What's the big deal with Britax carseats?

[Papooses]

Right in my signature (the bottom line)

[tjham]

I LOVE the ERIN cover - I just don't need another seat... Darn!

About the installation - Even if they do it for you, you still need to learn to do it yourself
because you never know when it will be necessary!

[angiej936]

So I have installed the Marathon car seat and I really like it. And my daughter seems to like it as well. I didn't install the top tether because it seemed a little ridiculous. It seemed like it would get in the way when putting things in the back, and I couldn't find an anchor in the front. But I'm going to get it checked this Friday and will talk to them about it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone install their car seat that way. But I certainly want my daughter to be as safe as possible.

One thing that I thought was a little weird (and it seems I may have read negative reviews about this), is that it seems that the bottom part of the belt sits too low on my daughter's thighs. What's up with that? Of course I can push it more towards her waist, but it naturally doesn't do it so I would have to move it every time. It just doesn't seem right. I'm thinking that it might be different when she's a little bigger, and when I move her to FF, but I'm not sure. I just wanted to find out if anyone else has had this issue, or any suggestions.

Thanks so much!

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	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.

	Top-Tether A top tether (or top strap) is the supplemental attachment now standard on almost every new carseat in the USA. Top tethers can be used with either the seat belt or with the lower anchors (as part of the LATCH system). In other countries, their use may be required by law. A top-tether is simply a strap that connects the top of the carseat to an anchor mounted in the vehicle at a location behind the carseat, usually the parcel shelf or a point on the floor of the cargo area. It is designed to prevent the forward movement of the top of a forward-facing carseat in a frontal crash. This reduces the head excursion of the child, and can reduce the chances of injury. Almost all current carseats can only meet the tougher new federal safety standards when the tether is used, even though they must still meet the minimum safety standards without a tether.

[angiej936]

Duh! That's a great website. Thank you!

[Papooses]

Originally Posted by angiej936

I didn't install the top tether because it seemed a little ridiculous. It seemed like it would get in the way when putting things in the back, and I couldn't find an anchor in the front.

If the CPST isn't on the email listserve or has not taken the updated curriculum workshop, they may be unaware that we are now taught to encourage parents to RF tether when allowed by the manufacturer -- because it enhances ride down, reducing crash forces upon the child (especially important with big/tall toddlers + preschoolers who still fit RF: RF being soooooo much safer than FF) It's definitely not ridiculous What kind of things are you puting back there? Preferably only soft items....

One thing that I thought was a little weird (and it seems I may have read negative reviews about this), is that it seems that the bottom part of the belt sits too low on my daughter's thighs. What's up with that?

The lower the buckle is the safer your child is -- you want the crash forces upon the hips/thighs, not the soft abdomen Just try loosening the straps before buckling to prevent pinching.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

[angiej936]

Okay, I had my carseat checked out and I did it correctly, but I did have them show me how to do the tether. I thought you were supposed to use top and bottom together. The officer showed me how to do it using the lower anchor method (for RF) and it is just fine. I really like the option of being able to do that and am glad I purchased a seat that is equipped with it. When she's ready to switch to FF (which I will wait as long as possible, I believe the Marathon said RF up to 35 pounds), then I'll go back and have it checked for proper installation.

Thanks again for your help and pointing me in the right direction for a carseat. I am very pleased with the seat and my daughter seems to like it, too (although I'm lucky, she pretty much likes car rides in general).

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	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.

[Papooses]

It's great when kids like riding in the car (Mine went through a rather viscious carseat tantrum stage, which reverting to RF actually fixed -- & that began my journey to CPST ) Anyway, the RF limit on your seat is 33# Take care...!

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.