Convertible Carseat?

[stephie1012]

i need to get something out...Britax isnt the best!!!!

okay i feel better now! There was a time when Britax was the leader in carseats but now times have changed there are soooo many great seats out there without that huge price tag!
Rearfacing is safer. You want a seat that will rearface long and have a long forward facing time. There are 3 seats that Rearface till 40lbs. The Graco Myride is around $150 and is a great option. There is another seat coming out that isnt out yet. And the sunshine kids radian seat that has a date of manufacture after sept 2008 can rearface till 40lbs.
If your not interested in rearfacing till 40lbs there are some other great seats. The evenflo triumph advance is a good option (its my fav seat and i own 2 Britax seats as wel). Its not as expensive and i love how easy it is to adjust. Right now DS is using a First Years True Fit to rearface in, hes almost 2 and about 30lbs. He has sooo much room in that seat and its sooo cushy and comfy. I prefer both those seats over the $300 britax boulevard i have.

All carseats have to past the same tests to be on the market in the US. There is no one seat safer then the others. The safest seat is one that is installed properly, fits your child properly and fits your car properly.
I recommend you going to babies r us and trying the seats out and see what you like for yourself. I do recommend staying away from any 3 in 1 seats that rearface and the graco comfor sport. The graco nautilus is a forward facing only seat.

 

[Bren's Mom]

You all might be surprised that techs no longer recommend only Britax seats as the be all end all of seats.

First a reminder to all that the BEST car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car and is used correctly 100% of the time!

Second, there are many seats that are on the market now to consider other than a Britax for a number of reasons.

One is that there are now 3 seats on the market that REAR-face to 40lbs. This is awesome since rear-facing is safer for all kids so we want to encourage parents to do it for as long as possible. Those seats are the Safety 1st Complete Air (pre-order only, not actually on the market yet so we don't know alot about it), the Graco MyRide (about $150, forward facing weight limit is 65lbs), and the Sunshine Kids Radian (they have a 65lb and an 80lb version).

Others that are easy to use and generally well-reviewed with high weight limits and nice tall shells are the First Years True Fit (35lbs rf, 65lbs ff) and the Evenflo Triumph Advance (35lbs rf, 50lbs ff). Keep in mind that most kids in a Marathon outgrow it long before they reach 65lbs. So the TF and the EFTA listed above will generally last most kids longer.

Now, Marathons are one of the easiest seats to install and they've been around a long time and are very well liked. There's nothing wrong with them, but there are certainly lots of other seats to consider.

It's a good idea to try out any seat you're considering. Try your child in it, and try it in your car.

Coleen, CPST

 

[tonilea]

We are very happy with our Graco Nautilus.

 

[Soon2B4]

We have the Eddie Bauer Deluxe convertible 3-1 car seat. I got it for my son about 2 years ago and are still very happy with it. It can be used rear facing from 5-35lbs, forward facing from 22-40lbs, AND as a BOOSTER from 40-100lbs. It saves you by only get ONE car seat.

I just purchased another for my youngest son. He is almost 3 months, but is in the 98th percentile for height and weight. I found that his feet are almost to the bottom of his Graco Snugride.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We have the Eddie Bauer Deluxe convertible 3-1 car seat. I got it for my son about 2 years ago and are still very happy with it. It can be used rear facing from 5-35lbs, forward facing from 22-40lbs, AND as a BOOSTER from 40-100lbs. It saves you by only get ONE car seat.

I just purchased another for my youngest son. He is almost 3 months, but is in the 98th percentile for height and weight. I found that his feet are almost to the bottom of his Graco Snugride.

I'm glad you're happy with your EB3in1. However, you might want to consider taking back your 2nd one and purchasing one of the longer lasting seats I mentioned above. Here's why:

Your older ds is likely to outgrow the EB by HEIGHT soon, even if he's not close to 40lbs. The seat is outgrown when you either reach the weight limit OR when their shoulders are above the top usable harness slot. These have fairly low slot heights, so outgrown first by height generally. Unfortunately, most kids outgrow the harness before they are ready for a booster. Meaning that they have great marketing but these 3in1s generally are NOT the last seat you'll ever need. If your child outgrows it next year at age 3, you will definitely not want to use it as a booster then as that would not be safe. You'll need to get a higher weight harnessing seat.

If it's possible, I'd exchange the seat for a 65lb, much taller seat mentioned above. Put your older child in that. And use the older EB for your younger son. You will likely be able to pass the 'new' seat down to your younger child in a few years when he/she is outgrowing it (or when it expires) and then your older child is likely to be ready for a booster.

 

[kathyell]

Chiming in for the Britax Marathon, especially for anyone with a little amazon child like mine. She takes after her tall dad and would have outgrown the other seats I considered when I was replacing her infant seat. The Marathon rearfaces to a much higher weight than many other convertable seats and will last forward facing to a much higher weight than many other convertables, too.

I also find the installation procedure for the Marathon to be very easy (with latch system cars especially) and the tether really keeps the seat stable, no leaning at all when the car is cornering. The straps are really easy to adjust, too. There's something to be said for the seat being easy to work with, too.

It's an outlay in the beginning (the lowest I've seen them even on sale is around $200, and more often in the $225 to $250 range) but you won't be buying another seat for a LONG time.

 

[robinb]

We have a Britax Roundabout (up to 40lbs) that DS loves but he has already practically outgrown it at age 2. I wish we had sprung for the Marathon so he would still be in it.

We also had a Britax Roundabout when my DD was younger. I loved it! She never outgrew it on height or weight. We went with a booster when she was about 4-years old.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Chiming in for the Britax Marathon, especially for anyone with a little amazon child like mine. She takes after her tall dad and would have outgrown the other seats I considered when I was replacing her infant seat. The Marathon rearfaces to a much higher weight than many other convertable seats and will last forward facing to a much higher weight than many other convertables, too.

Just to clarify for other reading; there are several seats on the market now that will last longer than a Marathon for a very tall child. I've mentioned some above.

And also, the Marathon does not rear-face to a higher weight than many other convertibles. That USED to be the case, but there are very few convertibles with less than 35lb rear-facing weight limits now, and some that have upped the rf'ing weight limit to 40lbs as I mentioned earlier. Britax is in line with most of the manufacturers at 35lbs rf'ing for most of their seats now, but not ahead of the pack any more.

 

[Soon2B4]

I'm glad you're happy with your EB3in1. However, you might want to consider taking back your 2nd one and purchasing one of the longer lasting seats I mentioned above. Here's why:

Your older ds is likely to outgrow the EB by HEIGHT soon, even if he's not close to 40lbs. The seat is outgrown when you either reach the weight limit OR when their shoulders are above the top usable harness slot. These have fairly low slot heights, so outgrown first by height generally. Unfortunately, most kids outgrow the harness before they are ready for a booster. Meaning that they have great marketing but these 3in1s generally are NOT the last seat you'll ever need. If your child outgrows it next year at age 3, you will definitely not want to use it as a booster then as that would not be safe. You'll need to get a higher weight harnessing seat.

If it's possible, I'd exchange the seat for a 65lb, much taller seat mentioned above. Put your older child in that. And use the older EB for your younger son. You will likely be able to pass the 'new' seat down to your younger child in a few years when he/she is outgrowing it (or when it expires) and then your older child is likely to be ready for a booster.

I verified with my car seat guidelines and it goes up to 52 inches. Once the child uses the seat as a booster, you remove the harness and other parts to convert it to a booster seat.

 

[LisaNJ25]

me.

A cheaper but still great option would be the Cosco Scenera for now. It is a basic seat that is safe and rearfaces to 35 pounds and forward faces to 40 pounds. It only costs $40-50. Then you could get a Graco Nautulis which forward faces to 65 pounds with a harness and then converts to a booster after that. It retails for about $140 or so.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks for mentioning the scenera. I am looking for a seat for the child I babysit. My toddlers are in the Graco Nautilus. I found a Scenera online For $36. Pink print but for that price he can sit in it

 

[Bren's Mom]

I verified with my car seat guidelines and it goes up to 52 inches. Once the child uses the seat as a booster, you remove the harness and other parts to convert it to a booster seat.

I don't have an EB manual in front of me but that 52" is likely the overall max height for the seat (including using it as a booster). I am a certified CPST, and I know for sure that you must stop using the harness on that seat (or any seat) when the child's shoulders go above the top usable harness slot OR they reach the harness weight limit, whichever comes first. This should be in your manual somewhere, sometimes these things are not written very clearly though so I can understand if it is hard to find.

I get that I'm just some anonymous person on a message board, though! So please don't just take my word for it (nor just dismiss what I'm saying)...contact a nationally certified CPST in your area for an inspection of your seats. They should be able to show you that info in your manual and confirm what I'm telling you here...that when your child outgrows the harness ff'ing it is likely they will not be of an age/weight to safely use that seat as a booster. No matter what the manual says.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I verified with my car seat guidelines and it goes up to 52 inches. Once the child uses the seat as a booster, you remove the harness and other parts to convert it to a booster seat.

OK, I have the EB manual in front of me now.

It should be on page 10 of your manual the height guidelines for each use of the seat (rf, ff, booster).

To turn a child ff'ing in the seat they must be at least 22lbs and 34". However, they can remain rf'ing until up to 35lbs. (Which is recommended by the AAP and is the safest way for kids to travel.)

Then you may use the ff harness to 43" or 40lbs or until (from the manual page 12) "the harness is below the child’s shoulders with the headrest in the 4th highest position". Whichever comes first.

It also states on page 12 that if the child weighs at least 40lbs and is over 1 year you may convert to a belt-positioning booster. Putting a 1, 2, 3 or even a 4 year old who weighs 40lbs and is over the 4th highest top slot in the seat is NOT safest practice. The recommendation is children remain harnessed for as long as possible, preferably until at least age 5 when they have better impulse control in order to sit properly 100% of the time as well as have the body mass and the bone calcification to withstand the crash forces now spread over less of their body (since they are in a 3 point restraint rather than a 5 point.) In addition, in some states using a booster this young would be illegal. The car seat manufacturer's set minimums, it is up to parents to educate themselves on safest practice.

Hope that helps.

 

[Soon2B4]

OK, I have the EB manual in front of me now.

It should be on page 10 of your manual the height guidelines for each use of the seat (rf, ff, booster).

To turn a child ff'ing in the seat they must be at least 22lbs and 34". However, they can remain rf'ing until up to 35lbs. (Which is recommended by the AAP and is the safest way for kids to travel.)

Then you may use the ff harness to 43" or 40lbs or until (from the manual page 12) "the harness is below the child’s shoulders with the headrest in the 4th highest position". Whichever comes first.

It also states on page 12 that if the child weighs at least 40lbs and is over 1 year you may convert to a belt-positioning booster. Putting a 1, 2, 3 or even a 4 year old who weighs 40lbs and is over the 4th highest top slot in the seat is NOT safest practice. The recommendation is children remain harnessed for as long as possible, preferably until at least age 5 when they have better impulse control in order to sit properly 100% of the time as well as have the body mass and the bone calcification to withstand the crash forces now spread over less of their body (since they are in a 3 point restraint rather than a 5 point.) In addition, in some states using a booster this young would be illegal. The car seat manufacturer's set minimums, it is up to parents to educate themselves on safest practice.

Hope that helps.

Obviously there is some misunderstanding in what I am saying. I am NOT talking about putting my 1, 2, or 3 year old in a booster seat. He is currently turning 3, only 33 pounds, and is 39 inches. My current car seat goes up to 40lbs and 43 inches as a 5 point harness seat. I doubt he is going to grow 4 inches over the next year and gain 7lbs. He has only grown 1 1/2 inches in the last year and gained 3 lbs or so. Also, I checked the aap.org website and found the following recommendations:

Once your child has reached the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of the seat for rear-facing, she can ride forward-facing in a convertible seat. However, it is best for her to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car safety seat. She should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until she outgrows it (usually at around 4 years of age and about 40–65 pounds).

I understand about "educating" myself, but I am following what is on the aap.org website. If there is a website out there that knows better than the aap.org, please enlighten me.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Obviously there is some misunderstanding in what I am saying. <snip>

She should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until she outgrows it (usually at around 4 years of age and about 40–65 pounds).

I understand about "educating" myself, but I am following what is on the aap.org website. If there is a website out there that knows better than the aap.org, please enlighten me.

Yes, I think we're definitely having a miscommunication. I'm really not trying to be argumentative here, I want to be sure you understand how your seat works, when it's outgrown and that, in my educated opinion, the harness part of the seat you have will very likely be outgrown by your younger child too early because you've stated he's extremely tall. I'm really just trying to help.

Let me try one more time.

I do know that you understand that your child should be harnessed as long as possible. And yes, I agree 100% with the AAP. On the same page that you got the info you quoted you'll also see that it clearly states a child's harness must be at or above their shoulders when forward facing and also that it's important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions. I am not in any way telling you to disregard the AAP, although there's nothing wrong with making an informed parental decision to go above and beyond their recommended minimums.

What is at issue here is how you determine when a seat is outgrown. The AAP site mentions 2 criteria specifically. However, there is a 3rd criteria that MUST be followed since it is in the manual for your seat. I posted it earlier, here it is again "Then you may use the ff harness to 43" or 40lbs or until (from the manual page 12) "the harness is below the child’s shoulders with the headrest in the 4th highest position". Whichever comes first.

The bolded part is that which concerns me the most for your seat and for your younger child especially. For particularly tall kids, they outgrow the harness for the EB by the 3rd criteria first generally. And this generally happens well before the age of 4. In fact, most kids (even ones in the 50th %ile range) outgrow the harness in the EB (and similar 3in1s) by harness slot height first.

That's what I'm trying to point out to you...not to knock you in any way...but to let you know this is highly likely to happen, in my educated opinion...and to save you some headache later on by having to buy another expensive seat.

 

[jessica52877]

I kind of missed what the exact discussion was but my son outgrew the EB 3-1 around the age of 3. He grew too tall and was only about 33 lbs at the time. The EB and other 3 n 1's definately will work for *MOST* kids until hey hit 40 lbs.