MomStart

Forget the Mommy Guilt, it's a new day

You are here: Home / Archives for Car Seat

Evenflo Gold Everystage Sets a New Standard and Outshines the Competition

by Leave a Comment

Riding in the Evenflo Gold Everystage Car Seat

Sample provided.

We’ve been foster parents for almost three years, and have had 20 kids in and out of our home (and van!) during that time. Needless to say, we’re pretty well versed in car seats, and our car seats have been very well used. When we took the Evenflo Gold Everystage out of the box, we were stunned—no exaggeration. Aside from its newness, and not being encrusted in spit-up and apple sauce, the difference in quality was immediately apparent. It’s not too heavy, but solid and well-built. It may not look like new for long, but we have no doubt it will serve us well for the long haul.

Evenflo Gold SensorSafe EveryStage™ Smart All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Side view

As we got to know the car-seat, we kept finding new and exciting features we never knew we needed, and were also pleased to find those that had been conspicuously missing from our other options. We were especially impressed with the SensorSafe technology. It offers a serious confidence boost through the convenience of an app that can alert you if your child unbuckles, if the temperature in the car gets too high, or if you walk away from the car with your child still buckled.

Our first impression was that it was a very big seat, but once we had it installed, it hardly took up any more room than our others. With all the different inserts and adjustment options, it can comfortably and conveniently fit any of our three boys, ranging from 14 months to 5 and a half years. The installation was easy as well. No wrestling with towels or blankets to try to get the seat level. Simply anchor and ratchet down the base then glide the seat to the appropriate angle. This feature alone spared us from the painstaking task of trying to get the latch belt or seatbelt tight enough while installing. So quick!

From 14 months...

From 14 months…

...to to 5 and a half years!

…to to 5 and a half years!

Our one-year old can easily reach his sippy or a binky from the generous cup-holders. Buckling is a breeze, with smooth strap adjustments and quick release buckles. I can unbuckle and remove him with one hand which doesn’t seem necessary unless you’re the kind of parent (like myself) that aims for as few trips as possible between the car and the house while unloading. Plus, it comes with the added confidence of SensorSafe technology; a brilliant way to maximize safety through the convenience of an app on your phone to help you.

Sleep like a baby

Aside from that combination of comfort and safety while awake, we’ve never had a seat that kept our boys so well situated for sleeping. The adjustable headrest keeps them ideally positioned for napping while in the car, keeping their heads upright and well aligned with the side impact cushions. The only downside we’ve found so far is that we have to live with the fact that one of our children will be riding in much more comfort and safety than our other two. It’s definitely making us consider upgrading our other seats as well.

3 Tips For Car Seat Safey

by Leave a Comment

Sponsored post.

Whether you’re expecting your first child or just need a refresher, car seat safety is paramount. Here are three tips to guide you as you deal with common car seat concerns:

1. Invest in a New Car Seat

Car seats are one item that is worth investing in. Experts advise staying away from secondhand car seats, as buying used makes it difficult to determine if the seat is still safe to use – parts could be expired or recalled, or it could have been damaged in a previous accident. There are many highly-rated car seats that can be bought new for a reasonable price, but if you’re struggling financially and cannot afford one, there are organizations that work to provide car seats for free or at low cost to those in need. Try calling your local police station, hospital, or WIC for recommendations, or Google “Can’t afford a car seat” for other organizations to contact.

2. Make Sure it’s Installed Correctly

Installing your car seat correctly is crucial to ensuring safety. Because there’s so many variables in each car seat and vehicle, having a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician show you the best practices is extremely helpful. The organization Safe Kids Worldwide does free Car Seat Checkup events around the country, and they also have a database of technicians that are on staff at places such as fire departments and police stations.

Cars.com car seat safety check

3. Do Your Research

Every car is different, so when it comes time for relatives or babysitters to drive your child somewhere, you may wonder if your car seat will work in their vehicle, or if they should take your car. Cars.com has an ongoing Car Seat Safety Check series where certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians walk through popular cars on the market and give them a grade based on the amount of room available for the car seat. This is very helpful information for knowing what to expect from different vehicles, whether you’re considering a new car yourself or just planning for Grandma’s next visit.

Safety 1st For Baby at The Great Trade in-Event at Babies”R”Us #BRUGreatTradeIn

by Leave a Comment

Gift card provided.

Safety is the number one concern for any parent. While heirloom items and hand-me-downs are wonderful keepsakes when it comes to some things, older is not better for important, key staple items like car seats. With all the options on the market, there’s a lot of information for parents to take in, not to mention figuring out how to install the seat properly. Which is why you’ll be interested to learn of two pieces of important safety news announced today:

Announcing the SafeMax All-in-One Car Seat from Evenflo

Evenflo SafeMax All-in-One Car Seat - Side

Evenflo just released the SafeMax All-in-One Car Seat, which is the first rollover tested car seat.

Designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately twice the federal crash test standard, the SafeMax™ All-in-One is the first car seat that has been dynamically rollover tested. Rollovers accounted for nearly 35% of all fatalities from passenger vehicle crashes in 2010.

The car seat is built for infants and children from 5 to 120 lbs, or up to 57″ in height, with three positions: Rear facing, forward facing, and booster seating. SafeMax All-in-One Car Seat is built with an integrated steel frame, e3 Side Impact™ Protection that reduces side impact crash forces up to 50%, a SafeZone™ Headrest to absorb crash forces, and even OUTLAST® Performance Fabric to balance body temperature and make the ride more comfortable for your child.

But even the safest car seat will not offer protection if it is not installed correctly, which is why Evenflo gives its customers access to its ParentLink® PREMIER Service, where you can video chat with a safety expert to ensure proper installation of your new Evenflo car seat, and ask questions about the proper fit for your child. You can also click here to find a car seat inspection service near you, where a certified technician will inspect your seat to make sure it is properly installed. With all these resources, parents can get help and peace of mind!

The Great Trade in-Event at Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us

Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us

To help encourage parents to swap their secondhand equipment for a new item that meets current safety standards, Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores are hosting The Great Trade in-Event! Starting today, February 1st through February 29th, parents can bring their old items in and receive a savings coupon to reduce their cost purchasing a replacement!

The following used items will be accepted: Cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, high chairs, infant swings, bouncers, travel systems, walkers, entertainers, play yards and toddler or twin beds. There is no limit to the number of items you can trade in. In return, you will receive one of the following:

  • 25% savings with trade-in of a used gear or furniture item
  • 30% discount when using an “R”Us Credit Card
  • Nothing to trade in? Then you can still save 15% off with an in-store and online with a coupon available here.

Some of the participating brands in this event include Evenflo, Baby Trend, Chicco, Graco, Britax, Safety 1st, Sorelle and more. By trading in items that are old, used or potentially unsafe, you can save money on an upgrade to the newest and safest products. It’s also a great event if you’ve been wondering how to dispose of a bulky item that you no longer need! Join the conversation with the hashtag #BRUGreatTradeIn and show us pics of what you get with your savings!