a great recommendation you made), there are seats in all price ranges that perform well as well as some that do not. In addition, spending a lot will not ensure your childs safety if the seat is not approriate for your childs size, it's not installed properly, or it does not fit your vehicle. I just don't want people thinking because they spent a lot that their child is safe...that's not the case!
LadyDZA wrote:
I just don't want people thinking because they spent a lot that their child is safe...that's not the case!
Actually my children are safe in their Britax seats. Not because they cost a lot, but because they are good quality seats and we ensure they are properly installed.
Your statement makes it sound like you are saying if a seat is expensive it is not safe. I know that is not what you truly were saying, but the first time I read it that is what was assumed.
I am assuming you were saying ~ No seat is safe unless you ensure it is installed correctly and you use it properly.
Honestly when I looked at the research and read the articles from AAP I was pleasantly surpised that ALL car seats regardless of price have to meet certain standards...... (and in a separate study 80% of car seats reviewed were given an A rating) are there car seats that go above the standards? Yes, are their car seats that get recalled for mistakes? Yes (see also what is happening with our toys lately)........but if a car seat is properly installed (and used at the appropriate age, weight, height) then your child is certainly SAFER than we ever were in the past. Isnt that the goal!
The same could be said about automobiles, Volvo has OUTSTANDING safety features, they seem to always get the best marks etc......but even when I worked for a subsidary of Volvo (and was given the option of employee discount) I STILL couldn't afford a volvo! There are also plenty of vehicles (in lower price ranges) that get 5 star crash ratings.....are they AS safe as the Volvo.....probably not but they are better than some........ KWIM???
I think the biggest issue is that people tend to pick the car seat with the prettiest fabric, or the trendiest name without first doing their homework. Luckily for me, my sister did a lot of research before me and invested in a nice car seat that have been passed down to my son (as I know it was not involved in an accident). I have also been diligent about making sure my son is in the right seat at the right time (I had a tall baby who exceeded the length limit on his infant seat at 3 1/2 months--talk about pain in the rear, he couldnt sit up by himself in a cart so I had to carry him around everywhere for a few weeks)... you know how many people I see in the grocery store with babies in infant seats with heads sticking up above the back? People automatically assume that infant seats are good for a year.....but they are not necessarily....depends on the child.
Edited to say Sorry to the OP, I seem to be getting off topic!!! Hope everything works out with that grandbaby!
Hippiemama, Just wanted to clarify that I wasnt the one who said that spending a lot doesnt mean your seat will be safe... I said that you get what you pay for.
I have Britax's also, and swear by them... that said, I also recommended the Fisher-Price Safe Voyage seat bc it's cheaper, and also made by Britax, so it has the same safety standards. My biggest selling point on the Britax is that it is crash tested at such high speeds, whereas most are tested at 30 mph. That's great if you normally drive at 30 mph, but for me, I'm usually closer to the 60 mark. Like I said, yes, some get marks that are ranked well for safety and Im not saying that your child isnt safe if they're not in a Britax, the OP had just asked for suggestions, and that was my recommendation! Wasnt trying to step on any toes!
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