Graco Snugride conflicting weight/height limits

[OKKiddo]

My son is 4 months, 15 lbs. and 26 inches. I have been reading the threads and gathering information to help me make the decision of if it's time to move him or not. I'm truly torn on this decision as it is...but now I've got conflicting information on the limits for his snugride.

I looked at the paperwork (where the item description and standards are) and it said it was good until 20 lbs. and/or 26 inches. See where I was starting to sweat it? Then I read on these threads that the new snugrides are rated to 22 lbs and/or 29 inches and that I can find out what my rating is also by looking at the side of my carseat on the label.

I did and it said 22 lbs and/or 29 inches. But, the paperwork is different. Which is it? Anyone know?

P.S. My son hates his carseat with a passion and will cry for 2 hours and 20 mins of a 3 hour car ride--non stop!! I noticed that some of you said the same about your children and that they stopped when they were moved to the Britax. BUT! I do so love having the convenience of just pulling a lever to release his carseat and pop it back into a stoller to get around! And, I also don't like the idea of only getting 4 months use out of the carseat! I like to get my money's worth out of things, lol! So, if anyone also has any opinions or advise to offer on this, that would help too.

P.S.S. If it is time to move him to a Britax should I choose the Marathon or the Decathalon? I really like the extra padding (no side impact airbags on my vehicle) but is it worth the extra $20?

Okay, I'm really done now, lol!

[vickimaggie]

What is the date of manufacture on the seat? I'd guess its 22lbs and you just got an old manual but you may want to call Graco to double check.

As far as using the infant seat goes, my daughter also hated it and was much happier when I switched her to a Britax convertible. I know the infant seats are conveniant but I hated to see her miserable and her happiness and pleasant car rides were well worth losing the conveniance of the infant seat.

[o_mom]

Look on the side of your seat for the limits printed there. Then look at the Date of Manufacture. Older ones are 20 lbs/26 in, newer ones are 22 lb/29 inches. They switched sometime around 2004. It sounds like you have a new seat, but an older manual for some reason. If you are sure it is the manual that came with the seat I would call Graco and complain.

[Joolsplus2]

The Decathlon doesn't have the side impact protection, just the Boulevard (the decathlon's padding is just for infant comfort, not crash protection). But ALL properly used carseats are very safe, so there's nothing wrong with going with the Marathon (www.albeebaby.com usually has them cheap).
Once you figure out the real limits on your snugride, then you can use it till his head is within an inch of the top of the seat or the weight limit, and kind of ignore the height limit, but you never want to get closer than one inch to the top, or exceed the weight limit. www.gracobaby.com has all their manuals listed by model number, see if that page jives with your manual.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[OKKiddo]

The date of manufacture was Feb 18, 2006. So, I'm assuming it is a newer model. I did go to Graco's website to try and download the manual but they didn't have my model # listed. It is: 7260PKR2. I bought it at Sears (Parker Collection Navy and Yellow) back in November because it's the Passage 540 system that Wal-Mart and Target were selling, just in a nicer color (Wal-Mart and Target were light green--dirt anyone?) and also Sears had theirs marked down to $139 instead of the other guys $179.

Thanks Julie for getting me straight on the Decathalon. All of the Britax model names are jumbled up in my head after a full day of reading and researching. My husband is all set for getting a Britax in spite of the expense. He likes the safety record on it and tends to go with reviewers opinions.

So, should we avoid the Boulevard due to the irregularities in it's adjustment knob? Or is that being too picky? I know you said that the Marathon is really easy, but I hate to see his head lopping all about from no support. I know he doesn't mind, but OUCH! Makes my neck get a crick in it just looking at it!

Okay, baby is down for a nap. Time to chow fast and then get stuff done, lol!

I know exactly what you mean about your head spinning after all the research. Per the much-needed advice I received on these boards, I just bought a Marathon yesterday for DS. He's 6 months, so his head control isn't such an issue. I'm not sure about the other Britax seats, but the Marathon can be reclined enough so that his head should be fine and since he's already 4 months, you won't have to worry about it much longer anyway. HTH!

[HIU8]

FWIW I moved DS to a Marathon at 11 weeks and never had a head flop issue. DS is 2.5 and still very happily RF in the seat. DH and I love this seat! It is so easy to use.

HTH
Heather
DS 11/27/04
DD EDD 6/22/07

[OKKiddo]

My son, Bryan, has had excellent head control since he was born. He didn't have a floppy head like other baby's from the time he was less than 2 months old. When I say head flop in the car seat, I mean when he falls asleep and his head is laying on his shoulder. It just looks so uncomfortable!

[Joolsplus2]

It looks uncomfortable, but it's not, and it's not dangerous :). Kids are super flexible and don't get stiff necks like we do. The only 'head flop' that's dangerous is when a newborn's chin flops down on his chest, it can cut off their airways. If that's not happening, you're fine (and you're going to see a lot of head flop in the next 5 years or so, it's ok...every time he nods off in the car)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[OKKiddo]

Julie,

Thanks for the info! It just looks so uncomfortable, even if he doesn't notice. My hubby and I are going to look at the Britax's at BRU in a couple weeks (earliest that work will let him loose--He's Army and out in the field; army style camping). We know it's gonna be a Britax, just not sure which model. We'll have to make sure it fits in our vehicle (Ford Freestyle) though. Thanks again to everyone for your help and input!

Nancy