help! i need real time carseat advice

[NandaB]

So W and I were in a car accident Thurs. We are both fine, but I am now trying to buy new srats and I need help.

I need 2 3-in-1 seats. One for G now and one for N soon. I'd like them to be the same if we can.

I also need a convertible seat that N will use FF until W outgrows his infant seat...

[NandaB]

I like the myride65 for the convertable but I'm concerned about the width

Fitforme70 seems narrower

ETA:ugh the fitforme is super reclined. I don't think it will work

[serendipity]

Sorry to hear but glad you guys are ok! Are you on FB? Carseats for the Littles group is a great resource for suggestions. They are super knowledgeable.

Also, Target has many carseats on sale right now plus a gift card promo with a certain $ amount purchase. Good luck!

[rosesandpetals]

How big is your car? The Diono radian is slim but takes up a lot of space reclining. With the angle adjuster, it is supposed to be much less cumbersome.

I had the combi coccoro for awhile and it is easy to fit 3 across but doesn't RF for very long because of height.

Is the insurance company paying for the seats? That sounds expensive, sorry.

[mamaalysson]

Sorry about your accident, but glad that you two are okay.

We have Britaxes and love them. Zero complaints. We have a Marathon and two Pioneers (one for each car). DD has been in her Pioneer since she was 3.5, and we plan for it to be the last seat she is in. DS is still rear faced in the Marathon, and he will stay in that seat until he moves to a plain old booster. The big selling point for us was not needing to rethread the straps adjust them. And that DD can easily get herself in and buckled. FTR, my kids are small and there are only two of them.

[usm]

We have the MYRIDE65 for DS2. I ended up moving it to H's car because it was so reclined and massive, both FF and RF. He didn't like it and with his weak core strength would almost get "stuck". We have a cheapie evenflo right now that I don't love while I am on the hunt.

We have a Nautilaus for DS1, I know it gets a lot of hate but since the buckle change we have really liked it.

[lala]

I'd get a Chicco next fit for the convertible & 2 britax pioneers or frontiers. I hate my nautilus.

[quesyrah]

I would go with a combo seat. Maybe look at the evenflo maestro for G.

I have a Britax frontier for DS that I absolutely love so I highly recommend it but it's pricey. The click tight means it basically installs itself.

I have a GracoMysize 70 in DH's car for DD. it's a great affordable option and installs easily in both his Civic, my van and my moms highlander.

I also have a nautilus and I hate it, it's the only seat either of my kids has complained in.

[auroraloo]

I have various Britax seats and I like all of them. The Boulevard I got is hands-down my favorite. (I got it free from their old rewards program) We have a b-ready infant, 2 marathons (1 we got from louiej) the boulevard and a roundabout.

[quesyrah]

Jul 5, 2015 18:48:00 GMT -5 auroraloo said:

I have various Britax seats and I like all of them. The Boulevard I got is hands-down my favorite. (I got it free from their old rewards program) We have a b-ready infant, 2 marathons (1 we got from louiej) the boulevard and a roundabout.

I love my boulevard. We bought it for DS when he was 4 months old and he used it until February when he got a frontier. DD is in it now and will use it until it expires in January.

[dizzycooks]

I love my radian and I would definitely get another (I plan to) but I've not used it rear facing.

[louiej]

I'm sorry!!

I have had good experiences with the marathon and the radian...I will say that I love the marathon a bit more, but I will get the most use out of the radian and I can easily fit three across. The radian is a bitch to tighten and is a behemoth when it's rear-facing, but does comfortably fit kids longer, and through all ages and stages I feel.

[louiej]

Oh, and if you plan to ERF W, my dd is still comfortable rear-facing and she'll be three next month. (In the radian)

[auroraloo]

Jul 5, 2015 19:13:01 GMT -5 louiej said:

Oh, and if you plan to ERF W, my dd is still comfortable rear-facing and she'll be three next month. (In the radian)

Shut your face. 

[Rainyday]

Like Louie, I also have Britax and Radians. We have 3 across so I have 2 Radians FF and the Britax RF. I am positive the Britax won't fit FF in my car with the two Radians. My kids are long and lean so we will never outgrow our Radians before they expire. My kids can buckle the Radians on their own, but I have never used one RF.
Next, DS 2 will FF in one of the Radians and DD will move to a backless booster. The Graco booster is only 17" wide so it's as narrow as having a 3rd Radian.
I don't have any experience with other brands. Glad you and W are ok.
(We do actually have a spare Cosco Scenera but it's pretty junky IMO)

[louiej]

Jul 5, 2015 19:26:43 GMT -5 auroraloo said:

Jul 5, 2015 19:13:01 GMT -5 louiej said:

Oh, and if you plan to ERF W, my dd is still comfortable rear-facing and she'll be three next month. (In the radian)

Shut your face. 

Right?!?
How the fuck.

[gastro]

I have a diono Rainer which I think is similar to the radian. It won't expire until DS is out of a car seat altogether. Love the Rainer and can fit three across my small SUV. It's heavy so it stays put and I have different car seats for travel and DHs car. Never used it rear facing though - had a britax advocate for that and also loved that car seat.

[rosesandpetals]

Jul 5, 2015 17:30:18 GMT -5 lala said:

I'd get a Chicco next fit for the convertible & 2 britax pioneers or frontiers. I hate my nautilus.

I also have the nextfit. When I got a new car a couple months ago (an suv), I flipped dd so she is RFing again because we had the room. She is 2.5 and tall for her age and has plenty of room. Plus it is super easy to adjust the straps. I love it. So yeah, +1 for the nextfit.

[NandaB]

Thanks everyone. I went with baby trend hybrid 4 in 1s for G and N and a graco milestone for W when he outgrows his new infant seat I just got him. The milestone seemed narrower than the others in the store.

[lala]

Jul 5, 2015 23:53:37 GMT -5 rosesandpetals said:

Jul 5, 2015 17:30:18 GMT -5 lala said:

I'd get a Chicco next fit for the convertible & 2 britax pioneers or frontiers. I hate my nautilus.

I also have the nextfit. When I got a new car a couple months ago (an suv), I flipped dd so she is RFing again because we had the room. She is 2.5 and tall for her age and has plenty of room. Plus it is super easy to adjust the straps. I love it. So yeah, +1 for the nextfit.

Yup, dd2 was rf until she was 3 and was 90th for height. Very easy to use seat.

[lattelady5]

Jul 6, 2015 1:12:27 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Thanks everyone. I went with baby trend hybrid 4 in 1s for G and N and a graco milestone for W when he outgrows his new infant seat I just got him. The milestone seemed narrower than the others in the store.

Just FYI, the BT hybrid only works in harness mode to 50 lbs so it may not get your kiddos to a bposter age age. It also has several different installation methods so be sure to read the manual carefully to figure out which you need to use. If you end up not liking them, you might look at the harmony defender. They are about $100 a d suoer narrow. I'm not on here a lot anymore but if you end up needing help shoot me a pm.

[NandaB]

Jul 7, 2015 9:04:51 GMT -5 lattelady5 said:

Jul 6, 2015 1:12:27 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Thanks everyone. I went with baby trend hybrid 4 in 1s for G and N and a graco milestone for W when he outgrows his new infant seat I just got him. The milestone seemed narrower than the others in the store.

Just FYI, the BT hybrid only works in harness mode to 50 lbs so it may not get your kiddos to a bposter age age. It also has several different installation methods so be sure to read the manual carefully to figure out which you need to use. If you end up not liking them, you might look at the harmony defender. They are about $100 a d suoer narrow. I'm not on here a lot anymore but if you end up needing help shoot me a pm.

Thanks for the rec. We had a hybrid already for G, so got to experience the joys of installing it. Im still not sure why the top tether makes such a huge difference in how the seatbelt is attached, but thats why im not a carseat engineer, lol. Unfortunately I didn't realize the harness weight was only 50, but G is only 42 lbs now, so we will evaluate his readiness when he's closer to 50. Do you know the limits on the defender?

[lala]

Did you buy at target? It's the baby sale, you can get a $40 gift card for spending over $200.

[NandaB]

Jul 7, 2015 9:16:44 GMT -5 lala said:

Did you buy at target? It's the baby sale, you can get a $40 gift card for spending over $200.

No our target only had 1 nautilus and a few infant seats. Slim pickings. So I had to go to WalMart. Unfortunately I didn't have time to run around because I had to get them then. I think they will work (although the buckle on the hybrids is kinda a pain)

[lattelady5]

Jul 7, 2015 9:13:02 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Jul 7, 2015 9:04:51 GMT -5 lattelady5 said:

Just FYI, the BT hybrid only works in harness mode to 50 lbs so it may not get your kiddos to a bposter age age. It also has several different installation methods so be sure to read the manual carefully to figure out which you need to use. If you end up not liking them, you might look at the harmony defender. They are about $100 a d suoer narrow. I'm not on here a lot anymore but if you end up needing help shoot me a pm.

Thanks for the rec. We had a hybrid already for G, so got to experience the joys of installing it. Im still not sure why the top tether makes such a huge difference in how the seatbelt is attached, but thats why im not a carseat engineer, lol. Unfortunately I didn't realize the harness weight was only 50, but G is only 42 lbs now, so we will evaluate his readiness when he's closer to 50. Do you know the limits on the defender?

The defender harnesses to 65lbs. I love the pink zebra print but loathe the complicated installation. I always recommend kiddos stay harnessed until at least 5 if possible. It's unlikely they have the necessary impulse Co trol to sit properly be for then and data shows kids under 5 and 40lbs are at a greater risk of injury/ submaring (slipping) under the belt.

[lattelady5]

The defender is often out of stock becuase it's so popular. Walmart and Burlington coat factory carry it. Amazon usually has it but they mark it up. You can order directly from Harmony and I can give you that info if you end up going that route

[NandaB]

Jul 7, 2015 9:23:27 GMT -5 lattelady5 said:

Jul 7, 2015 9:13:02 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Thanks for the rec. We had a hybrid already for G, so got to experience the joys of installing it. Im still not sure why the top tether makes such a huge difference in how the seatbelt is attached, but thats why im not a carseat engineer, lol. Unfortunately I didn't realize the harness weight was only 50, but G is only 42 lbs now, so we will evaluate his readiness when he's closer to 50. Do you know the limits on the defender?

The defender harnesses to 65lbs. I love the pink zebra print but loathe the complicated installation. I always recommend kiddos stay harnessed until at least 5 if possible. It's unlikely they have the necessary impulse Co trol to sit properly be for then and data shows kids under 5 and 40lbs are at a greater risk of injury/ submaring (slipping) under the belt.

He turned 4 in may, and seems to slowed down in the weight dept for the time being. He will be close to 5 if he isn't already before he hits 50 lbs I think


ETA: He is already pretty careful about seatbelt safety. However he falls asleep in the car quite a bit still, so I need to make sure he's mot going to flop over.

[lattelady5]

[/quote]
He turned 4 in may, and seems to slowed down in the weight dept for the time being. He will be close to 5 if he isn't already before he hits 50 lbs I think


ETA: He is already pretty careful about seatbelt safety. However he falls asleep in the car quite a bit still, so I need to make sure he's mot going to flop over.[/quote]


DD sleeps slumped too. You can start teaching him to fall asleep sitting up by having him look up when he feels sleepy. I have stickers on the ceiling for DD to look at. This often helps boostered kids stay in position

[lala]

I think it's unlikely he'll gain 8lbs in the next 10 months anyway. Most kids slow down a lot. Of course, G could be the exception!

[NandaB]

Ni

Jul 7, 2015 11:47:29 GMT -5 lattelady5 said:

He turned 4 in may, and seems to slowed down in the weight dept for the time being. He will be close to 5 if he isn't already before he hits 50 lbs I think


ETA: He is already pretty careful about seatbelt safety. However he falls asleep in the car quite a bit still, so I need to make sure he's mot going to flop over.[/quote]


DD sleeps slumped too. You can start teaching him to fall asleep sitting up by having him look up when he feels sleepy. I have stickers on the ceiling for DD to look at. This often helps boostered kids stay in position [/quote]


He actually already leans back. He falls asleep like he's meditating. Head back, hands facing up in his lap. Always. Lol