How to Properly Secure Baby in Nuna Rava

(Last Updated On: October 20, 2021)

We've reviewed Nuna'south Pipa rear facing only car seat, spent some fourth dimension with their AACE booster seat, and waited anxiously to review the newest seat to their lineup, the RAVA convertible car seat. We finally got to see it at the Kidz in Motion CPS conference in Orlando, Florida. The CSFTL team were so excited to see it at the Kidz In Movement conference, we ran all the way over to the Nuna tables!

The RAVA's styling is sleek and modernistic with very dainty touches from meridian to bottom. The seat has  mod styling and sleek lines along with some unique ease of employ and rubber features.

CSFTL Quick Stats

• Rear facing weight range: 5-50 pounds
• Rear facing height range:  less than 49 inches tall
• Forward facing weight range: 25-65 pounds
• Forward facing tiptop range: less than 49 inches alpine (Manual suggests rear facing to 2 years old)
• Lowest harness position: seven inches with insert
• Highest harness position: 17 inches
• Lower anchor weight limit: 35 pounds rear facing, 40 pounds frontwards facing
• Crash replacement: confirm in your Rava's transmission, contact the manufacturer directly to confirm

Measurements

• Shell elevation: 25 inches
• Width at widest signal: 19 inches, 17 inches wide at the seat pan
• Seat pan depth: xiii inches without calf support, 16 inches with support extended
• Multiple buckle positions – iii inches with insert, four.v inches without insert, vi inches greatest altitude
• Seat weight: 27.two pounds

Features

• Expiration: 10 years
• Reinforced belt path compartment
• Truthful Tension installation system
• No-rethread harness with 10 positions
• Smooth recline mechanism with multiple positions for rear facing and forwards facing
• Calf support for rear and frontwards facing
• Push-on lower ballast connectors
• Ventilation channels in encompass for air period
• Flip-up flexible cup holders for ease of use and cleaning
• Steel reinforced frame

Features

Padding and Comprehend

Nuna RAVA has lots of padding for smaller babies and newborns

The RAVA has a soft comprehend and a very padded infant insert. This insert is quite thick and should be very supportive for smaller passengers, and includes a newborn wedge for babies who weigh less than xi pounds.

Nuna RAVA newborn wedge offers back up for smaller babies

Nuna RAVA caput insert

There is a head cushion insert with sturdy plastic "arms" on the dorsum to assistance it stay in place. There are corresponding spots on the headrest cover for them to go into.

Nuna RAVA with snaps under the cover for ease of employ

The comprehend is cushy and comfortable, and feels like it will hold up well to years of use. It is removable for easy washing, with step by step instructions for removal and care found in the back of the manual. The seat pad easily pulls out and folds to access the True Tension doors, and it secures dorsum into place with heavy duty metal snaps.

Truthful Tension Belt Path

Nuna RAVA True Tension doors

Installing the RAVA is as simple equally moving the padding to reveal the True Tension door, opening it, routing the belt through the path, buckling, tightening and locking the chugalug, and and so closing the door. Reveal, open, buckle, pull tight and lock, then shut. That's it!

While installation with the lower anchors is allowed, the vehicle seat belt is the preferred method for installing the RAVA.

There are two very visible notices included with the packaging stating as much; one in the rear facing belt path and 1 with the manual, which is an awesome fashion to get that info parents and caregivers! Kudos, Nuna, on that thought!

EPS Foam and SIP Pods

The RAVA has an EPS foam layer within, and SIP (Side Bear upon Protection) Pods on the outside of the seat. Both of these features are designed to enhance safety. The  EPS foam is at that place to help blot energy during a crash.

On the outside of the seat, the SIP Pods extend to provide bear on protection. The SIP pods pull out and tin can pop back in and should only be used on the side of the seat that's side by side to a vehicle door.  The SIP pods should not be extended when the RAVA is installed in a center seating position.   At the moment, the transmission is a bit fuzzy on this upshot.  We've confirmed with Nuna that updated manuals should include some boosted clarification on the prohibition of SIP pod use in the middle seating position.

Laid Back Legroom

Nuna RAVA laid back legroom

The RAVA also has laid back legroom calf expansion.  This extension console offers up to ii″ of extra back up for rear facing riders, and is usable for forwards facing children as well. Painful leg dangling is a primary complaint of forrard facing children, so nosotros're pleased that Nuna offers this actress back up.

Forward facing, the calf expansion is a little less supportive than nosotros'd adopt, only it offers a decent amount of extra leg room for rear facing kiddos.

Recline Settings

Nuna RAVA recline machinery

The RAVA has a total of 10 recline settings.

Adjusting the recline takes very little try. Push button the button on the base, and glide the seat itself through i of the five rear facing or five forward facing settings earlier installing. With such a large recline range, RAVA can be reclined enough for a newborn, but also install actually upright for older rear facing kids.

Nuna RAVA near reclined and most upright for rear facing

Here's a comparison of the most reclined and well-nigh upright angles for forward facing. Fully reclined in the captain's chair of my van, in that location was a bit of a gap backside the seat.  I confirmed with a Nuna rep that the gap was acceptable.  A deep recline may be good for children who need more back up.

Nuna RAVA at its about reclined and upright for frontwards facing mode

The RAVA can be incredibly compact in rear facing mode. This is in the 3rd row of my Honda Odyssey with the second row captain's chair all the style dorsum!

The RAVA's base may make a newborn recline on sloped vehicle seats a challenge.   A newborn ride in a properly reclined car seat, generally around 45 degrees.

Lack of Recline Indicator

Nuna RAVA upright in the third row

Most automobile seats have a level line or level indicator of some sort, merely the RAVA does non, letting the caregiver make up one's mind the recline angle based upon the comfort of the child.

No Rethread Harness

Nuna RAVA harness adjustment button

The harness adjuster at the tiptop of the headrest slides easily to arrange the setting upwards or down with i hand.

Cupholders

Nuna RAVA cup holder in storage position

Cupholders can exist a parent's dream come up true! At to the lowest degree, they're my dream come up truthful!

The RAVA comes out of the box with the cup holders closed over the rear facing belt path. They'll need to be flipped up for rear facing installation, just can exist left folded for storage or removed completely. Stowing or removing the cup holders can offer more space for three beyond or side by side setups.

Nuna RAVA cup holder

The cupholders are flexible and flip inside out for cleaning. They're besides dishwasher safe.

Buckle Tongue Storage Pockets

Nuna RAVA buckle tongue holder

Keeping all of the parts of the buckle out of the way when buckling your little can be a task in and of itself. The RAVA has buckle pockets which hold the buckle tongues off to each side until y'all're fix to buckle baby. What a useful feature!

Crotch Buckle Adjustment

Nuna RAVA crotch buckle adjustment

The crotch buckle adjusts hands to accommodate children of unlike sizes. Directions are listed correct on the buckle every bit well equally in the manual. Push the grayness slice and slide it to movement the buckle from one position to the other. Make sure to also motion the buckle to the respective slot in the cover. The inner slot is required for babies using the insert in rear facing way.

Labels

Nuna RAVA labels

Labels may seem seem trivial, simply so much information is listed on the labels adorning the sides of your car seat.

Nuna RAVA labels with piece of cake to understand data

Nuna RAVA warning and information labels

These labels include everything from installation information and methods, to seat elevation and weight limits, and more! Labels can be distracting but the RAVA's labels are all tucked away in relevant locations on the seat.

Notation almost Cupholders and the Rear Facing Belt Path

Nuna RAVA cupholders blocking the rear facing belt path

The cupholders adhere to the meridian of the rear facing belt path.  To install the RAVA rear facing, those handy cupholders need to be moved out of the way.

Nuna RAVA cupholders no longer blocking the rear facing belt path

Just flip them upward so they're out of the manner while you're installing the car seat.  But delight note that the first few times you do this, it requires slightly more force that seems reasonable.  Flip them back down once the seat is installed if you don't desire to use them, or leave them up and they're set up to hold treasures.

Note about Harness Covers

Nuna RAVA harness pad closures

I too liked that the hook and loop closures were softer and more than flexible inside; cipher rough to scratch baby or toddler who may try to remove some of the padding.

Installation: Rear Facing

• Weight range: 5-l pounds
• Height range:  less than 49 inches or when the child'south caput is above the meridian of headrest
• Crotch buckle position: 1st or 2nd slot (1st slot is required when the insert is used)
• Lower Anchors: 35 pound child weight limit

Installation with Vehicle Seat Belt

Nuna RAVA rear facing vehicle seat belt install

Vehicle seat chugalug installation with the RAVA is a breeze. Afterwards the seat pad is unsnapped and pulled frontwards, the Truthful Tension door is opened, and so the chugalug is routed through the True Tension Door locking compartment. After that, but pull the belt tight, lock it, and shut the compartment.

The installation is a very quick process and the event installations feel very secure with piffling endeavour. If you're installing with a lap/shoulder chugalug, the vehicle seat belt must be locked during installation, before the panel is closed. Unsure how your belts lock? Learn more than in our Lock Information technology Up commodity! Vehicle seat belts that don't lock will require a locking clip.

Make sure that the lower anchor connectors are securely stowed in their compartments just under the rear facing belt path when not in use.

Nuna RAVA rear facing belt path

The Nuna RAVA has five recline positions for rear facing, and a clear level window on the side of the seat. Setting it to the proper recline is a slice of cake.  Bob, the Nuna representative at the 2022 Kidz In Motion conference, said that the recline adjustment mechanism was "polish similar buttah" and nosotros concord with him!

Nuna RAVA lower anchors rear facing

The lower anchors are stowed in large compartments within the seat's rear facing True Tension door. Open both doors, then motion the lower anchor connectors from the rear facing belt path/storage surface area to the chugalug path. There is a lot of room within for storing the lower anchors when they're non being used. The compartment is speedily accessible and easy to open.

Nuna RAVA push button lower anchors

The RAVA includes premium lower anchors. Nuna permits the use of lower anchors in any vehicle allowed spacing for lower ballast usage. Attach the lower ballast connectors, pull tight, close the True Tension door, and you're done! To release the lower anchors, just push the red button on the connector.

Fit to Kid

Rear Facing

The RAVA features a no-rethread harness adjustment system and is designed to exist easy plenty to do ane handed.  Adjusting it for multiple children should be effortless, and I did and then for my iii models and Huggable Images doll inside a few moments. A hefty insert with wedge for newborns really helps smaller babies get a amend fit.

Newborn Doll

Nuna RAVA: Huggable Images Newborn, 7 pounds, 19 inches

Our newborn model is a Huggable Images doll, and she's 7 pounds and nineteen inches long. She gets a neat fit with the newborn wedge. It has to exist removed at 11 pounds, which is in the manual but is also on the wedge itself.  In addition to the wedge and insert, the head insert is very supportive and stays in place nicely since there are holes in the cover of the headrest to proceed it from moving effectually.

All of the optional comfort padding on the crotch buckle and harness tin go on baby snug and secure, but removing them may besides assist meliorate the fit for some smaller babies. In the photo beneath, I've removed one of the harness covers to show that the harness is definitely properly positioned on our newborn doll.

Nuna RAVA: Huggable Images Newborn, seven pounds, xix inches

In the manual, Nuna suggests that parents and caregivers may find that removing some of the harness pads tin can help to improve fit. I didn't find that necessary, just someone with an actual newborn may.
Huggable Images dolls are a great option for CPSTs and other educators.

I was able to accomplish a deep recline for our newborn in the RAVA in my Honda Odyssey, but information technology may exist possible that the RAVA could install as well upright in some vehicles for newborns or younger babies. If there is a business organization with recline when the RAVA is at its about reclined setting, parents can try to movement the seat to another position in the car, and failing that, nosotros'd suggest that caregivers discuss the installation with a CPST or direct with Nuna.

two Years Old

Nuna RAVA 2 years old

As y'all tin meet, our two year old model is quite comfortable in the seat, and so much so that she couldn't exist bothered to wake up for her photo shoot!

3 Years Onetime

Nuna RAVA 3 years sometime

Our 2 year old model from above is nevertheless riding comfortably in her RAVA!  She's at present 3 years former, weighs 28 pounds, and is 36 inches tall.  She'south still got some room to grow in this seat, she's likely to ride in information technology rear facing for some time yet.

4.5 Years Old

Nuna RAVA four.5 years onetime

This happy model is also 4.v years old.  He weighs 39 pounds and is 43 inches tall.  He finds the seat quite cushiony and comfy.  The wide range of recline options take helped him stay comfortable in the seat as he's grown.

Installation: Forwards Facing

• Weight range: 25-65 pounds
• Historic period range: suggested 2 years and upward
• Tiptop range: less than 49 inches
• Crotch buckle position: either position allowed

Lower Anchors

Nuna RAVA forrad facing lower anchor installation

The RAVA  has a twoscore pounds frontwards facing lower anchor limit. Using the lower anchors is easy, and is similar to installing the seat in rear facing mode. The separate belt compartments are clearly marked in different colors to avoid confusion. When switching the lower anchor connectors from 1 mode to some other, simply slide them up or down to the next path.

In gild to move the lower anchors to frontwards facing fashion, open up both True Tension doors and move the strap upward from the rear facing belt path to the forward facing chugalug path. Switching it from ane belt path to the other is more time consuming than simply threading the vehicle seat belt. It will probably be easier for most caregivers to use the vehicle seat belt.

Installation with the Vehicle Seat Belt

Nuna RAVA forward facing belt path

RAVA'due south seat pad flips upward to reveal both Truthful Tension doors, then one needn't wrestle the belt though a small belt path. Merely open the compartment, road the belt through, buckle and lock the belt, and so close the door. Easy peasy!

Nuna RAVA forward facing with vehicle chugalug

My but business was the "convenience push button" on my vehicle'southward seat belt, which ended upward right under the door. I contacted the Nuna representative, who bodacious me that the placement was fine as long every bit the door closed. The door closed securely, even with the button in the belt path.

To release the tether anchor from the seat'south storage spot more easily, Nuna recommends reclining the seat and so attempting to loosen the tether anchor strap. This was a actually helpful tip.

Fit to Child

3 Years One-time

Nuna RAVA 3 years old

Our 3 year quondam model weighs 33 pounds and is 38 inches tall.  She's got some room to grow nonetheless and is comfortable in the seat.

Nuna RAVA calf support

The RAVA includes an optional calf support that helped her legs dangle less.

Important Information: Where to Find

Nuna RAVA manual storage

Manual Storage: Right out of the box, the RAVA manual is fastened to the seat in a plastic bag. Go along it! Make full out the product information bill of fare and mail service it back to Nuna, while y'all're thinking well-nigh it. Returning the registration card is important because the manufacturer of the seat volition accept your information on file in the consequence of a rubber notice or recall. For easy storage, the manual slips into a compartment on the back of the seat, an easily identifiable transmission icon right on the seat.

Nuna RAVA appointment of manufacture, and FAA Blessing labels

FAA Blessing Label: The RAVA's FAA blessing label is located on the bottom of the seat and has an easily identifiable aeroplane icon right on the characterization.  We know that it is safest for the youngest travelers to fly securely in their machine seats. Want to learn more? We take an extensive travel annal here at CSFTL!

Engagement of Manufacture Characterization: RAVA has a 10 twelvemonth expiration; this data is found in the manual on page three and it is besides on the seat itself.

Tether Storage

Nuna RAVA tether ballast storage

The tether anchor stores neatly on the back of the seat. The storage location is marked with the aforementioned tether anchor icon that is on vehicle seats. The extra length of webbingis folded and bound with a padded encompass similar to the harness comfort pads. Remove and shop this padding before using the top tether.

Final Thoughts

There are so many things to like about the Nuna RAVA, it'southward difficult to option out just one or two. The summit limit and weight limit for rear facing brand it a solid choice. This seat could be a great option for newborns and rear facing toddlers, though it may exist a challenge to install the RAVA reclined enough for newborns in vehicles with a steep seat slope. The 17 inch top harness height may non be tall enough to last all children until they're booster ready, but it should do the job for most.

The RAVA's range of recline angles hateful it tin exist installed in tight situations. The True Tension doors make quick work of installation, and having big purple notices explaining why vehicle seat belt installation is preferred is going to be very useful for parents and caregivers. The leg extension is useful for rear facing children, but seems to fall short in forward facing way. Betwixt the plush encompass, the sleek styling, the articulate labels, and the ease of use, we notice that the RAVA has a lot to offer.

Originally written by Laurel, all edits maintained by CSFTL.

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Source: https://csftl.org/nuna-rava-review/

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