The New Class: A Trio of Car Seats That Will Change the Way Babies Ride

Car seat shopping parents usually fall into one of two categories: the super researchers who make spreadsheets and do test runs to compare their options, and those that wing it by going with the seat with the highest consumer ratings. Both shopping strategies work, but if you’re in the market for a car seat, add these three newbies to your must-check-out list. From reclining options to one that holds a whopping 85 pounds, these are completely changing the car seat game as we know it.

Photo: SimpleParenting

The Transformer
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…If you thought Super Man was some-kind-of-amazing, check out the Doona Car-Seat Stroller. The ultimate travel companion, this infant carrier comes with attached wheels that can be pulled down to instantly create a full-size stroller.

Other cool features: The Doona’s double wall structure, which help its wheels to fold into itself, also work to provide an extra layer of impact-absorbing protection for your bambino.

Available at mbeans.com in April 2015, $499

Photo: Maxi Cosi

The Heavy Lifter
Post infant car seat you could cycle through a few more seats—a travel system, a convertible, a booster, —before kiddo is out of the car seat completely. Or you could invest in the Maxi Cosi Pria 85, which is the only car seat that carries little ones from 14 pounds all the way up to 85 pounds. FYI, some 10 year olds don’t even weigh 85 pounds!

Other cool features: Rejoice mamas and papas, the headrest and harness on this seat adjust without rethreading.

Available at amazon.com
$299

Photo: Maxi-Cosi via Facebook

The Recliner
It’s always a toss up—leave a sleeping baby in his infant car seat when you get home, or try (ever so delicately) to transfer him to his crib? The decision is much easier to make with the Cybex Cloud Q Infant Car Seat. Basically, it’s an infant car seat that reclines completely (Lay-Z-Boy style) when it is in a stroller or on the floor. Enough said.

Other cool features: This car seat/carry cot comes in the coolest colors—Autumn Gold, True Blue, Moon Dust, Black Beauty, and Grape Juice (with upgraded fabrics available in True Blue, Autumn Gold, and Black Beauty).

Available at cybex-online.com in April 2015, $399

Check out the Cybex Aton 2 Infant Car Seat on amazon.com, $299.95.

What car seat did/do you have in mind for your bundle? Tell us in the Comments section below.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady