Big baby boy needs a new carseat!

[MasonsMom]

My 6 month old son is 21.5 pounds and 28.5 inches. He's a big guy! We are THISCLOSE to leaving the snugride. (And we'll be getting one this week!)

I have considered and almost bought the Britax Marathon, but I have wondered about the lack of adjustability in the crotch. (Which I could get in the Decathlon) Do you have any input on that? Or is that a minor issue?

Jen

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Britax Decathlon - Click for more info Like its predecessors the Britax Roundabout and the Britax Marathon, the Britax Decathlon is built around two core ideals: safety and comfort. Its easy to see that the Decathlon is comfortable: it's loaded with a 3-position crotch strap, patented HUGS harness system, plush (and washable!) seat cover, belly pad, removable toddler head pillow, and an infant positioning system for newborn babies. These features provide a comfortable, adjustable fit as your child grows - all the way from 5 to 65 pounds.

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

[Papooses]

Well, it may be a valid comfort concern for some ... but I don't think it's an overly worrisome feature option unless perhaps a boy has extreme skin/sensoral sensitivity issues.

Safety-wise: we actually want the crotch straps low & close.

I personally never had any problems with our Boulevard (same crotch depth as the Marathon) on my skinny daughter after she learned to use the potty & we also never had problems during long nighttime rides while she wore cloth diapers (she was actually allergic to dispposables & our nighttime diaper were Kissaluvs with Chinese Prefold with Stacinators double fleece cover)

If it were me, I wouldn't have any qualms about getting the Marathon. The Decathalon also does not have the Rip Stitch tether (which enhances Ride Down to reduce crash forces upon the child). It can't hurt to find a Babies-R-Us to test kiddo out in it, though

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Britax Boulevard - Click for more info It is all about the wings with the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat - head and torso safety wings help keep your child from harm in a side-impact crash. And this matters - side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for 6 - 14 year-old children. Of course, the safety wings are only one of the many safety features that the Britax Boulevard offers: built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, a push button release LATCH system with Versa-Tether®, and a sculpted base, ensuring an easy installation with a secure fit.