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Saturday, 25 May 2013
 
 
Rear-Facing Seats PDF Print E-mail
Article Index
Rear-Facing Seats
Why Ride Rear-Facing?
Who Rides Rear-Facing?
Height and Weight Limits
Types of Rear-Facing Seats
When to Turn Forward-Facing?
Seat Placement in the Vehicle
Positioning the Child in the Seat
Stroller Compatibility
Infant Carrier Handle Positioning
Keeping Rear-Facing Kids Happy
Tips for Newborns
Tips for Preemies
Videos and Installation Tips

Stroller Compatibility 

Below is a stroller/car seat compatibility chart (up to date as of 7/4/2011 and includes ONLY 2011 models).  Here's some info before you start:

Strollers:
There are three pages of strollers divided as follows:
1.  Single strollers
2.  Double strollers
3.  Double strollers that accommodate 2 car seats.

"Snap n’ go” type strollers (i.e. metal frames with wheels that accommodate different infant seats) are NOT included in this chart.  All the strollers included in this chart can be used WITH OR WITHOUT the car seat – while snap n’ go strollers can ONLY be used with the car seat. 


Car Seats:
We include only four infant seats: the Britax Chaperone, Chicco Key Fit 30, Cybex Aton, and Graco Snugride 35 with Classic Connect
These four seats all fit on most strollers.  (Note that the Cybex Aton uses the Maxi Cosi adaptor. Knowing that many strollers worldwide have Maxi Cosi car seat adapters, Cybex designed the Aton to fit onto the Maxi Cosi adapter.  Since the Cybex has only been available in the US since May 2011, most stroller companies have not officially listed it as compatible with their strollers.  However, since it fits onto Maxi Cosi adapters, we have listed it as fitting on a particular stroller if there is a Maxi Cosi adapter for that stroller.)

Why only four car seats – and why these particular four? 

These 4 infant seats are more likely to be used properly than other seats due to the following:

  • Built-In Locking Clips:  They all have built-in locking clips for an easier installation with the vehicle’s shoulder/lap belt.  Why is this important if most cars have LATCH?  Since few cars allow for the use of LATCH in the center seat AND since the center is 43% safer than the side, it is best to have the car seat installed in the center using the seat belt – and a built in locking clip for the seat belt typically allows for an easier and more secure seat belt installation.  Read more about placement of your infant car seat.
  • Nice Contours:  Due to the contours of their bases these four car seats can be installed securely in a wide variety of vehicles (unfortunately we can’t say that about many other car seats).
  • User-friendly Harness Straps: The harness straps tighten and loosen easily and the straps can’t get uneven.  When straps get uneven, as happens with many other car seats, it drives parents crazy and the kids typically ride around with straps that are too loose, which isn’t safe.
  • Travel Friendly: If you’ll be using the carrier without its base – friends’ cars, taxis, travel, rental cars, etc – these seats will all work nicely.  (If you do this often, the Cybex Aton is best--due to a European-style routing path for the vehicle’s shoulder belt it gives a more secure installation without its base than the other three.) Note: installing the carrier by itself is VERY safe as long as it is installed properly – the base is not a safety feature, but rather a convenience feature.  Watch how to do it on our Taxi Videos page.
  • Low Birth Weight: The Britax, Chicco & Cybex and Graco Snugride 35 are certified for babies 4 pounds and up.  The Graco Snugride 35 starts at 5 lbs.
  • Stroller Compatibility:  These four seats all fit on most strollers.  (Note that the Cybex Aton uses the Maxi Cosi adaptor. Knowing that many strollers worldwide have Maxi Cosi car seat adapters, Cybex designed the Aton to fit onto the Maxi Cosi adapter.  Since the Cybex has only been available in the US since May 2011, most stroller companies have not officially listed it as compatible with their strollers.  However, since it fits onto Maxi Cosi adapters, we have listed it as fitting on a particular stroller if there is a Maxi Cosi adapter for that stroller.)

Trying to decide between these four seats? Ask yourself these questions:


Will you be using the carrier alone, without the base, in taxis, friends cars, rental cars, grandma's car, travel, etc?
 
If your answer is YES, the Cybex Aton will work best since it installs more easily without its base than the other three car seats.  Note: installing the carrier by itself is VERY safe as long as it is installed properly – the base is not a safety feature, but rather a convenience feature. Watch how to do it on our Taxi Videos page.

Does your baby weigh less than 5 pounds?

The Britax, Chicco & Cybex and Graco Snugride 35 LX are certified for babies 4 pounds and up.  The Graco Snugride 35 starts at 5 pounds.

Do you have a small car?  Does the adult in front need to move his/her seat all the way back?
The Cybex takes up the least amount of space front-back, the Chicco just an inch more than the Cybex, and the Graco a smidge more than the Chicco – and the Britax a little more than the Graco.


Using the Chart:

Scroll to the right to see the Notes column.  Click on the tabs at the very bottom of the chart to switch between the list of single strollers, double strollers, and double strollers designed for twins (i.e. can take 2 infant car seats at the same time)
 




 
 
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