Infant seat choices

[Heather]

Hello! I currently have a two-year old in a marathon and am expecting a baby in 2 months. I don't have the infant seat anymore, and am trying to decide what to buy for the new babe. I had hoped not to buy a bucket seat, as I won't need it for long, and I don't need to take it out of the car all the time. I am assuming that the Britax seats, although they say from 5lbs up, won't fit baby for a while. What would be my best bet? If I'm stuck getting a bucket seat, what is the cheapest while still being good quality?

Thank you!!

[Heather]

Hmmm. Will the TrueFit actually fit a newborn??

[snowbird25ca]

Hmmm. Will the TrueFit actually fit a newborn??

It will fit a newborn provided you can get it installed at a 45 * angle. The lock-offs can be a challenge to get closed when the seat is installed at 45*. It can be done in almost all cases, but is a little challenging.

What type of vehicle do you have?

Other options for convertibles that will fit from birth are the evenflo triumph advance and the radian. You're correct in thinking that the MA is highly unlikely to fit a newborn. The bottom harness height is just too high for the vast majority of newborns.

[Heather]

I have a Toyota Corolla. The Marathon fits rear-facing in the middle, so I imagine the Truefit without the headrest would fit in the middle beside the Marathon forward facing...

[tcottawa]

I think you might have a hard time fitting any carseat (except perhaps a radian) in the middle of a corolla, with a Marathon outboard, facing either way.

[Heather]

darnit. Would the Truefit be short enough to fit on the passenger side rf because the headrest comes off? I'll have to go check out the radian. Or maybe a minivan! ;)

[tcottawa]

It really depends on how tall you or your partner are! Also, IIRC, you have to put on the headrest after 22lbs, no matter how tall your child is, so keep that in mind (although, after 6 months or so the carseat can be installed more upright than 45 degrees).

Even a radian would be a pretty tight fit in the middle of a corolla - unless you had two radians side-by-side. I would really go outboard with both seats.

[snowbird25ca]

darnit. Would the Truefit be short enough to fit on the passenger side rf because the headrest comes off? I'll have to go check out the radian. Or maybe a minivan! ;)

I would definitely expect the True Fit to fit on the passenger side without the headrest. The front seat might have to be a little forward, but I wouldn't expect it to take up much more room - if any, than an infant carrier in terms of front to back space

[Heather]

Thank you, all! Trudy, I just realized you're the one that helped me install my seat last year! I just spent the past half hour looking at Toyota vans because I don't want to lose my marathon nor my ability to car pool! Ha ha. I think the Truefit seems like the best option, unless I can inherit my brother's bucket seat until baby fits in a Britax.

Thanks again!

[snowbird25ca]

Thank you, all! Trudy, I just realized you're the one that helped me install my seat last year! I just spent the past half hour looking at Toyota vans because I don't want to lose my marathon nor my ability to car pool! Ha ha. I think the Truefit seems like the best option, unless I can inherit my brother's bucket seat until baby fits in a Britax.

Thanks again!

LOL, nothing like a new baby to send somebody new vehicle shopping. :p

If you want to play with the TF before making a buying decision you're welcome to play with mine. I have the EFTA and a Radian for comparison too. :)