Now that my little guy is turning one, it's time to upgrade his infant car seat since it only accommodates a baby up to 30 inches tall. Like most moms, safety is my absolute first thought when it comes to selecting a car seat, but space is also an issue. I own a small SUV so I was looking for something compact but with extended rear facing capabilities - that's when I found the Combi Coccoro.
I was sent the Combi Coccoro in "Carrot Cake" to review:
Weighing in at only 11 pounds, the Combi Coccoro is a lightweight and compact car seat that was designed to fit perfectly into smaller vehicles. It's just over 15 inches wide so it's even possible to fit 3 Coccoro seats across the rear seat of a vehicle. The Coccoro accommodates children rear facing from 3 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 1 year and 20 to 40 pounds, and those whose height is 40 inches or less. It's available in 5 fun colors (chestnut, key lime, carrot cake, licorice, and cherry pie). I chose Carrot Cake and I love it. The fabric is a two tone, waffle weave and the seat is cushioned for baby's comfort. There are even shoulder belt retainers (little loops on the sides of the seat to hold the shoulder harness straps out of the way) so you can get your child in and out of the seat easier! Just a note, the waffle weave fabric does tend to get small "pulls" in it if your little one wears a lot of velcro shoes.
The Combi Coccoro comes with two removable inserts so you can customize the seat to fit your child's needs. There is an infant headrest in coordinating waffle weave fabric with ties on the back that slip into the harness slots so you can adjust it upwards or downwards depending on your little one's height. There is also a "Mommy's Lap" insert that must be used for children less than 25 pounds to ensure proper harness fit. You should discontinue the use of these inserts when your child's shoulders are above the top shoulder strap slots when forward facing, or the shoulder straps become too short to fit your child.
The Coccoro features a five point harness with a Tru-Safe® puzzle buckle for safety. All elements must be aligned in order for the buckle to lock into place. There is also a great color indicator that lets you know that you're baby is safely buckled into the seat.
The shoulder straps feature harness pads for baby's comfort. These harness pads may be a little long (depending on the age and height of your little one) but they are completely removable just by unthreading the straps and sliding the pads off. I love having these pads since they are provided and approved by the manufacturer. I haven't been using strap covers with my infant seat and the straps often cut into my little guys tender neck leaving red marks.
Speaking of unthreading the shoulder straps, here is a look at the back of the seat:
There is an access panel (harness cover) on the back of the seat that easily slips on and off to expose the metal harness plate. This access panel also has great instructional photos of how the rear-facing shoulder belt should be positioned if you're using that instead of the LATCH system. Once you have exposed the metal harness plates, the straps can easily be adjusted by un-looping them, then threading them through the harness slots that are appropriate for the size of your baby. There are four harness slots on the Coccoro. They are positioned at 9 inches, 11 inches, 13 inches, and 15 inches up the seat back.
The bottom two harness slots are to be used when your child is rear facing ONLY. The top two slots can be used either rear or forward facing. You can see in the photos above that the seat back measures about 22 inches high, the width is just over 15 inches and the seat is 12 inches deep. Adjusting the harness straps once they're in the appropriate slots couldn't be easier. To loosen, just push down on the button (that's hidden below the seat padding) and pull the straps outward. To tighten, just pull the harness strap adjuster outward with one hand. There is even a great little button on the end of the strap so it stays neatly in place. With my previous seat, the adjuster strap just hung free and my little one would often grab ahold of it and suck/gnaw on it, which was a bit gross.
Let's switch gears and talk more about the Coccoro's safety features and installation. Per Combi, the Coccoro features "Tru-Safe® side impact protection with deep side walls and a layer of energy-absorbing foam to distribute crash forces away from your child’s head, neck and spine." This seat does not have a base, so once it's installed in your car you'll most likely want to leave it there. That means you'll have to transport your child instead of the car seat - this may be important to some people, especially in those first several months of infancy. The seat can be installed using the LATCH system or your vehicle's seat belt. The instruction manual goes into great detail about how to install this car seat and there are even pictures on the seat itself about installation. Combi makes it even easier for you by color coding the photos and components for installation (blue for rear facing and red for forward facing). The Coccoro features rear-facing and forward-facing Lock-Offs to provide a tight installation.
The LATCH system on the Coccoro consists of a lower anchor belt with push-on connectors and a top tether strap that has a tether hook. The LATCH straps for the Coccoro's lower anchor belt are housed in a hidden pocket along the side of the seat. They feature premium push-button LATCH connectors for safety and convenience.
The top tether connector strap allows for rear-face tethering (to stabilize the seat in case of a collision) if your vehicle has anchors installed. This tether is housed in a pocket, at the top of the seat back. This pocket also stores your instruction manual so you'll always have it handy.
Here is a photo of my little guy in the seat prior to installation. You can see that he looks happy and comfy. I thought he might be too big for the "Mommy's Lap" insert (which must be used until your child is 25 pounds), but you can see in the photo that he fits in the seat perfectly. He's almost 12 months old, 30 inches tall and 23 pounds 8 ounces in these photos.
I tried to install the Combi Coccoro myself, using the LATCH system in the center of the backseat of my SUV, but wasn't able to secure it properly. I couldn't get the LATCH belt tight enough and when I touched the back of the car seat it rocked forward really easily, even with a rolled towel in place at the front of the seat. I contacted my local fire station and met with the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who helped me to install the Coccoro properly. Turns out, I cannot use the LATCH system in the center of the back seat of my vehicle because the lower anchors are too far apart. Thank goodness I brought it to the fire station and found this out! We discussed moving the seat to the either one of the sides and using the LATCH system versus using the safety belt in the middle of the seat. We agreed to use the safety belt in the center of the seat since that is the safest place for a baby to be seated. She walked me through the whole installation process and we were able to get the seat in position with the assistance of a rolled towel placed under the front of the seat to help with the alignment.
Overall, I'm happy with the Combi Coccoro. My little guy seems very content and has much more room in this seat compared to his previous infant seat (please note that in these photos he's still using the infant insert. Shortly after these photos he reached 25 pounds and I removed the infant insert and he had much more room). The lack of base for this seat might be a deal-breaker for some parents. If you have a small baby that falls asleep in the car often, just know that you'll have to take them out of the seat since they seat is designed to remain in the car. I also didn't feel like I had the greatest installation due to the way the bottom of the seat is designed with a curvature. I do feel like we have plenty of room for growth since it accommodates children up to 40 inches and 40 pounds and while the Coccoro won't take you all the way through childhood, it's a good seat for those looking to buy only one seat for the first 3-4 years of your child's life.
UPDATE:Now that I've reviewed quite a few convertible seats, I just wanted to add that this seat is very, very lightweight. For me personally, I'm used to heavily reinforced seats weighing 25-35 pounds so this one feels a bit too light. I do think this would be a good seat to travel with.
Buy it: You can purchase the Combi Coccoro on Amazon.
Disclosure: I received this product free of charge to facilitate this post. No other form of compensation was received.
Christine says
I'd like the Twin Savvy E - Babies R Us Exclusive
Laura Miller says
I like the Combi High Chair!
an unexpected turn says
the cattalyst stroller! but i love the cherry pie cco!
Desiree Tatro says
I am loving the Combi Coccoro. I also love the Combi Cabria.
Lori says
I like the all in one activity walker
tlpayne says
the Combi High Chair
Jennifer McClearn says
The rock and roll walker looks like so much fun!
Sarah B. says
I would probably get the Licorice Combi Coccoro. That would be perfect in my small car!
KeriLynn says
I would love the Combi Coccoro!! I have a mid-sized sedan with soon to be 3 kids, I have 2 in high back boosters and will have one infant so I need something compact and I love that it has extended rear facing.
Green Mama says
I have always wanted one of these. My toddler and baby could use it 🙂
Green Mama says
I also entered the hip dad t-shirt and BG Freetime giveaway, we need more aplix in our stash. Daddy friendly aplix!
Kenzi K says
I would like to try the The Combi High Chair!
Shayna Dimmick says
Would love the chopsticks training set. My older 2 have been trying SO hard to use chopsticks like mommy does!
caseyrusso says
honestly, the combi cocorro that you're featuring is just what i need!
puffpastryshop says
I also love the Combi Catalyst stroller
Jen says
Their modular stroller!
Leah Koch says
I need the Twin Cosmo stroller! With a 2 yr old and one coming- the double stroller is gonna be a must in my house!!
RochelleL says
I like the kobuk booster also. Thanks for the chance!
Ashley Jayne Leonard says
I def want this carseat!!
Roxanne Doyle says
I would LOVE the catalyst stroller! I love how versatile it is.
Kaitie Dipert says
I would love the Combi Catalyst stroller. So cool!
Nikki says
I love the pod bouncer! So cute
likes2shopalot (Jessica) says
Love that color!! The Coccoro is such a neat seat!
Mindy says
Rock n roll walker
Sandra Wallace says
I love the collors of the car seats!!
Debdad says
I'd love the Cosmo E.
BlondMommy says
I love Combi!
Janae says
I really like the car seats!
dailymom says
I love the pod bouncer
A. Truckenmiller says
I like the twin cosmo stroller
nlevin says
i like the coccoro and the pod bouncer!
ablackwell221 says
I would love to have the coccoro! It is an amazing car seat!!!
Laurie Skiles says
I LOVE the mobile entertainers but I NEED the carseat 🙂 They have some really wonderful products 🙂
Elizabeth B. says
I would LOVE to have this seat! I also really like the Twin Cosmo stroller 🙂
Angel Lima says
I would love to have a coccoro seat for my child. She's a tiny girl for her age and know this would be with us for a while. Love that it is so safe and compact as well.
Brewer Family says
I love the twin savv e stroller!
Sarah Spjut says
The catalyst stroller!
Nicole Rogers says
I like the Combi Pod Bouncer. I especially like how it has an MP3 input!
Just Dani says
I Like the orange Cocoooro the best, and the Pod bouncer second.
Carol Headford says
I love the 3 n 1 stroller and the bouncers. They are super functional and cute at the same time.
Natalie says
Love the Po Bouncer - so cute!
Maribel says
I also like the catalyst stroller is faboulus
Alta says
The pod bouncer is adorable, I love the catalyst stroller and the coccoro car seat, of course. 🙂
amanda medrano says
Concoro carseat or catalystic stroller
Sarah says
I'd love to have the catalyst stroller!
Unknown says
The Catalyst Stroller looks amazing!
The Mama says
This is a lovely seat but marketing it as one for "extended" rear facing seems disingenous. Looking at your just one year old in it, it seems quite unlikely that he will make it until 2, which is the bare minimum reccomendation. I think it is a great replacement for the bucket, or a good option in a small car, with the understanding that you will need another seat before you forward
Thrifty Nifty Mommy says
My daughter is over 3 years old and she could still fit into this seat rear-facing. Sure children may grow out of it around the 2 year old mark, but others will continue to fit. I'd be happy to own this seat for either of my kids.
The Mama says
On the topic of the giveaway, I would love a Coccoro car seat. 🙂
Amy Martin says
The coccoro actually is my favorite product of theirs
Unknown says
My family recently expanded from three to four, and when I was preparing for the birth of my son, I figured I'd reuse everything from my almost-three year old daughter. Naturally, her big stroller that accommodates the car seat came out of the garage, got a wash, and became his. We'd been using a smaller, more portable stroller that doesn't work for infants for her for quite some time
Aurezalia says
Honestly, I'd love a Shuttle or a Coccoro!
Marian says
My granddaughter will be giving us our first Great Granddaughter this fall!! So of course she needs EVERYTHING and the car seat would be the best ever!!
Please please enter my for a chance for baby Naomi
Elizabeth Pyo says
I like the Catalyst!
courtney k says
love the catalyst
eem311 says
I'd love the Cabria or Cosmo stroller~
rebecca says
The rock and roll walker looks awesome!
Rhian says
I love the Adventure Walker
Laurel Frock says
I'd love to win this! 😀
Tegan says
I like the Combi High Chair
Michelle says
I'm a fan of the Coccoro seat!
Deanne Adams says
I like the look of the Combi travel systems, but am really dying to try the Combi Coccoro seat. I have been drooling over it since it came out on the market, I just don't have the cash to buy one!
lana says
the combi high chair
Michelle Lee says
I like the Combi Twin stroller.
Ashley-Raye says
I like the Combi Catalyst stroller.
Michele P. says
I like their all in one activity walkers
Tanaya says
I'd like the Shuttle® Infant Car Seat and its base.
Daniannieb says
Besides the Coccoro the other Combi item I like is the Shuttle infant seat.
Jessica Schank Snow says
I love the black Cabria® stroller.
Thanks for the giveaway! =)
[email protected]
AStarrA says
The Cabria stroller
Jennifer Rodriguez says
I would love this carseat, but I also like the catalyst stroller.
AshBoh4 says
I would really just love to have this car seat in any color! It looks fantastic and would really come in handy when our baby arrives this fall.
Mer says
I love the pod bouncer - how cute!
rmo210 says
I also like the Modular Stroller.
Rose O.
rmo210 at sbcglobal dot net
Leah Golland says
love their strollers-- especially the catalyst & the cambria
Tj and Amy says
I would love the combi high chair. [email protected]
Tiffany Schmidt says
The Catalyst Stroller looks awesome!
Amy Gyure says
I like the Cosmo E - Babies R Us Exclusive Stroller
Michele R. says
Other than this car seat- super cute colors! I'd like to have the high chair for my second son due in September.
Angela Anzhelika Yeremenko says
I love the Catalyst stroller.
TMM30 says
I would love to have the Adventure Walker!
Anastasia says
Would love the Catalyst modular stroller! Looks awesome!
Jennifer T. says
I'd love to have The Combi High Chair.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Karina says
I'd love the catalyst stroller.
Nicole says
I would love to have the Catalyst stroller. Thanks for the chance to win!
EVA LEPE says
I like the Combi high Chair!
Stephanie Phelps says
I would also love to have the Catalyst®
Sarah says
This car seat!
Jennifer H says
the cabria
Cassandra Eastman says
I would also love to try the Combi High Chair! This car seat looks really neat, thanks for the review!
Carolyn says
I'd love the 3-in-1 modular stroller
Sarah Hayes says
id like to have the Kobuk Air-Thru
alena says
I like the all in one activity walker
marcia goss says
I'd like to have the Cabria Stroller.
[email protected]
Sarah PSMomReviews says
I'd like one of everything, please. LOL. I do really like the Shuttle® Infant Car Seat too. I like the higher weight for rear-facing, which our current car seat does not do.
[email protected]
Laurie Skiles says
Keeping my fingers crossed on this one! We could really use the carseat 🙂 Good luck everyone!
Kat says
I like the combi high chair
Becca says
Rebecca Xavier: I like the pod bouncer.
Kristi McDowell says
I like the all in one activity walker!
Sam says
Aside from this seat, which is so awesome looking, I'd love the Adventure walker and the Catalyst stroller in black.
Tammie Pyrzewski says
Catalyst Stroller is an awesome stroller. Id like that.
Kristin756 says
I would totally choose this seat. I just borrowed one for a visiting family member and fell in love with how compact it is!!
Karis says
I want to try the Pod Bouncer!
Betty Wojnar says
I love the twin cosmo stroller
Catherine says
The Catalyst stroller looks great too!
Beanybopp says
The Catalyst® stroller
Emily says
I would kill for this carseat!! I love them, they are adorable and have great ratings.
Michelle Lee says
I'd love the Catalyst stroller too.
Tiffany says
rock n roll walker
Jan Lee says
I'd like to get the Combi High Chair for my niece... and for myself I'd love to get the Chopsticks Training Set lol
Kelly Mills says
I am most interested in the carseat.
Bethany @FluffyBabyShop says
I like the twin cosmo and the corocco seats! Hoping for baby #2!
Stephanie Larison says
I like the Catalyst®!
trajanous says
The Cabria stroller
Linda says
I like the Cosmo stroller.
novascotia32 says
I really like these car seats!
Caron B says
I would love the Catalyst stroller.
Truly says
i would love the catalyst stroller!
wigget says
would love to have the Kobuk Air-Thru
Kelly Marie says
I'd love the stroller pack!
Kate says
I'd love to have the rock n roll walker.
Heidi Cameron says
Combi High Chair for sure!!!
Sarah says
The rock n roll rocker is super cute.
Bonnie M. says
Another combi product that I would love to have would have to be the twin cosmo stroller! I have a one year old n I'm due with baby #2 in 2 weeks. This stroller would be a life saver!
Liz Bushen says
I love everything but the Pod Bouncer is adorable!
Lexi says
i would love to have the green corroco infant car seat
brich2222 says
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE The Combi High Chair
Shay says
SHERRIE C. ON RAFFLECOPTER
I like the All-in-One Activity Walker in pink
callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
Melissa says
Oh man I REALLY REALLY REALLY want a coccoro!
Vonnie Bailey says
Love the high chair.
courtney says
LOVING the Cocorro!!!
Vonnie Bailey says
Love the high chair.
Elizabeth says
I love the Coccoro!
Chelsey says
I'd love to have the combi catalyst!
Neta Sivan-Shani says
the high chair
Ashley-Raye says
I would LOVE to win this! We have a plane trip coming up and this would be so much nicer than lugging our huge convertible seat on the plane! And this one is actually narrow enough to be comfortable!
LittleOneLearning says
I have heard about the Combi Coccoro on a car seat web site. It is highly reviewed. We are in dire need for an upgrade,so this would be great. Combi is known as a great company. Aside from this car seat I'd love to see the Catalyst stroller in person.
Valerie Tyler says
The combi pod bouncer looks great!
dainesh says
absolutely need this .. love the give away
Eryn Norton Moland says
The Catalyst stroller looks awesome!
Unknown says
This comment has been removed by the author.
peytonsMOM says
I would love to have the catalyst stroller!
alyssa laughlin says
All in one activity walker! That is super cute!
Jessica Stancikas says
Would love the coccoro care seat
lisamercy says
i like the combi high chair also !
Momma Bear says
I love the Twin Cosmo stroller, I'm due with baby #2 in December and my daughter turns 2 in Nov! But mostly I'd like to have the Coccoro 😉 I'm so OVER infant car seats.
Chas says
I would love any of their car seats and would love to try the shuttle!
Manisha Maertens says
Strollers Catalyst
Denise Cantu says
I like the Combi Cocorro car seat (love the colors) and would like to try the twin stroller too
Elizabeth Hernandez says
I would love a Catalyst stroller
Mihaela Day says
the The Combi High Chair
Teresa says
Love this seat (combi coccoro) and looking for one right now!
equestrian4jc says
I would love to have one of everything from the site, their products look awesome! But I really need a car seat, so I'll pick that one.
Christy Colln says
the cosmo stroller looks amazing
Michelle Heasley says
I love all their products. I would love the Kobuk Booster for my older child and the coccoro for my younger child.
MissMannah says
I would love the catalyst stroller.
Carla Mauldin says
I like the catalyst stroller.
Diana Weese says
I would love to have the catalyst stroller! It really is a beautiful stroller and it would be nice to no longer rely on a cheapie stroller. 😉 The twin cosmo is also nice and would be great if we ever get another bfp!
Diana Weese says
Would love the carseat as well! Ours is so big its hard to be able to use all three seats in the back! :/
DENISE R says
I would love the Coccoro! I've been wanting one since our toddler was born two years ago. The carrot cake color is just awesome!
Jennifer Marohn says
I like this carseat or one of the strollers.
Tutus N' Trucks says
The rock n roll walker is the cutest!!!
Hailie Jordan says
The catalyst stroller looks pretty awesome.
~*April*~ says
The high chair or stroller both look cool!
Stephanie Faulds says
Apparently this is pretty popular, but the rock n roll walker looks pretty fun! 🙂
nicolesender says
Entered your Hooligan Bear Books Giveaway that Ends 6/25 .
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
mary casper says
i would love to have the catalyst stroller
[email protected]
Michelle Knopp says
I love the 3-in-1 Rock N Roll Walker.
JRFrugalMom and Family says
I'd love to have the Combi catalyst.
Paol Trenny says
i like the Combi Cosmo stroller
Wanlily says
I'd love to have the cabria stroller!
Jennifer Clemens says
I like the 3 in 1 modular stroller!
Talia says
Other than the carseat, I'd like to try the Cosmo stroller.
momo says
I would like their Combi stroller also, it's very nice.
nicolesender says
I like the Pod Bouncer!
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
LesleyfromWI says
Rock N Roll Walker
Kari Flores says
I love there Catalyst stroller.
Rusty says
I like the Combi High Chair. rustysrambles(at)gmail(dot)com
Sully says
I like the combi high chair! 🙂
Candice says
I also like the Kobuk Air-Thru car seat for my older son
thanks
Hailie Jordan says
the cabria stroller!
clynsg says
I could also use the Combi High Chair.
AJ says
I really want a Combi high chair and love the bouncers too!
Miranda W. says
The All in 1 Activity Walker looks god too!
Bekah Kuczenski says
I would also love the pod bouncer
Gina says
I'm in the market for an extended rear-facing carseat for an "extra" for my 13 month old so this carseat looks perfect!! (plus, orange is my favorite color)
Jessie Wutzername says
Besides the Combi Coccoro Car Seat, I would love the Cabria Stroller.
Unknown says
The Combi high chair would be awesome, thanks!
Bonnie Cantrell says
Besides a new carseat I like the Pod Bouncer. My son has messed up my daughter's current bouncer... he's just too big for it.. lol
Molly Dubois says
Coccoro seat in Key Lime!
Ashley says
Cabria® Stroller!!! would love one
Maria Reyes says
I like the Conbi High Chair as well as the Coccoro carseat!
[email protected]
Rebecca009 says
LOVE the Catalyst. And I have the bouncer 😛 Love it too! <3
Kara@ Kieran Honeybee says
Love this car seat but would like it in the licorice color
Sam Stamp says
I like the Catalyst stroller!
Owlish says
I love the cherry pie and chestnut Coccoros, the Carrot cake too! The licorice is lovely though, teal Shuttle, Black Catalyst stroller, and the pod bouncer is cute.
Katy says
Their Catalyst stroller in red looks awesome! I love their contemporary designs and fun colors!
Thanks!
A Roach says
The Cabria Stroller!
[email protected]
Laurie Skiles says
WHO WON!! Can't wait to find out 😉
JEANETTE POPIEL says
I am expecting my first and the combi cocorro would be perfect for my tiny ford fiesta!!
Dida says
could you please tell me if this fits the combi cosmo stroller ?
Julie Morrow says
Thanks for doing a review on this brand. I don't know much about it, so I was happy to see you did a review on it. I especially love that there is a 'color indicator to ensure safety.' Someone was thinking on that idea!
Dorothy Boucher says
wow this looks like a real nice carseat, very comfortable and safe for the little one.. great review :0 @tisonlyme143
Marcia Lee says
Thank you for your review of the Combi Coccoro Car Seat. My son and our daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby and I have been helping by researching car seats. The Coccoro has a lot of safety features that I like, especially the 5 point harness and the adjustable shoulder straps. I will be sharing what I have learned with my son.
karen a says
wow that's a beautiful car seat and looks super comfortable !
Maribel Bolanos says
Omg it's great i love it and i want it. 🙂
Sara Gillispie says
Love my Combi!
Suzanne Michele says
I've been wondering about this seat and the space between the front seat and the car seat when the front seat is all the way back.