Skip the infant carseat?

[kohlby]

I was wondering how many of you skipped the infant carseat stage. And if you did, were you able to angle the seat enough to avoid a flopping head? Our infant seat expires at the end of 2008 so it's of no use. Our Britax Marathon expires next spring I think. So, I was thinking that maybe I could buy a high weight convertible and skip the infant seat. (DD would move up to DS's Regent then and DS would move into a booster).

Is there a seat other than the Britax Marathon that you like that has a high weight/height limit? Or one you know of that's coming out soon. I'm realize I'm looking way ahead! I have been happy with my Britax seats, but I had a customer service nightmare last year so I would prefer to buy a different brand if possible.

[madelsmama]

We skipped the infant seat and used the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe (same base as the Britax Marathon) from the newborn stage. We didn't have problems with head flop, but then dd2 never slept in the carseat. Ever. (b/c she was a carseat crier, lol) :)

[jessiehannan]

I skipped the infant seat because I couldn't get it in and out of my Camry with DS's and DD's carseats on either side of it. We got the angle right mainly because we are all short, and could move the seats forward enough. Any one taller than 5'6" won't fit in our car. I bought the Cosco scenera. My oldest DD had one similar to it and she was in the harness until she was 5 1/2, when we changed to a booster because she was upset that she was the only kid in her class still in a car seat, and she was 40 lbs.
You probably have a higher price range than what I could afford though. :) Happy car seat hunting!

[Amy_G_]

we didn't use the baby bucket with my first. we had SOME head flopping, but we used rolled up towels on each side of his head for a few weeks and then it was fine. the towels are probably not recommended any more, but they were at the time (12+ years ago)

with my 2nd, we got a baby bucket and he was too heavy to carry the darned thing after about a month (he grew 2-3 lbs a month starting at 8 lbs) and outgrew it lengthwise by 5 months.

so I'd try out a bigger carseat, even if you can't get it with the super high upper weight limit. You'll still spend less on carseats than most people do.

[KerryS]

If you're thinking of using a Marathon instead, I would recommend NOT. I was very disappointed that Leo was nowhere NEAR being long enough to be in the Marathon safely, in spite of the 6-lb minimum guideline. I believe that at 5 months and 24 inches, he's STILL not long enough to be in it safely.

[Wildf1ower]

I have an infant seat, but I treat it like a convertible in that I never carry it around as a carrier - mine doesn't even hook to a shopping cart even if I wanted to lug it around. The reason I got it (I'd debated all through my pregnancy) is because NONE of the Britaxes or many of the other seats I was interested in had low enough botom slots to be sure the seat fit a newborn correctly. Also, now that I have it, the thing I'd miss on it is the canopy, which works great to keep the sun out of her eyes.

I got the Compass I420, which is a really nice seat - the padding is VERY nice. I'd give you mine when I'm done if you wanted it (as soon as there is a Britax sale, I'm getting a Boulevard) - of course, it's not been in an accident and it was just purchased new - just figured I'd offer - otherwise I plan to freecycle it (not saving anything since the chance of me ending up pg again are slim to none).

Anyway, I really wanted to skip the infant seat, but they really do fit newborns better - especially mine, since she was only 4lbs 13oz at birth.

[KerryS]

Wildflower - that's what I do, too. I keep the infant seat in the car. I don't carry it around with me at all.

[kohlby]

If you're thinking of using a Marathon instead, I would recommend NOT. I was very disappointed that Leo was nowhere NEAR being long enough to be in the Marathon safely, in spite of the 6-lb minimum guideline. I believe that at 5 months and 24 inches, he's STILL not long enough to be in it safely.

Though the harness is supposed to be below them when rear facing, I was thinking that someone had said that the Marathon has an exception and that babies could be a little below the lowest harness. I'm not sure where this info is coming from but it's vaguely in my mind. Does this sound familiar to anyone or did I dream it up? My other two kids were born at 23" and 23.5". (And the 23" child has had a ridiculously long torso all along). They didn't start the marathon until 3 months old though and fitting wasn't an issue at all then. (Just looked up 3 month lengths - 27" and 26.5" - you can see why I want to skip the infant seat!)

[KerryS]

Though the harness is supposed to be below them when rear facing, I was thinking that someone had said that the Marathon has an exception and that babies could be a little below the lowest harness.


The instruction manual that comes with the Marathon says at or below the shoulders for rear-facing.\

[kohlby]

The instruction manual that comes with the Marathon says at or above the shoulders for rear-facing.
I realize that - I always thought that was the rule too. But someone mentioned here over in a carseat thread in the general board once that there was an exception for babies. Maybe Gypsy can confirm or deny this? It was someone who knows a lot about carseats. I was surprised since I had never heard it before. I just looked up the manual and didn't see it in there either. I can't imagane any 5lbs babies being long enough. It was a while back and the post is no longer there. Of course, you can't believe everything you read on-line either! So maybe the person was mistaken.

[madelsmama]

I always understood strap slots to be at or below the shoulders for infants; at or above the shoulders for toddlers and above.

[Wildf1ower]

Kohlby, I have also read 1" below is OK - but still, seeing my DD in her infant carseat, I don't regret buying it. It's not just those straps but even the ones around the legs that I would think would feel HUGE around a newborn's legs.

[KerryS]

I always understood strap slots to be at or below the shoulders for infants;

Yes, that's what I meant, sorry!

[kohlby]

Kohlby, I have also read 1" below is OK - but still, seeing my DD in her infant carseat, I don't regret buying it. It's not just those straps but even the ones around the legs that I would think would feel HUGE around a newborn's legs.
That makes me feel better. I could almost see that in print in my mind but I couldn't find any proof of it! You do have a good point about those legs. Ahhhgg. I hate to buy a carseat for a mere three months (or less) of use. I suppose I'm jumping the gun this early in the game. I'll check with a friend of mine and see if she still has her infant seat that I can snag.

[3girls2luv]

I always understood strap slots to be at or below the shoulders for infants; at or above the shoulders for toddlers and above.


Rear facing- straps should be at or below and front facing- is at or above.

[VegasLactivist]

Gracie only fit in ehr infant seat for 11 weeks, and then she was too long, but during that time, we never removed it from the car. She went from seat to sling, and back again.

[_Gypsy_]

Edited to change post: Britax no longer allows the bottom slots to be above the infants shoulders.

No, Britax doesn't allow the shoulders to be slightly below the bottom slots, I have never seen a newborn that fit well in a Britax seat.

Other convertibles with a HWH and with lower slots are the Evenflo Triumph Advanced and Sunshine Kids Radian.

[MrsGinCamarillo]

Personally I wouldn't. Even my large babies were not large enough to fit into a Marathon until they were a good six months. We spend a fair amount of time in the car, so this is also a factor for me. I only took the seat in and out of the house as it is easier to help the other children if the baby is already strapped in.

I love, love, love the Chicco Key Fit. It works until 30/30 (pounds/inches).

[_Gypsy_]

I just changed my post - I just found out that the newest revision no longer allows the shoulders to be below the bottom slots.

[kohlby]

Other convertibles with a HWH and with lower slots are the Evenflo Triumph Advanced and Sunshine Kids Radian.
Are the slots low enough to fit an average sized (or likely larger) infant?
How do the top slots of these compare to the Marathon?

I hate Britax customer service so I actually appreciate knowing that there's no reason for me to buy a Britax for a newborn. :)

[chickabiddy]

Agreeing that it's fine to skip the infant seat, but not fine to put a newborn in a Marathon.

The Evenflo Triumph Advance's lowest slots are lower than the Radian's and are likely to fit an average newborn. An average newborn could probably fit in a Radian with the infant insert, which comes standard on the Radian80 and can be purchased separately (as the Comfy-Soft) to go in the Radian65.

Both the Triumph Advance and the Radians have higher top slots than the Marathon.