betsy b
I'm going to be traveling with a wiggley toddler, so I need a lot (even though she's getting her own seat).
Answer
Seat pitch (the distance from headrest to headrest, which gives you a rough idea of legroom) depends not just on which airline you're flying but also what model of aircraft you're on. Probably you're best bet is when you start getting ready to book the flight, look to see what type of aircraft you'd be on, then go to www.seatguru.com - they list the amount of seat pitch for every aircraft for just about all US carriers.
Seat pitch (the distance from headrest to headrest, which gives you a rough idea of legroom) depends not just on which airline you're flying but also what model of aircraft you're on. Probably you're best bet is when you start getting ready to book the flight, look to see what type of aircraft you'd be on, then go to www.seatguru.com - they list the amount of seat pitch for every aircraft for just about all US carriers.
What type of car seat are you using for your baby and what are the pros and cons of it?
Hope
I am trying to decide on a new car seat so I was wanting to get some ideas.
Answer
Are you looking for an infant bucket seat, or an infant to toddler rear to forward facing seat?
If it's a bucket seat, don't waste your time doing excessive research...they are all the same, they meet safety standards, and with an infant seat, there is really no way to add any bells an whistles. I guess with the bucket seats, just make sure that the carrying handle, when it's folded in the car, doesn't stick out too far past the seat that it causes the passenger in the front seat to have to jack their own seat really far ahead, making it uncomfortable. Evenflo bucket seats are bad for this, while Safety 1st's handles are pretty compact when folded down in the car.
For rear to forward facing, I have two, one for each car. The first one is an Evenflo Triumph DLX. http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=21&pfid=2787 It's heavy, sturdy seat. I find with lighter seats, even when they're installed properly, you can still shift them around by pushing and pulling. This seat stays put. It's upholstered very nicely and provides a good amount of comfort. The harness belt straps are better on this seat than any seat I've ever seen. The shoulder straps adjust just by pulling upward, rather than unhooking the entire seat and adjusting in the back of the seat. The harness adjusts evenly on each side by turning a knob on the side of the seat...so no pulling on a strap between the kid's legs.
Really, the things that I like the most about this seat is the fact that both sides of the harness adjust evenly. Most seats get tighter on one side and looser on the other...not this one...and it is SO comfy. I have no negatives to say about this seat, it's great, and I love it.
The second rear to forward facing seat I have is a First Years True Fit. http://www.learningcurve.com/thefirstyears/Car+Seats+and+Travel+Gear/True+Fit+Convertible+Car+Seats
It is VERY comfortable, and the shoulder straps slide up from the front, somewhat similar to the Evenflo. It is a seat that comes in two pieces...the main body of the seat, and a removable head extender.
When the seat is rear facing, and the child is an infant, you can minimize the extra room that a convertible car seat can take up in the backseat and remove the headrest. There is a line for height on the carseat that says when the child's head reaches that height, you should add on the headrest.
To be honest, the headrest option and the comfort are the only two things I like about this seat. It's also a heavy seat, so it doesn't rock around, but the harness is very annoying to have to adjust. So if your child is wearing slightly different thickness clothes from the last time they were in the seat, you'll have to readjust. Which is not a big deal in itself, but it is VERY hard with this seat to make the straps tighter. I find the only way you can actually tighten the straps, for some reason, is if the child isn't actually buckled up. I've learned that I can snap the chest buckle to get an idea of what it will adjust like, but I can't buckle between the legs until the appropriate tightening is done.
Had we known this seat was going to be so hard to use, we would have just bought a second Evenflo Triumph.
Are you looking for an infant bucket seat, or an infant to toddler rear to forward facing seat?
If it's a bucket seat, don't waste your time doing excessive research...they are all the same, they meet safety standards, and with an infant seat, there is really no way to add any bells an whistles. I guess with the bucket seats, just make sure that the carrying handle, when it's folded in the car, doesn't stick out too far past the seat that it causes the passenger in the front seat to have to jack their own seat really far ahead, making it uncomfortable. Evenflo bucket seats are bad for this, while Safety 1st's handles are pretty compact when folded down in the car.
For rear to forward facing, I have two, one for each car. The first one is an Evenflo Triumph DLX. http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=21&pfid=2787 It's heavy, sturdy seat. I find with lighter seats, even when they're installed properly, you can still shift them around by pushing and pulling. This seat stays put. It's upholstered very nicely and provides a good amount of comfort. The harness belt straps are better on this seat than any seat I've ever seen. The shoulder straps adjust just by pulling upward, rather than unhooking the entire seat and adjusting in the back of the seat. The harness adjusts evenly on each side by turning a knob on the side of the seat...so no pulling on a strap between the kid's legs.
Really, the things that I like the most about this seat is the fact that both sides of the harness adjust evenly. Most seats get tighter on one side and looser on the other...not this one...and it is SO comfy. I have no negatives to say about this seat, it's great, and I love it.
The second rear to forward facing seat I have is a First Years True Fit. http://www.learningcurve.com/thefirstyears/Car+Seats+and+Travel+Gear/True+Fit+Convertible+Car+Seats
It is VERY comfortable, and the shoulder straps slide up from the front, somewhat similar to the Evenflo. It is a seat that comes in two pieces...the main body of the seat, and a removable head extender.
When the seat is rear facing, and the child is an infant, you can minimize the extra room that a convertible car seat can take up in the backseat and remove the headrest. There is a line for height on the carseat that says when the child's head reaches that height, you should add on the headrest.
To be honest, the headrest option and the comfort are the only two things I like about this seat. It's also a heavy seat, so it doesn't rock around, but the harness is very annoying to have to adjust. So if your child is wearing slightly different thickness clothes from the last time they were in the seat, you'll have to readjust. Which is not a big deal in itself, but it is VERY hard with this seat to make the straps tighter. I find the only way you can actually tighten the straps, for some reason, is if the child isn't actually buckled up. I've learned that I can snap the chest buckle to get an idea of what it will adjust like, but I can't buckle between the legs until the appropriate tightening is done.
Had we known this seat was going to be so hard to use, we would have just bought a second Evenflo Triumph.
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