Another "3 car seats" question...

[dpalumbo]

Hi -

Great web site here, thanks for all of your hard work...

I have a 2003 Subaru Outback, and baby #3 is due to be born in a little over one week!

Right now we have a 6 year old in a Cosco booster (no back), and a 3 year old in a Graco TurboBooster (with back). Our infant car seat is an Evenflo On My Way Position Right (2111006P1).

I briefly tested all three in the backseat last night and it was VERY tight.. Didn't have much time last night, so tonight I'll try swapping the order of the seats...perhaps putting the infant seat in the center?

Anyway, I just bought the Graco TurboBooster, so would like to keep that if possible. But if I need to ditch one or both of the others (the Cosco booster or the infant car seat), I certainly could do so...

Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for getting a "comfortable" fit?

Also, I've seen those car seats where the shoulder straps pull down and latch into a center buckle...I'm thinking that may be easier than the "traditional" lap style as this way I could turn around from the driver seat to help buckle my 3 year old... Any opinions on this?

Thanks for any and all help!

With regards,

- Dave

	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.

	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.

	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 Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat).

[Papooses]

I don't remember: does the 2003 model have center shoulder belt?

If so then I would have your oldest boostered child there: the least protected passenger in the most protected location.... If center seat only has lap belt, then I would look into using the EZOn/SafetyAngel Kid-Y or 86Y with the booster (highback if there is also no headrest). Last resort would be to put kiddo outboard in only a booster (preferably highback since they offer more protection in side impacts).

4 years + 40# is the bare minimum recommendation to "graduate" kids into boosters. Every "graduation" is a demotion in safety. I would try the Sunshine Kids Radian65 for your 3 year old since it is the narrowest option with very tall top harness slots. But, the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe might fit the vehicle better next to a booster because its base is higher.

What is the Date of Manufacture for your infant seat It has likely been recalled. If it is still safe to use, is it the 3 or 5 point system? (Does the harness look like a "V" attaching to the shell/frame only at the shoulders & crotch or also at the hips, too like the Radian & FPSVD?) 5 points are safer than 3 points. If this seat has been recalled or is expired or only has 3 points of harness contact, then I'd suggest the Graco Snugride or Graco SafeSeat Step1 (SS1 lasts babies longer so you can wait longer to hand down the Radian or FPSVD. However, if you don't get the SS1 then I'd keep your 3 year old harnessed until the max limits on the Radian or FPSVD & save towards another narrow convertible for your baby).

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	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.

	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 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.

	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.

	Graco Safe Seat Step 1 - Click for more info The Graco Safe Seat (Step 1)—if you couldn't gather from the name— is intended to be the first of a three-seat process. The Step 1 is for infants in a rear-facing position; the Step 2 is for bigger, older kids in the forward-position; the Step 3 is a belt-positioning booster seat without the safety harness of the previous two.

	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.

[dpalumbo]

Originally Posted by Papooses

I don't remember: does the 2003 model have center shoulder belt?

Yes, it does.

If so then I would have your oldest boostered child there: the least protected passenger in the most protected location....

That makes perfect sense, thanks...

I would try the Sunshine Kids Radian65 for your 3 year old since it is the narrowest option with very tall top harness slots. But, the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe might fit the vehicle better next to a booster because its base is higher.

Wow, great suggestions...just checked out the specs on both of these at elitecarseats.com. I like the Sunshine Kids one quite a bit! Noticed though that the "Seat Base / Foot Width" is slightly larger on this car seat than the current Graco TurboBooster I have (only by 0.5", but still)... Bottom line, I still need to play with the order of the seats--i.e., take your suggestion and put the 6 year old in the center..

What is the Date of Manufacture for your infant seat It has likely been recalled.

I think it's 2001...

If it is still safe to use, is it the 3 or 5 point system? (Does the harness look like a "V" attaching to the shell/frame only at the shoulders & crotch or also at the hips, too like the Radian & FPSVD?) 5 points are safer than 3 points.

5 point.

If this seat has been recalled or is expired or only has 3 points of harness contact, then I'd suggest the Graco Snugride or Graco SafeSeat Step1 (SS1 lasts babies longer so you can wait longer to hand down the Radian or FPSVD. However, if you don't get the SS1 then I'd keep your 3 year old harnessed until the max limits on the Radian or FPSVD & save towards another narrow convertible for your baby).

Thank you very much for these helpful suggestions! Though I can't find the width specs on my current infant seat (Evenflo On My Way Position Right), the Graco Snugride certainly looks narrower to me...

Thanks again,

- Dave

	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 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.

	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.

	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat).

[Papooses]

Originally Posted by dpalumbo

Bottom line, I still need to play with the order of the seats--i.e., take your suggestion and put the 6 year old in the center.

Definitely test them out ... only you know which ones you will be able to use correctly 100% of the time Sounds like you're on the right track & your kids will be very safe! Remember that boosters are not really installed (they just sit on the seat to life the child up so the seatbelt keeps the child restrained) but the harness seats must be secure such that there is less than 1" movement at the LATCH or belt path.

If your current Evenflo infant seat was manufactured in 2001 then it might not have been recalled, but it might be expired -- call the toll free customer service number for help finding the sticker with the DOM.

If you decide to go with the Snugride, just make sure that you choose either the version with a front harness adjustment or pay very close attention & be very diligent with using the harness correctly: it must be snug against the body such that you cannot pinch it vertically to create a horizontal fold at the collar bone (the rear adjust version is more difficult to use correctly).

	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 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.

	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.

[dimsumdaddy]

Any updates? I have a similar car.