car seat safety ratings?

[akmbloom]

does anyone have a good resource for car seat safety ratings that's free (unlike, say, consumer reports)?  I thought I'd had my mind made up but the carseat I got as a gift from my registry was *really huge* and my car is pretty small, so I returned it.  And now am shopping for another!  Thanks.

[TheGirls]

There are no good sources for car-seat safety ratings.  Only one company releases their crash test data (Sunshine Kids) so we have no way to compare except to know that every seat on the market passes the same tests.  Consumer Reports has safety ratings, but they are widely regarded as bunk, in part because we don't know how they arrive at their results, and their results are often at odds with car seat safety community.

Since RF is 5x safer than FF for the first two years, I personally choose convertible seats with high RF limits because it will keep the child in the safest position longer.

Also, unless your car is very small, most carseats will fit.  I had a Mazda Protege (the size of a Honda Civic) and had no problems whatsoever with a TrueFit (one of the biggest seats on the market) in it.  The problem with the smaller seats is that they don't last as long, so I'd at least try a tall seat in your car! 

[akmbloom]

Thanks for that info!  I had no idea that there weren't impartial safety ratings or that Consumer Reports might not be reliable.  There's a Safety Center at a hospital near here that will help go through car seat options, sells select kinds, and will also help install the seats, so I think that might be my first stop.  One of the issues with our small car (an old Honda Civic) is the tall parents who need to ride in the front seats, plus a five-year-old who needs to also ride in the back, and the Britax I originally got wouldn't let the front seats go back all the way while rear-facing...

I just saw a Combi Cocorro in person - I know it's not going to be the longest-lasting seat - but I thought it looked like a good solution, and I liked that it had padding for a newborn because when my older daughter was a baby we had a big convertible seat and she sort of flopped around in it (though she was strapped in tight, if she fell asleep she would slump over and look so uncomfortable).  Any thoughts on the Cocorro?

[mama2soren]

The Cocorro is cute and fits most newborns really well.  It's a great choice for a small car.  However, it will certainly not be the only seat you need.  If you plan to rear-face until 2+ years (which is much safer), you might need another RF car seat, as lots of toddlers outgrow the Cocorro by height.  If you have big babies, they might outgrow it by weight on the early side too (RF limit of only 33 pounds).  You will most certainly  need another FF seat to get to boostering age.

I used to have a 97 2-door civic, and I got several pretty big seats in there RF (including a Marathon.)  Of course, this was easiest in the center position, which sounds like it might not be an option for you, since you have 2 kiddos.  But, when your baby has more neck control, you can install a RF seat as upright as 30-35*, which gives lots more front to back room.

Best of luck!

[nononose]

As one of 2 tall parents and the owner of a Honda Civic, I will tell you that I feel your frustration!  Height of the driver (and passenger) makes a huge difference, and seriously limits car seat choices in a small car (ok, so I'm currently frustrated right now!).  We bought a True Fit for my daughter a year ago because it was the ONLY car seat we found that would fit rear facing when she outgrew the bucket.  It was great with the top part removed, but still good with it added on.  She's 2 and still quite comfortable rear facing, and DH and I are both comfy enough in the front.  I think the rear facing limit is only 35lbs.  We're in the market for a second seat and I'm at a loss with what to buy, so partly subbing here!  There's no way we can put the True Fit behind the driver to get 2 rear facing.

I've never seen the Cocorro, so have no opinion, but I'd much rather buy an extra car seat than be uncomfortable in the car and/or buy a bigger car to avoid having to buy more car seats.  Just my 2 cents.  Good luck!

[~Amy~]

We have a Civic as well and I'll echo the other posters that the True Fit is a great option.  I do think that the Graco My Ride we have now (DS outgrew the TF rear-facing) actually perhaps takes up a little less room RFing than even the True Fit did.  Granted he is older and it's not reclined for a young baby.