Our littlest one has reached juuuuust about 20 pounds, and it’s time we started looking for a 20 pound + car seat for him. I’ve looked around online and in stores, but I’d like suggestions based on your use.
We don’t want one with cup holders and such. Just a basic car seat.
When I was 20 pounds, holding onto the door handle w/ the belt tied around my middle was good enough for my dad’s peace of mind. But at least I was in the front seat where he could reach me!!
Also, may I suggest going to the Consumer Reports website? Guy who sits next to me at work did that, loved how all the info’s laid out for you right there.
Britax. Trusted 'em with both my kids and they never let me down. Good ratings from Consumer Reports as well.
More expensive than most but totally worth it. Get toasters at a discount, not a car seat!
Gonna second the Britax recommendation. I think the Marathon is the one that will take them in a 5 point harness up to 65 lbs with infinite adjustment should height.
I have a Britax Roundabout for my 3 yr. old and a Britax Husky for my 6 yr. old.
Britax again. We use the Roundabout for our 20 pounder.
Whatever brand you get, remember to disable the auto-eject function if you don’t have a sun roof.
Another vote for the Britax. It’s da bomb diggity.
We also have some Graco one that we use in the other car. I’m sure it’s perfectly safe and all, but the strap/buckle assembly is such a pain in the neck to use. You need both hands to do it. You have to align the buckles together just so before you stick them in the…thingie where you stick the buckles. This is annoying at the best of times. When the kidlet is squirming and/or protesting, it is damn near unusable. Also the straps don’t stay flat. They double over on themselves.
Get the Britax.
I looked at Britax, and was fairly impressed, but I wanted a 3 in 1, that would go from infant rear facing all the way to older child booster. I finally chose this model by Eddie Bauer. It’s rated up to 100 pounds as a booster - my 12 year old hit 100 pounds last summer, so I know this’ll last as long as I need it to. So far, I’ve only used it rear facing, 'cause the baby’s all of 6 pounds, but I have to say I’m pretty impressed. Each clip thingy goes into the buckle thingy separately (I don’t know WHAT Graco was thinking with that design, Green Bean!) and it’s all easily adjustable yet secure. You can adjust the length of the straps with the kid in it, which I really like (isn’t it always when your kid is sitting there that you realize she’s grown overnight and now it’s too tight?) There are a couple of reviews complaining about tangled or twisting straps, but I haven’t had any sort of trouble with that (unlike the Evenflo infant seat hand-me-downed to us. I hate that thing.)
There is only one car seat- Alpha Omega by Costco. Adjusts in every way physically possible, supports the kid up to 100 lbs, transforms into a booster seat, is comfy and barcalounger-like, and in general is your friend.
:eek:
Inkleberry, I think we have recommended the same car seat by two different manufacturers. The upholstry’s different, but I’d bet dollars to donuts it’s the identical seat!
Cosco
Eddie Bauer
Very very close. Both made by Juvenile Products. Mine is velvet though, and helps my kid accept his inevitable future goth self. I know, you are very jealous.
Well mine is sporty and camping-like, which helps my kid accept her inevitable future neohippie self! Nyah! Guess we picked the right seats! 
You realize we’re *both *going to end up with young republican right-wing conservative Christians just because of these posts, right?
…Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
It really is the only way my kid can rebel. Mommy was a bit of a punk back in the day. Too bad none of my super-goth pics are online. Of course, Daddy was once a registered Republican and NRA member, so we have both sides of the spectrum covered nicely.
Yes, yes there is.
Make sure you check that the seat will work in your car, whatever you get. I ended up with an Evenflo by default because it was easier to level it in my car, and my husband ended up with a different kind to keep in his truck. He could only find one model that worked with a truck’s smaller back seat when it is rear-facing.
We also have this one. Got it at Bog Lots for $80.
Not that I’m gloating.
It works OK and seems pretty comfy for the kiddo. Have to say it baaaaaarely fits rear-facing in our car (Scion–yes, one of those butt-ugly boxes, but lots of room inside). So whatever you get, save your receipt in case it doesn’t fit.
Er, that would be BIG Lots. Sorry about that.
I can never find anything good at our Big Lots. I stopped going, even though it’s right next to the grocery store. I certainly don’t think I’ve ever seen car seats there.
Cup holders are your friend. Not now, but in the coming months and years.
Ginger, check your e-mail.
Robin
While we’re on the subject, I’d just like to thank The Powers that Be for the LATCH system. It is truly a wonderful thing.
Another thing to consider when looking at seats–Can you remove and wash the cover? We had to do it fairly frequently when the Sprout was in his infant seat, and only once since he moved into the bigger seat. But when it needed to be done, it really needed to be done.
