Convertible Carseat Suggestions

I really like my Eddie Bauer Elite 3-in-1. It was $170 at Babies R Us and it goes from newborn (5lbs) to a kid (100lbs)! It is a little bulky, but worth a shot. I'd ask about the return policy wherever they decide to buy--just in case it doesn't fit!

From what I understand, there isn't a seat that can be used the whole time and if they have a wide range of weights and heights, they aren't as safe for the low and high ends of those ranges. She may be able to get by with a convertible until she turns the baby around (the AAP now says you should leave a baby rear-facing until 2-years and as long as the baby is still within the weight/height limits), then it can be forward-facing until the child is ready for a booster (4 and 40 pounds). But the crash tests of convertibles that also go to 50-60 pounds and work as a seat-positioning booster are NOT good.
Has she tried second-hand shops or Ebay? They are great places to get good deals on car seats.

We had to switch to our Convertible carseat pretty early as well. We have the Evenflo andn LOVE It. Our son is now 21 months old and it's still a great car seat. We got it at Babies R Us. She needs to drive whatever car it will go in TO Babies R Us. They will let you "try" to fit the carseat displays IN your actual car (my friend did this). This way, you can know what will actually fit.

I agree that Britax are awesome, but VERRRYY expensive. Our Evenflo one was very highly rated by safety experts and parents alike. I'd recommend finding a couple that FIT in the car and then researching them online.

I also would NOT do ones that convert to booster seats. Booster seats are as little as $20-30 when that time comes.

Tell them to avoid the 3-in-1 car seats like the Alpha Omega or Eddie Bauer. THey do not fit newborns well at all, and they will not be the last seat ever needed because they are only good for 6yrs and 1 more year in booster mode, and they make awful booster seats that do not fit children well at all and are not recommended.

These are a few that fit newborns well and will last them a long time.
Cosco Scenera- $50, will rear face to 35lbs, forward face to 40lbs. This fits newborns well but it has no head support so they would hae to use a rolled up blanket around babies head. Fits most kids rear facing to age 2, and forward facing to age 3/4. Good basic needs seat.

Evenflo Triumph ADVANCE, $130, will rear face to 35lbs ,forward face to 50lbs. Fits newborns well and is well padded with inserts for babies. Fits most kids rear ffacing to 2/3, and forward facing to 5. This is a great all around seat, easy to use and adjust, and will last until the child is big enough for a booster seat at age 5.

First Years TrueFit- $150-$170, will rear face to 35lbs, forward face to 65lbs. Fits babies very well with lots of padding and inserts. Rear faces most kids to age 3, and forward faces most kids to age 6. This is a great seat that will last until the child is ready for a simple booster seat at age 6.

Graco MyRide65- $150 will rear face to 40lbs, forward face to 65lbs. Awesome seat, tons of padding and fits newborns wonderfully. Will rear face most kids to age 4, and forward face most kids to age 6. Will last until the child only needs simple booster at age 6.

Most seats do NOT fit newborns well because the harness needs tobe just at or below the shoulders for rear facing, and if its above its not safe to use until the child is big enough. So make sure they keep in mind to not only avoid the 3-in-1 seats like hte Alpha Omega, but to keep in mind that newborsn don't fit most convertibles well, but the ones I listed above fit newborns great, would last at least 5/6 yrs in the harness, and then they can purchase a simple $20 booster seat after the child outgrows these seats at 5/6yrs old.

Britax has very high safety ratings, we have a marathon that goes to 65 Lbs. Our five year old still fits in it, and would be able to until she can fit in a bottom only booster. They also make one that goes higher I believe. They're both expensive but each month or so babies r us has coupons good for 20% off any one item, and if you calculate the costs over five + years it's better than buying three different seats for size or because they don't like them or they don't hold up!

We had to go buy a van so our carseat would fit behind an actual seat. It would only fit in the middle of the back seat in the car and it extended up into the front seat area a little bit between the 2 buckets where the emergency brake is, I could drive and see the baby's face without having to look into the back seat. But we just got carseat from Wal-Mart. It was way less than $100.

Please have your friend check out www.carseat.org to find out the legal car seat requirements in her state. And also to find a FREE car seat check location. Most people install incorrectly and now is the time for her to educate herself!

There are many seats to choose from , they would be best off going to babies r us and looking at seats that meet the requirements of what they are looking for. As they quite a small car I think they will struggle to find a seat that is suitable from birth to 80lbs that will fit in the car , convertable seats when in rear facing posistion take up a lot of room , they would need to test different seats in the car in both posistions to see which fits.

Have them check the indepth evaluation at babycheapskate.blogspot.com

Deals on everything but also reviews on carseats that are good but reasonably priced.