Car seat/booster seat suggestions

MunchkinWear · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: Car seat/booster seat suggestions

It looks like it's time to get new car seats/booster seats for Roz and Easten.

Roz is 3½ and about 40 pounds, I think, so I'm thinking she can move to a booster seat.

Easten just turned 1 and is getting a bit big for the carrier he now uses, so he needs to be switched to a car seat. The car seats we have for Roz (except for the one in Dallas's car) were bought used at a consignment store about 2½ years ago, so they will most likely need to be replaced because of age.

We prefer Britax and I found booster seats and car seats at Albee Baby at decent sale prices (I think), but I'd love to hear from others about which models they like and why. Also, if you know of a better place to get these items at a better price, I'd love to hear about that, too...we are trying to equip all 3 of our cars for both kids so we don't have to worry about removing and re-installing the seats into each others cars.
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bellebelle · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:55 pm Post subject:

I would get a combination seat for Roz. A seat that has a 5 point harness then will switch to a booster. (Britax Frontier and Graco Nautilus come to mind, I'm sure there are other good ones)

For Easten, I would get a seat that will rear face and forward face. (Britax Marathon, or depending on how big he is, a Britax Roundabout, Graco My Ride, etc.)
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MunchkinWear · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject:

We got the Britax Marathon for Roz, so that might be a good choice for Easten, though he is a bit of a chunkers, so if he needs more room, you're saying the Roundabout may be roomier for him?

I'll have to look at the Frontier again...I thought maybe the Parkway SG Booster would be a good choice for Roz and it would be easier on the budget. Is that a bit too advanced for her at this point? I thought it was still a 5-point harness, but my memory could be wrong. I'd really like something that has cup holders for her, if possible, and the Parkway had that.
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krgolden · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject:

mama2LilynDevon · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject:

I don't know anything about Britax carseats but I won't put Roz in just a boater quite yet. You'll have to check your state laws but in Al. they have to be in straps until they are 4 but even if they were able to, I wouldn't have put the twins in boosters. The twins just turned four last month. Adam hit 40lbs in August and he got a new seat then. He got an Evenflo Maestro. It's up to 50lbs in straps and then goes to a booster. I went ahead and replaced Beka's in Nov. They are just too wild to be trusted in a boosted. I could just see one of them getting mad and deciding they were not going to sit in their seat and I wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. With the straps I can fight them into the seat and they may scream the whole way home but they are in there seat. Plus I don't think the twins would sit up correctly in a booster. I'm having trouble getting my 6 year old dd to sit up right. I'm constantly threatening to put her back in straps. lol
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Marcsgirl · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject:

Definitely get Roz a seat that has a 5 point harness - Tyler, even at 6 has issues remembering to sit properly in his booster (a Sunshine Kids Monterey - which he wouldn't be in yet if we weren't in an accident and had to replace the seat).

As for Easten, I would take him to Target or Toys R Us and try him in seats to see what fits him well. You can then search for deals online.

Britax, while more expensive initially, have a longer "shelf life" than other seats - most are 6 years, Britax is 9.
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MunchkinWear · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your input, ladies!

I just looked at the Parkway SG Booster and I thought it was a 5-point harness that converted to a booster, but it's not! I think it registered like that in my mind because it has a back and cushioned sides like a regular car seat...it's not just a seat that gives a child some extra height for regular seatbelt use. I definitely want to continue putting Roz in a 5-point harness and I know Nicki would want that, too!

Amanda (Marcsgirl), thank you for the "shelf life" info for the Britax! I wasn't sure when the ones we had would "expire" and I know there is a place on them with a date, but I can't recall where it is to check (of course, pulling out the little booklet and finding that info would be too easy... :P ). It looks like we may not need to replace everything right now...just use the current car seats for Easten and get new equipment for Roz. Smile

It might also be nice to get new boyish covers for the car seats, too, since mine and Nicki's are girly...the one in Dallas's car is black/gray, so it's good. Wink

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mimiw · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:16 pm Post subject:

We have the Britax Frontier and love it. We also have the roundabout and it is good for smaller cars.
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MunchkinWear · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Mimi! I was just reading the reviews and people are in love with this model. Smile

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Marcsgirl · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject:

Britax usually puts their manufacture dates on the top right side of the back when you're looking at it.
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Erin · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject:

The boulevard is great from about 9 months on. For Easton I mean. M is still in it and he is almost 5.
We will get him a frontier next.
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Kaylene · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:09 pm Post subject:

Marcsgirl · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:03 am Post subject:

I LOVE the Frontier but it was a pain to get it installed the first time - though once you figure it out it's a breeze.
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MunchkinWear · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:05 pm Post subject:

Marcsgirl · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

No, there wouldn't be room. It's got big hips.

I was made fun of too, for the fact that Tyler was still in a 5 point harness when starting grade 1.
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