Chicco Keyfit 30 Install without the base

[Unregistered]

I know my Chicco Keyfit 30 can be installed without the base using a lapbelt, but can it be installed with a shoulder belt? What do you do with the shoulder portion of the belt? (THe shoulder belt lockoffs are on the base)

[SuzaBanana]

I don't know the answer, but am also curious as we will face this situation during a 2 week trip to Europe. I'm thinking locking clip...:confused:

[Pixels]

Yes, it can be installed with a lap-shoulder belt. Just route the lap portion of the belt through the belt guides on the seat, and leave the shoulder portion out.

You'll need to be sure the vehicle belt is locked. Here is a guide (http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm) on the various ways the belt may lock.

[Unregistered]

Well, I tried to install it, and it appears locked and secure, but I can take the carseat and slowly tip it forward and it seems to come out from under the belt and seems so unsafe. My description of what I'm talking about isn't very good, I know. Any ideas? I have a 2004 Volvo V70.

[bensmom]

When you say "tip it forward," do you mean towards the back of the car's seat, or down towards the floor? does the seat shift from side to side at all?

[SusanMae]

If it's moving towards the seat back...that sounds normal. It happens even using the base. When using it baseless, you can roll a towel and put in the space under the foot of the seat.

Susan

[Unregistered]

I can tip it toward the seat back--which is normal, except that once it is back toward the seat back, there is so much slack in the belt that it doesn't seem locked anymore, and I can then tilt it sideways. Hard to describe, but really doesn't seem as secure as it does with just a lap belt.

I am concerned because I am flying alone with my infant next week and I am really concerned about installing the seat in my mom's car when she picks me up at the airport. I don't want to haul the base too b/c I would have to carry it with me and all my other stuff (and baby) through the airport. I am only allowed to check one bag. Plus, mom's car doesn't have latch so i would need to practice installing the base with the belt (hubby has done that for our cars). (mom's car has three shoulder belts in the rear seat of her car--older Camry).

[bensmom]

It sounds like you might benefit from a rolled towel to help keep the angle.

There's a video on this site (http://www.carseatsite.com/videos.htm) for installing an infant seat without a base that you might find helpful (most infant seats install similarly when not using the base).

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the video link-very helpful.

[Unregistered]

Car seats and strollers don't count towards your checked bags. I thought the same thing and when I went on a trip about 6 months ago they checked my stroller and car seats without charging me. I thought that might be useful information in case you really want to take the base.

[WhatAboutPuppy]

keep in mind if you're checking the install of the bucket you need to be checking at the belt path only. If you've got a hand on the top of the seat up where the baby's head would be and your moving it around it's going to do some funky things.
What kind of movement do you get at the belt path? Using one hand (preferably your weaker one) are you able to get the same movements were it's coming up toward the back of the vehicle seat that it's installed on?