Britax Carseat (please read if you've used one)

[finn's mom]

I am really bummed out about the Britax Marathon that we got off our registry. The seat is designed and marketed for "5 - 65 lb" babies/children. But, upon attempting to get it installed by a certified person (we made an appointment with a lady at our fire department), we discovered that it doesn't recline far enough for a newborn.

We are still keeping it for when Clara has more head control, but at this point, there's no way I'm putting her in the Britax. From what I'm hearing, after finding this information out and doing even further research, the company suggests putting a towel under the seat to help elevate the front of the seat, thereby reclining the seat. I'm sorry, but for the price of the seat and the safety of the child, I am not going to do that.

I know there were several moms on Pet Talk that have said they either have used or are using the seat, and I wanted to know how old your baby/child was when you started to use it. I did a lot of research before choosing this seat, but never really noticed that all the good reviews I read were from parents with older babies.

We have another car seat already, but it was really disappointing to find out from several reputable sources that the Britax isn't really designed correctly for a newborn. I've even been told by a couple of parents that they wouldn't let them leave the hospital with the car seat because it wouldn't recline. I mean, it does a little, but no way is it designed to recline to the appropriate laying down position for a newborn. Unless, of course, you do the high tech towel trick.

Please, if you've had one or have one, please let me know your thoughts on this! I would love to find out that we're all just overlooking some switch on the seat that would recline the baby safely!

[JenBKR]

I'm not very familiar with Britax - but I think that one is a convertible car seat? Meaning it starts rear facing and can convert to forward facing? Personally, I don't like convertible car seats. Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants (not to mention the convenience of snapping so easily into the stroller). Does the Marathon have a base? If so, the base may be adjustable.

[Cookiebaker]

Hi Kari,

we have a Britax, and I LOVE it! We started using it when Lydia outgrew her infant carseat (around 10-11 months).

I would highly recommend using an infant carseat the first few months, one that pops out of the base. It makes transporting them into the house/places SO easy if they are sleeping. They can just keep sleeping instead of having them wake up. Also, the seat fits right into the grocery cart and makes shopping so much easier.

The nice thing about the Britax is that it is either rear or forward facing. So at one year, we turned Lydia forward facing, and she should be able to stay in this same carseat until she is 4, when she will graduate into a booster.

[finn's mom]

Oh, I love that it's convertible, from rear to front facing! Definitely a quality I liked right away. And, I know as she gets older, it will be a fantastic way to travel.

As for the removal of the carrier, I don't **plan** to take the seat in and out of the car, but that, of course may change immediately upon Clara's arrival. I've been in grocery for over two years now and have seen both sides of that coin (bringing baby in a car seat/carrier and placing it in the cart), and realized quickly that it's not always the best way to transport the baby from car to other location. For those it works for, bravo! For those it doesn't, those poor women look miserable. I plan to use the Baby K'Tan carrier for transport outside of the car.

But, again...I may change my mind 100 times before I settle on what's best for our family! (I've already changed my mind many times about lots of things!) The internet is a great way to get lots of information and tips, though, and I do read a lot and appreciate any stories from you moms out there!

[prechrswife]

Mary Joyce started in hers at 9 months. I can't remember exactly when we transitioned Katherine, but it was when she outgrew her infant seat. We have an Evenflo infant seat that we used with Katherine and are using again with Malcom. We will transition him when he outgrows the infant seat, also.

If you eat out at all, you will very likely take the infant seat in and out of the car. Until the baby can sit up in a high chair, it is just easier. We don't use our car seat in the grocery store, either, unless we are just running in for a few items and can set the baby seat down in the basket of the cart. We use our Snugli if we are going to be in the store longer. We also use our car seat when we need to put the baby in the stroller.

[popcornbird]

I don't know if it is just the Britax, or all convertible seats. We've been 'window shopping' lately, looking at different car seats, and I didn't think any of the convertibles looked safe or appropriate for a newborn. They look great for older babies and toddlers, but don't seem to recline enough for a newborn baby. We've decided to go with an infant seat for the first 6 - 9 months, and then change to a convertible. Of course I have no experience on this, but that's how I felt after looking at all the car seats.