We choose Diono for extended rear facing car seats

This post about extended rear facing car seat safety is brought to you by Diono. I received product in exchange for this post. 

I know waking up on Monday morning to a rear facing car seats public safety announcement by yours truly isn’t what you’d expected. But here I am!

Because if there’s two things I’m pretty passionate about when it comes to early parenting it’s breastfeeding and car seats. Perhaps because they’re two topics that raise the most questions and have the most misconceptions.

For instance, despite so many warnings and articles about baby’s injured or dying from car seats perched atop shopping carts… I continue to see car seats precariously balanced atop shopping carts!! Unbelievable, right?

And… despite the 2011 rear-facing recommendations from the AAP to keep kids rear facing up to the limits of the car seat, I still hear parents say they turned their kids around simply because, “My kid didn’t like looking backwards.” Okay, okay, everyone makes their own choices but… I need more to go on than my 20-month-old’s preferences when it comes to safety.

Recently, we installed the Diono Radian^®RXT car seat, which I was really excited to try out for so many reasons.

First, the steel alloy frame is unmatched for safety – the main reason I’ve wanted a Diono for years!

The steel frame is, I think, what makes this car seat have a ten year “shelf life” – twice that of other car seats. 

And three? The Diono goes from infant to booster for up to 120 pounds!

Our oldest son is 4, which means, his car seat expires in just ONE YEAR. He’ll need at least a booster for years to come, and so will his brother. Yet I’m going to have to THROW AWAY a huge piece of equipment in a year!!! Such a waste!

With our Diono, I get supreme safety, complete versatility, and long-lasting value… all in one! Here’s how each child fits in the Diono Radian RXT:

But back to extended rear-facing car seats.

I think it’s true that a rear-facing car seat isn’t the most convenient position for loading or managing kids – but I’m not going to compromise on safety for the sake of convenience.

There is one aspect where the Diono adds convenience to rear facing car seats more than others we’ve used. The Radian®RXT has a low-sitting profile, so it’ll be easier for him to just climb aboard as he gets a bit older. (And, I even find it easier to hand him toys and snacks when I’m in the passenger seat – previously, I struggled to reach around the high sides to hand him things).

And the Radian®RXT has a detachable base especially for rear-facing the seat at the proper recline angle. Plus, a foam pad accessory to aid in supporting the seat in the case of sharply pitched seats in the car.

Of course, I have to mention the other features of the Radian®RXT that I love:

• Fits 3 across in a mid-sized vehicle – since we’re not sure we’re done having kids, this could be a really benefit for our family!
• SuperLATCH makes installation easy (oh boy, and I’m queen of not knowing how to install car seats so I need this!).
• Expandable sides and long seat bottom provide proper leg support (remember my post about the Tripp Trapp high chair? I learned a lot about proper seating from that product, so I was glad to hear this about the Radian®RXT).
• SafeStop – patented, energy absorbing harness to reduce forces on head, neck and chest in case of accident.
• Super smooth and easy to use five point harness – I haven’t had the catching and twisting issues with the straps that I’ve experienced with some seats.
• Side impact protection that meets the widely accepted German standard set by the ADAC (Europe’s larges auto club). Frankly, being part German myself and knowing the quality products made in Germany, that works for me. In fact, the Radian®RXT exceeds US standards as well.

A car seat is one of the most expensive (and important!) items you’ll buy as a new parent.

Diono car seats are definitely in the pricier range when it comes to car seats. Yet, consider how you could go through two to three seats or boosters for ONE CHILD, and then repeat the buying process for additional kids. I think the higher price, but longer life of Diono seats make these a worthwhile purchase many times over.

And there’s really no price I can put on having my child in one of the safest car seats I’ve ever tried.

Purchase the Diono Radian RXT on Amazon! (Affiliate link).

This is a partnered post with Diono. I received a review product in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.