[kerriv]

I'm starting to plan for my daughter to come home and went to Babies R Us tonight with my mm. Car seats are completely overwhelming.

My daughter will be approximately 8 months old when she comes home. She currently weighs 17 pounds, so maybe 18 pounds then. We'll still need a rear-facing for a while and then front-facing. There's obviously no point in getting one with the carrier (never really understood those anyway).

Recommendations? I don't know if it matters but I drive a Volkswagen Golf - a 4-door but fairly small.

Thanks

[tybeemuffin]

I have a Britax Marathon and Love it! It's pricey, but cleans well, looks super comfy and DD likes it. The dogs even want to sit in it when DD isn't in the car!!!!

Plus, child safety is the most important thing to spend the extra$$$. They are afterall, precious cargo!

[JRTEXAS]

I bought Britax Boulevards. They are very pricey, but they are the best and easy to use. They also will be good for up to 65 lbs, so you dont need to replace at 40 lbs like many seats require. I did find them on an online auctions, not sure if I can say which one on here, but you will know it, and just type in Britax to the search part and you will get them. Many vendors there sell them with free shipping and no tax and at a price less than you find in stores. My sister has a Britax roundabout and loves it, but the Boulevard is a more recent release and has added safety features. It is also very easy to buckle them into the seat and also easy to remove the seat from car and get it back into it. Good luck. Jack
PS Also, Britax checks out great on consumer reports.

[tybeemuffin]

Originally Posted by JRTEXAS

I bought Britax Boulevards. They are very pricey, but they are the best and easy to use. They also will be good for up to 65 lbs, so you dont need to replace at 40 lbs like many seats require. I did find them on an online auctions, not sure if I can say which one on here, but you will know it, and just type in Britax to the search part and you will get them. Many vendors there sell them with free shipping and no tax and at a price less than you find in stores. My sister has a Britax roundabout and loves it, but the Boulevard is a more recent release and has added safety features. It is also very easy to buckle them into the seat and also easy to remove the seat from car and get it back into it. Good luck. Jack
PS Also, Britax checks out great on consumer reports.

I know an online retailer that sells the Boulevard, Marathon, & Roundabout with free shipping and no sales tax. They have a handful of styles/colors on sale. I got a Marathon for my Mom's car from them. PM me if you want the name of the website.

[avoel]

Another owner of two Britax Marathons here. I love them too. I initially started with a Roundabout for DD#1, moved her to a Marathon when DD#2 came home and just bought a Marathon for DD#2 when she started to look cramped in the Roundabout at 32 lbs and 35 inches at age 2. So, if you are going for a Britax, and it fits in your car, go for one of the bigger ones (Marathon, Decathalon or Boulevard) for sure. I love that they will be in a 5 point harness until 65 lbs which for at least one of my daughters will probably be until age 8 or beyond!

[lisam00]

I'm another big fan of Britax. Ease of use, very safe, easy to clean...wonderful! We have a Wizard which is an older model...I think the Boulevard is the newer version with the side impact head protection. My daughter loves this seat. She never complains about being in it at all. She naps comfortably.

[amyfk]

I have a Cosco car seat, and I"m not especially crazy about the way the belts work. It can take several tries before the belt buckle locks in. We didnt buy the Britax. I think it was more expensive. Remember you get what you pay for.

Amy K, NJ

[DPline]

Another Britax fan here! Worth every penny in my opinion for ease of use. Had a Roundabout and then a Husky for my older son and now have two Roundabouts.

From personal experience, I so agree with Avol. If it will fit in your car ok, go with the Marathon or other seat that goes up to the higher weight. My son will be four at the end of May and is quickly approaching 40 lbs. He is no where near mature enough for a booster seat and for safety reasons I don't want him in one anyway. I am really kicking myself now that I didn't by the Marathon in the first place.

Happy shopping!

[CEB]

Yet another vote for the Britax Marathon. I love the fact that it will be useful up to 65 lbs; its easy to use and DS seems to think its fanstastic to sleep in (yes, I know, its the car motion). I suspect the Boulevard (which has more cushioning) would be nice as well.

[MNStarr]

I also splurged and bought a Britax Marathon. DH is an EMT and has been to the scene of car accidents and thought the Britax line eld up the best.

[guatparents2be]

to clarify:
the britax marathon/etc can accomodate rear facing 15-20 lb baby? i've been worried i needed to get a smaller bucket one for, like, a month, then to get the britax after that.

thanks super moms!!

[MNStarr]

The Britax Marathon can be rear facing up to 33 lbs. Olivia is 18 months and is still rear facing.

[CEB]

Yes - when we brought Curtis home, he was 19lbs and was just fine in the Marathon facing rear. He is now over 21 lbs and still facing rear but when he hits one year (another month to go), we will probably turn him around.

[elizando]

Hello

to be completly honest i have any Eddie Bauer car seat and i hate it. the belts always twist and it is very large. it is difficult to move from one car to another. let me know if you get some good ideas, i would like to get a different one!!!!

[tybeemuffin]

Question for Moderator:

Just curious can we post the name of the online retailer I was talking about for getting the Britax Car Seats on Sale with no shipping & sales tax? I didn't want to post unless I was 100% sure it is OK to do so.