Do car seats confuse and even scare you a little? It seems like the rules are constantly changing, each seat and brand has their own expiration time line, and laws are different depending on the state! Truth be told, it is hard to keep up and you’re not alone in feeling this way. According to a recent study, 54% of parents feel that car seat safety industry standards are confusing. So Graco is stepping up and trying to help with their new TrueShield Technology which provides children with extra protection when out on the road. With that, I’m thrilled to share my review of their new Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat with TrueShield Technology with you today.
When our first child was nearing her first birthday almost 12 years ago, we were full of anticipation to turn her around. And we did! Our little 20#, 1 year old peanut graduated right on schedule…..or so we thought. Fast forward just a few years when our second child was hitting that first birthday milestone and, thankfully, we had done more research. Did you know that both the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) as well as the National Highway Safety Administration both recommend that each child should stay rear-facing a minimum until the age of 2, or at the time that they’ve outgrown the rear-facing restrictions on their seat? Turns out that children are five times safer when rear-facing. Just watch the difference in this video (and remember that the crash is slowed down to show the results as crashes can happen in a split second.)
Wow! The difference between the identical “12 month old” crash dummies is clear. But what if you’re thinking that most car seats won’t accommodate extended rear facing? Thankfully, that’s no longer the case as companies are recognizing the importance. Check out one of Graco’s newest options, their Extend2Fit 3 in 1 Car Seat. It’s loaded with amazing features to provide optimal comfort and safety to children starting with 4# newborns all the way up to 100# big kids! And a really great feature is that it has a 10 year life span so this is the only seat your child will ever need!
As stated, infants from birth (4#) and toddlers up to 50 pounds can rear face in the Graco Extend2Fit Car Seat. Our daughter is about 2 1/2 and we plan to rear-face her as long as possible and Graco is here to help.
But one of my biggest pet peeves with car seats is the difficulty in moving the straps to ensure the correct fit as children grow. Their size changes so fast that a no rethread harness is an absolute must for me. The Graco Extend2Fit Car Seat features their Simply Safe Adjust that allows me to just squeeze the handle and slide the harness straps up and down accordingly to get the perfect fit within seconds. {Remember- Rear facing straps should be at or slightly below the top of the shoulder while forward facing seats should have the straps at or slightly above the shoulders.}
A feature that is nice but not a big deal for me is a cup holder. Now we all know that this can actually be a deal breaker for some kids though! No worries as this seat comes equipped with integrated dual cup holders and still keeps the profile of the seat slim.
The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat can accommodate a large range of sizes and ages so they offer 6 reclining positions that are marked clearly on the sides.
Also designed with the InRight LATCH system, the no fuss – one second LATCH allows for quick and safe storage right on the seat to keep stored safely away. To use the latch, push the lever into the metal bracket that is built into most newer vehicles starting from the early 2000’s on. To release, just squeeze the red button and the LATCH system lets go. (Be sure to read the manual and adhere to the LATCH weight limits.)
When installing this seat, Graco has made it easy to make sure the seat is at the correct level when rear-facing with their easy-to-read indicator. Simply make sure the bubble is in the correct area, based on your child’s age. Light blue for 0-3 months and dark blue from 3 months and up. (NOTE: The seat was not installed when I took this photo and that’s why the bubble is not located on the dark blue line where our daughter needs it.)
Graco has rigorously tested their seat to meet or exceed all US standards and this car seat even features their TRUESHIELD Advanced Side Impact Technology which provides side impact protection for a child’s head to hips, in case of a side impact accident.
Many parents worry about how comfortable the child’s legs will be if they rear-face past a year. So Graco offers a solution with their four position extension panel. This Extend2Fit feature provides riders with an EXTRA 5 inches of leg room! So while children are perfectly safe just crossing their legs, this particular feature is helping solve that space issue thought.
To access the Extend2Fit feature, just squeeze and pull on the red handle at the front. (Note: You must adjust before the seat is installed.)
Seriously check out all the leg space she gains! She is stretching pretty hard to get her feet to touch flat to the back of the seat.
One of the biggest hindrances for us is the fact that many seats have a large rear-facing profile. So my husband and I were both thrilled to see the slim fit that the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat offered. This means that even when my husband is driving, he will have ample leg space to be comfortable as well as safer since he isn’t cramming himself behind the wheel. The seat is positioned for him (5’10”) in both photos below. Since I’m quite a bit shorter than him, there is even more space once I pull the seat up.
Overall, I am really impressed as this seat has everything we look for when car seat shopping. It has enough padding for a comfortable ride, offers all the safety features we like, and provides the long lasting durability we need with their 10 year life. It’s truly an amazing seat and our daughter loves it so much that she cries when we take her out!
Buy It: Head over to Graco Baby to see for yourself the great selection of products they offer.
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I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
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This post currently has 17 responses.
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Peggy Nunn
Car seats are so amazing now. You would be horrified at the car seats my children used. I love all the features this one has. I hope parents hold to the rule of 2 years rear facing.
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Well, when my husband and I purchased the family farm from his parents, he showed me his little brother’s old “carseat”. It was basically a seat with two hooks to hang over the seat. Basically, just a boost for the child to see and stay somewhat contained. No belts, buckles, or straps! In a crash, it would have flown right off the seat!
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That seat with the two hooks is the one I used. Times have changed.
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rebeka deleon
We have this seat for our son. I love it! not only does it go back so they can sit backwards when little but face forward and the flap makes it easy to get the seat belt through plus it makes it comfortable for the kids. 🙂
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Lauryn R
She’s getting so big!! I just love her red hair so much! 🙂 This car sear definitely sounds amazing!! I plan on upgrading my oldest two to a car seat that goes over 100lbs as well, as the ones they are in only go up to like 65lbs, I believe. I have always loved the Graco brand too. Thanks for sharing!
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hannah
it’s amazing how far car seats have come! the advances in technology, safety, and known-how is just terrific!
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Rachel C
I’m so lucky my husband is a trained carseat installer so I really depend on him knowing how to properly use all our different car seats. Otherwise I would definitely utilize those carseat clinics the fire station holds so someone could check them for me!
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Dandi D
We’ve been looking for a new car seat for my daughter, and this looks like a great one to try!
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Amber Ludwig
Love love love that its the only seat you will ever need and can extended rear face!! Talk about a super safe money saving seat option!! Fabulous!!
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Kimberly Matlack
I love this car seat. I have 5 grandsons and 2 are babies. I would feel at ease having this seat for either of them. Graco makes great products and we buy their products whenever we can.
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Michelle S
This system is wonderful! I so wish we had car seats like this when my two were little. I ended up buying 3 different as they grew up – for two cars. This one would have been such a cost savings.
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Barrie
What an amazing car seat and one I wish was available when my daughter was younger! What an amazing system to only need one. We were lucky and only needed 2 but it was still a cost!!
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ellen beck
I really like how this car seat ‘grows’ with your child. It would last much longer than other brands that only cover certain sizes or weights. One like this would be great for a not only a parent, but a grandparent to use so they dont have to worry if it is the right size. I like this design.
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gloria patterson
thanks for some great information I am looking for a car seat for my great niece and this really sound perfect
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Kayla Sheehan
I’ve heard so many good things about this seat! I love that it’s an all in one and rear faces for so long!
It’s unbelieveable how far car seats have come! I am from the old school that was told kids had to go to forward facing position at age 1.