I need your wisdom and knowledge

IamMom · #1 October 28th, 2008, 08:20 AM

I want to get the Britax carseats for DS and for the new little one. I am wondering what is the best way to go (money wise) and just so I don't have to keep busy car seats.

DS is already 2 1/2 but only 26 pounds. I want him in a 5 point harness thru 80 pounds and I saw the Regent goes up to 80 pounds (22 - 80 pounds) should I buy this one for DS and then that is the only one we will ever need. Should i buy one for each of our vehicles?

REgarding the infant seat - can you buy additional bases so you can use the seat in both cars without moving the base like most other infant seats? After the infant seat (like at 1 year) could I buy a regent for the baby as well and be done with buying car seats?

What do you all think?

Lash · #2 October 28th, 2008, 09:30 AM

I personally wouldnt get an infant seat, but rather the convertible that goes from 5 pounds to 80 pounds (I'm getting the Boulevard CS unless the Advocate does come out in 2009. It has built in airbags)

IamMom · #3 October 28th, 2008, 09:39 AM

Thanks Lauren - so the Boulevard is the convertible you are talking about - I thought that only goes to 65 pounds? I can't believe there is a seat that fits an infant and a toddler - how does that work?

I'm also stressed about whether these seats will all fit into our cars - we have a Mazda 3 and a BMW 325i right now - but we're going to be getting a Jeep Cherokee and getting rid of the BMW before baby 2 comes.

**Jenn** · #4 October 28th, 2008, 12:09 PM

I'm not a fan of infant seats so I have convertable seats for both boys. I have the roundabout for Lochy (which was Liams when he was born) but that only goes to 45lbs or something. When Lochy was born we got the Marathon for Liam which goes to 65lbs. He's such a tiny guy he'll fit into that one for a long time (he'll be 3 in two months and is barely 25lbs). I'd definitely go with a convertable seat, then you would only have to buy the one.

Here's Lochy in his Roundabout:

And Liam in his Marathon:

#5 October 28th, 2008, 01:38 PM

I have the Britax infant seat which is up to 22lbs or until their head hits the top of the support pillow. I should have bought a convertible seat, but I didn't really think about it when I put the infant seat on my registry.

We have 3 bases for ours- one in my car, one in DH's and one in my moms (since she watches him on Fridays). It's SUPER easy to snap in and out. I would def. get a base for each car.

IamMom · #6 October 28th, 2008, 01:59 PM

thanks for your comments ladies....so it sounds like for the baby I should get the Advocate (if its out) or the Boulevard and the Regent for DS which is up to 80 pounds - and forego the infant seat. However, when I go places I cannot snap the convertible out and carry the baby in in the seat can I? I liked that feature of the infant seat and that is why I may still go with it.

I hope I can fit two of these big seats into our cars.....how do I determine that all is going to fit? Jenn - what type of vehicle do you have - can you easily fit the two seats in there?

Frozendesire · #7 October 28th, 2008, 03:02 PM

I couldn't live with out the infant seat! Being able to take it out and putting it in with out disturbing baby.

I have a carseat that goes from 5lbs + but there is NO way I would use it for an infant. 1 because I can't take it in and out and 2 because it just doesn't seem cozy!

I'd rather get one that is designed JUST for infants and then get one that is designed for growth later on.

That is just my opinion and i don't have any of the britax seats. Just a Evenflo and Safety First I believe it is.

Lash · #8 October 28th, 2008, 04:22 PM

That was my struggle too a few weeks ago

I'm getting a stroller instead that converts and faces both mom and outwards, and lies down and sits up.

**Jenn** · #9 October 28th, 2008, 04:58 PM

Both seats fit well in my car--its a Suzuki XL-7 (5 seater). And there's still room between them for me to squeeze in if needed. It's an SUV but not a big one.

I never had an issue with getting the baby in and out when we are out and about. I just transfered him from car seat to sling (or stroller) and he never even noticed the transition. Their head can get kind of slumpy when they are newborn but the pads I have on the straps work wonders for keeping their little head up and supported. They both always fell right to sleep when we got into the car.

thepinkleprechaun · #10 October 28th, 2008, 05:06 PM

I have an infant seat for the baby because I like being able to take the baby in and out of the car and running errands without taking them out every single time. It's annoying enough with Aden, I don't want to have to do it with two kids!

Aden has a Roundabout in both of our cars, and when the new baby grows out of the infant seat he will move to the roundabout and Aden will get a Marathon for each of our cars. I wish I had just gotten two marathons in the first place because they go up to 65 lbs, but it's all good. Aden is almost 2 and 25 lbs so she could still use the roundabout for quite a while.

IamMom · #11 October 28th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Oh gosh ladies -thank you so much for all of your comments. I too am leaning toward getting the infant seat because I like the feature of being able to carry it in and out of places and being able to put it into (or onto) a stoller. I'm thinking that DS is already 2 1/2 and we can get him the Regent and he'll be good to go without ever needing another one - he's already 27 or 28 pounds I think. And I'll get the infant seat and a Boulevard or Advocate for the new baby. When the new baby has outgrown that one he/she can go into the Regent b/c big bro will be able to ride in a seat like a big boy (at 8 years old).

I know this is still over $1,000 worth of carseats (the seats DS has had were all gifts!) but it seems worth it to me for their safety. I still just think the infant seat will be more comfortable and will give me more piece of mind for the tiny one......

Thanks again for your help ladies...now about the stoller....

Breanna - do you have a Britax stroller that goes with the infant carrier - I've read some reviews on the Preview and they aren't that good? Any suggestions?

soImarriedAnerd · #12 October 28th, 2008, 11:45 PM

I will offer up my suburban (which can seat 8) for your BMW.....you know to HELP YOU out! LOL

IamMom · #13 October 29th, 2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

I will offer up my suburban (which can seat 8) for your BMW.....you know to HELP YOU out! LOL[/b]

Angela - this is a tempting deal! The beemer is getting old... bless her heart - she was my young and free car - and now with all the kiddos it's just not as practical! You so sweet to wanna HELP ME out (*wink*)!

soImarriedAnerd · #14 October 29th, 2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quote:

I will offer up my suburban (which can seat 8) for your BMW.....you know to HELP YOU out! LOL[/b]

Angela - this is a tempting deal! The beemer is getting old... bless her heart - she was my young and free car - and now with all the kiddos it's just not as practical! You so sweet to wanna HELP ME out (*wink*)!
[/b]

HEHEHEHEHE no problem, but if you change your mind let me know! LOL

Lash · #15 October 30th, 2008, 06:17 AM

In the south, "bless her heart" is always said right before you say something not so nice, you know, to soften the blow. "Bless her heart, she's just gaining so much weight", "Bless her heart, she's just so dumb". I laughed out loud when you "Blessed her heart" towards the BMW!!

IamMom · #16 October 30th, 2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

In the south, "bless her heart" is always said right before you say something not so nice, you know, to soften the blow. "Bless her heart, she's just gaining so much weight", "Bless her heart, she's just so dumb". I laughed out loud when you "Blessed her heart" towards the BMW!![/b]

I know I said it just like that to soften the blow on the old girl *ekk I feel bad saying she's old - she really is trying to look good for being an older car* HE HE HE. Now that I live in the south I guess I have picked this up!

It really is time to let her go and get a more mommish car - oh that makes me sad. (My hubby hates my car - the driver's side back door rain seal has been a real PITA)

Lash · #17 October 30th, 2008, 02:12 PM

I ADORE my minivan if it makes you feel better about the switch

Adriana's Mommy · #18 October 31st, 2008, 08:41 AM

I don't own a Britax.. We do have Recaro Signos.. And if you know about Recaro, you know they make one heck of a convertible car seat. **Recaro makes seats for Nascar and seats for high end model cars**

I would get an extra base for your other cars for your infant carrier and when he grows out of the infant car seat go with the Britax.. I plan on doing that with my next child, but I'm going to get another Recaro signo..

btw.. You should check out the Recaro Signos.. I love the style and it's just as good as Britax.. But I will warn you, it's a huge seat.. It's about 2 inches taller then the Britax.. But most of all it has side impact protection.

**And remember car seats do expire after so many years. Your probably end up buying a booster in the end.. And recaro makes some nice boosters as well..