Next carseat for 3 mo. old

[tamar948]

Hi all,

I've been reading through the posts in this forum, but haven't quite found the answer to the question I have.

We have a Graco Snugride that we used from birth (before we even had a car of our own :) ). I know all carseats have height & weight limits, and the Snugride says a height limit of 26". DD is growing like a weed and has got to be at least 25" now. DH thinks we should get her into a new carseat ASAP (and of course sent me off to do the research :D lol - it's what I do).

I'm concerned that next step up carseats won't provide enough support around her head. She's got good head support for a 3 mo old, but she's still only 3 mo and falls asleep in the car alot (I hate it when her head squishes over to the side - it looks so uncomfortable and unhealthy).

Oh, we just got a Scion xB and I'm also trying to figure out LATCH with the car.
Any tips would be SO helpful!

TIA,
Tamar

[DebbieJ]

You actually can use the Snugride until there is one inch of plastic shell above her head. So if she's long in the legs and not the torso, you still have time. But if she's long in the torso, you better get shopping!

We switched my son to a Britax Marathon at 3 months for comfort reasons and he did just fine! I will go find a picture I have of him sleeping in it.

Here it is: (he is 3 months and 1 week old in this pic)
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31459.jpg

If you are really concerned about head support, you can always roll up some receiving blankets and prop her head up. Side to side flopping is actually okay; it's the flopping forward that you have to really worry about so you need to make sure that whatever car seat you choose is installed with the correct recline.

You can't go wrong with a Britax convertible. They go up to 33 pounds rearfacing and the larger seats (Marathon, Boulevard, Decathalon) go up to 65 pounds front facing so you can keep your dd in a 5 point harness for a very long time!

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[kimbe]

We put DD in a Boulevard at 3 months and the wings give her GREAT head support! She falls asleep in it all the time it is nice to see her head resting on a wing and not on her shoulder! HTH!

[pittsburghgirl]

My DS went into his MA at 4 months and he actually always looked MORE comfortable in it than the Snugride. He tended to be more squishy in that than the MA, if that helps!

Marilee
mommy to James
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040120/1/1/1/-5/.png

[tamar948]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I really appreciate your making me feel more comfortable about getting her into a bigger seat. Next time we go for a ride I will check how far her head is from the top of the seat. In the meantime, Britax it is! It sounds like a tough decision as far as which model after you choose to go w/ Britax. I will have to read up on the dif's between Marathon, Decathlon, and Boulevard (I'd like to get one of the larger ones that can accomodate the most height/ weight since I'd like to have this last a few years :D) - I'm betting there is at least 1 thread here w/ opinions on that part.

I also remember reading that Britax will not allow retailers to sell the seats below MSRP or put them on sale or something... Is this true? Is there no way to get a Britax for less than $250? Yikes (not that DD isn't worth it, but ouch!)

Thanks again,
Tamar

[tamar948]

Thanks so much fr the pic! Your DS is adorable. And I love that print on the carseat.

:D

[DebbieJ]

You might be able to find a discontinued fabric selling for less then $250. Otherwise your best bet is to find an online retailer that is part of ebates (Baby Universe, Baby Center, Baby Age) and go that route. (click here to check out ebates--http://tinyurl.com/8blj8)

Here's one for $219 in a discountinued fabric:
http://www.specialtybaby.com/br20macocars8.html

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[tamar948]

Wow thanks!
I am shopping for one in that discontinued fabric (sold out at specialtybaby.com :(, but appears to be available at a couple of other e-tailers. Guess I'd best buy it ASAP from one of them... unless any of you know whether there will be a mass closeout offering a bit more variety in the 'fabric' department *lol*

Thanks again,
Tamar

[DebbieJ]

Check out the post about sale priced Boulevards. More seat for less than a Marathon.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg