Britax Car Seat

I spent quite some time researching car seats for our son. In short, this seat was great, we loved it and ordered another one after using it for a month or so, so that there would be one for each car. If you want all the details of why we liked or did not like it, read on.

As an infant our son used the Graco Snug Ride, which was convenient because we could get him in and out of the car easily and not wake him up while he was sleeping. But after using this one once he outgrew the Graco, at age four months (he was a tall baby), I wished we would have used this all along, even as a newborn. We tethered it to the front seat (so it is facing backward, hooked in by LATCH and tether) and it feels sooooo much more sturdy than the Snug Ride for babies. The little flaps on the side make it nice and snug even for small infants (although not preemies).

Things we like:

-Mostly, that based on research and how it seems to us, it appears to be one of the safest seats. It feels sturdy, feels like there is lots of padding, and also like it is snug. I know, of course, how it feels doesn't mean it is the safest, but to a certain extent (after the feel of the Snug Ride), I think there is something to it. I think there is a good reason that this has the reputation as the safest seat.

-I like the rubber things on the straps. It helps you make sure it is tight enough, fitting well, and straight.

-Five point harness is a plus.

-Our boy can ride in this thing until he is ready to go to a regular seat. It goes up to 65 pounds, so no need to buy booster seats.

-You don't have to rethread to change the height of the straps - thus, can adjust when coat or outfit is more or less bulky.

Things we like less:

-This is not a small seat. It does fit in our subcompact and compact car, so that is great (goes in the middle in back, rear facing). However, my husband, who is a shorter guy, can't put his seat back as far as he would like while driving. If a taller person is driving, it might be a tight fit in a subcompact or compact car. I'm not sure how it would work if we have to fit two re-facing seats in the car if/when we have another little one. So for small cars, it is a bit of a tight fit in the middle and not sure it would fit on either side.

-Sometimes it is hard to loosen or tighten the straps evenly without having to make them both completely loose and then retighten completely. Not a big deal for me, but if you aren't careful, one side can be quite tight and the other loose and then if there would be an accident, the child wouldn't be properly constrained. Just something to keep an eye on.

Overall, though A+.

Highlight Feature

• True Side Impact Protection
• Patented HUGS system, tangle-free 5 point harness with belly pad and one pull front harness adjustment
• Flexible buckle LATCH system
• Extra comfort padding, infant body pillow for cozy fit
• Rear facing: 5 to 35 pounds. Forward facing: At least 1 year old and 20 to 65 pounds

Editorial Review

Transport little ones safely with this car seat that can be positioned facing forward or backwards. Adjust the set up to match your child's stage of development.

Features:

• Patented Versa-Tether
• Easy and infinite head pad and harness height adjustment
• Built-in lock-offs
• Infant body pillow for a cozy fit
• Belt holders keep belts aside for boarding
• Belly pad for comfort and protection
• Removable, washable fabric cover
• Sculpted base for a perfect fit
• Flexible buckle LATCH system
• One-hand recline adjustment
• True Side Impact Protection
• Extra comfort padding in head area
• Patented HUGS system
• Tangle-free, polyester 5-point harness
• One-pull front harness adjustment

Rear-Facing: 5 lbs. to 35 lbs.

Front-Facing: 1 year and 20 lbs. up to 65 lbs.