3 car seats help!!!

[ks8511]

the seats you have make horrible booster seats. and will more than likely be outgrown with the harness before they are old enougth to be in booster seats.

A. My girls were just over 4 lbs at birth and are still on the smaller side now, I doubt they'll ever be very big...

B. I plan to get them cheap boosters with no backs from Kmart when they do outgrow them if it happens... But thanks?

 

[ks8511]

Normally I would recommend a 3rd row vehicle for 3 kids. If you're looking at cars, Impalas are very wide, possibly wide enough. If you don't have much money for seats, you could get a Scenera or Tribute for your baby rather than an infant seat. They're cheaper, narrower, and last longer.

Thanks ill look into all that!!

 

[ks8511]

Have you looked at older Honda pilots you should be able to get an 02-04 in that budget Mileage will be high but it's a Honda and will last forever. You can Also fit 3 seats ( depends on the seats but ive seen it done) across but there is a 3rd row. Good luck!

Ok I was looking at those but the mileage scares me over like 150 160,000 but I'll do some more research!

 

[ks8511]

since you're not able to buy new seats, but the seats you currently own will make it difficult to do 3 across in most vehicles (and I saw that you are looking into 3 row vehicles, but with a tight budget you may find a better quality car vs. suv or van, I've been there), perhaps you could contact your local police station, or safekids network, maybe talk to a social worker at your kid's doctor, there are programs available to help low income families get appropriate car seats at little to no cost. I understand that you have a lot to think about, so maybe being able to get assistance with car seats would give you 1 less thing to worry about? I also think financially it makes more sense to go straight to a convertible car seat from birth, for $40 or $50 you can get the baby a seat that will last for 2 years, maybe longer (specifically thinking about a cosco scenera or evenflo tribute, and they are fairly narrow), you can than wear the baby (which leaves 2 free hands for the twins) or use a stroller. if you really want an infant seat (they are convenient at times) the baby trend flexloc is the narrowest seat at a lower cost, I believe, if you are able to get a 3 row vehicle and don't have to worry about space the evenflo embrace 35 at walmart is $80 and long lasting, also the graco snugride 30 0r 35, or safety 1st onside air are long lasting infant seats). If you are able to get new seats for the twins you can always sell the chase seats they're in to get back some of the money you spent.
I also agree with an odyssey, pilot, impala or taurus as far as vehicles

Thanks I know the one hospital has a program if you don have a seat when the baby is born or it doesn't pass their test they give you one!

 

[ks8511]

What a lot of people don't realize is that you sit up in a minivan too. Most SUVs now are glorified station wagons and aren't up super high like the old truck based suvs of many years ago.

I realize that, I just don't wanna be the soccer mom van driver haha but if I ha to I guess I would

 

[ks8511]

People suggested rear facing them because you can get a three across more easily that way. I'd try a convertible with a high base for the baby so it will puzzle with your others seats better which I'm going to be honest with you are horrible seats to three across in. Any car in your budget will still make it tough to three across. Do you still have a bucket seat from the twins? Could you use that for the baby and use that money to buy a narrower seat for one of the twins?

A cosco scenera perhaps, or a evenflo sureride. Using the bucket seat if you have one available without a base would buy you space aswell. Then save up and replace the second big car seat so when the baby outgrows the bucket you will have space for a third carseat

Three seats are cheaper than a car, but I do get that you have money for a car not seats. I'd look for a used Honda pilot, or a rav 4 or a Toyota Camry. But upgrading to a gas guzzler will kill your budget even more.

My current car is already a gas guzzler even though it's small :/

I sold their old car seats, and I have one still that was extra but it's really bulky and has this weird bar at the bottom that takes up space.

 

[Brianna]

A. My girls were just over 4 lbs at birth and are still on the smaller side now, I doubt they'll ever be very big...

B. I plan to get them cheap boosters with no backs from Kmart when they do outgrow them if it happens... But thanks?

Children should generally move from harnessed seats to high back boosters- the back support provides them with a reminder to sit in place so the seat belt will stay in place. Evenlflo Chase seats are generally outgrown harnessed at age 3 or 4 by shoulder height, and most children are not ready for boosters until age 5 or so. (Shoulders can't go above top harness slot) The booster mode of the Chase provides a generally poor fit, placing the lap belt on the abdomen instead of low on the hips/high on the thighs. If the Chase doesn't fit them well, it cannot adequately protect them in a crash.

 

[canadiangie]

A. My girls were just over 4 lbs and are still on the smaller size now, I doubt they'll ever be very big.

B, I plan to get them cheap boosters with no backs from Kmart when they do outgrow them if it gap owns... But thanks?

Sometimes what happens with lightweight kids is that they outgrow their seat by torso height long before they weigh enough or are old enough to use a booster seat. Translation: their shoulders hit the top harness slots (which are 16 inches on your seat(s), so not particularly high) and the harness is outgrown. Kid might be 25 pounds, kid might be 2.5 years old... doesn't matter -- the harness is outgrown. So then what? You aren't going to put a 25 pounder into a Kmart special backless booster. The Evenflo Chase seats are designed in such a way that the seatbelt doesn't lay safely across the child when in booster mode, even if the child did weigh enough, or was old enough. You're up the creek for a seat, that's what. :thumbsdown:

The other thing about snuggly three-across situations is that you don't want to go to a booster any sooner than you have to. Buckling stinks and hurts your hands. Much easier to buckle a 5 point harness.

Evenflo SureRides, if you could swing it, would work for all three and last a verrrrrrry long time because of the 19.5 inch top slots and 65 pound harnessing limit. I do believe they rear face up to 40 pounds as well. And fit newborns really well. I would *totally* rock a three across with three rear facing seats. They're comfy for sleeping, easier to load, kids don't drop their toys, and about 500% safer at your girls' ages (no joke, 500%).


Many, many years ago I installed seats for triplets in an Impala. I cannot remember what seats they were, though. Anyway, they're a wide ride.

 

[ks8511]

Children should generally move from harnessed seats to high back boosters- the back support provides them with a reminder to sit in place so the seat belt will stay in place. Evenlflo Chase seats are generally outgrown harnessed at age 3 or 4 by shoulder height, and most children are not ready for boosters until age 5 or so. (Shoulders can't go above top harness slot) The booster mode of the Chase provides a generally poor fit, placing the lap belt on the abdomen instead of low on the hips/high on the thighs. If the Chase doesn't fit them well, it cannot adequately protect them in a crash.

I understand that, but I'm trying to tell you my girls are slightly smaller for their age (height and weight) and probably will be until puberty.. I just don't see them outgrowing the Chase seats, but if they do I'll deal with that when it happens. An even if they do outgrow the harness, it specifically tells you at a certain height/weight that you are supposed to use the lap and shoulder belt instead, an I was even instructed by a police officer who installed my seats to switch it at that time.

 

[tmahanes]

even if they do outgrow the harness, it specifically tells you at a certain height/weight that you are supposed to use the lap and shoulder belt instead, an I was even instructed by a police officer who installed my seats to switch it at thy time.

This is true. The problem with that seat is that the lap shoulder belt fit can be dangerous and put the belt up on the stomach instead of the hips so it doesn't make a good booster :-(

 

[Jessica61624]

I was curious if you seen this before?
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8"]Front facing or Rear facing? Car seat safety TRUE STORY crash test videos - YouTube[/ame]

The tone of this thread has made me hesitate to post. I understand your situation isn't ideal. What seat do you have from the twins? You said it has a bar thing...is it a combi shuttle? Britax chaperone?

 

[ks8511]

Sometimes what happens with lightweight kids is that they outgrow their seat by torso height long before they weigh enough or are old enough to use a booster seat. Translation: their shoulders hit the top harness slots (which are 16 inches on your seat(s), so not particularly high) and the harness is outgrown. Kid might be 25 pounds, kid might be 2.5 years old... doesn't matter -- the harness is outgrown. So then what? You aren't going to put a 25 pounder into a Kmart special backless booster. The Evenflo Chase seats are designed in such a way that the seatbelt doesn't lay safely across the child when in booster mode, even if the child did weigh enough, or was old enough. You're up the creek for a seat, that's what. :thumbsdown:

The other thing about snuggly three-across situations is that you don't want to go to a booster any sooner than you have to. Buckling stinks and hurts your hands. Much easier to buckle a 5 point harness.

Evenflo SureRides, if you could swing it, would work for all three and last a verrrrrrry long time because of the 19.5 inch top slots and 65 pound harnessing limit. I do believe they rear face up to 40 pounds as well. And fit newborns really well. I would *totally* rock a three across with three rear facing seats. They're comfy for sleeping, easier to load, kids don't drop their toys, and about 500% safer at your girls' ages (no joke, 500%).

Many, many years ago I installed seats for triplets in an Impala. I cannot remember what seats they were, though. Anyway, they're a wide ride.

My girls are small weight and height. Always have been.. Probably will be for quite some time. I understand that rear facing is safer, but I also know what did and did not fit well in my car, their rear facing seats went up to 40 lbs, yet despite the fact they were nowhere near that weight, their feet hit the edge, and like I said before, they aren't even that tall... I'm not sure about the evenflos you're referring to, but I'll look into them... For the baby is like one that snaps easily in and out, especially with having two other little ones to lug around (for lack of a better word).

I just wanna say to everyone: I understand that this is a car seat forum, but if people ask a specific question I don't think that generally they appreciate answers that make them feel like you're shoving your views down their throat, or having an attitude that their seats suck, or that their question is useless because 3 across just wont be possible.. You don't always know a persons situation, or their reasoning behind why they are doing something, such as forward facing their child. I already know it's safer to rear face. I had a long conversation about it with the officer who installed my seats. If I could just get suggestions on cars (2 or 3 rows) and a decent seat for the newborn, that would be great, thanks. If I have other questions or concerns, I'll be sure to post them.

 

[ks8511]

Also I apologize for all the typos and bad grammar, etc. I'm on the forums app on my phone, and it keeps constantly auto correcting things and I miss it, and I try to edit the posts but I guess you all are replying faster than I can edit.

 

[ks8511]

I was curious if you seen this before?
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8

The tone of this thread has made me hesitate to post. I understand your situation isn't ideal. What seat do you have from the twins? You said it has a bar thing...is it a combi shuttle? Britax chaperone?

It's a Combi. This is it.

 

[Jessica61624]

It's a Combi. This is it.

That's actually one of the narrowest infant seats around. I had one and loved it. I'd use it for the newbie.

As far as the other seats the main issue it they're wide. If you want to ff that's fine. But when it comes to getting 3 across you can't be picky with what seats you use. If I were you(well I'd rear face them) I'd use the shuttle. If you keep them forward facing I'd get one a harmony defender($99 at Walmart) and work on getting a second. They're very narrow and would be much easier getting 3 across with.

 

[ks8511]

I was curious if you seen this before?
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8

The tone of this thread has made me hesitate to post. I understand your situation isn't ideal. What seat do you have from the twins? You said it has a bar thing...is it a combi shuttle? Britax chaperone?

Also, sorry but that video means nothing to me. She can defend her daughter all she wants "she always strapped him in good and tight" how do we really know that? We don know his height, his weight, was the seat properly secured into the car.... Please don't show me depressing videos of kids gets injured in car seats. I know the risks, you won't persuade me to go out and buy new seats... I love and care for my kids, by how I choose to strap them in the car is just that, my choice. Forward facing them doesn't make me a bad mom... When I was little it wasn't even required to have a booster up to 40 lbs or age 5 it anything like that I was in an accident when I was probably 4, possibly 5.. In the back of my moms Nissan truck that had those old sideways fold up/pull down seats... And I turned out fine just wearing a seatbelt.. and i was rather small for my age... Just saying.

 

[Jessica61624]

Also, sorry but that video means nothing to me. She can defend her daughter all she wants "she always strapped him in good and tight" how do we really know that? We don know his height, his weight, was the seat properly secured into the car.... Please don't show me depressing videos of kids gets injured in car seats. I know the risks, you won't persuade me to go out and buy new seats... I love and care for my kids, by how I choose to strap them in the car is just that, my choice. Forward facing them doesn't make me a bad mom... When I was little it wasn't even required to have a booster up to 40 lbs or age 5 it anything like that I was in an accident when I was probably 4, possibly 5.. In the back of my moms Nissan truck that had those old sideways fold up/pull down seats... And I turned out fine just wearing a seatbelt.. and i was rather small for my age... Just saying.

And the kids who weren't just fine because they were in a serious accident aren't here to tell about it...just sayin. Anyways I'm stepping away because I see this going no where real fast. Good luck to you car shopping. Congrats on the new baby.

 

[ks8511]

That's actually one of the narrowest infant seats around. I had one and loved it. I'd use it for the newbie.

As far as the other seats the main issue it they're wide. If you want to ff that's fine. But when it comes to getting 3 across you can't be picky with what seats you use. If I were you(well I'd rear face them) I'd use the shuttle. If you keep them forward facing I'd get one a harmony defender($99 at Walmart) and work on getting a second. They're very narrow and would be much easier getting 3 across with.

It is pretty narrow I just don't like how it's so heavy a d bulky to carry around

 

[Fallon]

With over 150 k on a Honda just make sure the timing belt is changed and you should be good. Would you consider a rf convertible for the baby, then you can ff it later.You found get more use out of it and might fit better rf in the center w the others ff? I know ppl like the bucket but In your case you wouldn't have to buy another seat later and if might fit better.

 

[ks8511]

And the kids who weren't just fine because they were in a serious accident aren't here to tell about it...just sayin. Anyways I'm stepping away because I see this going no where real fast. Good luck to you car shopping. Congrats on the new baby.

It's not going nowhere, I just don't appreciate asking for an opinion on a good fit for a car then having 10 different people ask why don't I just get new car seats and turn my kids around, especially when I specifically said in my original post I had no intention of doing so.