who uses them?
I have heard that you cannot get your seat inspected if that's in there. but I also don't want to ruin the leather seats in the car!
I'm almost tempted to put it under the seat base later on once we know how to properly install the car seat, but that makes me feel like a bad mom, too.
what did you do?
persimmon / 1205 posts
Oh, I didn't realize they weren't allowed! I had planned on using one too.
persimmon / 1134 posts
We have one and the inspector didn't say anything about it. Why aren't they allowed?
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@jennylynn: @chrispygal: phew! I felt like people were going to think i was horrible for even asking! someone told me that they interfere with the warranty because it's supposed to be seat and base, or something like that. I also heard that using things like the snuzzler or JJ cole bundleme voids the warranty in a crash. but wouldn't they not be able to sell those things if that were the case? if it could cause harm?
papaya / 10560 posts
interesting! we got a seat protector but are getting a car seat soon. the car seat i registered for comes with a removable muff. i also have a snuzzler, but am using it mainly in my stroller. i guess it's something to look into?
bananas / 9628 posts
I have bad news, your leather seats will not come out of this baby driving thing unscathed:( maybe if you traded your car in every year or two or if you didn't leave it installed when it wasn't in use, or you didn't have it super tight, but I think it's rare for them to look exactly the same. I've had at least one carseat installed on my leather seats (in three cars now) for the past 9 years... They've never been the same.
My mom does carseat installations at safety checkpoints, so I have her install them for me, she puts nonskid drawer liner under the seats- it kind of looks like a thin foam mesh. It helps to prevent shifting of the seat and provides a tiny bit of protection for the leather. Some seats have a more violent footprint on your car than others, some leather/seat shapes are more forgiving than others (I found the regular three across back seats got more damage than my captains chairs).
Most seat protectors are frowned upon, but I saw britax makes some now, so maybe since they are made by the carseat manufacturer they might tested them in conjunction with their seats, but I'm not sure if that is considered a carseat accessory that they'd test or a car accessory that they wouldn't. I also saw britax is making mirrors which shocked me as those are frowned upon as well. Maybe get one from whomever makes your brand of carseat if they make them & bring it with you when you have your carseat installed to see it the tech approves or not. You could always return them after if it's a no go.
Trashing your seats sucks, but try to think of it a small price to pay for keeping precious cargo safe:)
papaya / 10560 posts
interesting. @mrsbird now i am wondering (only because i don't know), does everyone use a base with their car seat? can you even use a car seat without a base? i'm using with a base...but i don't know if that is standard practice or not.
bananas / 9628 posts
@lydg: if it comes with the seat or is approved by the carseat manufacturer it's fine. The big thing is that you don't want to add any extra padding between baby & the harness or seatback because it would compress during a crash allowing extra space leaving the baby improperly restrained. Think of it like those things by the nature of their padding require the straps to be too loose. Your muff probably just goes over the baby & not lining the seat like a bundleme or snuzzler would. And the ones that come in the box with your seat have been crash tested with the seat & been approved as safe. Hope that helped!
bananas / 9628 posts
@lydg: infant bucket seats have a base that stays in the car, convertible seats don't usually have a base as the whole thing stays in the car as a unit. Most infant bucket seats can be used without a base in a pinch, but you are less likely to get an ideal installation when you are doing it that way. I would be comfortable doing in a rental car or a cab or if my parents were babysitting, rare occasions, but for me I wouldn't feel confident that I had a LO secure enough if I were doing it each time I ran in a store. They have to be crash tested without the base and meet safety standards to be approved to use without the base, but using the base is convenient & reliable, so that would be my choice. Most people use their infant bucket seats this way.
persimmon / 1341 posts
@mrs. bird: Wait, why are mirrors frowned upon? I'm learning so much here...and thinking I might need to change up my registry. :S
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@eeh: i think because they can be a projectile in a crash. i registered for one that latches into the 'latch' system and is super lightweight.
papaya / 10560 posts
ah! car seats freak me out, i don't want to do anything the wrong way! i was reading on the carseatlady the other night and it is mind boggling how much information is out there just on car seats. i am hoping we get rid of my civic soon because it has no side airbags and a "hump" in the middle of the back--god forbid anything ever goes wrong.
we registered for the chicco keyfit 30 and base that comes with it.
nectarine / 2274 posts
I just got my car inspected at our local police dept on Wednesday. I had the Lionheart carseat protectors with the Orbit Baby infant carseat. I was informed that carseat protectors are considered unsafe because they don't go through the same rigorous crashseat safety test. I have leather seats too, but have decided to return the seat protectors just to be on the safe side. The also informed me not to buy any additional accessories like mirror for the back because they would be a source of impact to the baby if you were in a car accident.
grapefruit / 4400 posts
I have an inspection today and I'll be taking off my mirror and dangly cloth rattles from the handle of the carseat... then putting them back on afterwards.
Mother of the Year award, right here.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@HabesBabe: hah, don't feel bad - I'll probably do the same thing.!
grapefruit / 4400 posts
@sorrycharlie: The inspector said that mirrors are more of a distraction than anything (she wasn't too concerned about it becoming a projectile in a crash). And our base was too tight w/ the seatbelt, so it was leaning on one side. But now we're good to go!
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
@HabesBabe: LOL. I'd do the same thing.
We didn't have a carseat inspection at all!
We use the Prince Lionheart seat protectors.
apricot / 468 posts
@sorrycharlie: I just bought one and out it in my car. I haven't gotten mine inspected but I'm pretty sure everything you put on the carseat will void the warranty! They make all this stuff but to them nothing is ok! Like other bees, I will still be using it along with other things like carseat toys...
grape / 79 posts
@Mrs. Wagon: I've heard that if the Prince Lionheart seat protectors get too hot (like if your car is out in the sun a lot) they leave stains on your seat. Has this happened to you?
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
@SusieQ: omg I've never heard that. I should go check!!! (we have grey protectors on black leather seats!!!)
nectarine / 2274 posts
@susieq: there's a note on the box that if it's out in temps over 100 degrees, it might stain your seats.
coconut / 8430 posts
Would Britax car protectors be ok with Britax car seats? It says they were crash tested and approved for use with Britax seats. http://www.britaxusa.com/accessories/vehicle-seat-protector
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