seeking car seat advice

Hi all,
Our boy girl twins are growing so fast that they are going to need to be out of their infant car seats around Christmas (well, our boy anyway). We have started shopping around, and we are clueless. Not to mention broke. Should we get a 3-in-1 for each of them? They're going to need to be rear-facing another six months... I like the idea of never having to buy anything again. BUT I've heard that the 3-in-1's take up a ton of room in the car and we have a rather small one, a Honda CRV. Should I just go with convertible carseats and then bite the bullet again when they are big enough to move to booster seats? Also, our kids are rather tall, so we definitely don't want to skimp on the height-weight limits.

Taking any and all advice, please! Also, how does one carry both babies out to the car at the same time? Right now it is so easy (though heavy) to grab both car seats by the handle. It's hard for me to imagine dropping them off at daycare with one adult, two kids, and a fairly large diaper bag, in the winter, in Minnesota.

 

We bought the Evenflo Triumph Advance when ours outgrew the snug rides. My kids do great in them. They are very reasonable and will go rear facing to 35# and forward to 50#. So a good long use out of them hopefully.

Right now if I have to load the car (I have a toddler too). I put one in the pnp and carry one and follow the toddler. Then I come back for the other baby who is screaming bloody murder by now. When dropping her off at preschool I either put both in a stroller, put one in a stroller and carry one, or put one in an umbrella stroller and put the other in a sling (this I think works best if you are going to be carry a bag too). Burrrrr Minn!! I have an aunt that lives in White Bear and I have been there in the winter. Its freezing!

 

Hi Jennifer! My b/g twins are about the same age as yours, and I'm in MN too!! Anyways, we've been doing a bit research on the issue since our boy will probably be out of the infant seat sometime this winter. Like Rachel mentioned above, the Evenflo Triumph Advance is what we've settled on. It's pretty reasonably priced, and don't forget the multiple discount at BRU - which I believe can also be used with other coupons.

Have you thought about asking family members for the seats for Christmas?

HTH, Suzi

 

QUOTE(SusieQ @ Oct 22 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]462690[/snapback]
Hi Jennifer! My b/g twins are about the same age as yours, and I'm in MN too!! Anyways, we've been doing a bit research on the issue since our boy will probably be out of the infant seat sometime this winter. Like Rachel mentioned above, the Evenflo Triumph Advance is what we've settled on. It's pretty reasonably priced, and don't forget the multiple discount at BRU - which I believe can also be used with other coupons.

Have you thought about asking family members for the seats for Christmas?

HTH, Suzi


We have the Britax Roundabouts and I couldn't be happier. It is definitely a pricier seat, but well worth the $$.

I was also going to mention the BRU discounts (we saved almost $40 PER SEAT by using coupons AND the multiples discount). I think asking for them for Christmas would be a great idea.

Good luck!

 

ahh!
your daugter has the same name as me, just spelled different
its a pretty name
do you say it 'Ann-ee-ka' ?

 

I say ask for them for Christmas. Or even ask for BRU Gift Cards to get them there w/the discount. They let us take the 'models' out to the parking lot to try and fit them in the back seat. I LOVE that store and how helpful they are!!

We have the Alpha Elite ones and love them - we used cupons and discount and saved about $40. I think they were a little more than the Evenflo ones, but we got them last Dec when the big recall was going on and the Evenflo ones were not available.

We have a Rav4 and my skinny minnie mom can fit in between them in the back seat. No normal sized adult will fit...but since we won't be expecting any more babies, it's not an issue with us.

HTH!!

alexis

 

Do NOT get the 3-in-1. They may look cheap and long lasting but they're not. First of all, most don't make great boosters, second the top harnass slots are low so that most children outgrow these seats way before ready for a booster (at least 40lbs AND 4 yo but preferably later).

I have a Britax Marathon for the twins and a Radian 65 for my oldest. All my kids are in the top % so I need something with high weight limits and high top slots in order to keep them harnassed as long as possible. Or get the Evenflo Triumph Advance. Roundabouts are usually outgrown before kids are ready for a booster as well. Get a Scenera if you want to go low cost but you would need another harnassed seat after that since top slots are low, but you could get the Apex conv/booster seat after that which harnasses up to 65lbs (same as Marathon) and has high top slots (17.5"), they're only $99.

For more info on (extended) rear facing and a 5-point harnass (as long as possible, preferably until age 5-7 watch these videos ... it will change your view ...).

The importance of rear facing (past 1 year and 20lbs): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo...ted&search= or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okWGDyqJU4Q...ted&search=

The importance of a 5-point harnass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ...ted&search=

This is the reason why my oldest is in a Radian 65 with still plenty of room to grow (although she's huge) and the twins will remain rear facing after their first birthday. I expect them to turn around age 2 when they hit 33lbs.

HTH.

Convertible Seats

Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (FPSVD): RF 5-33 lbs, FF to 55 lbs. 17 inch top harness slots. Made by Britax, sold under the FP name - basically a stripped down Britax Marathon. Great seat being sold at excellent prices right now. Will last most kids to age 5-6. Supposedly discontinued due to poor sales, but Britax is still manufacturing them as of this month and they have been shipping with brand new DOM’s. ($129)

Britax Marathon, Decathlon, or Boulevard: RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65lbs. 17-17.5 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Basically built on the same shell, all have lockoffs to replace locking clips, very easy installs, many bells and whistles that make them easier to use correctly every time. Boulevard has SIP wings. Boulevard and Marathon have separate LATCH straps, Decathlon has one long strap. Last most kids to age 5-6. ($220+)

Sunshine Kids Radian (65 or 80): RF 5-33lbs, FF to 65 or 80 lbs. 18 inch top harness slots, and allows child’s shoulders to go up to 1 inch above the top slots because it’s built on a steel frame. Allows for RF tethering. Excellent seat, but it has installation compatibility issues in some vehicles when installed with seatbelt. Lasts most kids to age 6-7. ($175+)

Evenflo Triumph Advance: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 50 lbs. 17 in top harnass slots. Features infinite harness adjuster - no rethreading the harness! Should last most kids to age 5 or so. Has been found at Babies’R’Us and Wal-Mart. ($130-150)

Recaro Como and Signo: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 70 lbs. 19 inch top harness slots. Allow for RF tethering. Recaro makes seats for NASCAR. Built on basically the same shell, but the Signo will have SIP wings, an infinitely adjustable harness and separate LATCH belts. Will last most kids to age 6-7. ($249+) –

Lower cost options... (for primary or secondary cars... they are still GREAT seats)

Cosco Scenera (5pt harness NOT Overhead shield): RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 15 inch top harness slots. Very basic no frill seat. 34†minimum height required for FF in addition to 22 lbs minimum FF weight. Lasts most kids to age 3-3.5 due to low top slots and a short shell, but a good value at $40-50. Available at Wal-Mart, Target, K Mart and more.

Safety First Uptown: RF 5-35 lbs, FF to 40 lbs. 16.5 inch top harness slots making this is the ONLY 40lb limit convertible that may actually get a kid to 40lbs before it’s outgrown by height. EPP foam, super cushy. Very easy to use and with an 8 yr lifespan! (most seats are 6) Will last most kids to 40 lbs... age 3 or 4 depending on height. (about $100)

The Graco Comfort Sport, Evenflo Titan and Triumph, and all the Cosco/Dorel/Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 seats have low top harness slots and short shells and are usually outgrown the same time as the Scenera. You don’t get much for you money. While they are safe when used properly (like any seat), there are just other options that offer more for the same cost.

 

I have 2 Cosco Alpha Omega Elites and I love them. I frequently need to adjust the height on them and the straps for different daycare kiddos. I don't like the kinds where the straps have to be threaded and re threaded when you need to adjust the height.
A tip since you live in the great north, when you get the seats in, tuck a good fleece blanket in front of each one so you can warm those sweet babies!

 

QUOTE(annikaRAWR @ Oct 23 2007, 04:24 AM) [snapback]462935[/snapback]
ahh!
your daugter has the same name as me, just spelled different
its a pretty name
do you say it 'Ann-ee-ka' ?



Hello fellow Anneke's mom! We actually pronounce her name just like you most likely do, Annika. I chose the alternative spelling because that is the traditional Dutch spelling and I wanted to reflect my Dutch heritage.

 

QUOTE(JenniferTwinMomMinneapolis @ Oct 23 2007, 05:27 PM) [snapback]463589[/snapback]
Hello fellow Anneke's mom! We actually pronounce her name just like you most likely do, Annika. I chose the alternative spelling because that is the traditional Dutch spelling and I wanted to reflect my Dutch heritage.


I know exactly how to pronounce that one (I didn't even notice at first !). Not so common anymore in the Netherlands, used to be. An-ne-ke is the way we do it, not Ann-ee-ka ... but I am sure you know that, but it's probably hard for others to get used to.

 

Free shipping and coupon code SAVE10NOW takes 10% off the price.. plus register at fatwallet.com and you'll get 4% back off the final purchase price ($8.99-9.71 depending on which seat).

The free shipping is on all Britax and the code is for anything.


I didn't see any Marathons, though?

All Britax:
http://www.babyuniverse.com/Results....7C255&formMap=

Regents:
http://www.babyuniverse.com/Results....7C255&formMap=

I just bought the twins the marathons... they are pricey but well worth it and they last along time. I was blessed with my parents getting them for the babies for Christmas and we saved alot during the sale they had in Sept for carseat safety month. Good luck with your choice, i have had mine for a coupld of weeks but i am not using them just yet.