Our kid is presently 11 months old and about to put on his Doona, therefore we are seeking to acquire a car seat for him. We go to the United States to visit family several times a year. I’m not sure which are the most reliable manufacturers here; can someone suggest a decent car seat? especially if it can be converted into a stroller or last for several years!
Do you have a budget you’re trying to stay within? All car seats must meet the same safety standards, so what you’re paying for beyond that is quality, ease of use, comfort, and other features.
Keep in mind that once your baby is in a convertible seat, it won’t be compatible with strollers—it usually stays in the car. Your baby should remain rear-facing until at least age 2, but ideally, you’ll want to max out the seat’s weight or height limit before switching to forward-facing.
For a budget-friendly option, we use the Graco SlimFit in grandma’s car and for travel. It’s easy to use and costs under $200. For something with better fabric quality and more comfort for a toddler, we have the Nuna Rava. It’s definitely a splurge, usually priced around $450-500, but it occasionally goes on sale.
We also have the Nuna Rava and love it. It’s free of fire retardants and can be used rear-facing up to 50 lbs and forward-facing up to 65 lbs, so it should last us for the next 4-5 years.
Keep in mind that once your child is out of the infant car seat, you’ll lose the convenience of attaching the seat to a stroller—convertible car seats stay in the car.
As mentioned earlier, if budget is a concern, all car seats sold in the United States meet the same safety standards. The additional features are mostly about personal preference.
I really appreciate your help 