OT car seat help

[PoohHappens]

I need some car seat help and have seen some great threads on here before so I am hoping some of you could advise me. I watch a 10month old boy. He is about 21lbs. He is outgrowing his infant carrier and he needs a new seat. I gave the mom all kinds of good info on good seats. Well, she did not buy any of those and brought me a Alpha Luxe (alpha omega cosco). Well, I would never purchase this seat as I think it is kind of junky. But that is not the issue, it is huge and simply will not PROPERLY fit in my car. I drive an older volvo and really the back seat is quite large. The seat touches the back of the front seat even with it as far forward as I can tolerate it to drive. I know a britax with metal reinforced frame you might be able to have it touching, but not this plastic monster. She also told me he could be in it till 50 lbs--it is only 40. It also states he cannot foward face until 34 inches tall with this seat. I know they want kids rear facing as long as possible, but I know she wants him forward facing as soon as possible. The seat would fit forward facing, but he is not close to 34 inches, so when you put him in the shoulder strap opening are above his shoulders and I believe when forward they are to be below. She is open to me telling her it does not fit, but what do I recommend. I think she did not like the other seats I have suggested because of cost, so I need a moderately priced seat that fits well in sedans. They have a sedan also and it is simply not going to rear face there either. I have seen the seats used by her other children and I really do think this is not something she obsesses over like I do. I would love any suggestions--either to make this seat work or for a different one. Thanks

 

[imthatgirl]

i suggest you take the seat she already has to the police station and have them fit the seat into the car. it can be done, you just need a professional to do it.
i dont think you should force her to buy another seat because you dont like the one she bought. its a safe seat, it has to be to be on the market. youll just have to find a way to fit it into yur car.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

I agree it should be installed by a professional, but disagree that it will definitely fit and/or that it must be safe if it's on the market.

Some seats just do not fit some vehicles, regardless of how well-trained the installer is - so if the safety officer at the station gives you a thumb's-down, I'd just tell the mom you refuse to transport her child in that seat because it won't protect him. I wouldn't insist she buy one of the ones you recommended - but she must provide one that can be installed properly.

 

[PoohHappens]

I have had a car seat inservice by the professional car seat installers. I used to work as a postpartum nurse and we were given inservice in order to help suggest our patient go get their seat checked. That by no means makes me a professional though. I am pretty sure this seat does not fit. I am happy to go have it checked though. It is very true that some seats are not compatible with some cars.

 

[LilGMom]

The Alpha Luxe has a rear-facing weight limit of up to 30 lbs., forward-facing with the 5-point harness up to 40 lbs., and can be used as a high back seatbelt positioner up to 80 lbs. The ten month old baby that you watch shouldn't be moved to forward-facing until he is at least one year old and at least 20 lbs. due to skeletal development and not height or weight. Have you tried installing the seat behind the passenger seat or, the best place, the middle of the back row? I'd take the seat to a CPS tech. and have them fit it in the car and they should be able to tell you if it is a good and safe fit. Find a CPS tech here

Is this a seat that get continually moved from your car to her car? If it is and a CPS tech. shows that it can be safely installed in your vehicle I'd learn how to install it so that it has a good fit each time it is put in your car.

I have one of those plastic monster (granted an older one) and have never had any problems with it. It has been in a Ford Mustang, Isuzu Rodeo, Ford Escape and currently in a Honday Odyssey. Yes, not all carseats fit in all vehicles but before tossing this seat out as not fitting in your car take it a CPS tech to get it installed.

 

[tazdev3225]

I would see if someone who is certified could try and show you how to install it properly if you are having trouble. The baby also should not be out of a rear facing car seat until the minimum age of 1. I had a problem with this when my DGD was a baby because she was long and her feet went up the back of my car but the dr was adament that it had to do with developmental issues. My DD cannot wait for DGS to be 1 in two weeks for the same reason. He is a long boy and cramming him into infant carrier is no fun.

 

[imthatgirl]

I would see if someone who is certified could try and show you how to install it properly if you are having trouble. The baby also should not be out of a rear facing car seat until the minimum age of 1. I had a problem with this when my DGD was a baby because she was long and her feet went up the back of my car but the dr was adament that it had to do with developmental issues. My DD cannot wait for DGS to be 1 in two weeks for the same reason. He is a long boy and cramming him into infant carrier is no fun.

they dont need to be in an infant carrier until 1 year, convertable seats do rear face. i would also suggest looking into keeping him rear facing even after a year in a convertable. you can search on line about how much safer it really is. my son was 3 on august 21st and is still rear facing. i will probably move him to foward facing with in this upcoming year, but i havent decided when yet.

 

[kathi29]

Go to usa.safekids.org and search for a tech in your area. Don't just go to the police or fire departments - often they aren't certified or have let their certifications lapse.

The baby shouldn't be FF until he is at least 1 year old as well as at least 20 pounds. For the record, the harness should be below his shoulders for RF and above for FF.

Some of the Alpha Omega seats have a removable base. I have often found with these seats that I can't get a good install with the base on. You should check the manual to see if it allows for the base to be removed. This will also move the seat away from the front seats a bit, giving you more room.

 

[PoohHappens]

Go to usa.safekids.org and search for a tech in your area. Don't just go to the police or fire departments - often they aren't certified or have let their certifications lapse.

The baby shouldn't be FF until he is at least 1 year old as well as at least 20 pounds. For the record, the harness should be below his shoulders for RF and above for FF.

Some of the Alpha Omega seats have a removable base. I have often found with these seats that I can't get a good install with the base on. You should check the manual to see if it allows for the base to be removed. This will also move the seat away from the front seats a bit, giving you more room.

Thank you for this info. I know he should not be forward facing. I am curious why the seat states he has to be 34 inches to face forward. If the base is removeable it would help a ton. I asked her for the book thismorning when she brought it but she did not bring it. I find most people do not read the books--which boggles my mind. I really do think it could be put in, but not when I have to keep taking it out to give back to her. I talked to DH and I think we are going to offer to purchase one that is a good fit for our car since it is really our problem not hers. We are going to be fostering and could use an extra seat anyhow. I actually have a perfectly good seat a Britax Roundabout but it expired this year as it is amost 6 years old.

 

[LilGMom]

I am curious why the seat states he has to be 34 inches to face forward. If the base is removeable it would help a ton. I asked her for the book thismorning when she brought it but she did not bring it.

I would double check that with the owner's manual, it might be a min. of 36" to use the seat belt positioner. My youngest was not 36" when he moved from the infant carrier into our Alpha Omega when he was four months old. Both of my boys started exceeding the length limit on the infant carrier early so into the convertible they went.

You may be able to find the owner's manual online, worth checking.

 

[thepeach80]

It sounds like she bought old model of this seat. If she thinks it goes to 50# w/ the harness, tell her it doesn't. She may want to replace it w/ the new model (same seat) that does go to 50#. It'll last MUCH longer! My oldest outgrew that harness in height right at 3 on the old one, but can still use this seat w/ the newer limits at 5.5yo.

This seat has a rfing limit to 35# (or head w/in an inch of the top of the seat) and should be used as such. To use this seat ffing, the child has to be 1, 22# AND 34". Using it when one of those requirements is not met can be illegal in some states and if for some reason the seat did fail in a crash, mom would have no power in going after Dorel b/c she was using the seat wrong. Also, I don't care what mom says, when a child is in MY care, I do what is safest for them and at least to the legal limits. She cannot ask you to go against the manufacturer directions and you shouldn't agree to do it either. My youngest son will be 4 in 3 mos and still rfing, he's such a peanut at about 27#. My 22 mos old is still rfing of course as well. Have her check out this video, it may help her realize the safety reasons for rfing longer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psmUWg7QrC8

Take the base off, it'll help w/ the installation a lot. You will need some pool noodles though to help w/ the recline, those are cheap right now though. The best thing to do is to find a carseat tech. www.seatcheck.org

 

[Mrs D]

I actually have a perfectly good seat a Britax Roundabout but it expired this year as it is almost 6 years old.

I am not sure if you are considering using the expired Britax; if you are, please don't. If not, it's because you know the reason car seats have expiration dates is because the plastic can become brittle and ineffective in a crash.

GO to car-seat.org for some great reviews and info on car seat models as well installation.

 

[PoohHappens]

I am not sure if you are considering using the expired Britax; if you are, please don't. If not, it's because you know the reason car seats have expiration dates is because the plastic can become brittle and ineffective in a crash.

GO to car-seat.org for some great reviews and info on car seat models as well installation.

Thankyou for the concern. I am sorry, I reread that and saw I did not make it clear, the but it is expired meant it would not be used. I just feel bad throwing away a car seat that is in really good shape. But I do understand and will not be using it.

 

[thepeach80]

Thankyou for the concern. I am sorry, I reread that and saw I did not make it clear, the but it is expired meant it would not be used. I just feel bad throwing away a car seat that is in really good shape. But I do understand and will not be using it.

If the cover it still nice, ebay the cover, lol.

 

[tlbwriter]

I'd take the seat to a CPS tech. and have them fit it in the car and they should be able to tell you if it is a good and safe fit. Find a CPS tech here

This is a great idea. But before you see the tech, ask this parent how much she's willing to spend on a new seat if the Luxe cannot fit in your car. Then, if the tech says it's not a good fit, you can ask for recommendations in the parents' price range.

 

[tlbwriter]

It also states he cannot foward face until 36 inches tall with this seat. I know they want kids rear facing as long as possible, but I know she wants him forward facing as soon as possible. The seat would fit forward facing, but he is not close to 36 inches, so when you put him in the shoulder strap opening are above his shoulders and I believe when forward they are to be below.

What she decides to do in her own car is her own business. When you are transporting the child in your car, you are responsible for anything that happens to him, so you are within your rights to tell her that you will NOT go against the carseat's instructions. And right now, according to the carseat's instructions (and the AAP for that matter), this kid cannot face forward.

 

[PoohHappens]

Update--

Thanks to all the Disers for their help. Thanks to you I think we have a resolution. I was able to fit this seat in the car thanks to you guy so I was able to take that out of the equaison. I did however tell her the seat did not have the weight limit she hoped. Well she talked to her husband last night and they are going to return the seats and get new ones. She really wanted britax or something similar but her husband thought is was silly to spend that on a car seat (we are of the opinion that the car seat is one of the things to spend money on) He has had a change of heart. So this weekend we are going to take her sedan with us to a store that lets you try out different seats and find the best fit for it. Whatever fits in her car will probably fit in mine (they are similar in size). Her van is not as much an issue. So I think we will look at the Marathon, but are open to what works. If any of you have other suggestions for seats to look at let me know. Thank you all for your help Disers are the best

 

[clownchk]

if she is looking for something low price, but SAFE this is a nice compromise for those that are not willing to get past the price of the Britax - Cosco Scenera.

I tend to avoid cosco products at all costs, but this one gets great reviews, even from techs!!!

 

[thepeach80]

The Alpha Omega isn't terrible w/ the new 50# limit, it might be worth it to them to get the new one for your car. Other seats are the Radian (I'll pm you in just a minute) and the Compass True Fit. The True Fit is at Target now. The Evenflo Triumph Advance is nice, but I have a heck of a time getting it to work rfing in most people's cars. It didn't work at all in my van! A good 40# backup seat is the Safety 1st Avenue, that's my 2 youngest have for their backup seats. It has EPS foam, rf to 35# and ff to 40# and has about 16" slots. Works well w/ taller, slimmer kids. If she goes w/ Britax, make sure she's looking at the 65# seats, not the Roundabout or Diplomat.

 

[allie1078]

I would also look at the evenflo triumph advance. It is an excellent seat but not the price of britax.