Need a sounding board for car seats (melly918)

melly918

Ok, here is the thing. DD is in a Graco Snugride that has a 22 lb limit. She is approaching that limit soon and we were going to put her in DS' Britax Marathon convertible and buy booster seats for DS. He had not outgrown the convertible's height or weight yet, but we need to move DD into a convertible soon. We went shopping at BRU yesterday because I have stuff I can trade in to get 25% off a new car seat (they're having their bi annual trade in event thru Feb 17) and I wanted to research the boosters before we purchased them. When looking at the convertibles because I was curious what was out there today, I had NO idea the convertible seats have changed so much since we purchased the Marathon in 2010. That model has been retired and does not have the massive side protection that today's models have. I start thinking instead of getting the boosters now, maybe DD should get a new convertible seat since our current one will eventually expire in 2 years and we could just keep DS in the current seat for a little bit longer since he hasn't outgrown it. We can get him the boosters at the next BRU trade in event in the fall and by then he may not need the one that includes a harness. The kids are both in the back seat of our cars, so I feel DD needs more side protection than what the current convertible can offer. Money is really tight right now so we can't buy four new seats all at once since we need them for both cars.

Does this make sense? I am looking at the Graco convertibles for DD and would love opinions.

misternmiss

I have zero advice for you because I have yet to transition my DS to a convertible seat. But I did stumble upon this Facebook group called Car Seats For The Littles. You can ask specific questions and receive specific feedback, search Q&As similar to your own, and I think certified techs are even members. Good luck!

melly918

Wow, thank you for all the helpful responses and supporting my thoughts to get DD the new convertibles instead. I will check out that FB group as well, I never heard of it. Thanks!!

Junebug060609

Ditto the others with keeping him in a convertible. One additional thought though: You may want to look at what the expiration date is on his seat. You mention getting it in 2010. It likely isn't an issue, but if it has a five year limit, that may play into your decision.

FmrAFBrat

RachaelA said:

I personally would keep your oldest in his convertible until he outgrows it. That's the safest IMO. I'd get 2 new convertibles for your daughter. And just trade his convertibles in for boosters when he outgrows the convertibles.

This. Also be careful with BRU. I was going to do the trade in there but the seat I'm interested in will actually be cheaper at BBB with the coupon. BRUs starting prices are a lot more expensive.

JulyMomma2U2

Also, check Kohls!  That's where I've found the cheapest prices.. I have a Kohls credit card, so I often get 30% coupons (or you can just gogoled the codes), and everything has been cheaper there!  Bought my radian there, adn will likely get a second (and 3rd eventually!) from there, too!

But, I agree with PPs... there are several car seat groups on FB that are SUPER helpful.. and, I'd keep your older son in his car seat until he outgrows it

melly918

Good points. I'm researching other stores, including Target. I found it cheaper there but that one requires re threading the seat which we do with DS' current seat. Hate doing that but for the price it's worth considering since it's not often we need to rethread.