As a mother of five children I have seen my fair share of car seats. And my car seat philosophy has changed a lot over the last few years from “What looks good” and “What is comfortable for me to use as a carrier seat” to more important and practical things. What car seat features will improve the safety? What car seat feature will make it easier for me to install the seat the right way and feel confident that I have it right?
Enter my chance to review a Britax Advocate convertible car seat. I’ve never been able to install a car seat that easily before. The premium lower LATCH connecters? Wow. So easy to connect them and tightening them in a cinch. (Ha! Cinch get it?) Be sure to see the details for the giveaway portion below.
From an economic perspective I love the idea of a convertible car seat – something that can be used for a variety of ages. The Advocate Britax car seat is suitable for rear-facing infants, but fits toddlers like Vivian who are now forward facing. Up to 70 pounds!
What I didn’t realize, and didn’t think to look at in the beginning, was how the car seats meet safety codes. Or exceed safety codes. I just assumed all car seats met certain standards but I didn’t realize that car seats like Britax actually exceed the minimum standards to increase safety for your babies. See some behind the scenes video at the Britax Youtube Channel.
Did you know the United States doesn’t have any minimum requirements for testing side-impact crashes. Britax uses an intensive testing program that is based on European testing criteria for side-impact safety. Their Head Safety Technology helps stabilize an infant’s body to minimize injuries in case of a car accident. I think the fact that they are holding themselves and their car seats to higher-than-necessary standards speaks volumes about the quality of their products.
Other features I really appreciate SEEM like smaller things but are genius things that I thought, “Oh now THAT is smart.” There’s a protector in front of the center buckle, for example. A simple, small thing, but have you ever pinched your baby’s thigh in the car seat buckle? I swear I’ve done that at least once to every child.
The other super genius thing – you can adjust the harness straps WITHOUT having to take the entire thing apart. Because yeah – who likes to do that? *crickets* See? No one. I’m always petrified I’m going to string them back together to wrong way and it’s a huge hassle besides. This system allows you to skippity-do-dah change it and go along.
Genius I tell you. See the bright red arrows? Yep, that’s how serious it is.
September at Untrained Housewife is all about making wise decisions now to prepare and improve your family’s safety and well-being. Having a great car seat is an important way to do that.
Check out more on the Britax Facebook Page.
Safety matters when it comes to car seats. I want one that will protect my child. And Britax convertible car seats have so many safety features — and knowing that makes me feel like my child is safe while in the car. Click here to learn more about Britax safety features.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Britax. The opinions and text are 100% mine.
You have no idea how much time and energy I put into researching for Luke’s convertible seat. I wanted something with high safety ratings that would take us from out of the infant seat, all the way to booster. There are a lot of them out there, but they don’t have great ratings. This one was new and rated well on tests. But, it’s a pain in the neck to move from one car to another, it’s hard to buckle and un-buckle the kid and that pinching thing? I hate it.
I can’t even tell you how amazing these little features are.
The weight of the 5pt harness
I really loved being able to adjust the shoulder straps without unwrapping them. I’m always so afraid I won’t be able to restrap them correctly.
I look for weight limit and side impact protection
I like to see how they rated in impact studies and safety ratings. I also looks for easy of use and wash-ability. This sounds like one GREAT seat!
I look for side impact and safety harness!
Side impact technology, 5 point harness, and also the weight limit of the car seat
the boulevard is our favorite seat. Little is now 4, and still sits in it comfortably
LATCH system
I look for ease of installation because I constantly worry that I may not have done it correctly. I also look for impact protection and check to see if its suitable for air travel.
side impact, easy install! thanks
Safety and comfort 🙂
Easy install is a big must for me. Side impact protection is a huge safety feature I look for.
I always look for side impact, 5 point harness, latch system, comfort/padding. This car seat has me sold! Big fan of Britax products.
the weight limit and weight of the 5pt harness
I look for side impact protection and comfort for my little ones.
Safety and easy to install. We LOVE Britax carseats at our house. LOVE!
I look for the 5 point harness and I love to read the crash ratings and reviews on the carseats
I look for the weight limits and side protection!
I look for a seat that can be rear facing as long as possible.
5 pt harness, highest rated seats by other moms, and weight limit. Also, prefer seats that have a higher rear facing weight limit.
I’m always looking into safety ratings. The convertible options and higher weight limit are really appealing as well, that it will work for my baby as long as possible!
5 pt harness of course and while it’s not a safety feature, I like ones that are easy to use so I can feel more comfortable about getting it right!
5 point harness
I look for weight limits and no recalls on the product!
I look for higher rear/forward facing height limits, strap covers, head wings and an easy one hand harness adjustment.
Baby Sister just had a new one. This would be nice to share with her!
I like to look at the weight limits and the impact testing. I also want it to be comfortable for my LO!
I look for a Britax car seat… sorry, but it’s the truth. Britax is my favorite car seat as far as safety is concerned.
high crash test ratings
I look for ease of installation so that I know I did it right! If it’s not installed right, then it isn’t safe.
Love Britax!
I look for ease of install and longevity of use. I also look for high forward facing and rear facing limits.
For a convertible car seat, I look first at the weight limit forward and rear facing, shell height, and harness height.
We take a look at the side impact features.
I look for ease of install and nice limits for RF
Side impact safety and a 5-point harness for sure.
Thanks for hosting and making this giveaway open to Canadians.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
I look for weight limits, safety ratings, side impact features.
side impact protection!
This could really come in handy for us in the near future!
I always look for the best safety ratings. Britax is also extra comfortable.
Easy to Install, side impact protection, weight limits. This looks like an awesome car seat. Thank you so much for the chance to win one!
For a convertible seat, I look at the weight limits (rear and forward facing), height of the shell and harness, side impact protection and ease of installation. We used only Britax with our two older girls, and with another baby on the way now, we’re excited about the “next gen” of Britax car seats!
I have just begun the search for a car seat as I am just now 19 weeks pregnant with my first little one. Being a newly wed it would be amazing to win a free car seat- especially one with such good ratings. I want to make sure that I get a car seat that has an easy instillation (I don’t want to put it in wrong!), has has a high rating on impact testing, and weight limits are important as well. Mostly, I just want the very best for my little one and Britax certainly looks to be high on my list! Thanks for the chance to win this great looking car seat!
I look for the 5 pt harness, height and weight standards, and impact crash testings. Considering I am due any day now with boy #2, this Britax sure would come in handy- fingers crossed!
All seats in the US come with a 5 point harness so that’s good but I also like a no thread harness, easy adjust at the front (for the straps), and high 5-point harness levels so I can keep my older children safely harnessed.
Side impact protection is very important and I am so impressed with how well the Britax car seat addresses this concern.
i look for a high weight limit on the latch.
I would love to give this to my grandchild.
I look for side impact protection and high weight/height limits so I can rearface for as long as possible.
safety wise we look for side impact. We also look for long term use carseats.. We have to have double of everything, so knowing that we can use something for more than a year or so makes it that much more economical and important to us!
Come on big money no whammies
I look for a seat that it easy to install and fit my child comfortably yet snugly
We look for high RFing weight and height limits
We look for side impact and the rear facing weight and height limits. Thank you!
I look for the obvious 5 point harness but also high weight limits to fit larger kids and one that is easy to install safely and of course high safety ratings.
I look for a high rear facing limit and ease of install.
After a car accident with my then 5 month old (We were both fine, I made out with a broken finger and a few scars…my little was unharmed but lots of terrifying cries), I was not about to skimp on the next car seat I was to purchase (my daughter was not in a Britax during crash). Britax simply had the best safety ratings and I will not use any other brand from here on out! I love that they are able to last as my children grow!
Safety reviews and A LOT of testing.
I look for good side impact protection and a five point harness.
My convertible carseat choices were based mostly on getting the highest rear-facing limits.
5 point harness and side safety(:
love the weight from 5 – 70 lbs that’s great!
the safety features are first and foremost – then comfort and ease of use for my child
I look for the safest, most comfortable looking seat within our budget. Britax has a great reputation.
I look for overall brand reliability first!
I look for side impact protection.
I look for the five-point safety harness.
I look for great side impact protection and a good five point harness.
Side impact is very important
I look for proper weight and height requirements for both my boys!
I look for a quality 5 point harness that rates well in crash tests. I also look for extra head protection.
I look for head support.