Does your baby like riding in the car?

My baby doesn’t.

In fact, I’m a law-abiding girl, but there have been several instances where I’ve been tempted to take my baby out of the car seat while my husband is driving. She tends to cry when we strap her in her car seat and all I want to do is pull her right to my heart. I never do, of course…because her safety is much more important than a few tears as we travel from here-to-there. But it still stinks to go anywhere in the car when your baby is opposed to the experience.

britax roundabout convertible car seat Does your baby like riding in the car?Lately, however, riding in the car has been much better, thanks to our new Britax Roundabout convertible car seat ($179.99). The compact seat is narrower than most so it’s ideal for vehicles with limited rear-seat space. We have a Toyota Camry (such a reliable car, by the way…drives like a dream) and space is definitely an important consideration with two car seats in the back.

The seat is suitable for babies 5-40 pounds so this is an investment that will last you for the long haul. It’s simply silly to buy an infant car seat when you can just buy one that will last you through toddlerhood.

baby in convertible car seat Does your baby like riding in the car?Finally, the forward-facing recline and soft fabric padding seems to be comfortable for baby. My 10-month-old has no way to vocalize her opinion about these matters with words, but…she has been much happier in her seat since we moved her out of the evenflo infant seat we had for her older sister. I think the recline angle is much better – especially for a slightly older baby who wants to have a “drive with a view.”

The seat also has excellent safety ratings and has a solid 4.5-5 star satisfaction rating on Amazon.com.

Summary: If you’re a parent-to-be, don’t register for or buy an infant car seat. Instead, choose a safe, reliable convertible car seat in a gender-neutral color…better for baby, better for your pocketbook.

Action Shots: Here we are on our way home from Phoenix today – For about half the trip, my 10-month-old slept, my 3-year-old slept, I sort-of snoozed on-and-off, and my husband listened to 90′s light rock tunes while he drove through the blue, blue skies.

baby in britax roundabout car seat Does your baby like riding in the car? driving to phoenix Does your baby like riding in the car?

YOUR TURN: Does your baby like riding in the car? Do you have an infant or convertible car seat?

britax logo Does your baby like riding in the car?WIN IT! One winner will receive a Britax Roundabout convertible car seat ($179.99). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, January 31st at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product sample for review purposes and there is an affiliate link in this post.

*UPDATE* The winner is #106 Sarah. Congratulations!

my 3-year-old, my friend

safety 1st new carseat 2 my 3 year old, my friendEvery single time we get in the car, my almost-three-year-old tells me that the straps are too tight. But, really, they’re just as they should be. She just doesn’t like being constrained. She’s a free spirit, after all. She likes to run and leap and let the wind blow through her hair.

So, I keep the straps safe and snug – and we get on our way. She is generally quiet in the car – thoughtful, observant. But sometimes she sings or asks questions. And she gets excited when we go under tunnels or on bendy roads.

The best thing about almost three-year-olds is that you can have full conversations with them.

She and I talk. We really talk. About what to eat for lunch and how to help others and why it’s important to brush our teeth.

Her intellect often astonishes me. She picks up on so much. She teaches me something new almost every single day. Truth be told, I like hanging out with her – in the car or otherwise.

She’s funny. She’s fearless. She’s my friend.

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pTRU1 6021163reg 150x150 my 3 year old, my friend* She is riding in Safety 1st’s new Air Protect car seat. The Air Protect™ technology shields children from side impact intrusion and immediately reduces crash forces at the most critical spot: around a child’s head.  At first, I wondered if my daughter would be bothered by those massive “wings” around her head, but she didn’t say a thing. In fact, she seems to much prefer this car seat to her old one.

My husband and I also prefer it because it is narrower than most other convertible seats on the market – a good thing when you’re trying to smoosh two car seats into the backseat of a Toyota Camry.

The Air Protect car seat works in both the rear-facing and forward-facing mode for 5 lb. babies all the way up to 50 lb. preschoolers. It retails for $249.99 and is available exclusively at Babies R Us & Toys R Us. The seat is comfortable, the colors are stylish, and – most importantly – the safety ratings are high. I recommend it.

logo eng 150x56 my 3 year old, my friendWIN IT! One winner will receive a Safety 1st car pack, which includes: a See Baby Soft Mirror, a Secure View Mirror, a Soft Solution Roller Shade, a “Baby on Board” window sign, and a $25 gas gift card. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, September 6th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #17 Sara. Congratulations!