Can we talk about carseats? (ideas, infants, weight, booster seat)

[Sampaguita]

Are they really necessary?

Just kidding.

I'm researching before we buy our twins the next set of carseats. They are in the Graco Infant Snugrides but our son is fast out-growing his at almost 5 months (he's a little over 17lbs & 26" long).

I'm looking at the Britax Marathon (but balking at the pricetag), Evenflo Triumph Advance & TrueFit.

Does anyone have experience with any of these carseats?

Any other brand/model to recommend?

I'm guessing that based on our genetics, the twins are going to be tall - one lean, one line-backer-sized.

Thanks for your help!

[BlueLily7]

Britax are good......I felt uncomfortable taking my small-for-her-age 4 year old out of her full carseat and putting her in one of those booster seats that has no back, so I forked over the $$$$ to put her in a Britax Boulevard, the one that has a full back, 5 point harness, and side impact protection. She doesn't feel like she is in a baby car seat and is comfy riding in it- people complain that it's kind of big but I have no problems with it in my van.

My youngest is almost out of her Snugride and I plan to put her in the Britax Marathon-this is the model that accomodates from 5 pounds to 65 pounds. If I didn't want the infact carrier to go with my stroller I would have invested in this one in the first place. I think the Marathon is rated to stay rear facing up to 40 pounds I believe? Anyway it's pricey but it's what I would (and WILL) go with- it should be all the carseat you'll ever need unless by chance your kid reaches 65 pounds before being out of a booster requirement. (The Boulevard goes up to 80 pounds I think, but, can't be used on young infants obviously. I forget what the smallest size they accomodate is).

I am hearing good things about one of the new Gracos that is out- I forget it's name but it's new, is just starting to come out Walmart and other stores, and is more comparable to the Britax ones. It's supposed to be in the $150 range as opposed to $300 I think. I am sorry I forgot what it's called but it should be easy enough to look up?

[BlueLily7]

For when they are older, around 4, I do want to make one recommendation- please know that backless booster seats are proving not to be as safe, and keep them in 5-point-harness full-back carseats as long as possible. I know this is not quite was asked but some googling will pull up some experiences and statistics about booster seats. This is why I think the Britax are good recommendations to move to now- they will last a good long time and you can use them instead of needing to switch to a booster. If this makes sense...you should be able to put your under-1 babies in the Boulevard now, and still expect to be using it when they are 4-5....probably longer unless they just grow out of them.

[charz]

For every stage of development, I've bought a Graco. They are reasonably priced, do well in Safety tests, and my children are comfortable sitting in them.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

I love our Marathons! My son was in his until he was 6 1/2, and my daughter is now 5 1/2 and still has a while to go. They both will outgrow it by height before weight.

If your kids tend to be tall, I'd go with the Boulevards, which are the new Huskies, I believe. They go up to 80 lbs and a taller height.

After being in a rollover car accident with my kids, I'm a total "carseat nazi." I keep my babies rear facing until they are too heavy/tall (with the Marathon it's 33 lbs), and then harnessed until they no longer fit in the Marathon. Now my son is in a highback booster with head support.

I know they're pricey, but you ca'nt put a price on the safety of your babies.

[KH02]

For my older son i have a Britac regent as it keeps him in a 5 point harness up to 90 lbs.. and the boosters aren't that safe. harness is the best.

But FOR NOW while they are still little a Evenflo Triumph ADV is GREAT! We have our 1 year old in one and i love it.

[mlv311]

I agree with Bluelily7 that it's safer to keep them in a 5-point harness as long as possible. Britax carsearts are excellent. We had a Roundabout and a few months ago had to buy a third carseat for our daughter because she reached the 40 lb weight limit at 2.5 years old. So based on my experience, I suggest you look at carseats that go to at least 65 lbs with a 5-point harness (like the Marathon).

There are two other options that are less expensive and are very good. The Graco Nautilus has a 5-point harness for use until child reaches 65 lbs and can convert to a booster so it's a carseat that will serve you until your child is 100 lbs. Walmart and Amazon have the best price for it at $147+. The other option is a Sunshine Radian 65 or 80. They are very sturdy and fold for easy carrying. They both come with a 5-point harness and are a bit pricier. I think the one that goes to 65 lbs is about $200 and the one that goes to 80 lbs is $279. We have both seats (Graco Nautilus and Sunshine Radian 80) and are very pleased with them.

I personally didn't care for the Evenflo Triumph. We used it in our second car, but were never happy with it.

[Sum1Else]

Hi there! I am a nationally certified child passenger safety technician. Yes, one of those people that you see at seat checks. I am willing to answer questions as a tech and a mom. However, I don't want to turn this forum into a carseat forum or even make it your only go to place. So I will provide a great link to a forum that already exists and has very good information on this topic as well as numerous technicians and instructors with tons of experience and parents who have been there, done that. (Just DM me for that info)

For the OP, there are several things to consider.

1- your babies will be rear-facing for quite a while yet

2- are most likely going to be tall

3- are going to need another seat!

If your children are likely to have longer torso, please make sure you include that in your criteria when searching for the new seats. Also you will need to think about the vehicle you drive and who rides with you. If you can try out the 'candidate seats' in your vehicle before you buy them, that is great. I know that some stores will let you and some do not. You are buying two seats so they may be more helpful as it's a bigger $$ to them. (sad but true in some cases! LOL)

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends that children remain rear-facing to the maximum capacity of a rear-facing convertible seat. This is roughly 30-35 lbs. Extended rear-facing is becoming more commonplace, thank goodness. It is so much safer. Children have not outgrown their rear-facing seats just because their feet touch the back of the vehicle seat. Teach them to cross their legs and they will be more comfortable. We've seen some children rear-face up to 36 months! Super!

The AAP also recommends now that children remain in a 5-pt harness to 65+ pounds. Thankfully the manufacturers are catching on even more and there are more seats with higher harness limits.

As a technician I don't recommend any one brand or model over another. I will recommend the specifications of one seat over another though. As your children will likely be taller, you may want to make sure that your new RF seat is capable of protecting them longer. Jenny's Recommended Seats List - Car Seat.Org - Carseat, Vehicle & Child Passenger Safety Forums will give you some ideas on the RF convertibles. Note on there that the Britax seats (with the exception of the Roundabout) top slots are 17". The Sunshine Kids Radian 65 top slots are 18". Both brands are RF 33-35 lb and FF 65 lb. The Sunshine Radian 65 can be difficult to install in some vehicles but it has other benefits too. They are slimmer so they can fit 3 seats across if needed. Also I believe they fold so that you can carry them on for easy travel.

Let me know if you have questions. Or maybe I'll see you on that other forum.

[Sum1Else]

Originally Posted by BlueLily7

I think the Marathon is rated to stay rear facing up to 40 pounds I believe?

NO!!!! Britax (with the exception of the Roundabout) RF to 35 lbs **Was 33 lb on seats manufactured before 2008**

Originally Posted by BlueLily7

I am hearing good things about one of the new Gracos that is out- I forget it's name but it's new, is just starting to come out Walmart and other stores, and is more comparable to the Britax ones. It's supposed to be in the $150 range as opposed to $300 I think. I am sorry I forgot what it's called but it should be easy enough to look up?

The Graco Nautilus is the new Graco that is FORWARD FACING harness and booster. It cannot be used RF and so is not appropriate for the OP's 5 month old twins.

I have 3 of these seats for my 8, 8, and 4.5 yo girls. All of my girls weigh about 42 lbs. LOL They harness to 65 lbs and then switch to either low back booster (lbb) or high back booster (hbb) to 100 lbs. The other great thing about this seat is the very high harness slots. There are only 2 seats out there with the high slots and this is one of them. I purchased them with my twins discount and a coupon at BRU. I paid about $130 each when you divide it out.

Yes, BRU has a twins discount when buying two of the same high ticket items. Check store for details. You don't have to have twins (or multiples) just be buying two of the same thing at the same time.

[maestramommy]

Our almost 3 yo is currently in the Roundabout, but we got the Marathon for her because our 14 mo will be moving from her infant seat into the Roundabout. At the time we were buying the next seat, Britax made seats with the highest rearfacing weight limits, something we wanted. That is probably not the case now.

I will say that yes, Britax is expensive, but we love the seats. They are EASY to install and use correctly. They are also comfy so the our older daughter likes riding in the car, in contrast to her infant seat, where she complained for most of her first year (not a Britax). They are big and heavy though, so make sure you don't mind carrying them IF you plan to fly with them. If you're going to install them in the car and forget about them, then you're good.

I will probably not get a Britax when my older one outgrows the Marathon if she still needs the harnes. I will probably get the Graco Nautilus.