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Safety 1st Continuum Review (2023): A Cheaper, Downscaled Version of the Grow and Go

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Safety 1st Continuum Review

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In our Safety 1st Continuum review, we look at this affordable convertible car seat that’s basically a cheaper version of Safety 1st’s Grow and Go with lower height and weight limits.

Here’s a quick rundown of the Continuum’s features:

  • The Safety 1st Continuum is a convertible car seat that provides parents with three different options. Each option is designed for children of different ages, weights and heights. If the child weighs between five and 40 pounds, the rear-facing option is ideal. The forward-facing option was created for toddlers between 22 and 50 pounds. Older children should be placed in the booster, which is for children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds.
  • The Continuum is equipped with protection for side impacts to protect the child in the event of a collision. The harness holder ensures the harness remains in an open position to make certain the parents can remove the child from the car seat easily.
  • This model includes a quick-fit harness for adjusting both the headrest and harness easily and quickly with just one step. It’s a well-padded seat, and its pricing will fit the budget of the majority of parents

Now let’s jump into the details!

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Quick Navigation
Safety 1st Continuum Overview
Safety 1st Continuum Video Overview 
Safety 1st Continuum Specs
Safety 1st Continuum Features
Who is the Safety 1st Continuum Most Suitable For?
What is Included with the Safety 1st Continuum?
Pros and Cons of the Safety 1st Continuum
Safety 1st Continuum Installation
Safety 1st Continuum Manual
Safety 1st Continuum vs Cosco Easy Elite
Safety 1st Continuum Review by Apex Review
The Final Word

Safety 1st Continuum Overview

Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (Hollyhock)

The Continuum provides parents with three different seating modes to ensure the car seat grows with the child, which reduces the expense of replacing the car seat as your child grows. The Continuum is appropriate for infants weighing just five pounds provided the comfort pillow is used. The forward and rear-facing options, and the booster seat will carry the child through until a weight of 80 pounds is reached.

The car seat has a seat pad parents can remove and wash in a washing machine whenever dirty. The cup holder is removable for washing, and is placed where the child can reach drinks easily. Since the weight of the car seat is only 12.5 pounds, parents should not experience any difficulties removing or carrying the Safety 1st Continuum.

Expiration

  • The Safety 1st Continuum lasts for 10 years if Manufacture Date after December 14, 2013 and 6 years if prior to December 14, 2013.
  • Where to find expiration date on Safety 1st Continuum? You can find the expiration date by looking at the sticker on the back of the seat.

Safety 1st Continuum Video Overview 

Safety 1st Continuum Specs

  • Rear-facing mode accommodates children between five and 40 pounds
  • Height range for the rear-facing mode is between 19 and 40 inches
  • Forward-facing mode accommodates children between 22 and 50 pounds
  • Height range for the forward-facing mode is between 29 and 45 inches
  • High back booster accommodates children 40 and 80 pounds
  • Height range for the high back booster is between 43 and 52 inches
  • Lowest harness position when the insert is used is six inches
  • Highest harness position is 16.5 inches
  • Highest position for the booster guide is 18.5 inches
  • Maximum weight for the lower anchor is 40 pounds
  • Widest point of the shell is 18.5 inches
  • Height of the shell is 26 inches
  • Depth of the seat pan is 12 inches
  • Weight of the car seat is 12.5 pounds
  • The car seat does not expire for 10 years
  • Three reclining positions
  • Cup holder is dishwasher safe and removable
  • Car seat is certified by the FAA for airplane use with a five-point harness
  • Three different buckle positions for the crotch
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Safety 1st Continuum Features

Safety Features

  • The Safety 1st Continuum is equipped with side impact protection in the event of a side-impact collision. The car seat either exceeds or meets all standards set for federal safety. The car seat provides the child with excellent protection.
  • A lumbar pillow is included with the car seat. This provides the child with both safety and comfort.

Convertible Car Seat Features

  • The rear-facing mode is for children between five and 40 pounds. The height range for this mode is between 19 and 40 inches, but the ears of the child must be over the top of the headrest for safety. The buckle positions for the crotch in this mode are the number one or two slots.
  • The forward-facing mode is for children between 22 and 50 pounds, with a minimum age of two. The height range is between 29 and 45 inches, but the ears of the child must be over the top of the headrest for safety. The buckle positions for the crotch in this mode are the number one, two and three slots.
  • The booster mode is for children between 40 and 80 pounds, with a minimum age of four. The height range is between 43 and 52 inches.

Design Features

  • The car seat includes one cup holder. The placement ensures the child can reach a drink easily.
  • The design of the car seat not only provides the child with comfort, but the other passengers as well. When in the rear-facing mode, the car seat requires less room. This provides the adults sitting in the front with an additional seven inches of legroom.

Installation Features

  • When the seat pad of the Continuum is unsnapped, the forward-facing belt path is revealed. This offers parents extremely easy access to the seat belt. Parents can install the car seat easily simply by moving the cover out of their way.
  • The installation of the latch is simple and straightforward. When the latch connectors are not being used, the car seat has an area for safe storage.
  • The weight limit for the lower anchors is 40 pounds, The belt path in the rear-facing mode is easily accessed because the cover is removable. This means installing the car seat for the rear-facing position with the lower anchors is easy. The webbing for the anchors is pulled in an upward direction while pushing down on the seat pan. Parents will not need to use much effort to achieve the correct installation.
  • Only 32 inches are required to install the Continuum in a fully reclined position from back to front. This position is ideal for younger children unable to sit up straight by themselves. In a more upright position, only 31 inches are required.
  • The recline indicator is located on both sides of the Safety 1st Continuum, and labeled with an easy to see red line. If the child is unable to sit up straight without assistance, the red line must be parallel to the floor of the vehicle.
  • The car seat is equipped with a no-rethread harness. The only position this is not available for is the bottom slot. This slot is six inches, and meant for the smallest of infants. To set up the car seat for a small infant, the harness must be undone, then rethreaded using the lowest of the slots. The harness is then placed through the red plastic piece located behind the back of the child. The final step is placing the harness through the cover's slot holes. There are two different sets of loops on the harness. The no-rethread harness uses the larger slot, while the smaller slot is used for the lowest harness. A label has been placed on the seatback to remind parents the harness must be threaded above the metal bar.

Usage Features

  • The cover includes snaps for easy removal. The harness straps do not need to be removed to take off the cover. Parents can place the cover safely in a washing machine and dryer. Each piece of the cover should be washed separately on the gentle cycle using cold water. Bleach is not safe to use with the cover. The cover should be dried using low heat.
  • The QuickFit Harness is included with the Continuum. The design offers more security for the child because just one step is necessary for adjusting both the headrest and harness.
  • The Safety 1st Continuum has received FAA approval for airplane travel with a five-point harness. The harness is required because the seat belts on airplanes do not have a should belt. This means when in the booster mode, the car seat is not approved for airline use.

Who is the Safety 1st Continuum Most Suitable For?

Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (Hollyhock)

The car seat is suitable for children up to 80 pounds. Infants between five and 40 pounds are secure in the rear-facing mode. The comfort pillow is required for very small infants. In the forward-facing position, toddlers between 22 and 50 pounds are protected. Older children between 40 and 80 pounds are suited for the booster mode. The body pillow insert must be used for small infants and newborns, with the headrest in the lowest position.

What is Included with the Safety 1st Continuum?

The car seat includes one removable cup holder, a comfort pillow, and a removable and washable seat pad. The manufacturer offers optional accessories sold separately.

Pros and Cons of the Safety 1st Continuum

Pros

  • The three different modes accommodate a wide range of ages
  • Harness height is easily adjustable
  • Cupholder is dishwasher safe and removable
  • The Continuum installs easily
  • Harness holders ensure the straps do not interfere with unloading or loading
  • The car seat is priced to fit almost every budget
  • Car seat is fairly narrow
  • The Continuum is made in the United States
  • When in booster mode, there is no need to remove the harness
  • Cover can be removed easily for washing

Cons

  • When in booster mode, the latch cannot be used
  • The straps on the harness are a little too close together
  • Setting up the slot setting for the lowest harness can be difficult
  • No covers are included for the harness strap
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Safety 1st Continuum Installation

An installation video for the Continuum below:

Safety 1st Continuum Manual

Links for the manufacturer's manual are available at:

Click to download Safety 1st Continuum manual here.

Click to download Safety 1st Continuum Image manual here.

Safety 1st Continuum vs Cosco Easy Elite

Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (Hollyhock)

VS

Both the Safety 1st Continuum and Costco Easy Elite are convertible car seats with three different modes for children between five and 80 pounds. The weight limit for the rear-facing mode in both models is five to 40 pounds. Both models provide two options for the forward-facing mode. The first is for children between 22 and 50 pounds. The second is the booster for children between 40 and 80 pounds.

The Easy Elite weighs just 14 pounds to make the car seat easy to switch between vehicles. The Continuum is just 12.5 pounds, making transporting the car seat even easier. Both seats offer comfort due to the padding. Children will be comfortable sitting in either one. The padding on the headrest for the Continuum is slightly more extensive than the Easy Elite.

Older children will be comfortable in the booster mode provided the weight and height ranges are met. The cover for both models can be removed and are safe for a washing machine and dryer. Both models offer removable cup holders. The Continuum provides one cup holder, the Easy Elite two. The Continuum is easier for parents to install. The fit of the Safety 1st Continuum car seat is snug against the vehicle seat.

Keep in mind that some parents report that the Cosco Easy Elite has a tendency to wiggle even when installed correctly.

Safety 1st Continuum Review by Apex Review

The Final Word

High-quality convertible seats at a reasonable price are hard to find. The Safety 1st Continuum is a 3-in-1 that transitions from a rear-facing to forward-facing and then a highback booster car seat.

The ease of installation comes in every mode. When forward-facing, you use the lower anchors to secure the convertible car seat. You can use your vehicle seat belt, too. The Continuum does require a rolled towel when you adjust the rear-facing recline. The Continuum convertible seat does have a unique shape that might make installation harder.

Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (Hollyhock)

Safety 1st Continuum (click image for more info)

If you are looking for an easy to use convertible car seat, the Continuum 3-in-1 might be for you. The harness is easy to adjust from the front of the seat and does not require you to rethread it. The crotch strap is simple to tighten, too. However, in booster mode, the shoulder belt might slip out of the guide.

Parents with smaller than average-sized kids benefit from the Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 because of its lower height and weight limits. It is also affordable and comfortable to use on a daily basis.

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