what age/size would you feel comfortable rec'ing a Maestro?

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom · Jul 13, 2010

So a mom on our multiples club forum was asking about second seats for her baby twins and 3.5YO singleton (she has 3 radians for one car) and I mentioned the Maestro as one to check out for the 3.5YO. Another mom asks whether or not it would be a good choice for occasional use (2-3x/month) in the grandparents' car for her 2.5YOs who are around 50th percentile height/weight.

I told her I felt a bit conflicted b/c at that age/height I was pretty sure most techs would rec that they be in rear facing convertibles (and I included Heather's nice RF Links entry from carseatblog) even though I had turned my girls FF when they were just a few months older than her twins (DDs had 2001 RA's with 30 lb. rear facing weight limit), and maybe for just 2-3x/month perhaps move their convertibles back and forth to the grandparents' car for a few more months until her kids are a bit older and heavier. And, of course, I suggested she could post her question here directly to get techs' opinions.

So, WWYD if someone asked you that question?

carseatcoach · Jul 13, 2010

Ideally, not for any child under 40#-45#. But if the parents are not going to consider RFing, it's a good FFing seat as long as the child meets the minimums.

emandbri · Jul 13, 2010

I would be shocked if the 2.5 year olds are rear-facing anyway. I'd say I recommend it for kids over the age of 2.

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom · Jul 13, 2010

Thanks! She just emailed me back and said she had *just* turned them FF last week b/c DS was a couple pounds shy of the 35 lb. weight limit on their seats, but she knows RF is safer and she feels more vulnerable with them FF, and might flip them back until DS gains those last few pounds.
Hanging around here with so many folks with ERF 3-5YO's, I sorta forget that RFing to 2.5 is actually pretty good and putting a 33 lb. 2.5YO in a properly installed and top tethered FF harnessed seat is not condemning the child to sure paralysis in a car accident

Maedze · Jul 13, 2010

I don't recommend forward facing seats for children under 3 outside of special circumstances. The whole world is telling parents to forward face at one, I don't need to add to the chorus. People can find that advice easily

So I would recommend a Maestro for a three year old. I would only recommend a rear facing convertible for a two year old.

vonfirmath · Jul 13, 2010

I bought a Maestro for my son in the childcare car at just over 2.5. I would not have bought another seat to keep him RFing past 2.5 -- turns out he'll last to 3 years old. But RFing at these ages is more of a "Provide information and let the parent make the decision" issue.

I recommended a Nautilus for my cousin's daughter at 2 years. She was already FF and outgrowing her previous seat (Scenera).

DahliaRW · Jul 13, 2010

At 2.5 and nearly 35lbs, yeah, that'd be fine. Yes, ideally rfing, but higher weight rfing seats are usually at least $150 and that's just not in most people's budgets for secondary cars.

My nearly 3yo is around 35-36lbs and fits nicely in the maestro.

babyherder · Jul 13, 2010

I would do exactly what you did. Give her the safety info and recommend she come here to see for herself. If she insists on ff her kids then tell her the maestro is a great seat if used properly and she'll need another booster later.

Carrie_R · Jul 13, 2010

I'd recommend it for any child legally of a FFing age, *if* I knew there was no way they'd RF. (Any chance of RFing, I'd recommend a convertible, of course.)

But if I know a parent of a one year old who is no-how-no-way gonna RF, despite my best attempts at education and explanation, I'd rather them end up with a Maestro that will last them a few years than have them buy a Cosco HBB or Summit, which will lead them to be boostered (maybe even poorly) as a toddler.

Anyways, given that you had the RF dialogue, I think your recommendation was sound. All you can do is say, "RFing is safer, I would recommend seats x, y, and z for that, because ____. But if you really are only interested in FFing, then yes, I'd buy the Maestro over other seats." And that sounds like just what you did.

what age/size would you feel comfortable rec'ing a Maestro?

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom

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