INFANT CAR SEAT
BUYING GUIDE
Find the right fit for your lifestyle and your family
2017
WELCOME TO OUR BUYING GUIDE!
We’re here to help.
At Magic Beans, we don’t want to sell you
just ANY infant car seat: we want you to
find the perfect fit for your growing family
and your lifestyle.
This buying guide is just the first step on
the way to discovering an infant car seat
you’ll truly love: after you read through
this guide: talk to us! Call us at 866-600BEAN, email [email protected], or
book a FREE consultation by clicking
here!
LET’S GET STARTED
While it may cost less, shopping for a
car seat can feel nearly as complex as
shopping for a car! Our handpicked
selection of car seats includes only
the best models from the best brands,
but quality is only the beginning –
there are many factors to weigh when
determining which seat is right for you
and for your child.
The purpose of a car seat, of course,
is safety, and the “best” car seat is
going to be the one that you can
install correctly every time. It’s our job
to help you find the right seat, and
we’ll give you all the help that we can
MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · INFANT CAR SEATS
in instructing you how to install it, but
remember: ultimately, this final step in
ensuring your child’s safety is up to you.
Also, remember when buying a car
seat that the average seat expires after
about 6 years (your manual will give
you the exact number for the model
you purchase), so keep an eye on how
long you’ve had the seat and purchase
new ones appropriately.
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INFANT CAR SEAT BASICS
• Often referred to as a “bucket seat” because it has a carry handle
• Designed for infants from birth to about 12 months, depending on the upper weight and height limit
• Uses a 5-point harness
• Has a base that stays installed so it’s easy to pop the seat in and out of your car, and on and off of your
stroller (with the proper infant car seat adapter)
• Can be installed without the base, for planes and cabs
• Usually holds up to about 30 lbs, depending on brand and model
• Varies in weight from about 8-13 lbs, not counting the base
• Designed to be rear-facing at all times, which is safest for your baby
UPPABABY MESA
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CAR SEAT BRANDS YOU SHOULD KNOW · PART 1
The only infant car seat that transforms into a stroller!
Along with snazzy European style and an impressively
With a load leg, Linear Side Impact Protection, and an
Just pop out the wheels, pull up the handlebar, and
light weight (7.7 pounds!), the Nuna Pipa adds rigid
amazing space-age look, the Cybex Aton Q, Cloud Q,
you’re ready to roll. Perfect for families who are in
lower LATCH for easy installation, a stability leg that
and other high-tech Cybex seats are definitely worth
and out of the car constantly, and extra-handy for
reduces forward motion up to 90%, and the stylish and
the investment. A terrific belt-tensioning plate and
navigating airports! Plus, the handle doubles as an
convenient Dream Drape for weather protection and
premium push-on lower LATCH connections also make
anti-rebound bar, an excellent additional safety feature.
cozy napping.
installing your Aton Q unbelievably easy.
DOONA
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NUNA PIPA
CYBEX CLOUD Q
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CAR SEAT BRANDS YOU SHOULD KNOW · PART 2
The Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat is wildly popular
The UPPAbaby Vista stroller is a major favorite among
Designed in Britain, made in the USA, Britax car seats
because it’s light and easy to use. The next step up
our customers, followed closely by the Cruz. If you’re
are well-trusted and well-loved –everyone you know will
in the Chicco collection is the NextFit convertible car
rocking either of these snazzy stroller models, then the
recommend them, and with 65 years in the business,
seat, which adds even more nifty features: SuperCinch
MESA infant car seat is an automatic yes! The MESA
they definitely know what they’re doing.
LATCH for easy installation, the ReclineSure 9-position
can ride high on either UPPA stroller with no additional
leveling system, a steel frame, and more.
purchases needed. Furthermore, the SmartSecure
installation system and superb SIP make this a great
choice for absolutely anyone, whether your stroller
comes from UPPAbaby or not.
CHICCO KEYFIT 30
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UPPABABY MESA
BRITAX B-SAFE 35 ELITE
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ANATOMY OF AN INFANT CAR SEAT · PART 1
1
1
2
3
3
LATCH
2
LOAD LEG
This stands for “Lower
Similar to a top tether,
your child grows taller,
Anchors and Tethers
this reduces forward
while others have a
for Children,” and
momentum in the event
removable one.
is typically used for
of an accident with an
installation in the car
infant car seat. This is
for any rear-facing
a standard feature in
car seats. LATCH or
Europe, and while it is
seat belt installation
uncommon in the US,
is equally safe; the
you’ll find it on some
purpose of LATCH
premium European
is simply to make
seats available in
installation easier for
America now, including
parents and caregivers
the Nuna Pipa. correct installation is
key, so easy installation
IS a safety feature!).
LINEAR
SIDE IMPACT
PROTECTION
4
The unique pop-out
arms on the Cybex Aton
Q and Cybex Cloud Q
rest against the nearest
door of your car, and
channel crash energy
away from your child in
(again, recall that
MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · INFANT CAR SEATS
adjusted upwards as
HEAD
SUPPORT WITH
SIDE IMPACT
PROTECTION
3
Most cars made after
Keeps baby’s head
2001 are equipped
stationary during a
with LATCH points,
side impact collision.
usually on the outboard
Some infant car seats
seats. They typically will
have integrated
feature a LATCH logo.
headrests that can be
the event of a collision.
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ANATOMY OF AN INFANT CAR SEAT · PART 2
HARNESS
SLOTS
and how much your
can click the bucket
child can grow into
seat into the base in the
While some seats have
it – every kid is a bit
car, or onto an adapter
no-rethread harnesses,
different!
on your stroller, making
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it easy to transfer
others have adjustable
harness slots that need
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RETAINER CLIP
them up.
This clip is present in all
child grows, to ensure
American car seats and
correct positioning. It’s
is sometimes referred
not just about comfort,
to as a chest clip. This
RELEASE
BUTTON
it’s also about the way
should be secured right
This is a metal flap or
the harness distributes
at armpit level on the
button that most car
force across your child’s
child.
seats are equipped with
you’ve got it right. For
8
babies without waking
to be changed as the
8
to easily loosen and
body, so make sure
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6
7
BASE
tighten your child into
rear-facing children,
Infant car seats come
the car seat. Pushing
the harness slot should
in two parts: the
the button or lifting
fall at or below their
removable car seat (also
the flap will allow you
shoulders. For forward-
known as a “bucket
to loosen the straps
facing children, the
seat”) clicks off of
allowing your child to
harness slot should
the base, which stays
climb in and out easily.
be at or above their
installed in your car.
To tighten, pull the
shoulders. It is always a
Just install the base
strap that hangs out
good idea to measure
once and you’re done!
from the button/flap
your child in the car
This is the advantage of
until they are snug.
seat before you make
an infant car seat while
the purchase to see
babies are small: you
how the straps will fit
MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · INFANT CAR SEATS
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ANATOMY OF AN INFANT CAR SEAT · PART 3
This allows you to install
ANGLE LEVEL
INDICTATOR
the infant car seat without
Infant car seat bases have
a base, in case you’re
a bubble or line indicator
traveling in a taxi, a
that shows you when the
Zipcar, or on a plane.
car seat is at the right
This is also an option
level. The angle adjuster
when installing the base
underneath the base
and latch anchors are
allows you to change
not available. There is
the angle of the base
a guide on the car seat
in order to get the seat
itself instructing you how
positioned properly.
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11
9
9
SEAT BELT PATH
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to do the installation, and
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a blue path marked out
for you.
CARRY
HANDLE
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Used to carry the car
Each car seat has a
seat. On the Doona
slightly different seat
Infant Car Seat, it does
belt path; we feel that
double duty, serving
the European seat belt
as an anti-rebound
path, available on Cybex
bar when the seat is
and Nuna seats, makes
installed in your car. It
it easier, and the lock
acts similar to a load leg,
off on the back of the
in that it reduces forward
seat makes for a sturdier
momentum.
installation.
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CAR SEAT FAQ:
A FEW QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU NARROW IT DOWN
WHICH IS THE LIGHTEST CAR SEAT THAT
YOU SELL?
DO I NEED AN INFANT CAR SEAT,
OR CAN I GO STRAIGHT TO A
CONVERTIBLE?
At the moment, the Nuna Pipa is our most petite seat,
IS THERE ONE CAR SEAT I CAN USE
FROM BIRTH TO BOOSTER?
Yes, but we love the convenience of an infant car seat
at only 7.7 pounds (minus the base, which you will not
Convertible car seats are designed to provide a safe
be carrying around with you on a daily basis).
and comfortable ride for a newborn, but most of our
for the littlest passengers. Read more here.
customers choose to start off their babies with an infant
DO INFANT CAR SEATS COME WITH A
BASE INCLUDED?
Yes! We suggest buying a second base if you’ll be
using your infant car seat in more than one vehicle.
DO I NEED TO BUY THE SAME BRAND
STROLLER WITH THE INFANT CAR SEAT
THAT I BUY?
car seat. They’re just so much more convenient to use!
WHAT IS THE SAFEST CAR SEAT?
Watch our explanation here.
FOR HOW LONG CAN I USE AN INFANT
CAR SEAT?
We wish we could provide you with the perfect stats,
but unfortunately, there just isn’t any objective way to
determine this. We can tell you for sure that every car
seat on the market undergoes rigorous safety testing
Your car seat manual will tell you exactly what the
– they all do a superb job at protecting children from
height and weight limits of your seat are. But the
injury. Learn more about car seat safety here.
reality is that you will likely never hit the upper weight
limit of the infant car seat. Many of them go up to 30 or
No, and in fact, we encourage you to mix-and-match
even 35 pounds, but in our experience, when your baby
to find the combination that you like best! You can find
hits 20-22 pounds, the car seat plus baby is going to be
adapters that will allow you to snap a wide range of
too heavy to lug around, and your will move your baby
infant car seats onto a wide range of popular strollers.
to a convertible car seat. Read more here.
Read more about it at our blog.
MAGIC BEANS BUYING GUIDE · INFANT CAR SEATS
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INSTALLATION & CAR SEAT LAWS
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF
BUYING A CAR SEAT IS BEING EDUCATED
ON HOW TO INSTALL IT PROPERLY.
CAR SEAT LAWS:
• The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) recommends
All the safety features in the world don’t make a
that children ride rear-facing
difference if they aren’t used properly.
for at least the first two years,
and that children should
It’s a good idea to consult a Child Passenger Safety
ideally stay rear-facing for
Technician (CPST) and have them check your
as long as the weight and
installation – you can find one through many local
height limit of your seat
police or fire departments. Search your zip code at
allow. The specific laws may
http://www.seatcheck.org/ to find one near you. Or,
vary from state to state, so it’s
just ask the staff at your local Magic Beans, and we’ll
worth doing some research,
put you on the right track.
but if you follow the AAP
guideline you should be fine.
Not all car seats fit in all car models! We have plenty of
floor models, and we encourage customers to try them
out in their car before they purchase.
• Most states require kids to
ride in a car seat or booster
until they are 8 years old or
57” tall, whichever comes first.
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NEED SOME ADVICE CHOOSING AN INFANT CAR SEAT?
WE’D LOVE TO HELP YOU.
Call us at 866-600-BEAN, email [email protected], or book a FREE
car seat consultation by clicking here.
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At Magic Beans, our mission is to make life easier for parents (and more fun, too). We aren’t
just here to sell you things: we’re here to find solutions and tools to make every day go just a
little more smoothly for you. We get it, because we’re parents too!
Our selection of strollers, baby gear, and toys for all ages are all selected for quality,
convenience, and innovation, and they’re all available in two convenient spots: in our six
stores, and on our award-winning website, mbeans.com.
MA
BOSTON · BROOKLINE · CAMBRIDGE
NORWELL · WELLESLEY
CT
FAIRFIELD
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