Q's about MA from a newbie

[freply]

Hi everyone,

I just installed my baby's new Britax Marathon in our 2000 Audi Avant yesterday, in honor of her being 22ish pounds and outgrowing her Graco SnugRide. (She's 8 1/2 months old!) It's rear-facing in the center back seat. I have a few questions.

She didn't seem to like the seat too much. It was hard to tell whether it was just because she was overtired when I put her in, or because of the unfamilarity, or what, but I have a few thoughts.

First, it seems like it reclines an awful lot. Usually, she really, really, really prefers being more upright, so I think this might have been part of the problem. I saw some tips for getting a less-reclined install by pushing on the part where her legs go, and I'll try that. The manual said to put the seat into the full recline position to go RF - is it okay to put it in the upright position instead?

Second, the buckle seems very low to the seat and wide, so it looks to me like it's making her hold her legs wide apart. I don't know if this bothers her or not, but if anyone has any thoughts about this I'd be interested.

Third, there are various things tucked into or under the cover that might be lumpy. Our car doesn't have LATCH, so the LATCH belt is sitting loose under the cover and the LATCH connectors are tucked into the special pockets. If there are any ways for making these as comfy as possible, I'd love to hear them. Also, does having the manual under the cover get uncomfortable?

Fourth, I'm a little confused by the DO NOT DISCARD styrofoam inserts underneath the cover. I first thought that DO NOT DISCARD meant "take them out and put them in a safe place." But then I figured, no, it meant DO NOT REMOVE. I feel a little duhh about this, but really, they could have been clearer.

I have high hopes for my MA - my baby did fall asleep in it on two drives yesterday. But I think there might be some tweaking to do to make it as comfy as possible for her. Thanks !

[sfeitler]

The manual should be in a pocket below the styrofoam (which is the EPS/EPP foam, and you should leave it in the seat--I was confused by this with my first MA as well!).

The latch straps themselves should be able to hang loose, or you might be able to get them into the pockets along with the clips. There's no reason they should be in the sitting part of the seat...

As far as recline, you can pull the base away from the seat bight a little bit and push down on the part where your baby's ankles will go, to get it to a more upright recline. Generally with the MA it's easy to change the recline by installing it differently; just play around a little. I think you do have to leave the base in the "reclined" position when RF, but even so, you should be able to get an acceptable recline angle.

HTH!

-Sarah

[sfeitler]

Oh, I forgot--about the buckle. Britax straps go over the thighs lower than other seats. My kids never minded that... I suspect your baby is bothered by the recline, more than anything.

-Sarah

[Stresch]

I believe that you do need to keep the MA reclined rearfacing, but getting it more upright should be pretty easy. Other people will chime in, I'm sure with tips for that. I can do it, but I can't explain it well.

Yes, the styrofoam pieces stay where they are. They are to absorb impact in a crash. When I first got mine, I thought they were packaging and nearly took them out, too. Some of them are now attached to the seat.

You can remove the manual and store it on the black belt guard behind the seat. There is also a place for it there.

Britax does have short crotch straps. I think it just takes some getting used to. It most likely won't be a problem.

The only problem we have with the LATCH connectors is when the shoulderbelt is tight it can run into them, but that's not even really a problem. Since they are on the outside of the seat, I don't think they can really cause a comfort issue. My daughter has always seemed very comfy in her seat, but she has always been an easy traveler.

[Laurenc0101]

As far as recline, you can pull the base away from the seat bight a little bit and push down on the part where your baby's ankles will go, to get it to a more upright recline. Generally with the MA it's easy to change the recline by installing it differently; just play around a little.

Sarah had great advice. Just pull the MA about an inch from the seat and when tightening the seat belt, push down on the part of the MA closest to the seat, but be careful not to push where the seatbelt is so as not to interfere with its tightening. Also, are you using the tether for rf? If you are, remember that is needs to be tight as in snug, but not super, guitar string like tight. Super tight can pull the seat into a too far recline. Britax allows the seat to be more upright for older rear-facing children, so if you can get a more upright angle, your dd would probably be happier.

About the buckle being low and wide, I did notice that too when my son first moved to his MA, but it never seemed to bother him. He never liked the buckle strap rubbing his legs though, so I always tried to make sure some part of his outfit was between the buckle strap and his leg (kinda like seats without shoulder pads that they tell you to pull the child's clothes up on their neck to prevent rubbing).

Good luck! I hope you little girl enjoys her new seat!

[henrietta]

Yes, the seat MUST be in recline mode to use rearfacing.

(-:

henrietta

[freply]

I always tried to make sure some part of his outfit was between the buckle strap and his leg

:-) Since winter has started for real here in Boston, she's only been in the seat while wearing fleece overalls! I'll have to remember this tip for summertime.

[freply]

Thanks to everyone for your quick and helpful advice!! :)

[Laurenc0101]

:-) Since winter has started for real here in Boston, she's only been in the seat while wearing fleece overalls! I'll have to remember this tip for summertime.

Oh yeah, I forget not everyone is in the same area! We are in deep south Louisiana, where today, the high is going to be 82 degress :eek: We never have much of a winter.

Were you able to get your seat installed more upright?

[freply]

Yes, we used it for the first time today at the new angle, and it went much better. Thanks again to everyone for the advice! (And by the way, no, it's not tethered at the moment. I couldn't find a good anchor spot.)

[crunchierthanthou]

Great!

RF tether points need to be forward of the seat so that the tether angles toward the front of the car (rather than back or straight down). Seat legs work well and seat rails and seatbelt buckle stalk anchors are fine as long as it doesn't interfere with the function of the front seat. We may be able to help you spot something if you post a picture of the under side on your front seats.