OT: Carseat question

[justhat]

Baby #3 is coming in January and I'm not sure what to do carseat-wise for my kids. Problem is what seats will fit 3 across and be the safest. I know a lot of people here are knowledgeable in carseats so I figured some opinions would help the decision.

My 3yo is set-he has a Britax Marathon in one car, Decathalon in the other, and will stay in those seats for awhile. (38" and 30 lbs)

5.5yo (will turn 6yo a month after the baby is born) is in a Marathon in both cars, but she is encroaching on the top slots so she will need a new seat soon, likely around January. I would prefer to keep her harnessed if possible so I am hoping to get her the Britax Frontier, that way once she does outgrow the harness we can use it as a booster. If I have to go with just a booster for her I will, but it's defnitely not my 1st choice. (46.5" and 42 lbs)

For the new baby we want to get the Britax Chaperone. That isn't a 'must-have', but we do definitely want a seat with the SIP headwings, and the anti-rebound bar on the Chaperone seems like a nice feature as well. We are open to other seats though, if they would fit better in the car. We had Graco Snugrides with my older 2 kids and they were fine, but we really want the SIP.

As for the vehicles, we have a Ford Edge (my husband's car) and Ford Explorer (my car). The Explorer has a 3rd row, but I think having to use that consistently would be annoying, not to mention I am sure there would be arguments over which one of the older kids needs to sit there. It would be easier to have my oldest back there as she can buckle and unbuckle herself, but I know she would be incensed if she could not sit next to the baby (at least in the beginning, till the novelty wears off ).

We did go to BRU to try the seats in the car, but they would only let us take out 1 seat at a time so we basically have no idea if the Marathon, Frontier, and Chaperone would all fit in a row.

So someone out there must have 3 carseats in the backseat and know how to do this, which seats are necessary, right? Also, I have heard it is easier to keep my oldest harnessed if the fit in the back is snug (rather than buckling the booster each trip)-is that right, or would the width of the booster make up for that?

 

[snoopy5386]

go to www.car-seat.org it is a message board of carseat techs. My guess is no way those seats will fit 3 across. No way. How much space do you have now between the 2 seats? The narrowest seats on the market are Radians. Chances are you will need at least 1 if not two of them to do 3 across.

 

[tigger51276]

Honestly 3 big carseats would be a really tight fit in any car. I know it's not your first choice, but you may need to do two car seats and one booster seat to get them all to fit. I've had to do that before when I take niece and cousins along with my two. I find that putting the booster seat in the middle works best. And I totally feel your anxiety over leaving behind the safety and security of a car seat to going over to a booster seat. My DD5 outgrew her carseat at 4 and I was so nervous for the first couple weeks, but then realized that she was just fine in a booster seat with a seat belt keeping her nicely in place.

Good luck!

 

[justhat]

I did ask on that board but didn't really get any replies that helped much.

My issue with the booster is that my daughter does not seem to get that she has to stay seated properly and will lean over to get things and such. Of course if I have to, then I'll do it, but that's my hesitation over it.

Since it seems like that might be the only option, guess I should work on making sure she stays seated like she should.


ETA: Right now my kids are seated next to each other in both cars and the other seat (which is behind the driver's side) is totally free. But just now sure how an infant seat would fit in it/spill over as it's been awhile since I had one in there.

 

[snoopy5386]

well the chicco keyfit and babytrend flexloc are the narrowest infant seats on the market. So you could go with one of those....or
Get your DD a Sunshine Kids Radian, like I said it is the narrowest seat on the market and has excellent safety ratings - it is comparable to Britax in every way and in some cases better. The Radian has 18 inch top harness slots - 2 inches taller than the marathon. The Frontier has 18.25 inch top harness slots so only an extra .25 inch. You can have your DD in the Radian until she outgrows it or your new baby outgrows the chaperone (or whatever bucket seat you go with). Then you can move your DD to a booster (I am assuming by 7/7.5 she'll be ready for a booster) and then move the baby into the Radian. You couldn't do that if you went with the Frontier. Then all 3 seats should fit comfortably in your car. Also the Radian rearfaces to either 40 or 45 lbs (depending on which model you go with) so you're new baby would be able to rearface for a long, long time. The only tricky thing is that the Radian has install issues in some cars, so there is chance it may not install in yours. I would buy from somewhere with a good return policy so you can send it back if it doesn't fit. I don't believe they sell them at babies r us.
Can I ask why you are not comfortable with your 6 yo in a booster?

 

[mickimousemama]

well the chicco keyfit and babytrend flexloc are the narrowest infant seats on the market. So you could go with one of those....or
Get your DD a Sunshine Kids Radian, like I said it is the narrowest seat on the market and has excellent safety ratings - it is comparable to Britax in every way and in some cases better. The Radian has 18 inch top harness slots - 2 inches taller than the marathon. The Frontier has 18.25 inch top harness slots so only an extra .25 inch. You can have your DD in the Radian until she outgrows it or your new baby outgrows the chaperone (or whatever bucket seat you go with). Then you can move your DD to a booster (I am assuming by 7/7.5 she'll be ready for a booster) and then move the baby into the Radian. You couldn't do that if you went with the Frontier. Then all 3 seats should fit comfortably in your car. Also the Radian rearfaces to either 40 or 45 lbs (depending on which model you go with) so you're new baby would be able to rearface for a long, long time. The only tricky thing is that the Radian has install issues in some cars, so there is chance it may not install in yours. I would buy from somewhere with a good return policy so you can send it back if it doesn't fit. I don't believe they sell them at babies r us.
Can I ask why you are not comfortable with your 6 yo in a booster?

I second the vote for the Sunshine Kids Radian 80, in the long run I think it will be most benificial for you. And I believe it is the narrowest carseat on the market.

 

[Shleedogg]

As far as infant seats go, Graco Snugride and Baby Trend Flex Loc are top rated. When Consumer Reports performed the crash test, they mistakenly performed it at over 70 mph side impact, instead of 30. Only those 2 passed. They then re-did the test and all the seats passed at 30. I had the link to the report on my laptop, unfortunately it's sitting in the end table drawer, dead.

We have the Baby Trend Flex Loc and really like it. It pops nicely into our Baby Trend Jogger, which we also love!

 

[justhat]

I remember that Consumer Reports issue as I believe my son was about 6 months old at the time and I was quite happy he was in the Snugride.


Snoopy - The reason I'd prefer my daughter to be harnessed, other than what I stated above regarding her ability to stay positioned correctly, is that it is obviously safer to be in a 5pt harness than a BPB. She's still pretty lightweight (42 lbs) so I figure it's in her best interest. We do have 2 booster seats (one was a harnessed Cosco seat that converted to a backed booster, other is a Graco backless booster) and we use them for playdates or travelling because they are much easier to carry around than the Britax seats, but I feel much better having her in a 5pt on a regular basis.

So now I will look for a store that sells the Radians near us. You're right in that I don't think BRU had any. My neighbor has one though so I'll ask where she got it.

Oh, and we did keep both kids rearfacing in the Britax seats till ~30 lbs so the high RF weight limit is appealing. My son just turned FF a few months ago and I think he actually preferred rearfacing.

 

[micheleq]

I did ask on that board but didn't really get any replies that helped much.

My issue with the booster is that my daughter does not seem to get that she has to stay seated properly and will lean over to get things and such. Of course if I have to, then I'll do it, but that's my hesitation over it..

My 4.5DD is still in a car seat in my car, but we have a Britax high back booster for her in my mom's car. When she first rode in that seat, she too would wiggle. Then I showed my mom that when using the seat belt, you have to pull it all the way out, let it retract, and then there will be no give on the seat beat. She couldn't wiggle then! I think as adults we forget that seat belts do that because that's probably not how many of us use them.

Most of my friends with three kids under the age of five use the third row in their cars (mostly SUVs), some traded in the SUVs for minivans. Good luck with whatever you chose!

 

[mjkacmom]

My 4.5DD is still in a car seat in my car, but we have a Britax high back booster for her in my mom's car. When she first rode in that seat, she too would wiggle. Then I showed my mom that when using the seat belt, you have to pull it all the way out, let it retract, and then there will be no give on the seat beat. She couldn't wiggle then! I think as adults we forget that seat belts do that because that's probably not how many of us use them.

Most of my friends with three kids under the age of five use the third row in their cars (mostly SUVs), some traded in the SUVs for minivans. Good luck with whatever you chose!

When my twins were born, they were in snugriders in the second row, and my older kids (1, 4, and 6) were in a britax, and 2 highback britax boosters, and it was pretty snug back there.

 

[Bren's Mom]

One of the techs at c-s.org did answer you that she thought a Marathon and a Frontier would fit next to each other both ff'ing. I agree with that. And I'd also agree that limiting yourself to a Chaperone is doing yourself a disservice. I'd look at a Chicco Keyfit to puzzle outboard with those two seats mentioned above.

One question I have is...how old is your Marathon? If you bought it for your eldest it may be close to expiration.

You can also consider putting the older 2 kids in the 3rd row, the infant in the 2nd row and folding down or removing (if that's possible) one 2nd row seat. Allowing all the kids to see each other.

In the end, you may have to decide on seats and purchase them. If it doesn't work, return one.

 

[snoopy5386]

I remember that Consumer Reports issue as I believe my son was about 6 months old at the time and I was quite happy he was in the Snugride.


Snoopy - The reason I'd prefer my daughter to be harnessed, other than what I stated above regarding her ability to stay positioned correctly, is that it is obviously safer to be in a 5pt harness than a BPB. She's still pretty lightweight (42 lbs) so I figure it's in her best interest. We do have 2 booster seats (one was a harnessed Cosco seat that converted to a backed booster, other is a Graco backless booster) and we use them for playdates or travelling because they are much easier to carry around than the Britax seats, but I feel much better having her in a 5pt on a regular basis.

So now I will look for a store that sells the Radians near us. You're right in that I don't think BRU had any. My neighbor has one though so I'll ask where she got it.

Oh, and we did keep both kids rearfacing in the Britax seats till ~30 lbs so the high RF weight limit is appealing. My son just turned FF a few months ago and I think he actually preferred rearfacing.

Hi again, the bolding is mine. Actually most carseat techs agree and the research shows that for older children a booster is just as safe as 5 point harness. There is disagreement as to whether or not the 5 pt harness may cause more head excursion in FFing older children than children riding in boosters.

This is of course the case for kids who can ride properly in a booster - sitting still, not leaning over to reach things, etc. And in 3 across situations it is usually easier to have a harnessed seat for everyone because then you are not reaching in between the seats to buckle a seat belt every time you get in the car. Glad to hear you are "booster training" your DD.
Good luck with your decision and kudos to you for extended rearfacing and extended harnessing your children.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

DD was in a Marathon and we moved her in a Graco Nautilus 5pt booster. She has been using it about 2 months and we love it so far! It gives her so much more leg room than the Marathon (since it sits lower) and she still can nap in it w/o falling forward like other boosters. Besides being 5-pt, I love that the seat is attached using LATCH (our car is up to 48 pounds).

 

[justhat]

Hi again, the bolding is mine. Actually most carseat techs agree and the research shows that for older children a booster is just as safe as 5 point harness. There is disagreement as to whether or not the 5 pt harness may cause more head excursion in FFing older children than children riding in boosters.

This is of course the case for kids who can ride properly in a booster - sitting still, not leaning over to reach things, etc. And in 3 across situations it is usually easier to have a harnessed seat for everyone because then you are not reaching in between the seats to buckle a seat belt every time you get in the car. Glad to hear you are "booster training" your DD.
Good luck with your decision and kudos to you for extended rearfacing and extended harnessing your children.

Yes, I read that about te head excursion, but I was thinking since she's only 42 lbs that the 5pt was still safer than the booster. Maybe not though, as she still has the age/physical development that a heavier child her age would have.

I also read in a few places what you mention about the harnessed seat being easier than a booster with 3 across so that has also been part of the desire to want to keep her harnessed. She can buckle/unbuckle herself in the Marathon with ease, but I know that when we have a friend in our car, I always have to buckle them in if they are in a booster cause they can't find/latch the seatbelt.

And the booster training has been going on awhile simply because we do use one on vacations or when she goes to a friend's house. I'm not having much luck with making it sink in that even for a second it is not safe to move around the belt.

I have locked the seatbelt to restrict movement, but she can still generally wiggle around it a bit. Funny cause she'll use her brother as the excuse, as in "Henry wants me to read that book to him, so I had to get it." Normally, however, she is not so willing to help him out.

 

[justhat]

One of the techs at c-s.org did answer you that she thought a Marathon and a Frontier would fit next to each other both ff'ing. I agree with that. And I'd also agree that limiting yourself to a Chaperone is doing yourself a disservice. I'd look at a Chicco Keyfit to puzzle outboard with those two seats mentioned above.

One question I have is...how old is your Marathon? If you bought it for your eldest it may be close to expiration.

You can also consider putting the older 2 kids in the 3rd row, the infant in the 2nd row and folding down or removing (if that's possible) one 2nd row seat. Allowing all the kids to see each other.

In the end, you may have to decide on seats and purchase them. If it doesn't work, return one.

Yes, you're right, someone did say she thought they would fit, but my husband also guessed that. I was hoping someone had actual experience with these vehicles and/or these sized seats.

I have seen the Keyfit and can actually get my SIL's for free as her baby was born in April and will outgrow it by the time mine is born. But we really want a seat with the SIP headwings and the Chicco doesn't have that. So while the Chaperone isn't a 'must-have' seat, we do really want the head protection and not every seat has that. I know Peg Peregos do, but I have heard those aren't too easy to install properly so I wasn't looking into them too much. Their base also seemed a bit wider than the Chaperone.

The Marathon is 4.5yo so we have some time before it expires. My daughter will outgrow it before that point though, as she is nearing the top slots now.

I have thought about putting both kids in the back, but then I cannot fit a stroller in the car at all so it won't work all the time. I can't remove any seats and they have to be folded down each time a kid gets in the back, then locked back into position before I can drive (according to the car manual).

The only thing I hate about buying seats in a store is that I have to pay tax and pay the higher retail price. If I order it online (we've used www.bestbuybaby.com in the past) then it is cheaper and there's no shipping, no tax. Usually comes out to about a $50 difference per seat.

I do plan to find a store here that sells Radians though and try one of those out in the car cause if it saves some space with the configuration I have now then an infant seat would likely fit easily.