Carseat Advice

This is really sad but you may want to watch it. I used to only use a seat belt to install my car seats too but after seeing this video I only use the latch system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

The Cosco convertible is a great seat, it is about 40 dollars,(K-Mart, Wal-Mart) works good for toddlers and works as a booster seat. I bought mine when my daughter was about 18 months. The straps have never twisted, I now have a two year old in it but it worked well as a booster until she was big enough for the little chair ones. I love it, that is my suggestion, it works well in both SUVs and little cars too, you can just use the seat belt, it comes with the LATCH belts but you don't need to use them. good luck ;)

I have 3 kids and for all of them I never had a car where there was a latch system. I got them the cosco high back 5 point harness that switches into a booster seat. You can get them at walmart for around 49 dollars. Also i would like to put some imput on the cosco scenera 5 point carseat. We have the sheriff department which has a program where they had out new carseats to people that come and get their carseat checked at the post. If the families carseat is old or recalled they give them free carseats. Anyways When they get grant money to buy carseats they come in and buy the cosco scenera like 20 at a time. Oh i work for walmart lol Anyways one time i asked them why they always buy that carseat and they said that its a safe carseat for using the latch system but also without. I also had them tell me about the carseats with the shields in the front that most kids break bones on the shields during car accidents. My walmart store decided to not carry the ones with the shield and took them off the shelf. Also everyone has to remember that they suggest the safest place for a carseat is in the middle of the backseat. Hope this gives u some ideas.

L. - It doesn't surprise me too much that your husband had problems with the Alpha Omega Elite carseat. It really is a beast and doesn't install easily in many vehicles. LATCH is not necessarily any safer and it doesn't necessarily make installs any easier. There are many cars that have sloped seats, headrests in the way or strange angles to the seatbacks that prevent good installs with LATCH. The Alpha Omega is often recommended at Babies R Us because people assume it will be the only seat you ever need. Unfortunately it has such low top slots that many kids outgrow it by height before they are really ready for a booster seat. It can be really difficult to install rear facing. The video that a previous poster linked is very sad, but deatbelt failures are VERY, VERY rare. What happened to that family was a tragedy, but it doesn't happen often at all. Seatbelt installs are still very safe.

You say that your son is 16 months old. I would strongly consider keeping him rear facing a while longer. We kept our dc rear facing until he was 2.5 because it is SO much safer. The Cosco Scenera is a good basic carseat for $40 at Wal-Mart that his high top slots. We use Britax Marathons in our cars and have had good luck with them, but they are pricey. The good thing about the Marathon is that we started using them when our dc was 9 months old and they will work for him until he is ready for a booster at age 5 or so. The weight limit of the Marathon is 65lbs, but most kids outgrow it by height first. Usually, it installs incredibly easily. We do have some issues with one of our cars, but it is the car not the seat that has the problem.

If you are planning to keep him forward facing, you could look at the Safety First Apex, which uses a 5 point harness, forward facing only, until 65 lbs and then converts to a belt positioning booster seat.

If you want help installing your seats, I frankly found the Highway Patrol office advice worthless. The tech at Primary Children's really was awesome and had a ton of great advice. You can call the hospital to get information about their seatcheck program.

The safest seat is the one that fits your particular car the best, and it sounds like the Alpha Omega isn't it. Babies R Us will let you take seats out to your car and install them to see if they will work. USA Baby was incredible helpful to me when I was looking at the Marathon and they had a tech on staff there.

L.

I would strongly recommend using a mighty tight on your seat belt - you can buy it at target, babyRus or even walmart they cost about $16.95 but are so worth it. I got my first one at my baby shower 3 years ago and now I literally have 4 of them because of two car seats in both mine and my husbands cars. I have no idea how to install a car seat with the latch system, but with the mighty tight you don't have to because you can sinch the seat belt so tight the car seat will not move and ultimately that is what you want to install the car seat correctly. Hope that helps.

Hi L.,
I don't have a car seat to suggest but I noticed another mother mentioned the Britax Marathon. That's what we have & I would NOT recommend it. If I understand your post, you are looking for a seat that is easy to install without using latch. Right? I just installed the Britax rear-facing using a seatbelt (not latch) & it took at least 30 minutes for 2 adults to try to get the seatbelt through the proper area (installing it in a 2000 Dodge Caravan). If I misunderstood your post & you are using latch, I highly recommend the Britax.
Hopefully, someone else will have a good recommendation for you!
T.

That is the same car seat that we have and I love it! We also have the Graco Scenara which is less frilly, but just as easy. My car has latch and i can install both in about 5 minutes, myself. My husband has to use the seat belt, it takes both of us and is hard get tight/stay tight. I am all about the latch system.

L. -- We have the Graco Platinum CarGo Booster for my son (almost 15 mos). I really like it. We've installed it in our Saturn VUE (suv) with the latch system, and in our old Ford Escort wagon with no latch system. I'm going to be bossy here, but if it takes over an hour to install a carseat... go get it done somewhere! lol. Some car dealers and baby stores will do this for you. Or if there's a Family Resources near you, give them a call and they will know who can do it for you. It is well worth the peace of mind to have someone do it for you, especially if it's taking your husband over an hour. If he is THAT confused or if it's THAT difficult to do, I'd be concerned it wasn't in right. Just my opinion, not trying to criticize your husband. Good luck!
~A.

We have the Evenflo Titan Deluxe- I don't think it converts to a booster, I think it holds up to 50 pounds. When we visit friends that have a Chrysler Pacifica, the very back seats do not have a latch and it has to be installed with a seat belt. The first time I think it took my hubby about 15 minutes to install it, after that it took him 5-10 minutes. I've been very satisfied with that car seat and it sells for around $100.

IMO, the LATCH is much easier to use. Its totally easier to get tight and it keeps the seat more firmly in place, by far. Im curious, is he loosening the LATCH belt and then tightening it after it's all connected to the rings? ~L.

Wow, that surprises me that you guys are having trouble with the latch system. It is by far the easiest way to install a child seat if your vehicle is latch equipped. Everyone has their favorite seat, but whichever seat you choose, make it easy on yourself and your husband... Take it to a knowledgable installer. Many fire departments, police stations, AAA offices, some pediatricians offices, and other service facilities will install them for FREE to ensure that they are properly secured, and it takes only a few minutes. They usually even have the "extras" required to make it 100% secure (like the foam spacers, seatbelt locking clips, etc.). Call around and see who does it in your area. Good luck to you!

We have been using the Britax Roundabout for almost 18 months now, and LOVE it. It's super easy to install, light enough to move from car to car easily, and it's also super comfy for our 2 year old. It also has the option to install with the Latch system if your husband feels a little masochistic!!

We have had great success with the Britax Marathon. They are really user friendly. We had used many others before. They are pricey, but worth the money.

We got an eddie bower for around 100 dollars about 3 years ago. It's great. We don't have the latch system in our car, so it's an option we don't use. We have a 1999 Ford Expedition. Anyway, the seat works well with or without the latch system. Another one we've always been comfortable with are the Century brand car seats. :) Just a thought. Also, most Fire Stations do help if you need to have the seat installed. :)

Dear L. M. Even thou your husband had a hard time installing the car seat that is the best way to use it. I am a new grandma and I went to the police department and they were very happy to made sure the carseat is properly installed. Using the car belt don't keep the base from moving and if you're like I am you wants what is best for you child?
right? I'm really glad I did. N. V

L.,
Latch system is much safer and I am at a loss as to why it would take that long to snap 3 clips into your car. Your hubby must not be doing something right in that scenario. If it is difficult to find the latch connections on the rear seat, try adjusting the car's seat back to lay back a little, this will make it much easier to access the clips. There is the anchor that passes over the seat and attaches behind the row the carseat is in and 2 tethers one on each side of the seat. I will say that just using the seatbelt, you need to use a locking clip if the seat is on one of the outsides of the seat where there is a shoulder harness....and if he thought latch was a PITA then wait until he tries to use a locking clip.
LATCH is safer and much easier once he gets used to it. If all else fails drive your SUV to your police Dept and have them help you install it. Most Depts have a carseat certified installer within the force.
Good luck, but if you buy a new seat make sure it goes to 100 pounds and has the booster capability.
C.

Your local suv dealership may be able to install the latch system into your vehicle.
Look for carseat clinics. They can help make sure the seats are installed correctly.

P.S.
I am so sorry for your loss. I had a misscarriage after my twins were born. It was devistating. May god be with you.