Home › Forums › General Baby Care › Car Seats › Question for Mel (strollerfreak)
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June 14, 2007 at 9:35 am #36720AnonymousInactive
Hi Mel,
I’ve got another car seat question. (If you don’t mind!)
We’re going to go have someone come in to install a new carseat for Sarah (42-3 pounds, currently in Eddie Bauer convertible carseat, installed with latch and top tether, in Mazda MPV, using internal harness).
In my initial question to you a while ago, I said that I didn’t want to get a Britax. What I meant was that I didn’t want to get a Britax 5 point harness seat, because she’s already 4, and our latch doesn’t support a weight much more than what she is already, and I don’t know that anyone around here knows how to do a good seatbelt installation on the seat. Also, I don’t know how much longer she’s sit in a kids carseat.
What do you think of the Britax boosters? How risky is it to have a kid under 4 in a booster with a seat belt?
Do you think I can use her current Eddie Bauer and keep her using the internal harness AND the seatbelt at the same time (I know it’s crazy, just wondering!).
Thanks again. I really don’t know what to do and I’m starting to get worried about it.
June 14, 2007 at 11:03 am #36734AnonymousInactiveOh no, I just lost my other question…
Okay, our carseat tech just (likely mistakenly) told us that the only weight restrictions on the LATCH is the weight restriction on the seat itself. So if the seat says it can go up to 65lbs with the internal harness then this can go with the LATCH. I thought that you mentioned that there was a manual that specifies the weight of the LATCH, so I wanted to give him the name so that he’s installing things correctly.
The other thing is, do you see a difference between the Graco Turbobooster, the Combi Kobuk, the Britax Parkway, and the Evenflo Confidence Boosterset? I know you said in your other reply that a convertible booster isn’t the best booster, but is it better if you can use it installed with the latch and top tether? Or, do you think it’s better to go with an Apex (as this is our only option for carseats that go up to 65lbs with an internal harness in Canada) and then go on to use this as her booster with the seat belt. I guess this would probably be in about a year’s time since we can only use it with the LATCH for so long b/c of the weight limit, right? Do you know what the weight limit is for our mazda MPV?
Sorry to bombard you with questions…. OMG, I really do feel terrible, but I just don’t know what to do! I just want someone with knowledge to tell me what they would do if this was their child. (Any info and thoughts would be appreciated!… feel free to pm me if you prefer)
Thanks again!!!
TIA.
s&h’s mum2007-6-14 11:47:30
June 14, 2007 at 12:58 pm #36747AnonymousInactiveDon’t use the internal harness with it in booster mode, it’ll keep her from moving properly in a crash, and it could put more strain on her neck muscles if you were involved in a crash.
You are right, the tech was wrong. The LATCH system on the carseat has a limit (48lbs) and then after that you must use the vehicle belt to install it. The LATCH/ISOFIX anchors on the vehicle also have a limit, this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and this is the number that you must look up in either the owner’s manual of the vehicle or if it’s not specified in there, in the LATCH manual, or defer to the minimum accepted weight limit of 40lbs if no other information can be found.
Out of the 4 boosters you listed, the ones I have found to be the best fit to most kids, and easiest for the kids to use, are the Britax Parkway, the Graco TurboBooster, the Evenflo Confidence and then the Combi Kobuk.
With the combo booster used in booster mode, it just generally doesn’t give as good of a fit to the child as a dedicated booster does, that’s why I don’t really like them used as a booster. Also, unless the owner’s manual for the carseat specifies that you can use it in booster mode with the LATCH & top tether attached then you can’t. There are only a few boosters that allow that, and I think the only one that is available in Canada is the Graco Cargo.
June 14, 2007 at 2:16 pm #36758hellbenntKeymasterthought perhaps this is relevant?
June 14, 2007 at 4:20 pm #36773AnonymousInactiveThank you so much, Mel! I really appreciate it!
I even called Mazda today and asked them, and they told me that they’ve never heard of such a thing and that whatever weight specification the carseat says, that’s the limit for the LATCH system, and that it must be something specific to the US. (sigh)… I asked if I could have his name and quote him on that, to which he replied, “If you give me your name and phone number I’ll double check it first with the site manager”.
Okay… well I’ve abused your knowledge enough. Thanks again!
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