Need confirmation re: Britax harnesses

[Unregistered]

Hi there,

We just installed our Roundabout, which is a great seat. However, I find it fits our son so differently than his bucket, and I'm not sure if it's the seat, or if we're doing something wrong, and I want to make sure he's safe.

I find that the bottom straps cross the top of his thighs, and not his hips. Is this okay/correct? Also, when we tighten the straps on his shoulders, they're tight at the top and down to the chest clip, but they don't secure tightly below that, around his abdomen. In fact, they're barely touching him at all. There's nothing we can do to fix this (maybe we need to lengthen the latch at the bottom?).

Is this okay? Thanks for your help!

[UlrikeDG]

This is how the Britax harness fits. The "lap belt" portion is snug across the thighs, and the upper portion of the harness is tight on the shoulders, but there's a little bit of a gap down by the stomach.

[Unregistered]

This is how the Britax harness fits. The "lap belt" portion is snug across the thighs, and the upper portion of the harness is tight on the shoulders, but there's a little bit of a gap down by the stomach.

YES! That's exactly how it's fitting him. Okay, thanks. I just wasn't sure if that gap down by the belly was alright. Thanks for your reply.

[canadiangie]

Right. Just as pp said.

The harness is designed to sit lower over his thighs, and not his soft tummy. This is also why you might notice the crotch strap isn't super long. A shorter crotch strap keeps the buckles down and away from his soft tummy.

With Britax seats you check for a snug harness at the shoulder. There is always going to be a bit of a gap between the harness and his tummy. You want he harness to be snug as a hug at his shoulders, and for the harness to sit snuggly across his thighs/hips.

Now with all of that said, did you consider the Marathon as well? Only reason I ask is because the Roundabout (while I agree a terrific seat) is usually outgrown before the child is ready for a booster seat. Meaning, you will most likely need another harnessed seat by his 3rd birthday (sometimes sooner).

[Unregistered]

Now with all of that said, did you consider the Marathon as well? Only reason I ask is because the Roundabout (while I agree a terrific seat) is usually outgrown before the child is ready for a booster seat. Meaning, you will most likely need another harnessed seat by his 3rd birthday (sometimes sooner).

Thanks for the confirmation.

Re: Marathon...I made the decision awhile back to get the Roundabout because we have a small car and I figured the Marathon would be too big in our car when rear-facing. My logic was that by the time he was big enough for a booster, we'd likely have another baby who could then use the Roundabout. Now that our (preemie) baby is in the 75th percentile for height and weight, I do worry about how long he'll last in the Roundabout, especially since this is now the third carseat we've had since he was born. I can't see my husband being too thrilled about buying another carseat. I'm keeping kind of hush-hush about it, for the moment...

[QuassEE]

Most kids outgrow the Roundabout by height before weight. My daughter just turned 3 and is even with the top slots in the Roundabout. Even if she was 40lbs (she's 34lbs) she's at least 2 years from being mature enough to sit in a booster. She's in a Marathon now but we'll be using a Frontier as soon as they're available in Canada. She's my last baby (unless we adopt) so I don't even have the excuse to pass seats down, but my DH has given up on fighting the carseat issue :) It was that or divorce, I'm sure.

-Nicole.

[UlrikeDG]

I've always loved my Roundabouts, but my kids have moved into the Marathon after they outgrew the RA. We've done the hand-me-down thing, so I've felt like the Roundabout was worth it (it's so much nicer than the MA, even if the MA lasts longer). I actually bought a Roundabout (on clearance) for my youngest, even though I don't plan to have another baby.

[canadiangie]

OP,

As long as there is 1" of hard seat shell above your baby's head and he weighs less than 30lbs he can continue to rf in his RA. (assuming you're okay with making the parental decision to look past the 30" (?) rf length limit).

Ideally he'll stay rf for as long as possible (30lbs) but with the RA this isn't always possible. (seat shell is too short).

But not to panic, Canada now has some great budget friendly ERF/EH seats. :thumbsup:

Once the RA is outgrown rf, (and assuming you want to continue to rf for as long as possible) you could look at the Compass TrueFit. It has a tall seat shell and rf's to 35lbs. It later ff's up to 65lbs, and lasts most kids to age 5-6y/o.

The RA could then be passed to baby #2.

Once baby#2 outgrows the RA the TrueFit could get passed along, and your oldest could probably move to a basic booster ($50ish, sometimes more, sometimes less).

My point? Your logic isn't lost on me, though you will probably have to buy another harnessed seat if you want to ERF your lo... Not to mention EH him, the RA is still a good and very nice seat that will get good use. :)



p.s. I totally *get* keeping this hush-hush with dh. I keep most of my seat plans hush-hush too... and my stroller plans... and my baby carrier plans... and my... :whistle: