Question on European carseats........

[susant]

I am living overseas in the middleeast, and our carseat availability here is different than the states (except for toys r us, which only stocks a few older models).

So, a newer store which just opened here (Kika), had car seats 1/2 off (the store has only been open 2 months!), and I got a:

Maxi Cosi CabrioFix

and

Chicco Key 1 X-Plus.

The MC is for a newborn expected this fall and the other is for my two year old.

I have a question about installing these two. I've looked at the books and realize because these are euro seats, I need to not use them in the middle lap belt only position.

My car is a 99 suburban, leather seats. What should I be looking for on installing these? My car has no manual with it (we bought it used), and I'm wondering about the car seat installation on it (with the older car, euro seats)? Anyone have any advice?

Also, I don't have any options here for a car seat for my thin 6 1/2 year old. What would be better safety-wise for him? Middle sitting with a lap belt or in the outboard seat with a shoulder belt? His head is under the back of the car seat in both positions.

Thank you,

Sue

[susant]

I had posted this on the main forum, and one replier said that my 5.5 year old needed a booster seat.

I have looked, and they have this here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Safety-Booster-Seat-Blue-Check/dp/B000ZRQPKW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=baby&qid=1217861228&sr=1-14

and something for bigger kids from CHicco, but it looks NOTHING like these pics:

http://www.twoleftfeet.co.uk/acatalog/Chicco_Max_3S.html

http://www.twoleftfeet.co.uk/acatalog/Chicco_Key_2_3_Discovery.html

http://www.twoleftfeet.co.uk/acatalog/Chicco_Key_2_3_Marty.html

I can't find a pic of it anywhere. It looks like a basic youth booster, but possibly an older style?

Any ideas?

Sue

[joyride]

To your second Question:
Lap-Belt is a no go, so outboard. Don´t you have the possibility to get a seat for him (bring with from holidays/business trip,...).

First Question:
No Lap-Belt only installation, but works with normal 3 Point belts because locking clip should be included in the seat. So no problem with your car imho.
Greetings
Joy

[susant]

What about the older type of seat belts (99 suburban)....were there any no-nos about sliding retractors or anything in that time period (the two car seats in question, the maxi cosi has belt positioners, not built in locking clips, but the chicco has the built in locking clips)?

As for travelling, it will be next summer.

There may be one or two chiccos he can fit, I'll have to try at the mall, but it's extremely slim pickings here.

Sue

[susant]

We may have something like this...

http://www.babythings4u.co.uk/item/buy-chicco-key-2--3-car-seat--discovery-lightdark-grey-uk

or

http://www.babythings4u.co.uk/item/buy-chicco-key-2--3-car-seat--discovery-lightdark-grey-uk

They were kind of dusty, on the top shelf, so I need to get the guy to get them down and look at exp. dates and the actual seats for fitting my 6.5 year old guy.

Sue

[Starlight]

So, you have 5 kids?

a new baby due this fall, a 2 yr old, a 5.5 yr old, a 6.5 yr old, and a 9 yr old?

Does you Suburban seat 7/8, with 3 rows of seating?

[QuassEE]

Is it possible to install the Maxi Cosi in the lapbelt only position, and not use it to 29lbs (but rather to 22lbs)? Without a shoulderbelt behind the seatback (euro install) or some sort of base foot prop, the seat will over-rotate beyond 22lbs. If you have the instructions for a base with a foot prop there may be something that talks about 22lbs vs 29lbs somewhere. It's worth looking into. We're currently considering moving to a country that has *no* carseat law and therefore *no* carseat availability, so I'm starting to have a lot of sympathy for your situation.

-Nicole.

[susant]

My kids are:

12 year old ds

9 year old dd

6.5 year old ds

almost 3 year old dd

And baby due in November.

All in a 99 Suburban, 8 seater, leather seats, three rows of seating.

At this time, my almost 3 year old is rear facing in a graco something (can't remember the exact model), and is due by weight to face forward.

The way the Maxi Cosi installs, is the lapbelt over, and the shoulder part of the belt around the front. I don't have the base, it wasn't available here. It can be used with and without the base. Looks like with the base, you can use isofix.

I'm not sure how to make sure my shoulder belts "lock", and hold the car seat in place, and would like advice.......

Also, I am unsure on what to do about my 6.5 year old. The suburban seats are huge. I'm not sure that MY legs go over the crease. I'm not sure anyone will fit with that test, maybe dh?????

The only youth seats here I have seen are two pretty dusty ones on a shelf somewhere, and a chicco booster seat you just sit on......

I can go back and look at those seats, but it may be a few days until I get there.

Sue