Jeep and 16 mo old

[Natarat]

I have a 2006 Jeep Commander and a 16 month old in need of a carseat.

I'm new to this site... so I hope I'm posting in the right place.
My daughter is 19 lbs and about 30 inches. I've kept her in her infant car seat (rearfacing) this whole time. She's nearing the 20 lb mark... but she really is getting too tall. It's time for a new seat.

I was wondering what you would recommend for my daughter. What are some of the top seats? And are they compatible with my Jeep? I'd really like to keep the price down... but I also want to get the best! (of course)

Thanks!

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

[ffpmcps]

First let me say that it is great that you have kept DD rear facing this entire time. I am assuming that you are planning to turn her forward facing when she hits 20lbs? If you want the option to remain rear facing you will want to look at a convertible car seat. The Evenflo Triumph Dlx is a nice seat that now has a higher weight limit than many other seats. Since your DD sounds like she is tall and thin, I would pay much more attention to the height restrictions instead of the weight restrictions. If you are looking to turn her forward and stay in a reasonable price range, then I am a big fan of the Apex 65. It is sold under the Alpha Omega or Safety 1st label, it is made by Dorel. It sells for around $129 or so I think. It is forward facing only. You can keep them in the 5pt harness up to 65lbs and I think up to maybe 52in (I can't remember for sure). You can then use it as a booster seat up to 100lbs and 57in. So it would last you a long time. Just my personal opinion, but I think you get the most for your money with this seat. The only downside is that it is a little bigger than other seats. I would think it would still fit in your jeep though. I have installed it is a Ford Focus with no problem. There are of course many other good seats out there. As long as it fits you daughter well, fits in your car well and is easy to install, that is what is the most important.

Good Luck!

Andrea

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

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[Papooses]

Originally Posted by ffpmcps

I am assuming that you are planning to turn her forward facing when she hits 20lbs?

We really shouldn't assume that kids should turn FF as soon as they meet the minimum requirements: kids should stay RF until the maximum requirements.... All convertible seats have RF limits of at least 30 pounds & the longer kiddo rides RF the safer kiddo is even 2+ years beyond the minimum 12 months (see the "Newborn -- Preschool" page in my website for detailed info)

Also, while weight limits are very strict, height limits listed as specific numbers are mere GUIDELINES because kids carry their height differently: some are leggy & others have longer torsos. As a general rule, it is recommended to choose seats with the highest limits for both. The taller the top (usable) harness slots, the longer kiddo will stay safely harnessed.

It's also very important to note that infant seats are outgrown when the top of baby's head is within 1" from the inside edge of the hard shell/frame. If there isn't at least 1" above your child's head then baby needs a convertible carseat immediately.

The database here doesn't yet include any feedback on convertibles, but Babies-R-Us often allows parents to test carseats in their vehicles. Otherwise, just try seats out in the store to find those that are easiest for you to adjust/use, then do your best to install it as per both manuals & follow up with a local CPST (feel free to add any/all info you find to the database for others to referrence)

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

[Natarat]

Thank you both for your advice. After much research I've decided to get the Britax Marathon. It's more than I was hoping to spend but after all I've read I don't know how I couldn't get it. I may choose differently the next time around.

Again thanks

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.