Twins - Multiples

[richsully]

We are having twins later this year and have another child that will be 3yrs old in December. Does anyone make a double car seat? Are there any manufactures that cater specifically to parents of multiples?
Seems like that would solve many of these 3 carseats in 1 car problems.

thanks - richsully

[Papooses]

It might seem they would, but there are some major considerations -- such as the fact that incompatability + misuse likely to be even more common.... Not to mention that a 3 year old's safety seat needs are different than a newborns, etc.

What vehicle(s) year, make, model?
What is your 3 year old's current seat?
What is your 3 year old's actual weight & height?
What is your budget?

I'll ask around about discounts for parents of multiples (Babies-R-Us gives a 10% discount, but still finding out about more: have you asked around some twins forums?)

[richsully]

What vehicle(s) year, make, model?
Right now we own a 2002 VWPassat (retrofitted with latch for 2 seats)
And a 2000-ish Nissan Quest MV that we use belts system.
We are most likely replacing 1 of the 2 cars with something more safe (than Quest with no latches) & economical for times we need to accomodate all 3 kids. Ideally we don't want to trade in the Passat and have 2 gas guzzling minivans.

What is your 3 year old's current seat?
We have an Eddie Bauer seat (bought in 04) with the annoying interlocking belt in the Quest and a Graco in the Passat (I will need to check exact model tonight)

What is your 3 year old's actual weight & height?
He'll be 3 in Dec. when twins are due, tall & skinny, 33lbs

What is your budget?
Working on that as we investigate... My ideal solution is to trade in the Passat for a newer/wider sedan and buy 2 new seats that will fit in the back with our existing Graco seat. We do have our 3yr old's infant seat still and I'll also need to look at that to see what make/model and the width.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[Papooses]

Eddie Bauer seats tend to be quite wide. If you have a Graco CarGo (preferably the version with a front harness adjuster) this may also work.

Sunshine Kids Radian65 would be a good choice for your 3 year old -- a narrow, reasonably priced seat that installs well in the Passat with LATCH & will keep him harnessed quit a while: buckling a harness is also easier in tight squeezes than buckling a booster....

Graco Snugrides are narrow infant seats, but the Radian also fits newborns well. I might save your current seats as spares for the larger vehicle, get your son the Radian & the babies some Snugrides (you can keep spare bases installed in extra vehicles), saving towards more Radians.

Here's what I've learned about discounts for parents of multiples (you may already be aware of much of this, though?)

Does Babies "R" Us offer a multiple birth discount? We are pleased to inform you of our multiple birth discount. Babies "R" Us defines a multiple birth as parents with two or more babies the same age. We offer our customers 10% off two or more of the same items purchased in the same order (e.g. two cribs, two bedding sets, two strollers, etc.). The discount can not be combined with any other offers, including sale priced items, and applies to the following categories only: furniture, bedding sets and baby gear, including car seats, strollers, travel yards, highchairs, swings, gates, exersaucers/walkers and backpack/carriers. Double strollers and matching infant car seats are also eligible for the multiple birth discount. This offer is not available on any special purchase items. Corporate sales do not qualify for the multiple birth discount.

Triplets, Quadruplets, Quintuplets, Sextuplets, Multiples - MOST Mothers of Supertwins
Freebie and Discount FAQ
::Kids Stuff Super Store:: Sioux Falls, Lincoln, Omaha

USABaby gives a discount.

Baby Depot has a discount. Has to be regular price, larger items, not clothes, etc. Buy one (car seat, high chair, crib) at regular price, get the second 20% off. If you buy 3, 1st 2 are reg. price, 3rd is 30% off. If you buy 4, 1st 3 and reg. price, 4th is 40% off.

Preschoolian shoes offers a 40% discount for multiples. You need to email them a picture and they'll send you a discount code.

Also, if you check the homepage of my website (in my signature) I've got access to some wholesale baby items + some have a discount for buying 2 at a time. I've only ever placed larger bulk orders, though & I believe that smaller shipments cost more + I'd then have to charge to ship to you (because they ship to the account address).

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

	Sunshine Kids - Click for more info Makers of a number of accessories geared towards making parents lives easier, Sunshine Kids has recently embarked in a new direction. In 2005 they unveiled their first car seat, the Radian. Their years of experience working in children's products focusued on child comfort and parent convenience shine through in this unique convertible car seat. The Radian is packed with safety features and is the first ever folding convertible car seat appealing to parents who car pool or travel often.

	Sunshine Kids Radian 80 or 65 - Click for more info If "the Sunshine Kid's Radian 80 convertible car seat is (probably) the only car seat you will ever need," the "probably" part of this statement comes into play when you directly compare the Radian 80 with the Britax Regent. While the Radian 80 has a very high weight capacity, the seat width is only 10" vs. the Regent's 14" seat. The Britax Regent may be a bit wider, but it is very bulky, is only forward facing, and does not fold like the Radian 80. Because the Radian 80 is so narrow, you can potentially put three of them side by side in the back seat. Three Regents side by side? Impossible.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

	Graco CarGo booster seat - Click for more info The Graco CarGo is a dependable and easy to use booster seat. When your child is on the lower end of the height/weight limits for the seat, the 5-point harness is used to keep them safely in place. It features a convenient one-pull snugging mechanism in the front of the seat - making it easy to tighten the straps down after your child has been buckled in. When your child is around 35-40" tall, the CarGo's harness can be removed, so that the seat can be used as a belt-positioning booster, using the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. In this mode, the Graco CarGo will work for kids up to 54" or 100 lbs. Both the Platinum and the Ultra CarGo feature an Energy Absorbing Foam (EPS) liner, a removable, washable seat pad, and a cup holder. The Platinum CarGo is a softer and more comfortable seat than the Ultra CarGo (although still not as comfy as the well-padded Britax booster seats).