Baby Seat and Accessories question.

ump107 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:19 am

Since I haven’t found a post on this yet and several of us are expecting infants if figured I would pop the question. My wife and I have decided on the convertible style car seats, as we are adopting and my son will be 5-6 month old when we pick him up. How is it putting a child seat into the Libby? Are there and points that anyone has when installing a rear facing child seat? And can anyone else sit in the back of the Libby once the seat has been installed? I plan on finding a car seat checkpoint or tracking down a police officer that is trained in inspecting car seat installations prior to actually placing my son in the car seat but I was hoping with the large knowledge base here someone would have some tips or hints to make this installation go a little bit easier.
Also on a side note if anyone has any experience with the jeep line of baby products I would be interested in hearing what you thought of them. I looked at some of them and they look like they are durable but if they haven’t proven to be practical or hold up as well as they should I would like to know. Some of the reviews I have read seem to be good. But as I am new to all of this I some words of wisdom from the veterans would be great. Thanks in advance for your help.

longarm · **Posted:** Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:48 pm

Hey, just a little piece of advice on car seats. DO your research. Get one that has good European Safety Standards. The standards for child seats over there are FAR stricter than here in the states. We used Britax I believe the name was. Instead of just having cloth fabic over the plastic like alot of American Car Seats, ours had alot of styrophome (sp?) inbetween the fabric and the plastic and the seat wrapped around the side to protect the babies head in case of a side collision. Our seat was about twice as expensive as a "Normal" seat, but was ALOT safer and worth it. We really couldn't afford much being in the Army at the time, but the way I figured it was how much are you willing to spend on your childs safety while traveling? Ohh, and when you get which ever seat you going to get, get intouch withyour local police dept and ask to speak with who ever does school liason program or whold know how to properly fit a childs seat in a car. TRUST ME, more people than not get this one wrong. That can and usually is why children are injured in accidents. We called our local PD as well and found we had been doing it wrong. Good luck, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/car_seats.html?print

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/103317/article.html

dirtykj · **Posted:** Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:13 pm

ump107 wrote:

How is it putting a child seat into the Libby? Are there and points that anyone has when installing a rear facing child seat? And can anyone else sit in the back of the Libby once the seat has been installed?

If you can, get the seats with LATCH hookups (most of them are that way now). 3-point belts are great for keeping little ones snug against the seat. Avoid getting units with large base (or just ones that are "fat" in general). The bigger they are, the less room you have for passengers, obviously. The one problem I have with convertible seats are that they are difficult to tilt such that the baby is "flat enough" for his head not to roll sideways. However, since the baby is 5-6mos he should be able to hold his head up fairly well. That might not be an issue. In any event, you can roll receiving blankets and put them around the sides to keep his head in place.

If you are only going to have the one seat, best place is in the middle. This allows the unit to stick out far enough and be tilted enough to be level.

We have two car seats in the back and my wife can just squeeze in the middle. They're both Cosco convertible series --- holds up to 100lbs. I can recommend them --- they are built strong, have LATCH hookup, 3-point harness, are cushioned well, have adjustable armrests (some models are lined with rubber so feels nicer), and will eventually be suitable as a booster seat as well. My oldest son pretty much has claimed it "his chair" since he was a toddler

Other things, let's see:
1. If you use seat covers, they will most likely obstruct the central LATCH hookup on the back of the rear seats
2. Don't forget to toggle the child-safe door opening lock.
3. Get a slush mat of some sort (spilled milk, juice, sippy cups, crackers, bubblegum, gummy bears, etc.)
4. Get one of those peltier coolers for cars, or a reusable icepack. They'll keep bottles and beverages cool. Your libby has accessory plug in the back -- perfect for hooking up a small peltier cooler.
5. Get a tissue dispensor of some sort. We found a visor-mounted one for $0.99 at a dollar store. Very handy.

OKJeep · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:10 am

We have a Britax and a Graco. At the time they were the top 2 rated seats by Consumer Reports. Britax (~$250, super comfy and big), Graco (~$80, less padding and a little smaller). The Britax is used for long trips because it seems more comfortable and is a little easier to adjust and put in the car. If you have leather seats, put some grippy stuff under the seat (ie. non-slip rug padding). That's what our car seat inspector told us. We've made 2 trips to CO with 2 seats in the back + and adult. Not much room, but doable.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:12 pm

Britax is the luxury car of carseats. Like they said, they are bigger and bulkier, but with good reason. Most other companies only have about 1/4" or so of padding and you'll have a cranky kid faster. You can find tons of styles at Babies "R" Us. There's a company that makes foam wedges that hold the seat level also. Go to a police station, hospital or maybe even a AAA to see about the proper fit and tricks.

At my last job we sold tons of the Jeep walkers, strollers and jogging strollers. They walkers are jogging strollers never came back and were easy to assemble. The regular small stroller looked good but was kind of cheap for the price. They don't recline and the side pockets were like our glove compartments. They looked nice but nothing really fits in them.

Definately test them all out and ask every question you can think of. Have fun with the little one!

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:51 am

I just saw a segment on the news about car-seat saftey testing and this statement is completly true

Quote:

Hey, just a little piece of advice on car seats. DO your research. Get one that has good European Safety Standards. The standards for child seats over there are FAR stricter than here in the states.

bh120 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:49 pm

We have the Britax "Companion" infant carrier, Britax "Roundabout" convertable carseat and an Evenflo "Triumph 5" convertable carseat. The Britax are more expensive, but are excellent!!!! My 10month old is now in the convertable seats. We have the Britax in my wifes car, since the baby is with her more and the Evenflo in the Liberty. The Evenflo had about just as good a rating in Consumer Reports as the Britax, but the Britax is way better!!!! The Evenflo can be a pain in the (you know what) to get the harness around the baby's arms. I'd hate to use it every day! The Britax is much easier to strap the baby in, and has velcro to keep the harness open when taking the baby in and out.

You WILL NEED a car seat leveler (foam wedge) which you can get at the store (Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby etc). Its like $9.00, and helps keep the seat at a 45degree angle. Some people use pool floats, but for $9.00 I bought the real thing. Its basically a stiff foam wedge with 3 differnt angles on it that helps level the car seat so the baby sits at the proper 45degrees. With out it, the babys head falls foward when they fall asleep.

(Side note) The Britax "Companion" infant carrier is built like a tank! I used to compare it to the other carriers out there....the Britax was visibly larger, and offered more protection.

jaysus · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:52 pm

bh120 wrote:

You WILL NEED a car seat leveler (foam wedge) which you can get at the store (Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby etc). Its like $9.00, and helps keep the seat at a 45degree angle. Some people use pool floats, but for $9.00 I bought the real thing. Its basically a stiff foam wedge with 3 differnt angles on it that helps level the car seat so the baby sits at the proper 45degrees. With out it, the babys head falls foward when they fall asleep.

Thanks for the heads up!

Anyone else have any KJ specific advice or suggestions?

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:02 pm

I must have odd kids! I have a graco & a Britax... Despite the Britax being more comfortable looking, both of my kids hate it & demand the Graco! :roll:

If you buy a new seat, it will have LATCH, & that will make life good!just put the seat in its place loosely clip on the LATCH strap to the KJ's ancors, climb in and put one knee in the seat, put your weight on that knee to compress the KJ seat, 7 pull the LATCH strap as snug as you can. Get out, look at the level indicator, give the seat a good tug to make sure it is secure... done.

03kjsport · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:25 pm

first off, CONGRATULATIONS!! britax. no question about it. we have a five point harness belt. the safest place to put your carseat is in the center. the only problem is where the seat folds. the carseat tends to sag on that side. you can adjust that by shoving a towel in on that side. also you will have an indent in your seat on the other side from the carseat frame. you may want to invest in neoprene seat covers as bottle spills will happen. and i promise, formula is a very fowl smelling thing. and it stains. good luck and god bless.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:56 pm

We use Chicco. It has a drop in bucket style seat that hooks into the base which stays hooked in to the vehicle at all times. Works great as me and the lady each just have a base and snap the bucket in. The bucket also snaps right into the stroller which can be used for the toddlers as well. It is an Italian brand I believe but is among the best as far as safety. Works so well we even got the highchair. As far as placement in the KJ middle is best as it affords more protection from side impacts, after that, behind the passenger front seat is easier to assist baby, but they always say that a driver instinctively protects their side of the vehicle in the event of crash so it is your call. Hope this helps and Congratulations. We have an 8 month old now and we are finally starting to get some sleep. Ha Ha Ha!

CD · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:08 pm

Glad to hear your going to be a Dad, I've got 2 little ones (2yr old girl & a 4yr old boy). It's easy to put the seats in but do check the instructions on the seat you get.

NEVER EVER buy a 2nd hand child seat, you can't be sure that it wasn't in an accident. If you are in an accident chuck the seat out and get a new one. I know it's not cheap but your children are worth so much more than a child seat.

We have 4 of them (child seats), 2 for each 4x4. All "Safe&Sound", it's a great brand & meets all the safety requirements.

Like the others said, do your research and be sure your happy with the product and how it will work.

bbo · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:17 pm **Posts:** 382

hey nate .. I didn't realize you had a little one ... we have a 3 month old .. and I get plenty of sleep ( just don't tell my wife

)
we are using a graco convertible right now ( stroller .. base(s) ... and latch and all that ) .. seems to work well for us. As soon as the baby is a little bigger where we don't feel like carrying the carrier and would rather do just baby, we'll use the Britax.

one great note I can pass along .. definitely go and get your carseat and installation inspected ... here is a good locator to find in your area

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/ ... /index.cfm

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:05 pm

Quote:

the central LATCH hookup on the back of the rear seats

What/Where is this LATCH thing of which you speak?? It comes in the KJ already? Gonna get a seat for my god kid and from what I'm readin here, it looks like flyin the space shuttle may be an easier proposition! :shock:

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:53 pm

Back of rear seats there are mounting points for child safety seats.

fdems · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:05 pm

try this site

http://www.carseatdata.org/main/search? ... &x=49&y=10

03kjsport · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:10 pm

just stick your fingers into the seat where it folds down and youll feel/see brass u bolts. those are them.

CD · **Posted:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:16 am

JIMMY JEEP wrote:

Back of rear seats there are mounting points for child safety seats.

Yep, that it mate. One in the back of each seat, much better than our Pajero. The mounting points on the Mitsi are on the floor behind the seat :roll:

Milner · **Posted:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:31 pm

03kjsport wrote:

just stick your fingers into the seat where it folds down and youll feel/see brass u bolts. those are them.

Milner · **Posted:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:35 pm

03kjsport wrote:

just stick your fingers into the seat where it folds down and youll feel/see brass u bolts. those are them.

We have the Chicco "+30" Euorpean rated and rated for babies from 4-30 pounds. Hope nobody needs it, but since our daughter was 7 weeks early, we needed the 4lb rating. It is one of very few seats rated for under 5lbs.
It does have the built in latches. on either side of the center seating position, just follow the seatbelts into the crease of the seat and you find the ubolts to latch to.

Baby Seat and Accessories question.

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