ghm carseat ques

*Lu-Lu*

My friend is having trouble installing her graco snugride in the back of her husband's toyota tacoma.  She says the passenger seat is pushed so far forward that it won't click in place.   I've recommended that if she buys a new seat, she should get a convertible.  However, her son is only 8 weeks old and 9lbs.  He's tiny.  Would a radian work in this situation?  Is it any smaller rearfacing, than an infant seat?

goodheartedmommy

If she's having trouble with a rear facing seat taking up too much room, the radian is not the answer. I love the radian SO much, but it takes up a lot of room front to back. The first years true fit might be a better choice. It's as tall as a radian, and actually fits newborns better, but it can install much more upright and you can take the headrest off. She also could try to change the angle of the snugride base, or even install it without the base.

*Lu-Lu*

bummer, I like the radian, too.  I've also directed her to car-seat.org  

Is there anywhere else that would be a good resource?  I'll tell her about the true fit.  

Thanks!

penguingrrl

I'm not GHM, but I have a snugride and two radians and a very small car (beetle).  The radian takes up a bit more space RF than the snugride did, although it actually took up a little less than my old graco comfortsport did.  Is there a way he can adjust the incline the passenger sits at?  That's the only way we can fit a RF carseat in our car.  The seat in front of the RF seat is at a really awkward angle in order to accommodate a RF seat, which isn't fun, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep my kid safe (and we tried to sell the car this summer with no luck, so getting a different car is unfortunately not an option).

AnnapolisLari

I would try installing without the base using the belt. The base isn't safer than the belt, just more convenient.

 

*Lu-Lu*

penguingrrl:

I'm not GHM, but I have a snugride and two radians and a very small car (beetle).  The radian takes up a bit more space RF than the snugride did, although it actually took up a little less than my old graco comfortsport did.  Is there a way he can adjust the incline the passenger sits at?  That's the only way we can fit a RF carseat in our car.  The seat in front of the RF seat is at a really awkward angle in order to accommodate a RF seat, which isn't fun, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep my kid safe (and we tried to sell the car this summer with no luck, so getting a different car is unfortunately not an option).

I'm not sure.  I'll ask her.  I can't remember if the truck is 4 doors or an extended cab.  If it's an extended cab, I can see how a rear facing carseat won't work.  

goodheartedmommy

My friend drives her husbands truck and used a graco safeseat, so it has to work somehow. Just now sure how! And ditto lari--the seatbelt with the seat is no less safe. I did it at times, and it's way more upright.

*Lu-Lu*

Good to know about using just the belt.  I'll let her know.  That would be way cheaper and easier than buying a new seat!