[crayolamom]

My hushand and I purchased the above seat based on safety records, etc. So after we installed this seat, I'm a little worried? It just does not seem as grounded (safe) feeling as I expected. My car has the latch system in place, so we installed the seat using the latch's, as well as, the seatbelt and the tether? I will have the installation checked out by the fire dept/police, but I was just interested in everyone's thoughts?

Also, Owen will be 10 months old when we pick him up. What hole/level does everyone think I should set up the harness at? The seat came with them at the lowest level. Owen seems to be long and lean, @ 9 months he weighed 17 lbs, and just might be walking by the time we get him?

Thanks, and you all guessed it...this first time Mom is GETTING nervous.

[carlyincali]

We have that and LOVE IT. Ours straps in very strongly and doesn't budge when using the top strap as well as the seat belt.

I would keep it at the lower level, and then change it if you have to. He can't be that much over grown if it's too low, being only 10mos.

[whereintheworld]

We don't use the seatbelt to attach ours, we use the latch. A very important trick that I learned from a friend with 4 kids is to place most/all of your body weight onto the seat while you tighten it into place. So, put your knee onto it, or straddle it, whatever, to be able to really hold it into place. Then, while you are doing that, tighten the straps. Ours doesn't move at all when I am done with it. When you have it checked, ask them for tips or what they are looking for. You might also want to really practice with it, because between taking it out to rethread it when the child grows, and taking off the cover to wash it, you may need to uninstall and reinstall it more than you think.

Good luck!

[stephjoel99]

I have 3 Britax Marathons in my car right now! LOL! Maybe you could take the car and seat to a fire station or police station in your area that does car seat checks. They will make sure you have it installed properly - which sounds like it's not tight enough from what you're saying. HTH!

[beachdreams]

I have 4 Marathons (2 in each car) and I love them. I have had others and none feel as secure and safe as the Britax. I second the idea of putting as much weight as you can while tightening it. I actually sat in mine (scared I would get stuck or not fit but I did it) and kept tightening it. Then I did the knee thing.

[Michelle Smiles]

I believe you aren't supposed to use the seat belt if you use the latch system - one or the other I think the directions say.

I agree with previous poster...try putting your knee down on the seat and then pulling the latch strap tight.

We love our Marathon. My mom has another brand and I cringe every time I have to strap Sabrina in her car seat - it is awful!

[carlyincali]

Oh yes, I put both my knees in the seat so that it bears all my weight while I pull the strap tight.

[crayolamom]

Great ideas everyone, we did not put enough weigh on the seat during installation. Thank you all.

[artistchic]

I use the latch too, but be sure to use the tether, it helps anchor it especially if rear facing!

[annaguat]

My girls have marathons now. With the number of children we have we have used many seats. The marathon is not my favorite but is for us the best option for now. Since your son is ten months he will need to rear face and it is very important the top of the harness slots will be below the top of his shoulders. I can not give you advice on the actual slot height as it will all depend on his torso length. Also we brought our girls home at just days short of seven months and we had them in Graco Safe Seats, a higher weight and height range infant rear facing only carseat, till they were about 18 plus months old. So I can not share what slot height they would have been in the marathon. It is good you are looking at this all before he is home. It takes some time playing with carseats to get familiar with them, get a good install and get the harness set correctly for your child. Anna

[mvoss6]

We just installed ours today and moved the straps up one level. Our son is almost 8 mos and weighs 17lbs. Hope that helps!

[tmlewis]

We have the Britax Decathlon and LOVE it. The base sets the seat up higher and our son can look out the window as we drive along. So easy to use. Did I say I LOVE it??? Melodie

[DPline]

For rear facing (which he should be until he is one year old AND 20 lbs) the straps should be at or below shoulder level. (For forward facing they should be at or above shoulder level)

What the others suggested really does work best. Set the seat in and tighten it as much as you can. Then get in the seat on your knees (much harder to do rear facing than forward!) and put your body weight into pressing the seat down while you tighten. If you can't get a good fit with the LATCH, try with the seat belt. Or vice versa. The seat should not move more than one inch side to side at the belt path when it is installed correctly.

Good luck!