Thank you Maxi-Cosi for sponsoring this post. Keep your little adventurers comfy, safe & stylish with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat!

We’ve been through our fair share of car seats. I know that may sound a bit silly but when you have a child who cannot stand the car, no matter how short or long the trip is, you do everything in your power to find the right car seat fit for them.

And that was Ava and has always been Ava. She’s never liked the car. I’m talking about screaming tantrums every time we buckle her in, kicking, fighting to get out and screaming for hours on long road trips.

I think we’ve finally made it out of that stage but there are a couple of things I want to pass on to new moms who may be experiencing the same thing, in hopes of you finding the perfect car seat for you...hopefully on the first try.

6 Things to look for when car seat shopping, beyond safety:

1. Long-Term Use:

Don’t end up like us, buying far too many car seats before finding the perfect fit for us. You want a car seat that can last from the newborn stage all the way through childhood. Not all car seats allow for that but the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Maxis a new 5-in-1 convertible car seat that accommodates children from birth to age 10 (5lbs. to 120lbs.) The Magellan™ Max easily transitions between five modes of use: Baby Rear-Facing, Toddler Rear-Facing, Toddler Forward-Facing, Child Forward-Facing, and Belt Positioning Booster. The Magellan™ Max is the only convertible car seat equipped with Maxi-Cosi’s patented Adjustable Side Impact Protection, which creates a customized fit for all growth stages and ensures maximum protection in the proper position.

2. Comfort:

It’s really as simple as feeling the car seat. Is it comfortable? Would you want to sit in it? I’ve felt a lot of car seats in stores that are hard as a rock and heck, if I wouldn’t want to sit in there, then I’m sure my child wouldn’t either. So literally FEEL the car seat and the comfort it provides on all sides.

3. Fabric

The first summer we had Ava, we’d blast the AC on every drive and even if it was freezing inside the car, we’d pick her up and her entire back would be covered in sweat. Of course this made her uncomfortable! So look for breathable fabrics, like a moisture-wicking fabric.

4. Cup Holders

I know this may sound silly but this is a life saver. It enables Ava to have her sippy cup with water, ensuring I don’t have to turn around to hand it to her and risk safe-driving. And you guessed it -- not all car seats out there have cup holders!

5. Washable

Car seats get gross -- like really gross. I don’t even understand how it happens but it does. Crumbs, spills, blowouts, pee pee accidents…. you name it! You WILL have to wash your car seat at one point or another and this tip is going to save you a whole lot of time and frustration.

Find a car seat that you don’t have to re-thread -- something that comes off easily, is machine washable and you can throw back on within a minute Just trust me on this. As with every Maxi-Cosi car seat, the Magellan™ Max has been designed with comfort and style in mind, incorporating premium fabrics that are machine washable, while providing a contemporary, yet timeless look.

6. Child Proof

I’ve seen so many posts and photos and videos of kids getting out of their car seats. I’ve seen parents having to duct tape their kids in to prevent them from escaping while driving. Kids are smarter than we expect them to be and it happens! The Magellan™ Max provides even more convenience, equipped with premium features including an EZ Out harness system to keep straps and the crotch buckle from getting caught and bunched under your child. Paired perfectly with the ClipQuik auto-magnetic chest clip, parents can open it quickly with just one hand—making it easy for parents but hard for kids to unbuckle.

So there you have it, my 6 tips for car seat shopping. Do your research and I promise, it’ll save you a whole lot of time and hassle in the long run. And you can thank me later :)

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (ARV $399.99 each) can be found at: Albee Baby, Nordstrom, and Buy Buy Baby and other specialty retailers.