convertible car seat questions

[shauni27]

I know this will vary for everyone, but when did you move your kiddos into a convertible car seat? And what seat did you choose and why?

We have time but I am just researching and thinking ahead.

[scm1011]

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

I also considered the Diono Radian. ETA: I should say the Diono was my #2 pick, I considered tons lol.

[mpc]

DD is 9 months and we keep saying we need to go ahead and switch out her seats. We will be using my son's old seats so we already have them, just need to actually do it. The best part about the infant bucket seat was carting her around while she slept, but now even if she falls asleep in the car she doesn't stay asleep once we carry the seat inside, so it's not doing any good in that regard, lol.

We have Britax Roundabout. It's a long boring story about how we chose it, but basically we got overwhelmed with choices and just copied what our friends had bought.

[pooh8402]

We moved E at like 8 or 9 months. He just seemed uncomfortable in the bucket seat, and we had a long car trip where we wanted him in something "cushier." And like mpc said, the main benefit to the bucket seat was carting him around when he was sleeping, and he was on a good nap schedule by that point that it didn't really help, plus he was getting too heavy.

We have Graco 4Evers, one in my car and one in DH's truck. I love them. As a CPST, I like the features, I like the height and weight limits (although E is a peanut, so he'll be in a 5-pt forever), and I like that it is so easy to switch between modes. Other CPSTs rave about this seat. It's kinda spendy, but I was able to get it a really good price by purchasing on Cyber Monday from Target and stacking coupons. And I know it goes on sale for cheaper now than it did then.

[janegold]

Jan 19, 2018 11:27:42 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

Haha, we got the turquoise Clek Fllo on sale too.


We moved B at 9 months because he was close to outgrowing his bucket seat by length.

[shauni27]

Thanks, guys! I would love something on the smaller side so we do not have to sit with our legs all scrunched up. We need two for us, plus we will get a more economical option for both sets of parents who do pickups for us regularly.

I want something easy to install (ha!), easy to clean, not huge and preferably less than $300.

[starburst]

We moved DS at 10 months. I have a Graco 4ever in my car and my H has a Diono Radian in his truck. We both like the Graco much better. When my car was totaled this summer, I replaced the 4ever with another 4ever even though I could have chosen any seat. I've seen them on sale for under $200.

[loira]

I moved A around a year old, since we had a smaller bucket seat (a Maxi Cosi) and she was reaching the height limit.

I did a lot of research into carseat safety, and ended up going with an Evenflo Sureride, which was considered the best of the inexpensive models according to the Canadian consumer guide that year. It was also voted the best to take on planes, which was another reason we got it, although I have to say we've never had A ride in it on a plane yet.

It's just a seatbelt install for rear facing, so super easy. Regular clippy things (can't remember what they're called) install for forward facing. It does take up a bit of space, but all rear facing seats do, since they have to be angled. It doesn't convert to a booster, but the cost makes up for it, and I wanted to be able to buy a brand new booster when the time came in case there were new developments in booster seats by then.

[icedcoffee]

Right around 10 months. It was getting really hard to carry him in the bucket seat in and out of daycare and he wasn't sleeping in it anymore so I figured why not.

I went with the Graco Milestone. I didn't want to spend too much since we need 2 and they all undergo the same safety tests anyway. The Milestone is similar to the 4ever, but it's a 3-in-one versus 4-in-one. It does not turn into a backless booster, but those are like $20 and the price difference between these seats was much greater. I paid $162 per seat including taxes. We're very happy with it!

[thoseareradishes]

We decided on the Graco4ever and got it for like $160 on Amazon. Right now it's in H's car so we've only used it a few times. I'll continue to use the bucket until it gets a little warmer. I have a caddy for it, so it's so convenient to take to doctors appointments or to the store. No way I can haul that thing any further than to the car from the house and back.

[cherryvalance]

DS has always been in a convertible and we love the Graco4Ever best. It feels sturdier than our Evenflo ones. I'm planning on getting another for our possible #2.

[lo]

Switched DD1 around a year and plan to do the same with DD2, who’s 8 months old. I mean it’s like 30 lbs to carry, but I like having her contained if I need to wrangle DD1. We also have a foonf and fllo and have to buy another one, so putting off that $$ purchase for a few more months.

[G22]

I switched Z to convertible around 6 months. He was heavy and it was gettinf hard to lug in and out my SUV.

I chose a Britax Marathon. It's on the bulky side, but I looked at a few (can't remember the others now) I liked it the best. We also have issues getting some things to ship here and I wanted to see it in person before buying. This was one of the few I could do that with since I got it on base.

[Mushe]

8 months or so? I got a Radian 120 for my car, which is what we’re still using. I wish I hadn’t insisted on buying a seat we’d use for the rest of the time he needed a seat, because now I hate it and they’re so much cooler, six years later. I actually just had H take the 5-point harness off, as he’s 6 and never sleeps in the car, and I hate how the shoulder belt guide works, so now I’m going to have to find a replacement.

For H’a car, we did a Britax Marathon until we switched to a Britax Frontier around age 4.5, which we all love.

[awick14]

We moved DD in May, so around 4-5 months. (She was getting too heavy for me to carry in the bucket)

We got an evenflo symphony seat. We bought it on sale, and we liked it so much we bought a second one a few months later for our other vehicle. (Used the bucket seat in Dhs vehicle in the meantime as he could carry her around.)

[oneslybookworm]

We will likely move G in the next month or so (so between 7-8 months). He’s only an inch away from the height limit, so we’re definitely nearly there. We have a convertible in one of our cars and his infant seat in the other. I have no idea what convertible seat we’ll get.

[konapoppy]

Jan 19, 2018 12:13:43 GMT -5 @daylily said:

Somewhere around 7-8 months. DS was/is huge and I literally couldn't carry that stupid infant bucket around anymore.

The girls are only 13 lbs but with the car seats combined it is already 50lbs 😂

We have two Graco 4evers in the garage that we bought when some friends were in town with their kids since we knew we would need them eventually anyway.

[gobucks]

Jan 19, 2018 11:27:42 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

I also considered the Diono Radian. ETA: I should say the Diono was my #2 pick, I considered tons lol.

scm1011, I know this is not the point of the post- but can you tell me why you hated the B-safe? This was on our short list of infant bucket seats to get as it is compatible with our stroller. I'd love your thoughts! Thanks.

[scm1011]

Jan 20, 2018 14:28:38 GMT -5 gobucks said:

Jan 19, 2018 11:27:42 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

I also considered the Diono Radian. ETA: I should say the Diono was my #2 pick, I considered tons lol.

scm1011 , I know this is not the point of the post- but can you tell me why you hated the B-safe? This was on our short list of infant bucket seats to get as it is compatible with our stroller. I'd love your thoughts! Thanks.

I don't know if I just had a lemon, but the handle got stuck in the up/carry position about 2 months in. Sometimes my DH could force it down, but it took a lot of muscle. It made getting DS in and out very difficult. I also found it super deep and narrow. My DS just didn't seem comfy. He whined a lot less when we finally switched him to the Fllo. 

[Mushe]

Jan 20, 2018 15:47:58 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Jan 20, 2018 14:28:38 GMT -5 gobucks said:

scm1011 , I know this is not the point of the post- but can you tell me why you hated the B-safe? This was on our short list of infant bucket seats to get as it is compatible with our stroller. I'd love your thoughts! Thanks.

I don't know if I just had a lemon, but the handle got stuck in the up/carry position about 2 months in. Sometimes my DH could force it down, but it took a lot of muscle. It made getting DS in and out very difficult. I also found it super deep and narrow. My DS just didn't seem comfy. He whined a lot less when we finally switched him to the Fllo. 

We had a B-Safe too, and also didn’t like it. Air flow in infant seats is generally awful, so I don’t know if that’s why DS hated it, but he was a sweaty mess when we’d get him out, and he’s a fall baby. It was also heavier than other options.

[lo]

I had a b safe with DD1 that went with our BOB stroller and it was fine. Pretty basic, but it came free with the BOB during a promotion and I know Britax is a quality brand, so I was happy with it.

We used it for DD2 until around 6 months and then I ended up winning a Britax Endeavor infant seat, which is more of a luxury seat, but similar to bsafe. It seems deeper and more padded, but I think that’s a safety thing. I like the anti rebound bar and the straps are SO much easier to tighten and move than our previous Bsafe. We brought our old seat to use at the inlaws, and it expires in 11/18 anyway, so we will use the new seat if we have another baby.

[gobucks]

Jan 21, 2018 19:47:49 GMT -5 lo said:

I had a b safe with DD1 that went with our BOB stroller and it was fine. Pretty basic, but it came free with the BOB during a promotion and I know Britax is a quality brand, so I was happy with it.

We used it for DD2 until around 6 months and then I ended up winning a Britax Endeavor infant seat, which is more of a luxury seat, but similar to bsafe. It seems deeper and more padded, but I think that’s a safety thing. I like the anti rebound bar and the straps are SO much easier to tighten and move than our previous Bsafe. We brought our old seat to use at the inlaws, and it expires in 11/18 anyway, so we will use the new seat if we have another baby.

We have the Bob that the B safe is compatible with which is why I was considering getting this.  Several versions of the Bob were recalled because of the infant attachment but ours was not and every review I've read states it's still safe but only if you use the B safe.  But most of the reviews I've read echo that it's narrow and deep and doesn't breath well.  And it's not very light- which also makes a difference. 

[azurely]

We moved C at 9 months to a Diono Radian RXT. I like his seat-the steel frame is nice, it has a low profile, and it's pretty narrow for a convertible seat.

We are planning to move L in May or June, at 9-10 months, since I think she'll be more comfortable this summer in a convertible seat. Not sure which one we'll go with, but my current thought is the Maxi Cosi Pria 85. I have heard good things about it, and the easy to wash cover is appealing after C peed in his car seat a few months ago and it was a huge hassle to wash the cover :/

[shauni27]

scm1011, spearmintleaf, janegold, I am seeing various Clek Fllo's on amazon ranging from 299-499. I like that they are on the smaller size (especially for our truck) but the idea of spending $500 kills me. Can you link me the models you bought?

[scm1011]

I got mine (2017 Clek Fllo in "capri") for $300 on Amazon, but it looks like the prices for Cleks there right now are bananas. $500 is crazy.

I found several colors for $300 on Albee Baby www.albeebaby.com/clek-fllo-convertible-car-seat-fl17u1-noire.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlepla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8s_RmN3r2AIVRLbACh3GLwXsEAYYASABEgLpa_D_BwE

[shauni27]

Jan 22, 2018 9:00:59 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I got mine (2017 Clek Fllo in "capri") for $300 on Amazon, but it looks like the prices for Cleks there right now are bananas. $500 is crazy.

I found several colors for $300 on Albee Baby www.albeebaby.com/clek-fllo-convertible-car-seat-fl17u1-noire.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlepla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8s_RmN3r2AIVRLbACh3GLwXsEAYYASABEgLpa_D_BwE

Thanks!

[janegold]

Jan 22, 2018 9:00:59 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I got mine (2017 Clek Fllo in "capri") for $300 on Amazon, but it looks like the prices for Cleks there right now are bananas. $500 is crazy.

I found several colors for $300 on Albee Baby www.albeebaby.com/clek-fllo-convertible-car-seat-fl17u1-noire.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlepla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8s_RmN3r2AIVRLbACh3GLwXsEAYYASABEgLpa_D_BwE

Yep, I ordered from Albee Baby and paid $320.  shauni27

[boiler717]

We moved at 7 mo when he hit 14 lbs (minimum weight limit for our seat). We have a Clek Fllo which we LOVE.
My parents originally got a Birtax Advocate CT and switched to the Fllo because they didn’t like how the straps tightened.

[shauni27]

Jan 19, 2018 11:27:42 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

I also considered the Diono Radian. ETA: I should say the Diono was my #2 pick, I considered tons lol.

sorry to keep coming back to this...I see you have a smaller car. Do you have the Fllo behind one of the seats or does he need to be in the middle for space reasons? 


janegold, same questions--what kind of car do you have and where does it fit?

G has a large truck but with the bucket seat in the back it is already so tough to have someone in the front seat. I worry about how it will be in the truck.

[janegold]

Jan 24, 2018 15:45:54 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jan 19, 2018 11:27:42 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I moved DS right around 1. He's a tiny peanut (17lbs at his one year appt), and I probably could have kept him in the bucket seat longer, but I hated my Britax B-Safe with the fire of a thousand suns.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Clek Fllo and I LOVE it. I wanted something that would fit in my smaller car (VW Jetta), was easy to clean, and was compatible with extended rear-facing (it is, up to 50lbs). I also liked that it was eco-friendly (GreenGuard certified, free of harmful chemicals and flame retardants). Plus many of the posters on MMM sang its praises. It's on the pricey side, but I was able to find a turquoise one for a reduced price, and since we're a one-car family the price was less of an issue than if I needed to shell out for 2.

I also considered the Diono Radian. ETA: I should say the Diono was my #2 pick, I considered tons lol.

sorry to keep coming back to this...I see you have a smaller car. Do you have the Fllo behind one of the seats or does he need to be in the middle for space reasons? 


janegold , same questions--what kind of car do you have and where does it fit?

G has a large truck but with the bucket seat in the back it is already so tough to have someone in the front seat. I worry about how it will be in the truck.

We have a RAV-4, so a small SUV.  We have it behind the passenger seat.  It fits but it's just on the verge of being a littttttle tight.  H and I are both tall and can both sit comfortably in the passenger seat, though we did have to move it up a bit.  We actually probably installed it a bit too upright at first, given that B was only 9 months, and had we installed it reclining more, it may have been harder to fit.   

ETA: The Fllo takes up more room than our infant seat (Uppababy Mesa) did.