2018 Car Seat

Guide

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

ii See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Contents

© 2018, Baby Blossom. All rights reserved. Reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Brand names and trademarks mentioned within are property of their respective owners. Baby Blossom does not receive any compensation or incentive for the publication of this guide.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained within this guide is current as of publication date but is subject to change at any time. Please contact the car seat manufacturer to verify descriptions, technical information, pricing, and other information. Further, this guide is not a substitute for a car seat instruction manual or motor vehicle operator manual. Car seat installation assistance should be sought only from qualified individuals.

Infant Car Seats 2

FYI: Where is the safest location to install a car seat?

5

Convertible Car Seats 6

FYI: Car seats reduce the risk of death by up to 71%

8

FYI: What is LATCH? 9

Combination Car Seats 10

FYI: Your child’s winter jacket can interfere with the safe operation of the car seat

10

Booster Car Seats 11

Car Seat Checklist 13

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 1

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As you’re preparing for a baby or already parenting a fast-growing little one, buying a car seat should be one of your top priorities. Not only is it essential for getting around, it will secure and help protect your child in the event of a collision.

We created this guide to help parents and caregivers figure out not only the right seat for your child, but also for your car and your budget, while highlighting some of the key features and latest technology that’s available. Every car seat sold in the U.S. is considered “safe,” as each must meet minimum government standards. However, many of the premium seats featured in this guide have advanced safety technologies that may enable better performance in certain accident situations when compared to standard seats. Baby Blossom is here to help throughout the car seat selection process. Have questions? Feel free to call, email, or stop by our store for answers. We are pleased to offer complimentary car seat installation services (for our car seat customers) and car seat test-fitting by appointment.

Baby Blossom

(703) 865-4688 · BabyBlossom.com · 9512 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031

2 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Infant Car Seats

For most parents this is the first seat that you’ll buy. All infant carriers come equipped with a handle on the seat and a stationary base that gets installed in your car. This enables you to remove the carrier from the car without having to uninstall the base component each time. You can always purchase additional bases for the other cars that your child will travel in while still using the car seat itself.

When considering your options, pay close attention to the maximum height capacity for each seat, this will be your best gauge of how long your child will fit in the seat. While it’s not a guarantee, infant seats with a 32 inch or larger capacity (versus 29 or 30 inches) will generally fit children until their first birthday. How do you know they’ve outgrown the seat? Most manufacturers recommend switching to a larger seat when the top of the child’s head is within an inch of the top of the seat’s shell (or when the child has reached the seat height or weight capacity set by the manufacturer).

Another factor to consider is portability. Infant car seats are designed to connect to a stroller, usually with an adapter, so that you can take your sleeping infant from the car to the stroller. You’re less likely to wake the child this way versus removing them from their seat. Keep in mind that not all car seats work with any stroller, so be sure to ask us or consult the stroller manufacturer.

For most parents, safety is their top concern when it comes to picking out a seat. Important features to look for include:

Load Leg: Also referred to as a stability leg, these bases have an adjustable leg that is deployed at the rear of the base (closest to the front of the vehicle) that stabilizes your seat and its occupant in a collision.

Anti-Rebound Bar: Similar to a load leg, this bar is attached to the front of the base, and sits flush with your car’s backrest. In the event of a collision, the bar limits the seat from rotating towards the back of the vehicle.

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 3

Nuna Pipa/Lite/LX starts at $299.95 The Nuna Pipa family of seats includes the Pipa, Pipa Lite, and Pipa Lite LX. The original Pipa includes a load leg base with rigid LATCH connectors. It features an extended canopy that covers the whole seat. This seat also has a European belt path system to install the seat without its base, something that the Pipa Lite does not include. The Pipa Lite is the lightest seat in the group, at 5.3 pounds! In addition to being lighter, it has no added chemical flame retardants, has EPP foam construction and includes an additional organic cotton infant insert. The Pipa Lite LX adds the extended canopy to the equation and carries over the other features of the Pipa Lite.

Height/Weight Limits: 32” / 32 lbs Seat Weight: 7.7 lbs (Pipa), 5.3 lbs (Lite/LX)

Cybex Aton 2/Q/Cloud Q starts at $299.95

The Cybex Aton series includes three different seats. The Aton 2 is the lightest among them, it features Linear Side Impact protection and a load leg base. The Aton Q adds a no-rethread seat harness that can be adjusted up as your child grows, and a larger canopy. The Cloud Q carries over the features of the Aton Q, but it also has a fully-reclined, bassinet-style position for use on specific strollers and a handle that can be used as an anti-rebound bar.

Height/Weight Limits: 30” / 35 lbs Seat Weight: 11.5 lbs (Aton Q), 12.6 lbs (Cloud Q), 9.0 lbs (Aton 2)

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35/Nido starts at $299.99 Both the 4-35 and the Nido are manufactured in Italy. While the 4-35 features an anti-rebound bar for crash protection, the Nido has both the anti-rebound bar and an adjustable load leg. The Nido also adds a larger canopy.

Height/Weight Limits: 32” / 35 lbs Seat Weight: 9.5 lbs

4 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Britax B-Safe 35 Elite / Endeavours starts at $249.99 Assembled in the U.S., the B-Safe 35 Elite has a no-rethread harness system and a simple SafeCenter LATCH Installation which has a convenient center-pull strap that makes correct installation easy. The B-Safe Elite also features an Easy-Remove Cover that pulls right off for convenient cleaning and Premium Fabrics with Plush Foam Padding for added comfort. The Endeavours infant seat adds an anti-rebound bar to the base and European belt path for installation without the base.

Height/Weight Limits: 32” / 35 lbs Seat Weight: 11.5 lbs

UPPAbaby Mesa starts at $299.99 The MESA’s SMARTSecure System helps make installation easier. This combines auto-retracting connectors and a visual indicator that turns from red to green when complete. The Mesa also includes a no rethread harness.

Height/Weight Limits: 32” / 35 lbs Seat Weight: 9.9 lbs

Maxi Cosi Mico Max 30 $249.99 The Mico Max 30 is Maxi-Cosi’s most advanced infant seat. The Max 30 separates itself from the brand’s other seats with an included anti-rebound bar base and multiple color options.

Height/Weight Limits: 32” / 30 lbs Seat Weight: 8.5 lbs

What Is CPST? A Child Passenger Safety Technician is someone who is certified by Safe Kids Worldwide to install car seats. Certification is earned after individuals successfully undergo 40 hours of coursework, a real-world evaluation and a written examination. In order to be re-certified, (a cycle lasts two years) technicians must complete continuing education units, perform community outreach or a seat check event, while staying on top of changing technology and recalls. At Baby Blossom, we have CPSTs on staff to accommodate installations, as well as test fit appointments.

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 5

FYI: Where is the safest location to install a car seat?

It’s a question we get asked all the time. The best answer is… wherever you can get the proper and most secure installation of the car seat.

Based on using the second row of your vehicle, installation in the middle seating position does create a protective “buffer zone” for side-impact collisions. At the same time, middle-position installations can be challenging due to the contour of the vehicle seat, proximity of front seats (especially in smaller cars), raised transmission tunnel, and other factors. It also requires a parent to stretch and reach into the middle position. Most vehicles do not have a LATCH system in the middle position which requires the use of a seat belt for installation (see page 9 for more information on LATCH).

Installation in an outboard (side) seating position provides easier access for the parent but does place the car seat adjacent to a door. Additionally, vehicle seats on the side versus the middle tend to have a contour that is better suited for car seats. Almost every passenger vehicle made since 2003 will have a LATCH system in both side seating positions.

If you choose a side-position installation, we recommend using the passenger side of the vehicle. There are slightly fewer accidents on the passenger than the driver side. Also, when you park on the street you are removing the child from the curb side of the vehicle, not the street side.

Always consult the operator’s manual for your car to identify car seat installation positions as determined by the vehicle manufacturer.

Lastly, before purchasing any child car seat we recommend testing it in your car — not every car seat will fit in every vehicle. The same applies if you are considering purchasing a new car. Test how the car seat and car work together before making any purchase. Ask us about our complimentary test fit service.

6 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Convertible Car Seats

As your child develops and learns how to sit up, the infant car seat becomes less and less comfortable for them to be in for long trips. This can kick in as early as six months, depending on your child. At this time, it’s a good idea to start looking into the convertible car seat. They’re called convertible seats because they’re designed to start rear-facing and convert to a forward-facing seat. For many options, a convertible car seat should take you from age one (or whenever you switch from an infant car seat) to approximately age four. Again, it depends on your child’s height and build when determining how long they’ll be in their convertible seat.

Often, parents will want to turn their child forward-facing as soon as the child turns one. Consider this fact: In the same collision, a child under the age of five is nearly five times safer when rear-facing versus forward-facing.

We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines which recommend keeping your child rear-facing until the age of two or when they’ve outgrown the rear-facing limit on your convertible seat. We’ll add that any additional time rear-facing is a bonus. It’s not uncommon to see children rear-facing until age three or four and most kids will fit just fine in a variety of seats.

Did You Know? Some convertible seats are rated for children as little as five pounds. If you are considering using a convertible for a newborn, pay close attention to how well the child will fit. In other words, just because the seat is rated for an infant doesn’t mean it’s best suited for that use. Choose carefully if you go in this direction. Starting with a convertible seat will save you money in the long run, but you will lose the convenience of connecting a car seat to a stroller. Instead of buying an extra base (for a second vehicle) for an infant car seat, considering instead purchasing an infant-appropriate convertible seat for your second car. This is ideal if your second car is not primarily used for transporting the baby. The money that you would spend on that extra base can go towards the convertible seat (which you be buying anyway a year or so later on).

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 7

Nuna Rava $449.95 The Rava has a 10-position adjustable base that allows you to choose the recline angle, even when it’s rear-facing. The installation system has an easy-to-use true tension door that secures your seatbelt.

Rear-Facing Range: 5-50 lbs and up to 49” tall Forward-Facing Range: 25-65 lbs and up to 49” tall

Clek Foonf starts at $449.95 Clek offers two made-in-Canada convertible seats, and the Foonf is their top-of-the-line model. It has a steel and magnesium substructure, anti-rebound bar, rigid LATCH, and has GREENGUARD Select Certified fabrics. They’re also 17 inches wide, which makes them ideal for a potential three-across situation.

Rear-Facing Range: 14-50 lbs* and 25-43” tall Forward-Facing Range: 22-65 lbs and up to 49” tall

*In addition to being 14 pounds and 25 inches tall, the child must be able to sip upright alone. Can be used at 5 lbs with the Infant Thingy (sold separately)

Britax Boulevard Clicktight starts at $409.99 The new-generation of made-in-the-U.S. Boulevards that have ClickTight technology onboard have made installation simple. Simply unlock the seat, place the seat belt through the seat’s interior and push down to lock the seat in place. These seats also have a multi-position recline in both directions.

Rear-Facing Range: 5-40 lbs and up to 49” Forward-Facing Range: 20-65 lbs and up to 49”

Clek Fllo starts at $379.95 The Fllo has a lower-profile than the Foonf, which may or may work better in a car versus the Foonf. The Fllo does not have the Rigid LATCH base, but it carries over the same chassis, size and capacity as the Foonf.

Rear-Facing Range: 14-50 lbs* and 25-43” tall Forward-Facing Range: 22-65 lbs and up to 49” tall

*In addition to being 14 pounds and 25 inches tall, the child must be able to sip upright alone. Can be used at 5 lbs with the Infant Thingy (sold separately)

8 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Cybex Sirona M Convertible $349.95 The Sirona M is Cybex’s first convertible seat in the U.S. In addition to a stylish design, it incorporates high-end features including a side impact management system. The SensorSafe system alerts your smartphone if you’ve left your child in the seat after leaving your car.

Rear-Facing Range: 5-40 lbs, until head is within 1” of seat top Forward-Facing Range: 22-65 lbs, up to 49” tall

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible starts at $349.95 The Primo Viaggio is manufactured in Italy and has an easy-off fabric seat cover. There is a height-adjustable headrest and a no-rethread harness. Their shock absorbing foam element (SAFE) device helps to manage crash energy.

Rear-Facing Range: 5-45 lbs, up to the 7th headrest position Forward-Facing Range: 22-65 lbs, up to 49” tall

Maxi-Cosi Pria 70/85/85 Max starts at $249.95 The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 is the only convertible seat rated to 85 lbs. Both the 70 and 85 have an easy-off seat cover that is washable and dryer safe. The 85 Max has a fabric upgrade and unique magnetic chest clip. There is a separate Pria 70 with a Tiny Fit model that features an insert for newborns as little as 4 lbs.

Rear-Facing Range: 14-40 lbs* and up to 40” Forward-Facing Range: 22-85 lbs*, up to 52” *The Pria 70 starts at 9 pounds, and has a max weight capacity of 70 lbs

FYI: Car seats reduce the risk of death by up to 71% Using a car seat is critical in reducing the risk of death among all age groups. According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, car seat use reduces the risk of death

to infants (under 1 year) by 71%; and to toddlers (aged 1–4 years) by 54% in passenger vehicles. It’s also important to consider that up to 46% of car seats are not used properly and that 70% are incorrectly installed. Misuse can increase the risk of injury, even when using the proper type of car seat.

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 9

FYI: What is LATCH?

LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, and it was created to serve as an alternative to using a seat belt when installing car seats. Every passenger vehicle made

after September of 2002 is required by law to have LATCH installed in the car’s back seat. The Lower Anchor portion of the system is a metal frame with two hooks that are approximately 11 inches apart, installed where the seat back and bottom meet, the seat bight. Most automakers place a button or a tag to denote where they are located to make them easier to find. However, the actual position varies greatly from one car to the next. The tether portion of LATCH is reserved for forward-facing seats, and can usually be found either in the ceiling, or on the back of your vehicle seat. Forward-facing seats have a strap near the top of your car seat, that extends to connect to that hook, to serve as another anchorage point for your child’s seat. Almost all car seats come with LATCH connectors, the part of the base or seat that actually plugs into the lower anchors. Whether they are rigid, eyelet, or push-on-push-off, your seat will be equipped with a set of them. In February of 2014 a new rule was put into place that set a limit on how long you could use LATCH to install your car seat. It states that when your child’s weight plus the weight of your seat is more than 65 pounds total, you must stop using LATCH and switch to a seat belt installation. LATCH installation is not considered safer than seat belt installation. But, in some cases it can be more convenient. However, some car seat and vehicle combinations offer better installations with seat belts than LATCH.

10 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Combination Car Seats

If your child is ready to outgrow their convertible car seat, but they aren’t quite ready for a booster seat, you should consider a combination seat. Sometimes these are referred to as “harness-to-booster seats” or “2-in-1 seats”. Either way, this means that this type of car seat has a harness system for kids who aren’t ready for a seatbelt-only booster. Later, it converts into a booster without a harness. Combination seats serve as a bridge from the convertible car seat, to the booster seat, sometimes even replacing the need for a separate booster seat altogether. Britax Frontier ClickTight $339.99 This seat starts with a harness, for forward-facing children, and can be converted into a high-back booster seat. The ClickTight Installation system is simple, utilizing a seatbelt to secure the seat when in harness mode. When the child outgrows the harness height or weight, or when you’re ready to switch to booster mode, the harnesses can be removed. Harness Range: 25-90 lbs and up to 58” tall Booster Range: 40-120 lbs and up to 62” tall

FYI: Your child’s winter jacket can interfere with the safe operation of the car seat

When temperatures drop, it’s likely that you’ll be putting your infant or toddler in a puffy coat, or jacket, which can make it difficult to effectively tighten the straps of your car

seat. If you’re unable to tighten the straps as well as you could without the jacket or coat, it’s best to remove it. You can always dress your child in layers to keep them warm, this way, the seat’s harness will properly secure the child in the event of a collision.

SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 11

Booster Car Seats

The booster seat is the last car seat that you’ll need to buy. As a general rule, your child should be all three of the following when you start looking at a booster seat: Age 4+, over 40 pounds, and 40 inches tall. While some seats have lower requirements, it’s important to consider how the switch from a harnessed seat to a booster seat will affect both you and your child. Unlike with a harnessed seat, using a booster seat means that you’ll secure your child with the car’s seat belt. This can be harder for the parent, as they have to reach across the seat to plug in the seat belt. It can also be a difficult transition for the child, who is used to having a harness that keeps them in place. Keep in mind that just because a child turns four doesn’t mean you automatically switch to a booster seat. A squirmy or energetic four year old may be ill-suited for a booster seat, as proper placement of a seat belt can be a challenge if the child is constantly moving around when seated. The goal of the booster seat is to raise the child up to a point where the seat belt fits them properly. This includes having the lap-belt portion resting on the thighs and the shoulder belt resting on the shoulder. It’s important to test out individual seats with your child to ensure that they fit well into the seat.

Clek Oobr starts at $299.99 Oobr is Clek's full back booster seat that is engineered for safety. The back frame is made of a magnesium alloy that works in combination with a structural headrest and energy-absorbing foam layer. Oobr also has Rigid LATCH technology, and an adjustable reclining position for long trips. This seat can be used in both full-back and backless modes.

Minimum Requirement: 4 years old, 38 inches and 33 lbs.* Up To: 57 inches tall and 100 lbs. *Full Back Requirements

12 See Our Complete Car Seat Collection at BabyBlossom.com

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Flex 120 $279.99 The Primo Viaggio Flex 120 stands out with its ability to be folded in half for travel or for storage. The seat has an adjustable seat recline, rigid LATCH, leatherette fabrics and an aluminum frame.

Minimum Requirement 40 lbs, 39 inches tall Up To 57 inches tall and 120 lbs. Nuna AACE $199.95 The AACE booster converts from full-back to backless modes, both of which can be used with the seat’s rigid LATCH connectors. There are multiple recline positions, a cup holder, and set of latch guides.

Minimum Requirement: 4 years old, 38 inches and 40 lbs. Up To: 60 inches tall and 120 lbs.

Britax Parkway SGL $159.99 The Parkway SGL has deep side walls, a quick-adjust head protection, built-in cupholders, and an ISOFLEX LATCH connection system which locks the booster in place when not in use.

Minimum Requirement: 38 inches and 40 lbs. Up To: 63 inches tall and 120 lbs.

2018 Car Seat Guide by Baby Blossom 13

Car Seat Checklist

Use this handy resource when researching your car seat options. Child info: Age: Unborn ____ Year(s) / ____ Months

____ Height (inches)

____ Weight (lbs.) Type of car seat: Infant Convertible Combination Booster Car Seat Option #1:

Brand______________ Model______________ Color____________

Height Capacity______ Weight Capacity______ Age Range_________

Passenger Side Center Driver Side

Fits in second row? Yes No Yes No Yes No

Direction Forward Facing Rear Facing

Forward Facing Rear Facing

Forward Facing Rear Facing

Connection Method(s)

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

Car Seat Option #2:

Brand______________ Model______________ Color____________

Height Capacity______ Weight Capacity______ Age Range_________

Passenger Side Center Driver Side

Fits in second row? Yes No Yes No Yes No

Direction Forward Facing Rear Facing

Forward Facing Rear Facing

Forward Facing Rear Facing

Connection Method(s)

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

Latch Seat Belt Top Tether

DC's best selection of

premium nursery furniture

and baby gear.

Discover our unique baby

gear services, including:

Car Seat Test Fitting

Car Seat Installation

Extra Stroller Warranty

Stroller Checkup

Baby Blossom

9512 Main Street

Fairfax VA 22031

703-865-4688

BabyBlossom.com

info@BabyBlossom.com