Rear-facing with the SnugRide Click Connect 40 #GracoSafety

As a new parent 4 years ago, I was dead set on keeping Cbear rear facing for as long as possible.  Even 4 years ago there were conversations about keeping children rear-facing until 2 years of age. I remember the day I decided I would turn Cbear forward-facing. I was not happy but felt like the time had come. My car was parked outside and it was pouring. I had my 2 month old in the infant seat and I was attempting to put a 21 month old Cbear into the car. He was NOT having it. It was a fight, complete with crawling up the back side of the car and many, many tears. It was then, soaking wet, that I decided the time had come. And I felt guilty for not making it until the 2 year mark.

Fast forward more than a year, and Bbear was 18 months old. It was a sunny summer day when I decided to change him forward-facing. I was still conflicted about it, but did it anyway. I was incredibly guilty about not, at the very least, reaching the same milestone age that I had with Cbear.  I still feel like I didn’t give Bbear the same advantage of safety that I did his older brother.

So… what about baby girl? I’m dead set that we can not only make that 21 month mark I did with Cbear, but at least reach her 2nd birthday before turning her around. How do I think I can do this? Graco has introduced a new infant seat called the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 that grows with your child, helping to keep her rear-facing for the recommended 2 years.

Getting a preview of the SnugRide Click Connect 40 at an in-home party

I was fortunate enough to attend an event hosted by Mommy’s Fabulous where I was provided a new car seat to test out when she is born. I couldn’t wait to get it out of the box!

Installation was simple.  I used the latch system in my car to secure the base and then just clicked seat the seat in place.  I tend to go to a certified installation technician to make sure I have the seat installed properly, but I also like the idea of installing it myself just so I am sure I know how.

We’ve become a Graco car seat car: 2 Nautilus seats and the all new SnugRide Click Connect 40!

I’m so excited for her new ride – now all she has to do is get here!

Safety Tips to Remember

• Always remember to fill out and submit the registration paperwork for your car seat.  This is how the manufacturer will communicate any recalls regarding your seat to you.
• Keep the handle of Graco infant seats in the up position when installed in the car. The down position can compromise the fit.
• Never use hanging toys on the car seat handle, or place a mirror so you can see the baby.  These can become flying objects which can hurt your child if in an accident.
• Toddlers are more than 5 TIMES safer riding rear facing in a car seat.
• Only leave a finger space at the shoulders, retainer clip and waist. The retainer clip should be level with armpits/nipples.

About the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 Product Features

The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 – the first and only newborn to two-year infant car seat that actually grows with your baby from four pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. The car seat is designed for a parent on the go. The infant car seat can be easily removed from the base and used as a carrier when the infant is small, providing portability and convenience so you can easily move your infant in and out of the car without disturbing them.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently made the recommendation to keep all children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2. Graco set out to make this product so parents can keep infants rear facing longer while still keeping them comfortable.

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 is available at Babies “R” Us and retails for $219.99

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Graco. The opinions and text are all mine. Safety tips are those I learned while at the Graco-sponsored event.