https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:04:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2908261 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:11:58 +0000 MamaBear87 2908261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: so much crossed for you that it still works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2908233 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 12:10:24 +0000 Becky 2908233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: thanks for the reminder!! We are nearing that 40lbs so I’ll actually just have to do that from the start when I install the Diono behind the passenger. Hopefully there’s still room... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2908224 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:24:24 +0000 MamaBear87 2908224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: sounds like you're set.<br /> Just make sure you're aware of what the latch weight limit is on the diono for the future </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2908221 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:14:05 +0000 Becky 2908221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to share the solution we are going to go with! The 2012 CRV ends up having less severe belt overlap than the 2017 which is what the Car Seat Lady was using, so my Diono Radian is useable. My MIL is getting a new car, so I am swapping my Graco Tranzitions for her Diono Radian since it is narrower and doesn’t have armrests (sorry kids) so I don’t need to drop $400 on a Clek!</p> <p>For stage 1:<br /> - 2P: Diono Radian FF, LATCH<br /> - 2C: Chicco Keyfit, seat belt installed (so it can move a little closer to 2P)<br /> - 2D: EvenFlo BigKid, leaving it buckled in (can access belt through Chicco base, but not next to base)</p> <p>Stage 2:<br /> 2P: Diono Radian FF with LATCH<br /> 2C: Diono Radian RF with LATCH (yes, I was able<br /> to secure them side by side with LATCH! This makes it easier to fit the booster)<br /> 2D: EvenFlo Big Kid, kept buckled most of the time </p> <p>Stage 3: if we still have the car, we will eventually have DD1 in a regular booster (I’ll get a super narrow one), DD2 in the EvenFlo, and DS FF in the Diono. You can’t FF the Graco Tranzitions and EvenFlo Big Kid next to each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907790 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:34:11 +0000 Becky 2907790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to share that I went to try the Chicco base today and discovered the Graco Tranzitions is too wide 🤦‍♀️ So any hope I had of maybe making the Diono work rear facing is out the door as we will need to use it FF for DD2, and will likely need to get the Clek Foonf for DS. It looks like someone close to us who I trust (I know you’re not supposed to share seats) has a Chicco Keyfit seat for me to use thankfully or else I’d be spending over $500 total on car seats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907723 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:20:54 +0000 MamaBear87 2907723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: whoa. So what he thinks the videos of what happens to kids improperly restrained are made up. I'd be mad </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907716 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:08:25 +0000 Becky 2907716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: He was basically like “The so called regulations are ridiculous and I’m not helping you figure this out. Get whatever seat you need to get.” </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907715 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:06:18 +0000 Becky 2907715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: So I watched a video the car seat lady did of installing those seats in the link you sent and it was really helpful. It’s possible but incredibly difficult to buckle a HBB with the Cosco in the center. I can’t figure out where now, but I saw that the Clek Foonf does sit higher, and she said you can access the buckle with it installed in the center. The photos on her page do show the buckle being accessible with the Chicco Keyfit installed in the center, so I got my old base from my SIL and will try it tomorrow. I really don’t want to buy 2 new seats if I’m getting the Clek since it’s like $400 so I will only do the Chicco if I can borrow a seat from someone (mine is expired by 6 months 😐). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907710 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:13:37 +0000 MamaBear87 2907710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: dang that's the worst. My husband thinks I'm a little over the top but absolutely understands that the seats keep them safe.<br /> If it was me and I'd explained this and he's still being ridiculous I'd just spend the money you need to spend and tell him after the fact. On seats obviously, not a new car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907694 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:00:16 +0000 catgirl 2907694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: if the keyfit fits with a baseless install, you could do that for a bit in the beginning and then switch to the diono? (That assumes you are successful with the configurations you said you might try)</p> <p>An inexpensive convertible that tends to fit newborns well and that is skinny is the cosco scenera next. I know your DH doesn't want to spend a lot but that seat is around $40. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907691 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:57:09 +0000 Becky 2907691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: Quick Google search showed me I can’t do it with our version of the Radian. We have the R100 which is the most basic model and doesn’t have an available infant insert. We actually have the new harness clips which is nice (they sent them for free). Thanks for bringing this to light for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907690 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:54:22 +0000 catgirl 2907690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: for newborns you want the seat to have a recline angle that is 45 degrees. Since the Diono has a fixed angle it depends largely on the slope of your vehicle seat if it will be appropriate. Once a child has better head control the angle becomes less of an issue. </p> <p>As far as fit to a newborn, an average size newborn may fit - as long as the straps are at or below the shoulders. The problem is with diono’s large chest clip and large harness pads. They can cause the harness to slip of the shoulders. You would need to look up info on your specific Diono to know if the pads can be removed. They can on some models but not all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907686 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:44:49 +0000 Becky 2907686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: Ugh trust me I have. He thinks it’s a money grab/“who does these crash tests.” It’s maddening. And he thinks I’m being crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907685 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:42:57 +0000 Becky 2907685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: I wasn’t aware of the angle/infant thing—thank you for pointing that out! About how old do they need to be for the Diono angle to work? I had DD2 in it at 5 months 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907679 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:35:03 +0000 catgirl 2907679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: It's worth trying any combination you can but using the lower anchors can often make fitting three across harder. That's because the lower anchors gives that seat a completely fixed point to be, seat belt installs allow you to shift seats a bit to the side. </p> <p>I saw you posted that you might try the diono rear facing - is that for the infant? Just keep in mind many infants do not properly fit in the diono and in many vehicles the diono can not achieve the proper angle for newborns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907677 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:27:49 +0000 Becky 2907677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: BTW we have two of the EvenFlo boosters and they are totally fine. Super lightweight and almost feel flimsy but at this point their use is to bump the child up tall enough so that the seat belt fits them properly. And they were so cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907676 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 15:22:49 +0000 Becky 2907676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: I forgot I haven’t had my husband try to install the Graco with a seat belt behind the driver. I’m not able to get a proper seat belt install with it and have heard it might not be possible. I’ll try to have him do that, and then I can install the Diono in the center RF with LATCH and be able to access the seat belt in the position behind the driver (I think...although why I wouldn’t have tried this yesterday I’m not sure so maybe I have confused myself!). Thank you!</p> <p>ETA I forgot I did try that combo and it doesn’t leave enough room to install the Graco behind the driver (it ends up too far over to the door). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907671 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:57:49 +0000 peachykeen 2907671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably a silly question that you've already explored, but did you try putting the booster on the opposite side? In my small SUV, with our Chicco Nextfit installed in the middle, on the right side we can still reach the buckle (my daughter can't buckle it herself but can usually unbuckle) but on the left side the positioning of the belt makes it nearly impossible to buckle. Just in case you haven't already tried this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907666 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:40:23 +0000 Shantuck 2907666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having a similar issue (so please let me know if you make any progress on this!). I am expecting baby #3 in March and have a 2019 Acura RDX with one HB booster rider, a Chicco Keyfit 30, and a forward facing convertible rider. I didn't get any responses either when I posted in CSFTL facebook group so I messaged the CSFTL page. They suggested I put the Chicco Keyfit in the middle using a seatbelt install. They also recommended that I get rid of my Graco Turbobooster Affix and swap it out for the Evenflo Big Kid Amp high back booster. Lastly, they thought I might still be able to fit my Graco Slimfit convertible on the other side but using a seatbelt install. I attempted to install the three seats and the Chicco Keyfit and the Graco Slimfit seemed to work side by side but it was tight. I haven't pulled the trigger on the Evenflo booster yet because I'm kind of bummed to not have a HB booster with latch but I think I'm going to try and order one to see if it will work. </p> <p>I did come across this recently on the Car Seat Lady blog (<a href="https://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/3-across/" rel="nofollow">https://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/3-across/</a>), where she is listing out tried and true "recipes" of which seats worked in which cars. The RDX and RAV4 are both listed as "coming soon." I'm anxiously awaiting her update! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907653 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 11:58:46 +0000 MamaBear87 2907653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: to try and get your husband to stop being difficult I'd start using language like the kids could die in an accident if the seats aren't installed properly. Because that is the truth, installing in a manner that isn't crash tested is dangerous. It's not just suggested that you follow the manual. </p> <p>We have a keyfit and I have used it without the base. It's annoying at best and is super hard to get a good install so most likely won't be every time, and you have to uninstall it pretty much every time to get the baby in and out. I would not feel comfortable using it that way all the time </p> <p>I hope you find a solution. We can fit 2 car seats and an adult in my mom's 2007 crv. We do ff safety 1st 3in1 on one outside, keyfit with base in the center and then an adult on the outside. I think a slim car seat would also fit in that outboard side </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907634 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:34:40 +0000 catgirl 2907634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: I’m sorry your DH is being difficult about it, I’m sure that is making an already frustrating situation that much harder. I think there is a chance you may be able to make it work, but that, unfortunately, there is a chance it just won’t work either. It’s horrible how many cars are not car seat friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907633 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:09:52 +0000 HappyBaker 2907633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: oh yea that part is a total pain, but in our situation it’s DHs car and he’s the stubborn one who doesn’t want new seats or a new car so he deals with it haha. I’m hoping when we get to two boosters it will be better, but every time I drive his car with them I’m annoyed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907629 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:38:50 +0000 Becky 2907629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: If the Keyfit works with a baseless install we could just leave it there and take the baby in and out most of the time which would be fine. </p> <p>It’s also frustrating because my husband doesn’t want to spend a bunch on extra seats, but also doesn’t want to get a new car 🤦‍♀️ Like it will all just be fine if they’re not installed properly. </p> <p>Thanks for pointing out that article. It’s actually what I sent to DH to be like FYI this legit may not work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907628 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:31:01 +0000 Becky 2907628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: I have thought about this and it could potentially be the best answer since we already know we can fit them all if we put the HBB in the troublesome spot that makes it easy to uninstall the middle seat. I think this would probably work better than putting her back in a harness and the only real problem I can think of is the fact that half the year I’ll need to lift her in (since she’d get snowy/salty/muddy boots all over the seat otherwise). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907627 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:28:23 +0000 Becky 2907627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Right, covers the buckle so the HBB can’t be buckled. If the Combi Coccoro wouldn’t cover the buckle then it would solve the problem, so I’ll definitely look into that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907610 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:44:06 +0000 HappyBaker 2907610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In DHs car we keep DD’s HBB buckled at all times because it’s impossible to fit your hand between the seats to get to the buckle. She or we just pull the seatbelt out without unbuckling and she puts her feet through then ducks her head under, and then we pull to make sure it’s tight enough. It’s annoying but the only way it fits in his car with 2 other seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907583 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:45:39 +0000 catgirl 2907583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: Is there any way the oldest could be harnessed again? Sometimes in a really tight 3 across it is easier to have all harnessed seats without a booster in the mix. Or possibly a ride safer travel vest for the oldest in the middle?</p> <p>Have you tried other seats in the middle? Or just the keyfit?</p> <p>Honestly a 2012 CRV will be hard to achieve 3 across in. Have you tried a baseless install of the keyfit? Kind of a pain day to day but may fit. </p> <p>The car seat lady has a few ideas in this article, just scroll down to the section on 2012-2016. She says the nuna pipa infant seat should work in the middle. </p> <p><a href="https://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/honda-cr-v/" rel="nofollow">https://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/honda-cr-v/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907581 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:26:06 +0000 JennyPenny 2907581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: are you considering new seats? The Frontier can be a harnessed booster till 90lbs and 58”. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for trying to do 3 across because it is quite large, but perhaps there’s something similar you could get that would negate the buckle problem? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907580 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:16:14 +0000 gotkimchi 2907580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: i think the combi coccoro is narrower then the diono, maybe that would give you enough room? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-car-seat-question#post-2907579 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:12:48 +0000 gotkimchi 2907579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: it’s covering the buckle in the middle so the hbb can’t be buckled? </p>