https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:58:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033626 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:38:44 +0000 beachbee 1033626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is very timely as we are starting research now! Thanks for the great info and recommendations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033206 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:44:14 +0000 Adira 1033206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Gahh, thanks for that link! Stupid tall baby! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033190 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:40:00 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1033190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: <a href="http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=193941" rel="nofollow">http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=193941</a></p> <p>Doesn't look promising :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033115 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:18:06 +0000 Adira 1033115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Thanks for the info! I think this is one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the Evenflo Symphony - it's supposedly really easy to remove/install and other parents leave their Evenflos at daycare. I just hope it's big enough that he can RF until he's 2... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033110 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:16:05 +0000 MsLipGloss 1033110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I don't think you would want to reinstall that seat that often. It was kind of a bear to install . . . we are planning on having a second seat for DH's car when LO starts daycare in a month or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033105 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:14:55 +0000 MsLipGloss 1033105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I posted to your wall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033097 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:12:40 +0000 Adira 1033097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: How easy is the Clek Foonf to install/remove? For the price, I'd love to be able to just get one and then leave it at daycare during the day (Hubs does drop-offs and I do pick-ups), but I wasn't sure that would be doable with that car seat. What do you think? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033092 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:12:01 +0000 mrsjyw 1033092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have 1 britax advocate and 1 britax pavilion that we bought for GREAT deals at nobetterdeal when ds was around five months? we JUST started using them when ds was around 8 months. we bought them both for $350. GREAT PERFECT condition.</p> <p>eta: the pavilion is in my small car (pontiac g6) and the advocate is in dh's honker (expedition) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033088 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:09:57 +0000 Smurfette 1033088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: What kind of car do you have? Wondering if it will be too big for my Accord.<br /> @Adira: so overwhelming isn't it? This might be a case were I give DH a list of some and have him do the research </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033073 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:05:27 +0000 LuLu Mom 1033073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a Britax and I like it because I know it's one of the best brands, but my issue with it is I wish I would have gotten one with adjustable straps, we have to move htem up as she grows. This is a pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033070 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:05:04 +0000 looch 1033070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Britax Boulevard and we just switched our seat to front facing at 32 months. We also have the Graco My Ride and the seat has the exact same dimensions as the BLVD, but somehow, my son still has room in that seat to be rear facing. I think it is because of the way the seat reclines. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033063 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:03:24 +0000 Adira 1033063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Yeah, I guess they wouldn't have a height limit because it depends on if your kid has a longer torso or longer legs! Gahhh... Xander's a tall baby and I WAS leaning towards the Evenflo Symphony, but now I think I might need to do more research! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033055 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:00:37 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1033055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Maybe 33-34 inches? That's just a rough guess. They don't have a numeric height limit RF -- it's when your LO has less than an inch of shell above his head. That could mean slightly different heights for different LOs depending on how they're built. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1033041 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:56:56 +0000 MsLipGloss 1033041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went with the Clek Foonf because it is a beast . . . it really is a big azz seat though, although I was plenty willing to sacrifice the space for the seat and safety. I didn't care about the price because I would rather spend the money on an uber safe seat than on another expense (and I do realize that I am very fortunate to have the option to make that choice). Truly, I know there are lots of awesome seats out there though, and at the end of the day, the seat is only as good as its installation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1032999 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:42:19 +0000 Adira 1032999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: How tall was your LO when he outgrew the Marathon RFing? Xander's tall, so I want to make sure whatever I get will last for a while RF - we want to RF for at LEAST 2 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1032938 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:15:38 +0000 sotofamilia 1032938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ninja: thanks for the review. I'm leaning more and more towards this car seat, especially with the good review from @MamaMoose :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat/page/2#post-1032401 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:59:59 +0000 babynumber1 1032401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: I love our evenflo. I highly recommend it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1032182 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:28:54 +0000 MamaMoose 1032182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Chicco Next Fit. Not using it yet because M is still fitting fine in the Key Fit. But we tried installing it and it couldn't have been easier. It doesn't take up tons of space, it's attractive, and I trust Chicco. Even though the NextFit itself is new, Chicco has been making safe car seats for so long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1032174 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:22:33 +0000 chopsuey 1032174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2 Britax Advocates! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1032053 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 16:02:17 +0000 ninja 1032053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: @Smurfette: We have the Chicco Nextfit. Love it so far. The install was CRAZY easy. Also, it has 9 different recline settings, so no angle adjustor needed. Rear-facing, it takes up slightly less room fore-aft than the Keyfit did. The straps can be tricky to get tight...but now that I have them set, I just leave them be! I think that is the case with a lot of them, rear-racing, since the angle to adjust the straps is awkward! So far, very very happy with it. Oh, and we've been using it about 2 months now. @coastmama: @sotofamilia: tagging you two, since you seemed interested in it too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031952 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:19:34 +0000 sotofamilia 1031952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coastmama: thanks for the real-mom review! It's a great-looking seat, I'm glad to hear that you like it so far. Thanks again! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031920 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:06:56 +0000 coastmama 1031920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sotofamilia: the online reviews on babies r us seemed pretty good. We've only had the seat for a few days now, but so far we like it. It seems very comfortable, and I like how there are so many adjustment options to get the seat level. It actually fits behind my passenger side seat and leaves room for a passenger. It's taken some practice getting the straps tight enough on LO, but I think it's just the difference between an infant seat and a convertible seat. I thought the infant seat was difficult before I got used to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031762 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:08:12 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1031762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I know, it is. I just don't want anyone to make the mistake I made (e.g. "everyone says the Marathon is great, thus I will get it!") and then feel annoyed at having to shell out extra for another seat with the next 18 months. </p> <p>As for the angle adjuster on the Radian, it's just a glorified piece of foam that forces the seat angle more upright, which means it takes up less space from front to back.</p> <p>This is the report I'll be updating during my next assignment:<br /> <a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/car-seats" rel="nofollow">http://www.consumersearch.com/car-seats</a></p> <p>It has several recommendations for less expensive and smaller seats, and I don't anticipate them changing a whole lot. I would look at the NextFit, too, as that will be a new one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031754 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:05:24 +0000 boiledpnut 1031754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: A car seat tech can help with sizing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031744 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:01:37 +0000 sotofamilia 1031744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: thanks for posting this review, that's really helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031734 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:59:29 +0000 allison 1031734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: We chose the Foonf because LO is 95th %tile for height and I want to RF him as long as possible. We have it installed in our Jeep Liberty, which has a pretty small backseat, especially front to back (not very much legroom back there), and it fits well in the middle. I felt like it was the safest option for us, and the seat we would get the most usage out of. It's expensive, but we decided it was worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031729 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:58:18 +0000 Smurfette 1031729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: It is overwhelming researching all of these. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031725 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:55:52 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1031725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: The main concern is whether she's trending tall. If she isn't, you have more options. If she's always been on the tall end of the growth chart, she'll likely follow that pattern, and you'll want a seat with a taller shell if you want to RF for awhile. Example: my son is 80th percentile for height and has been for awhile. He outgrew his Marathon RF at like 21 months, way before I was ready to turn him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031718 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:53:41 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1031718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sotofamilia: The reviews I've seen are very good. It has a decent number on Amazon now. Also this one is really thorough and from a very reliables source:</p> <p><a href="http://carseatblog.com/21704/chicco-nextfit-review-convertible-carseat-nirvana/" rel="nofollow">http://carseatblog.com/21704/chicco-nextfit-review-convertible-carseat-nirvana/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-to-start-convertible-car-seat#post-1031703 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:49:53 +0000 looch 1031703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you need to make a decision on how long you plan to rear face as well, and go from there. If it's important for you to rear face longer, you might need a bigger seat. </p>