How the f do you install your car seat snugly?

L L CG

I tried and tried and TRIED yesterday to get our convertable in my car snug enough to where it wouldn't move more than an inch either way and I just can't do it.  Is there a trick that I don't know?  I even sat in it, facing the back, and pulled up as hard as I could.  I can still rock it at least 4-5 inches either way.  

It's in the center of the back seat and is RF.  Should I move it to the side? 

Mrs.Purdue

installing with LATCH or with the belt?  I've found that it's nearly impossible (for me) to get it in snug enough with the belt, so we moved her to the side so we could use the LATCH. 

other than that, I don't have too much advice.  sometimes I have to just take it all out and try again and somehow it works after the 2nd time (like the belt just stopped being able to get tight but once I took it out and loosened it all the way, I was able to tighten it correctly again).  

 

fjaril

We are on a side seat since that is where the LATCH is. 

Even in cars w/out the LATCH we use the side. I kneel in it and pull with all my might. 

L L CG

Mrs.Purdue:

installing with LATCH or with the belt?  I've found that it's nearly impossible (for me) to get it in snug enough with the belt, so we moved her to the side so we could use the LATCH. 

other than that, I don't have too much advice.  sometimes I have to just take it all out and try again and somehow it works after the 2nd time (like the belt just stopped being able to get tight but once I took it out and loosened it all the way, I was able to tighten it correctly again).  

 

Oh I was using LATCH, but then I read that maybe I shouldn't use that when I am trying to put it in the center.  I'll try again tonight to move it over to the side.  Grrr. 

Emer

I stick my knee in the seat and then put all my weight on it and pull as hard as I freaking can on the straps.  Could it be that it won't sit well on the center seat?  Is it too wide for the space?  

Oh, and depending on the seat, you may have to adjust the incline position for RF instead of FF. 

rssnlvr

L L CG:

Mrs.Purdue:

installing with LATCH or with the belt?  I've found that it's nearly impossible (for me) to get it in snug enough with the belt, so we moved her to the side so we could use the LATCH. 

other than that, I don't have too much advice.  sometimes I have to just take it all out and try again and somehow it works after the 2nd time (like the belt just stopped being able to get tight but once I took it out and loosened it all the way, I was able to tighten it correctly again).  

 

Oh I was using LATCH, but then I read that maybe I shouldn't use that when I am trying to put it in the center.  I'll try again tonight to move it over to the side.  Grrr. 

If your car doesn't have LATCH specifically for the center seat, you should use a belt for center location or move the seat to the side for LATCH. DH tried to use one LATCH buckle from each side of the car for putting DD's infant seat in the middle, and we were told that's a big no-no.

When we just had the one seat, she was in the middle with the belt to secure. I would have DH push down on it with all his weight and then I'd pull the belt as hard as I could. 

brideonjuly8

Emer:

I stick my knee in the seat and then put all my weight on it and pull as hard as I freaking can on the straps.

This is what I do.  It was hard to do when he was rfing.  Once he was in the convertible we moved him to the side.

Nessia

brideonjuly8:

Emer:

I stick my knee in the seat and then put all my weight on it and pull as hard as I freaking can on the straps.

This is what I do.  It was hard to do when he was rfing.  Once he was in the convertible we moved him to the side.

This is what I do. DS's is so tight now that I cannot take it out now.

jakbtx

can you tether too? i have trouble getting one of ours tight and extra tethering does the final job. 

ali-1411

I get it as tight as I can by kneeling in it and pulling.  It still shifts around but I figure its safe enough.  Its not going anywhere, you know?  Then I have DH get it in better when he gets home. 

 

fjaril

jakbtx:

can you tether too? i have trouble getting one of ours tight and extra tethering does the final job. 

check if your seat allows rear facing tethering before you do that. 

m_and_m

I get either in the seat or on the seat with a knee on each side, depending on the seat. Then I get pull the seatbelt out all the way to activate the emergency ratcheting system or whatever it's called. I feed the belt up to where it locks while rocking the seat side to side. Then I do it again while pushing it down into the seat, and again while pushing it into the seat back. I keep doing this until there is absolutely no give anywhere in the seat. Depending on the seat and the vehicle, I will also put my foot or knee on the seatbelt where it comes out from under the car seat cushion, and push there until it is tight then slowly feed the belt up to keep it tight.

I am a frickin' expert at getting car seats installed properly, but it's still a PITA.

 

rssnlvr:

If your car doesn't have LATCH specifically for the center seat, you should use a belt for center location or move the seat to the side for LATCH. DH tried to use one LATCH buckle from each side of the car for putting DD's infant seat in the middle, and we were told that's a big no-no.

Not should, HAVE TO if you want your seat to function properly. I just want to reiterate that even though you basically said that, rssn.

ali-1411:

I get it as tight as I can by kneeling in it and pulling.  It still shifts around but I figure its safe enough.  Its not going anywhere, you know?  Then I have DH get it in better when he gets home. 

 

 

 

chargermama

Be stuffing 3 car seats across the seat. All will be SNUG!

SaraLouiseBride08

I'm cracking up picturing us all heaving and hoing and contorting in our cars. 

m_and_m

SaraLouiseBride08:

I'm cracking up picturing us all heaving and hoing and contorting in our cars. 

FTR, I stopped hoing in my car shortly after high school.  

L L CG

m_and_m:

SaraLouiseBride08:

I'm cracking up picturing us all heaving and hoing and contorting in our cars. 

FTR, I stopped hoing in my car shortly after high school.  

I hoed this morning.  I must have burned at least 200 calories.

I sat on the seat and pulled, then turned around and put my knee in it and pulled, and it is tighter now but still probably moves about 2 inches or so.  

I am going to go to one of those car seat clinics. 

Persa

L L CG:

Mrs.Purdue:

installing with LATCH or with the belt?  I've found that it's nearly impossible (for me) to get it in snug enough with the belt, so we moved her to the side so we could use the LATCH. 

other than that, I don't have too much advice.  sometimes I have to just take it all out and try again and somehow it works after the 2nd time (like the belt just stopped being able to get tight but once I took it out and loosened it all the way, I was able to tighten it correctly again).  

 

Oh I was using LATCH, but then I read that maybe I shouldn't use that when I am trying to put it in the center.  I'll try again tonight to move it over to the side.  Grrr. 

Depends on your car. Does your owner's manual say that? I couldn't do center LATCH in my car (ford escape) with the infant seat  but I can with my convertible  

SaraLouiseBride08

I have an Accord with a Britax Convertable. I can't use latch in the center, only on the sides. While I can get it plenty tight, it always comes out lopsided ...one side lower (the side where it buckles). This *** is such a pain!!

My mother has a Cosco convertable seat in their old Pontiac. Center belt and that damn thing is about to go in the trash. There is NO tightening that sucker.