The Next Step: Convertible Carseats

Most infant carseats are rated safe for babies up to 30 or 35 pounds, but safe and comfortable, in this case, do not go hand-in-hand.  Infant carseats have the ability to detach the seat from the base making baby more portable.  Convertible carseats have the option to be both rear and forward facing but are stationary within your vehicle.  Infant carseats are necessary and very convenient until your child weighs about 15-18 pounds and can sit up easily by themselves (around 6 months old).  Once they hit these milestones, the infant carrier becomes too heavy to lug around, making it easier to simply bust out an umbrella stroller or put baby in the shopping cart.  Beside the inconvenience due to weight, your child will most likely look somewhat overgrown for the carrier around 9 months.

So on to the important question: What convertible carseat should I buy?

Important things to consider:

• Safety, Safety, Safety (obviously)
• LATCH Installation
• Child Comfort
• Weight limits for both rear and forward facing
• Width of carseat 
• Ease of cleaning
• Eco-Friendly materials

Cutting to the chase, the one carseat that blows it out of the water on all of these point is the Clek Foonf.  Below are the best features about the "Mother of all Carseats"

• Boasts the revolutionary REACT Safety System
• This system is integrated into every Foonf carseat and works much like the "crumple zone" in most automobiles on the road today
• Frame and materials are designed to absorb crash collision, exerting less force on the child
• Extended rear facing installation.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay rear facing as long as possible (By law, Children must be rear facing until 1 year).  The Foonf allows for children up to 50 pounds be rear facing, the highest rear facing weight limit on the market currently.
• Forward facing up to 65 pounds and/or 49 inches tall
• Sub-structure is made of steel and magnesium, making it very, very sturdy 
• Energy-absorbing foam layers
• Anti-Rebound Bar improves stability
• LATCH System
• Narrow Width, at 17 inches wide three carseats can fit in a second row
• Crypton Fabrics are certified "Greenguard" making them stain and water resistant
• Easy recline in forward-facing mode
• Approved for Airline Travel
• The entire seat is Recyclable!  WOW!

The Clek Foonf is widely regarded as the safest convertible carseat on the market currently.  This is evident when testing it out; the steel frame is prominent and the weight of the seat simply feels as though it would protect your child as well as any seat possibly could.  It hits all of the items on my consideration list plus some.  Also, despite the crazy name, it is actually made in the USA.  The worst thing about this seat is the price, at $475, it is a hard purchase to stomach.  Try to shop around, eBay can have deals and many websites offer discounts to first time shoppers!  Always look for promo codes!

www.clekinc.com

Clek Foonf Convertible Carseat

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $475; $399 for Foonf without Greenguard Fabrics

Eco Option?: Completely Recyclable!

Where to Find: From Diapers.com (free shipping), Right Start, and specialty baby stores

The Space Saving Bouncing Swing

Baby bouncers and swings are widely regarded as necessities for birth through 6 months.  Bouncers are absolutely fabulous for keeping baby safe and happy while mom's hands are busy.  Swings can calm a fussy baby or help put a tired baby to sleep.  Both of these items take up A LOT of room, and with the plethora of other baby gadgets that are necessary, it is not practical to have two additional large pieces of baby paraphernalia cramped into your house.  This is where the 4moms Mamaroo fits in; a bouncer and swing in one reasonably sized contraption.

The Mamaroo boasts that it moves more like a caregiver would; bouncing and moving side to side rather than vibrating or swinging.  The seat has five different motions that simulate a Car Ride (figure 8 motion), Ocean (circular motion), Kangaroo (bouncing), Rock-a-bye (up and down), and Tree Swing (down and up).  These motions are also available in five different speeds.  The base dons a noise machine (nature sounds) and an auxiliary plug for an iPod, iPhone, or other MP3 player.  Lastly, the seat easily reclines for maximal comfort and at a weight of 20 pounds with the size of a conventional bouncer, it is pretty easy to move around the house wherever you are.

I purchased this product when Kennedy was three months old and I wish that I had it sooner.  This was a wonderful help while I cooked or did any quick chore around the house.  The motion kept Kennedy content and I loved the built in audio system.  The design of this item is also fabulous, it looks *almost* like a piece of modern art in your house, and when everything else looks like Sesame Street had a field day in your living room, that is a breath of fresh air.  My only complaint about the product is that I wish that the motion was a little more dramatic and speedy.  

4Moms Mamaroo

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $199

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, The Right Start, Baby Earth, and other online retailers

Kennedy in her Mamaroo!