Latest news with #JamieGrayson
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The 2025 Best for Baby Awards
Whether you are a new parent or a seasoned one, one thing is certain: raising tiny humans is hard. From navigating infant sleep schedules to trying to fit in self care, it's quite the balancing act. But shopping for baby gear doesn't have to be stressful. Sure, there are thousands of baby products on the market, but we're here to help you find the best bassinet, car seat, diaper bag, and more. Every year, Parents enlists the help of industry experts, real world testers, and our parenting pro editors to bring you our annual Best for Baby Awards. We review the latest and greatest baby gear, testing everything from bottles and bassinets to sleep sacks and swaddles. We also test products designed to help caretakers, both during pregnancy and beyond. And we do so to help parents focus on what matters most: time with their littles. To ensure Parents Best for Baby Award winners represent a large breadth of parenting experiences, we brought together an impressive panel of parenting pros to nominate, review, and—in some cases—approve of the must-have baby products of the year. Vetted by Editors. We receive hundreds of product submissions each year and all are thoughtfully considered by our team. Our editors review each product based on safety qualifications, longevity, innovation, cost, and more. We then narrow down the field to make sure our testers are only testing top-tier, age appropriate products. Tested by Parents and Judges. It's important for our products to be tested in 'the real world.' For this reason, we enlist the help of parents with children 18 months and younger. We also ask expectant parents to participate in the testing phase. And our expert judges play a crucial role, examining everything from breast pumps to car seats. Rated On the Factors That Matter Most. Our products are rated on various criteria, from safety and durability to effectiveness and ease of use. We encourage our testers to elaborate on their experience. And thoughtful and thorough feedback is a cornerstone of our testing. Have the 'Value Factor.' From buying a stroller and crib to diapers and a car seat, getting all the gear you need for baby can quickly add up. And while you certainly don't want to cut corners—especially where safety is concerned—getting the most bang for your buck is important. When reviewing products, we ask testers if they felt the product was a good value. Are Age Appropriate. Whether your little one is three or 13 months, all of the products on our list are safe and age appropriate. Our team also works very hard to match testers with products that are well-suited for their stage of development. Jamie Grayson is a dual-certified CPST in the US and Canada and baby gear expert with 20 years of experience in the juvenile industry. Jamie has headlined hundreds of parenting events across North America and reaches millions monthly through his social media content. As seen on The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Fast Company, The NY Times, BBC Global, Consumer Reports, and Forbes, Jamie sits on the board of the ABC Kids Expo. Find him on the road with Babies & Bumps and follow him at TheJamieGrayson on Instagram and at TheBabyGearGuy on TikTok. Jenna Ushkowitz is known for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang on the award-winning Fox television series, Glee. Jenna is a SAG award winner and a two-time Tony award winning producer. Her Broadway credits includeThe King & I, Spring Awakening, and Waitress. Film credits include HELLO, AGAIN; Yellow Fever; Educated; Babyface; One Night in San Diego; and most recently, Rosé All Day. Her voice was featured in the 2022 HBO MAX and Cartoonito animated musical special, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, and she currently voices Queen Ryung in Drew Barrymore's Netflix animated series, Princess Power. Jenna co-hosts the official Glee Rewatch podcast and And That's What You Really Missed on iHeartRadio, with co-star and best friend Kevin McHale. Natalie Diaz is the pied piper of twin families around the globe. She is the founder of Twiniversity and Tiny New Yorkers. She is a globally recognized parenting expert, public speaker, certified lactation counselor, child passenger safety technician, and award-winning podcaster. She's also the bestselling author of What To Do When You're Having Two and The Newborn Twins Sleep Guide. And Nat started out in the baby world after her frustrations with her twin pregnancy and delivery. As the saying goes "Be the change you wish to see in the world" and that's 100% what she did. She now reaches over 1.5 million families weekly through her website and social channels making sure that parents feel recognized, comforted, and properly educated. You can find Nat at Twiniversity on all social platforms. She's ready to help when you just let her know what you need. Michelle Pratt with Safe in the Seat is quickly becoming every overwhelmed and anxious parent's go-to resource for car seat safety. As a mom and nationally certified child passenger safety technician, her judgement-free approach is helping turn car seat confusion into straight-up confidence. Through Safe in the Seat's free car seat finder tool, online courses, helpful videos, personalized consults, and daily doses of safety tips and tricks, Michelle is empowering caregivers to keep their most precious cargo safe in the seat. Kimberly Zapata is the editor of special projects at Parents. Her parenting, health, and wellness work has been published on numerous websites, including Health, Healthline, Parade, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Oprah, The Mighty, Mic, and Vice, to name a few. She is also the founder and creator of Greater Than: Illness, an organization dedicated to empowering teens and young adults struggling with mental illness. She is also a mother of two. Grace Bastidas is the editor-in-chief of Parents. She is also a writer, on-air personality, and parenting expert. Grace regularly shares her parenting expertise in the media as a guest on CBS Mornings, Good Morning America, Kelly & Mark, TODAY, and other popular outlets. She is a skilled public speaker and has presented at events such as Colorcomm, the Start to Flourish Summit from Mother Honestly, Big City Moms, and We All Grow. She moderated a webinar with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and guest-hosted a podcast for NPR's Life Kit. In addition, Grace has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and New York, and has always been passionate about giving voice to underrepresented communities. Grace also serves as an ambassador for the Good+ Foundation, a nonprofit working to break the cycle of family poverty. Kaity Velez is the editorial director of special projects at Parents. A Brooklyn-born mom of two kids, she is a content expert, brand steward, and community builder. She's passionate about diversity and equity and cares deeply about the social emotional wellness of the generations we're raising. And their Parents. Read the original article on Parents
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
The 9 Best Toddler Car Seats To Keep Them Safe And Comfy
As babies grow into toddlers, their car seat needs change. The best toddler car seats are easy to install, comfortable and have extra features toddlers appreciate, like cupholders and leg support. Extended rear-facing is also a major plus—the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that toddlers remain rear-facing for as long as possible. In many seats, this could keep kids rear-facing for up to four years. Because it's easy to install, comfortable and allows rear-facing positioning for children up to 50 pounds, the Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One is my top pick. For older toddlers who are ready to turn around, the Chicco MyFit Zip Harness + Booster Car Seat is a comfortable forward-facing seat that converts to a booster—and an editor favorite. The best toddler car seats are easy to install and keep toddlers rear-facing for as long as ... More possible. The best toddler car seat for your family depends on a few factors, including how big your toddler is, what you plan to use the seat for and other lifestyle factors. To help narrow down the list and pick the best toddler car seats of 2025, we relied on research and our experience testing car seats. I also interviewed child passenger safety technician (CPST) and baby gear expert Jamie Grayson, as well as Gia Ramsey, a CPST and injury prevention and education outreach coordinator at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. Amazon Seat weight: 30 pounds | Seat width: 19.5 inches | Child weight range: 5 to 120 pounds | Child height range: Up to 40 inches (rear- and forward-facing harness), 44 to 63 inches (belt-positioning booster) | Rear-facing max: 49 inches or 50 pounds, whichever comes first When choosing a toddler car seat, one of the most important things to consider is the installation: You want a seat that you can confidently install correctly every time. I always find that Britax seats are easy to install. The ClickTight technology eliminates the need to tug on the seatbelt to ensure your install is tight enough, and the recline level indicators help ensure the seat is at a safe recline. Making sure your child fits correctly in this seat is easy as well with a no-rethread harness. The Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One allows for extended rear-facing (up to 50 pounds) positioning, which is the safest way for toddlers to ride. Additional safety features include a carbon steel frame and a crumple zone that absorbs energy during a crash. Though this isn't the most inexpensive seat on the list, it does convert to a booster, meaning you likely won't need to buy a new seat in a year or two. Perhaps my favorite feature: the seat has a machine-washable cover and dishwasher-safe cupholders, making it easy to clean up spills. Whether it's to hold toys, crayons or an actual drink, my toddlers always appreciate a cupholder. Amazon Seat weight: 23 pounds | Seat width: 21.5 inches | Child weight range: 4 to 120 pounds | Child height range: 1 inch below handle (rear-facing), up to 49 inches (forward-facing harness), 43 to 57 inches (highback booster and backless booster) | Rear-facing max: 1 inch below handle or 40 pounds, whichever comes first If you never want to buy another car seat again, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-In-1 is for you. From rear-facing to backless booster and everything in between, this seat could fit your toddler all the way up until they're ready to ditch car seats for good. Use the belt lock or the LATCH system to help you get the correct installation. It also has a steel-reinforced frame for added safety, and the no-rethread harness helps you adjust the seat correctly for your child. Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear editor Esther Carlstone is still using this one (in it's highback booster mode) for her 6-year-old who has used it since they were 2 years old. 'The double cupholders have been a wonderful catch-all for drinks, snacks and small toys and the cushy padded seat kept her comfortable even during a 13-hour road trip,' she says. To clean the seat, you can remove the cover without uninstalling the seat and throw the cover right in the wash (anything that makes cleaning up after a toddler easier is a plus). One major con of this seat is that it doesn't feature extended rear-facing, so you'll have to turn your toddler forward-facing once they reach 40 pounds. Amazon Seat weight: 27.2 pounds | Seat width: 17 inches | Child weight range: 5 to 65 pounds | Child height range: Up to 49 inches | Rear-facing max: 49 inches or 50 pounds, whichever comes first The Britax Poplar is one of my favorite car seats I've tried with my toddlers. It's easy to install, the padding is nice and comfy—and it's a slimmer seat. At 17 inches wide, it can fit three across in most vehicles. And although the seat is slim, it doesn't feel cramped. I use this seat with my 40-pound 3-year-old, and I really appreciate that it keeps him comfortable while still rear-facing. He never complains of feeling squished or cramped. Other features include a no-rethread harness, two dishwasher-safe cupholders and machine-washable fabric. Safety features include a carbon steel frame and Britax's proprietary technology that absorbs energy during a crash. If you're looking for even more safety features, you might want to consider the Britax Poplar S, which adds on a stability bar that helps reduce movement in the event of a crash. When compared to similarly priced toddler car seats like the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-In-1, one thing I don't like is that this seat does not convert to a booster, so you'll need to buy a booster once your child meets the forward-facing max (49 inches or 65 pounds, whichever comes first). Amazon Seat weight: 25 pounds | Seat width: 17.5 inches | Child weight range: 25 to 100 pounds | Child height range: 38 to 57 inches | Rear-facing max: N/A Once your toddler has maxed out rear-facing limits (for most seats this is around 40 or 50 pounds), they're ready for a forward-facing car seat like the Chicco MyFit Zip Harness + Booster Car Seat. It converts from a forward-facing seat to a booster and has four recline positions. Though this seat is great for older toddlers, it's not a good pick for younger toddlers who should still be rear-facing. In my experience, as toddlers get older, their messes get bigger, so I appreciate that this seat has a machine-washable backrest and cushion cover that you can easily zip off. It also includes two dishwasher-safe cupholders. Safety features include a steel frame, a rigid shell and energy absorbing foam. A no-rethread harness means adjusting the seat is simpler as your toddler grows like a weed. Deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala bought this seat for her tall, almost-3-year-old and she's still happily riding in it at nearly 7 years old now. 'She was tall enough to turn forward-facing, so I prioritized looking for a seat that was designed more for the comfort of older kids,' says Sala. 'This Chicco seat has worked beautifully. She's able to climb into it and buckle herself in. I like the lower seat height for bigger kids who don't want to climb into a baby bucket seat, too, combined with the higher weight and height maximums in booster mode, so I can keep her in it longer. Also, the headrest and harness straps have been a cinch to adjust as she gets even taller.' Amazon Seat weight: 28 pounds (including base) | Seat width: 19 inches | Child weight range: 4 to 65 pounds | Child height range: Up to 49 inches | Rear-facing max: 49 inches or 50 pounds, whichever comes first A rotating car seat allows you to buckle your toddler in one position and then turn their seat to lock it into the safest riding position. What I like most about the Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat is that it allows for extended rear-facing (up to 50 pounds) but lets you buckle your toddler while they're facing you, eliminating the acrobatics you may have to perform when you need to climb into the back seat to buckle your little one. Once they're big enough to ride forward-facing, you do need to reinstall the seat, and the rotating option does not work in this position. Safety features include a steel reinforced frame and energy absorbing foam. A five-position recline, rapid lock belt positioning and a no-rethread harness help ensure your toddler is properly secured in a correctly installed seat. Though not machine-washable, the fabric on the seat is moisture-wicking, helping to keep your child comfortable, and the seat comes with one dishwasher-safe cupholder. Note that this seat does not convert to a booster, so you'll need to purchase a new seat once your child reaches 49 inches or 65 pounds, whichever comes first. Amazon Seat weight: 19 pounds | Seat width: 19.5 inches | Child weight range: 4 to 65 pounds | Child height range: 1 inch below handle (rear-facing), 49 inches (forward-facing) | Rear-facing max: A height that's 1 inch below handle or 50 pounds, whichever comes first You don't have to splurge for a solid car seat that comes with beneficial features like cupholders and leg support. The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is a rear-facing seat that converts to a forward-facing seat (though it does not convert to a booster). This seat is also relatively lightweight at 19 pounds compared to many other of our top picks, so it's a good option if you often have to move your seat from one vehicle to another. In addition to being a good value, this seat is ideal for taller kiddos or those with long legs as it allows rear-facing up to 50 pounds with an extension panel that provides 5 inches of extra leg room. Other features include a no-rethread harness, two cupholders, and machine-washable fabrics. The seat also has a steel-reinforced frame. It's worth noting that while this is a more cost effective option, you might save some money in the long run if you opt for a slightly more expensive seat that also converts to a booster, like the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-In-1. Nordstrom Seat weight: 26.6 pounds | Seat width: 18.5 inches | Child weight range: 5 to 120 pounds | Child height range: 18 to 49 inches (rear-facing), 34 to 49 inches (forward-facing), 43 to 57 inches (booster) | Rear-facing max: 49 inches or 50 pounds, whichever comes first From plush Greenguard Gold-certified fabrics to an adjustable leg rest, the Nuna Exec is a luxurious seat for both infants and toddlers. Designed to be used from birth through the big kid years, the adjustable leg rest also adds 2.5 inches of leg room for rear-facing toddlers so they can be a bit more comfortable. The convertible seat can be installed rear- or forward-facing, and it can also be used as a booster. Other features include a no-rethread harness, washable fabric and ventilation to help keep your toddler comfortable. Safety features include an all-steel frame with a reinforced belt path, energy-absorbing foam and an anti-rebound panel. The seat allows for extended rear-facing up to 50 pounds, and it includes cupholders that toddlers love for storing trinkets and snacks. After testing this seat with my 36-pound toddler, I've found that the seat is easy to install. At 3 years old, he's still riding rear-facing and has no comfort complaints in this seat. The Exec is available in three chic colorways for parents who are looking for a more aesthetic option. Amazon Seat weight: 38 pounds | Seat width: 16.9 inches | Child weight range: 14 to 65 pounds | Child height range: 25 to 43 inches (rear-facing), 30 to 49 inches (forward-facing) | Rear-facing max: 43 inches or 50 pounds, whichever comes first As a mom to three, I know what it's like to try to install three car seats next to each other. With many standard car seats, it's not easy, nor is it fun. The Clek Foonf, however, makes it much easier with a slim profile at 16.9 inches. It's also a really solid seat with various safety features including a steel anti-rebound bar when rear-facing, crumple technology that reduces forces during a crash and energy-absorbing foam. Pay close attention to the height and weight limits on this seat to ensure you're using it correctly. The Clek Foonf allows extended rear-facing when it comes to weight (50 pounds), but the maximum height for rear-facing is 43 inches, which is a bit lower than most other seats. You'll also need to take care if you plan on using this seat again for a new baby down the road. Unless you purchase the Clek Infant Thingy, the Clek Foonf cannot be used from birth. Parents and caregivers who value clean ingredients might appreciate that some fabric versions of the seat are Greenguard Gold-certified for fewer off-gassing concerns and free of certain chemical flame retardants. You'll have to re-thread the harness when you need to make adjustments, which can be a pain, but it is made easier with the removable seat cushion. Walmart Seat weight: 10 pounds | Seat width: 17 inches | Child weight range: 5 to 40 pounds | Child height range: 29 to 43 inches | Rear-facing max: 43 inches or 40 pounds, whichever comes first When you're looking for a travel car seat, your number one priority is often portability. You'll get just that with the Cosco Scenera Next, which is only 10 pounds. It's also approved for air travel and only 17 inches wide, so it is another car seat that often fits three across in a single backseat. Though it doesn't have as many features as some of the larger and more expensive seats, it does include a dishwasher-safe cupholder and a machine-washable pad. The low price is also ideal if you'll only be using this seat for travel. You'd probably pay around the same amount—or even more—to rent from a baby gear rental company or the car company, and you don't have full access to the seat's history through a rental. While this is great for travel due to its low cost and weight, it has lower upper limits for height (43 inches) and weight (40 pounds) than many other seats, so this one is best for younger or smaller toddlers. Many toddlers will outgrow this seat around age 3. You'll also have to rethread the harness any time you need to make adjustments, but if you only use the seat once in a while, this might be less of an issue. 'I used this seat for air travel several times,' says Sala. 'I loved that it was lightweight and cheap. But the harness straps were a bit of a pain to adjust, it isn't the most plush seat and my tall kids outgrew it before they were ready for portable booster seats. It got the job done when they were very little, though.' As Sala notes, it's hard to beat the price and ease of portability with this seat. You could also consider another travel seat for your toddler, such as the Evenflo Sonus 65 convertible car seat, which Sala also used with older toddlers and preschoolers who still needed a harness car seat. At Forbes Vetted, the baby and kids gear team is made up of parents and caregivers who thoroughly test and research the products we recommend. To find the best toddler car seats, we interviewed CPSTs, conducted product research and considered our own editors' and writers' experience with car seats. Here's how we narrowed down the list to choose the top seats. When shopping for a toddler car seat, you'll want to consider the size of your toddler, which will determine whether they can sit rear-facing, forward-facing or in a booster. Here are some factors to consider while you're shopping. 'The good news is that all car seats sold in the U.S. meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), meaning they're all safe when used correctly,' says Ramsey. Beyond these general safety guidelines, other safety features you might look for include anti-rebound bars, energy absorbing foam and a steel frame. Make sure you know how to properly secure your child in their seat as well. 'For rear-facing seats, the harness should come from at or below the child's shoulders. For forward-facing, it should come from at or above the shoulders. Straps should be snug enough that you can't pinch any slack at the shoulder, and chest clips should be positioned at the armpit or nipple level,' says Ramsey. 'When selecting a seat, it's essential to match your child's height and weight with the seat's specifications. Children should remain rear-facing as long as possible—at least until age 2—but ideally until they outgrow the rear-facing limits of their seat,' says Ramsey. Toddler car seat options include convertible seats that can be used rear-facing or forward-facing, all-in-one seats that convert from a car seat to a booster, and harness to booster seats that convert from a forward-facing harness seat to a booster. According to Ramsey, convertible and all-in-one seats can be cost effective and convenient. Most seats allow toddlers to ride rear-facing until they are 49 inches and either 40 or 50 pounds. Forward-facing seats are typically designed to be used until your toddler is 49 inches or 65 pounds, whichever comes first. Check your car seat manual for exact specifications for your seat. For a car seat to be as safe as possible, you need to be able to install it correctly. 'Always read both the car seat manual and your vehicle owner's manual before installing,' says Ramsey. Many seats have features that help you get a proper installation, whether it's with the vehicle's seat belt or anchors. Look for features like Britax's ClickTight technology or Graco's belt lock-off to help with installation. 'Some of the most common mistakes we see include not locking the seatbelt properly, using both the seatbelt and lower anchors when the seat doesn't allow it, skipping the top tether or routing the seatbelt incorrectly,' says Ramsey. To make sure you have your seat installed correctly, you can find a CPST in your area. When considering installation, also think about your vehicle. Not all vehicles have LATCH anchors in every seating position, and some vehicles are more narrow inside than others. If you need to install three seats across, you'll want to opt for a slim seat. As toddlers grow and form opinions, they'll tell you about them. Many toddlers like cupholders in their seats. Other features that can be helpful include machine-washable fabrics, no-rethread harnesses and comfortable fabrics. Rotating seats can also be helpful when your toddler is rear-facing as it can make it easier to get them in and out of their seat. Most 2-year-olds are small enough to ride rear-facing, so often a convertible or all-in-one car seat is best for 2-year-olds. I recommend the Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One because it has extended rear-facing, and it converts to a booster seat, so you won't need to buy a new car seat in a year or two. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend children remain rear-facing as long as possible. That being said, switching to a toddler car seat is less about age and more about the size of your toddler. Once your child has outgrown their infant seat, they should move to a rear-facing toddler seat. For most seats, children can remain rear-facing until they're 49 inches tall or 40 to 50 pounds, whichever comes first (check your seat for specific limits). When to switch seats also depends on what type of car seat you are using. If you're already using a convertible or all-in-one car seat, you likely won't need to switch to a different seat when your baby becomes a toddler. The safest place to put a car seat for a toddler is the position in your vehicle where it can be installed correctly. Check your car seat and vehicle manuals for information on which seats in your vehicle are best. In many cases, the car seat can safely be installed in any back seat of the vehicle. If this is the case, the AAP recommends installing car seats in the middle of the back seat.
