April 2013 Moms

The stress of finding a car seat

Excuse me while I vent....

I had no idea it would be so stressful finding a convertible car seat. Every one I look at seems to have something wrong with it, and I haven't been able to find one that meets all my criteria. I keep getting the same recommendations, and every seat has some bad reviews about things that are important to me. My LO is in the 95th% for her height, so I'd like one suitable for tall babies. The Graco MySize is a popular recommendation, but I keep reading complaints that the harness is very difficult to tighten and parents don't feel their child is safe. No thanks. Then there's the Diono Radian, but it looks monstrous and I don't have a lot of room in the backseat to fit something like that rear facing.

I went to Buybuy Baby over the weekend, and a sales associate convinced me to go with the Britax Marathon. I have the Britax B Agile travel system and like it, so I figured why not stick with Britax. It was a PITA to install, and it's challenging getting LO into the chair. I can easily hit her head if I'm not very careful. But other than that, it's growing on me. It's easy to buckle her in and adjust the straps. I like the material, and she seems very comfortable in it. She has no problem falling asleep in it! I'm just concerned that if it's hard getting her into it now, imagine as she gets taller. I'll have to fold the poor girl in half! Is that normal?

I was debating whether or not to exchange it, but from the look of it, I don't think I'm going to get anything better. 
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Re: The stress of finding a car seat

  • Everything has some negative reviews because everyone has different expectations. Your baby is tall, so you will have to 'fold' her for a while inside a car until she is able to climb in herself. 
     
     
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  • Rear facing can be a PITA to get the kid in, regardless of the seat. I don't know that a different car seat would help. They are all similar in terms of dimensions to provide the side protection for baby. A sacrifice for safety!
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  • Since this is my first convertible car seat, I'm learning what's normal. Thanks for helping me get some perspective!
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  • Folding baby to get them in is normal. I sometimes have to fold my 40" 3 yo into her carseat when she's too tired to climb in herself.

    Fwiw, we own both the carseats you mentioned. I love both, but I'm most excited about the MySize because it will rear face the longest height wise. I have no problems with the harness.
    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
    Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
    Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
  • Every single mom I've talked to says "BRITAX ALL THE WAY."
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  • Still highly recommend the Peg Perego :)
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  • There is a Facebook group called "Car Seats for the Littles" moderated by car seat techs.  If you tell them what you're looking for, your baby's stats, and the vehicle you drive they can make recommendations for what they think would be best.  
  • SLP430 said:
    There is a Facebook group called "Car Seats for the Littles" moderated by car seat techs.  If you tell them what you're looking for, your baby's stats, and the vehicle you drive they can make recommendations for what they think would be best.  

    I HIGHLY recommend this group!! I am actually getting certified to be a carseat tech currently, so I may be able to help! I have the Graco Headwise which is equivalent to the Mysize. I am in love with it! I have never had any issues with the harness and DD loves it so much more than her infant seat. The installation is so freaking easy too. I just pre-ordered the Chicco Nextfit in pink rose when they come out in September which is also a great seat that will last a while and installs easily. The marathons are great seats too, but they have really small compact shells that make ERF almost impossible for a tall child. It really isn't a concern bending your kids to get them in the car though, from everything I have read so far that seems pretty normal. If you use an angle adjuster for the Radian it might actually be a good choice for you because you are limited on space. Technically, you're not supposed to use one until they're a year old, but if your child has good neck control I wouldn't be concerned. Radians are quite tall and insanely heavy but they're very adaptable. I hoped this helped a little bit!
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  • We have the B Agile Travel System to.. And I'm pretty sure we have the Britax Advocate car seat [it's stored away, still in the box from the shower.] We registered for it based on reviews and safety. But like a PP said, every mom I know that has Britax loves it.
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  • Thanks everyone for your input! I might take a closer look at the Graco line. I sent a message to Car Seats for the Littles to see if they can help me.
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