I bought my daughter (22 mos) a high end seat that stays in the X. I use a "Vinyl Car Seat Protector" ($10 @ wally world) to help reduce any possible damage. It does absorb some of the pressure and now I will remove it once in a while for cleaning and leave it out until it is needed again to reduce any stretching. I plan on keeping the X until she and the others is out of the nest, so I want it to look good for a long time. "Thanks for the heads up". BTW, I love the teather, it is a welcomed improvement. I don't remember having a car seat as a child, I think I sat between my parents because I remember always looking at the ash tray. It was like the stone age compared to what is available or required today.