One of the most important purchases you're likely ever to make when preparing for the arrival of your first child is a car seat. Aside from the point that state laws require them (as they should), you simply need to have a car seat that will insure the safety of your most precious cargo.

So when it comes to this purchase, you're likely not to find many parents-to-be skimping on the model for the sake of saving a few bucks. If you want the best in safety, comfort, installation and options, then look no further than the Fisher Price Safe Embrace Convertible Car Seat.

Safety
The Fisher Price Safe Embrace Convertible Car Seat has what's considered the safest harness arrangement available on car seats - the 5-point harness. With this harness, your child is effectively secured in two main areas - on their chest directly underneath their armpits and in between their legs down low towards the bottom of the seat. This arrangement keeps your child securely in place, while still allowing them some freedom of music. You'll never feel like your strapping down your child in an uncomfortable position, but you'll always feel rest assured that they're safe and secure. The harness, at first, can take a little getting used to as you have to maneuver your child's arms around a little to get them in place. But after only a few tries, you'll be an expert. Of course, if you child's throwing a tantrum at the time and arching her back, you might have a little more trouble getting this chair in place, but that's a situation that's bound to happen to all, and the type of seat you have won't make much of a difference. A cupcake might help though. In addition to the 5-point harness, a tether is included for when you're setting up the seat in the forward facing position. The tether simply insures that the seat is more secured than the seat-belt attachment offers. Extra hold = extra safety.

Comfort
The harness aside, the fabric used in the Fisher Price Safe Embrace Convertible Car Seat is made of a soft and yet durable cotton blend that's padded and very comfortable. The sides are extra padded with foam to help cushion any sideway movements your child might make, and the seat has some padding as well to make long trips more comfortable. There's a very luxurious feel to the entire seat that translates nicely into top-notice comfort. Your child will appreciate it, trust me :)

Installation
Since you'll be installing your car seat in two set ups (rear facing during the first year and forward facing after that), Fisher Price has made a sometimes complicated matter far easier to handle through its use of color coding. You'll easily be able to tell which slots should be used for both set ups which is absolutely key for insuring the highest level of safety for your child. Truth be known, this is more a feature for first time parents who are struggling with the concept of installing a car seat for the first time. Once you've done it a few times, you'll be able to install one in your sleep (which I've had to do on several occasions) :)

Options
The seat comes with 3-way adjustable shoulder straps which come in handy as your child grows. The seat is rated for a child up to 50 lbs, so there's a lot of longevity in the use of this seat. In addition, the seat has steel construction (which is another safety feature), something other seats don't offer. Steel is far superior to plastic counterparts, especially in the event of an accident.

Counterpoints
As good as this seat is, be prepared to pay in excess of $100 for it. Again, price should never be a factor when your child's well being is the issue, but this seat is more expensive than many others. Also, it's a heavy chair. While that benefits it when securing it in place, it does take an effort to remove/re-install the chair from car to car. Finally, the color combinations this seat comes in are in the category of 'love them or hate them'. The blue isn't bad, but I could have done without the gold trim.

The bottom line is, for this type of seat, you're getting the best in safety that you can offer your child. You're giving them a comfortable area that allows some flexibility of movement. And you're giving them a seat that will grow and expand as they do. The Fisher Price Safe Embrace Convertible Car Seat is an all-around winner.

Thanks, as always, for reading...



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 125
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months