Britax Convertible Users....I need help!

JKTTC1

LO didn't like his infant seat (Chicco Keyfit 22). He didn't scream all the time but he was unhappy most of the time in his seat. Since he is almost 21lbs I decided to go ahead and install the Britax Boulevard 70 CS that we got. LO is short and chunky. The black comfort pads are all up in his face and bothersome. I move the gray snug chest pads all the way down to the bottom where the buckle is but they are still sticking him in his cheeks.He still isn't happy when I put him in this seat. I also think I may be tightening him too much and he feels so constricted.

Since he is so chunky I moved the buckle (between the legs) to the front setting. I just saw where you aren't supposed to place it at this setting when the seat is rear facing. If I put it at the setting closest to LO its pinching him between his legs. 

1. Can I remove the black comfort pads and gray chest clip and just not use them?

EDIT: I mean the HUGS...NOT the black plastic chest clip!

2. Does anyone have to use the front position for the buckle?

opaque1997

I'm sure others will chime in (I can't speak to this) but I can tell you if you want to post at car seats for the littles (on fb) or car-seat.org you will get a TON of ideas and most of it from Techs who are certified

LittleApple

1.  You can remove the black comfort pads, but not the Gray chest clip things. They are called HUGS.  Those need to be in place when rear facing at all times. 

2. The bottom buckle MUST stay in the first position while rear facing.  You can remove the comfort padding piece behind the child to create more room. 

3. Please pull out and read the manual before you use the seat. 

vigurl

JKTTC1:

1. Can I remove the black comfort pads and gray chest clip and just not use them?

Yes. They are not needed until forward facing.  I called Britax 2 weeks ago about this issue and they told me to remove them.

vigurl

LittleApple:

1.  You can remove the black comfort pads, but not the Gray chest clip things. They are called HUGS.  Those need to be in place when rear facing at all times. 

This is absolutely not true.  Both can be removed. 

ETA To CLARIFY Both the pads and the HUGS.  not the chest clip as they are not even removable!

JKTTC1

LittleApple:

1.  You can remove the black comfort pads, but not the Gray chest clip things. They are called HUGS.  Those need to be in place when rear facing at all times. 

2. The bottom buckle MUST stay in the first position while rear facing.  You can remove the comfort padding piece behind the child to create more room. 

3. Please pull out and read the manual before you use the seat. 

I've removed the infant body pillow. All of the pillows that can be removed have been removed.  I've also read the manual but it doesn't say in there that the HUGS CANNOT be removed.

opaque1997

If we are talking about the plastic chest clip that holds the two straps together at the chest level of the child - I've NEVER heard of any case where a seat should be used without that.. any brand.

JKTTC1

opaque1997:

If we are talking about the plastic chest clip that holds the two straps together at the chest level of the child - I've NEVER heard of any case where a seat should be used without that.. any brand.

No...the HUGS

vigurl

Seriously just call britax.  The hold time was less than 1 minute.

LittleApple

Whoops!  My bad about the HUGS.  I have a RF'er and a FF'er.  Hard to keep things straight sometimes.

Leinistar

1. You can take the padding off the straps. DS thinks any kind of strap padding is demon possessed and screams bloody murder until you take them off.

2. You must use the rear buckle when seated rear facing.

To me it seems like your not sitting the baby far enough back into the seat. I have a chunky baby too but usually the only time I have a problem buckling the one between his legs is when he's scooted forward and his butt isnt' fully in the back of the seat. This will help him to sit up straighter as well so you shouldnt have such an issue with things poking his face. Also, the grey SNUG pads should be flat against his body so I'm still not sure how they would be poking him in the face.

My suggestion is to find a local fire department or other authorized inspection site and have them make sure everything is installed correctly and that you're placing your LO in the seat and strapping him in right.