Car seat questions and help

[teraiin]

I figured a thread might be helpful, particularly for ftms like me.

[teraiin]

I've been researching DSs next car seat because I like to keep an eye out for sales and really I always take a long time to make decisions.

Our infant seat is a bit of a tight fit in the backseat of my truck. I'm concerned that our next seat will be even tighter.

We are looking into something like the Graco forever that will grow with him. But I'm really not sure how it would fit. Most groups and blogs I read suggest going to a babies r us and trying one but our closest one is over an hour away.

[annarose]

Jul 8, 2016 12:14:27 GMT -5 teraiin said:

I've been researching DSs next car seat because I like to keep an eye out for sales and really I always take a long time to make decisions.

Our infant seat is a bit of a tight fit in the backseat of my truck. I'm concerned that our next seat will be even tighter.

We are looking into something like the Graco forever that will grow with him. But I'm really not sure how it would fit. Most groups and blogs I read suggest going to a babies r us and trying one but our closest one is over an hour away.

Mew have the Graco 4ever seats. They fit fine in both our 2006 Honda CRV and 2013 Honda Accord. We will probably give these to LO when the time comes and by new toddler seats that will turn into boosters for DD1. Should be cheaper that way for us ( I think)

[k3am]

We have a Graco for DD. I think we're going to replace it with a diono, since the straps hurt her.

[ellesea]

I think the Chicco Nextfit is a good option for tight spaces. And it will handle a bigger child if you want to do extended rear facing. I wish these were available in Canada.

[babycaps]

The klek foonf is the lowest convertible profile with highest height/weight limit for RF. I may be mistaken. But it is great for smaller cars.

[sosayweall]

Jul 8, 2016 13:55:27 GMT -5 ellesea said:

I think the Chicco Nextfit is a good option for tight spaces. And it will handle a bigger child if you want to do extended rear facing. I wish these were available in Canada.

This is what we have and it seems to take less space than the bucket.

[westiemom]

Following!!

[k3am]

A lot of convertibles are smaller than buckets.

[ellipses]

IME, our bucket seat always took up more room behind the driver or passenger seat than any or our convertibles, even when they are rear facing. We've had various Graco and Britax seats (way too many, unfortunately our cars have been very unlucky the past two years, at no fault of our own). I prefer Britax because I think they are a little easier to install and tighten the straps, but it's been a while since we had a Graco, so they may be just as easy now. I hear a lot of friends raving about Diono when space is limited and about Chicco for ease of use.

[k3am]

Our Graco is relatively easy to install - I've done both latch and seatbelt installs with no issues.

[teraiin]

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?

[tincupchalice]

Aug 8, 2016 20:47:30 GMT -5 teraiin said:

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?





Depend on the seat. Chicco is 11lbs. I know because I looked it up the other day and realized my chunkier baby is already 15. Oops.

[PAruby525]

Aug 8, 2016 20:47:30 GMT -5 teraiin said:

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?

My graco insert says when the shoulder harness is above the 2nd slot.

[teraiin]

Aug 8, 2016 22:33:51 GMT -5 PAruby525 said:

Aug 8, 2016 20:47:30 GMT -5 teraiin said:

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?

My graco insert says when the shoulder harness is above the 2nd slot.

Mine is a Graco so I'm assuming it's similar but I guess I should try to find where I stuck the manual instead of being lazy lol

[ellipses]

Aug 8, 2016 20:47:30 GMT -5 teraiin said:

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?

I was wondering this. Does anyone know for Britax? Our car seat was given to us by a friend and I don't have the manual.

[babycaps]

Aug 9, 2016 1:34:46 GMT -5 ellipses said:

Aug 8, 2016 20:47:30 GMT -5 teraiin said:

Bumping this to ask, when does the pad/insert get removed from the infant car seats?

I was wondering this. Does anyone know for Britax? Our car seat was given to us by a friend and I don't have the manual.

It's different for each seat but pretty much all brands have their instructions online.

[jbeans27]

Jul 8, 2016 13:39:18 GMT -5 @ ck3am said:

We have a Graco for DD. I think we're going to replace it with a diono, since the straps hurt her.

We have a Diono for DS in MHs car and I like it so much more than the Britax I have in my car. The straps never get twisted and seem like they're much more comfortable.

[fishbulb]

jbeans27, do you think the diono takes up less room front to back than the britax does? I like DS's britax but I don't think we can fit two of them rear facing in either of our cars and still be able to drive.

[k3am]

Aug 9, 2016 6:21:08 GMT -5 jbeans27 said:

Jul 8, 2016 13:39:18 GMT -5 @ ck3am said:

We have a Graco for DD. I think we're going to replace it with a diono, since the straps hurt her.

We have a Diono for DS in MHs car and I like it so much more than the Britax I have in my car. The straps never get twisted and seem like they're much more comfortable.

She LOVES the Diono. I got a great deal on Prime Day. When DS is ready for a convertible, the Graco will go in DHs car for him and we'll get another Diono for my car. (DH does DC drop off and that's about the only time either kid spends in his car)

I'm optimistic there will be a good deal on Black Friday.

ETA: I feel bad about how long we let DD be uncomfortable in the Graco for long drives. Even weeks later, she still tells us how much the blue seat hurt her...

[tincupchalice]

Aug 9, 2016 10:30:41 GMT -5 k3am said:

Aug 9, 2016 6:21:08 GMT -5 jbeans27 said:

We have a Diono for DS in MHs car and I like it so much more than the Britax I have in my car. The straps never get twisted and seem like they're much more comfortable.

She LOVES the Diono. I got a great deal on Prime Day. When DS is ready for a convertible, the Graco will go in DHs car for him and we'll get another Diono for my car. (DH does DC drop off and that's about the only time either kid spends in his car)

I'm optimistic there will be a good deal on Black Friday.

ETA: I feel bad about how long we let DD be uncomfortable in the Graco for long drives. Even weeks later, she still tells us how much the blue seat hurt her...

I kicked myself for not getting that on prime day.  I'm waiting for black friday now.

[k3am]

tincupchalice, those things went fast! I texted my neighbor to get one and by the time she tried to buy one, they were sold out.. she tried 3 minutes after the sale started!

[snoris]

This thread is great. Also wondering about infant insert. Manual doesn't say and can't find it online... Eddie Bauer

[k3am]

If your kid has relatively good head control, it's a pretty safe bet to take the insert out.

[jbeans27]

Aug 9, 2016 7:40:55 GMT -5 fishbulb said:

jbeans27, do you think the diono takes up less room front to back than the britax does? I like DS's britax but I don't think we can fit two of them rear facing in either of our cars and still be able to drive.

I think so... MH is pretty tall and hates driving my car (both SUVs but different cars) so I feel like it must be bigger. I also hate that the ribbing on the Britax is fraying after only a little over a year of use, I feel like the Diono wears better (both seats get a good bit of use).

[jbeans27]

Aug 9, 2016 10:30:41 GMT -5 k3am said:

Aug 9, 2016 6:21:08 GMT -5 jbeans27 said:

We have a Diono for DS in MHs car and I like it so much more than the Britax I have in my car. The straps never get twisted and seem like they're much more comfortable.

She LOVES the Diono. I got a great deal on Prime Day. When DS is ready for a convertible, the Graco will go in DHs car for him and we'll get another Diono for my car. (DH does DC drop off and that's about the only time either kid spends in his car)

I'm optimistic there will be a good deal on Black Friday.

ETA: I feel bad about how long we let DD be uncomfortable in the Graco for long drives. Even weeks later, she still tells us how much the blue seat hurt her...

DS isn't uncomfortable in the Britax I just don't love it... I would definitely buy 2 more Diono's for DD since we both do pretty equal pick up and drop offs.

We also have a Cosco Scenara seat for air travel and rental cars since it is so light and DS doesn't seem to mind that - I'd definitely recommend that if you fly often.

[mrssqueegy]

Thanks for the reminder about the insert. Took mine out today.