Adapting a Marathon

My daughter who is 3 months old has Pediatric Hip Dysplasia that they are treating with a Rhino brace. She cannot fit in her Companion car seat anymore but we can't afford a Hippo. I'm currently trying to find out if our insurance has a loaner program or if they will cover the cost of the Hippo seat. At this point the doctor's nurse recommended a pillow placed under her bum in a rear facing marathon. Does anyone have any advice on this? I'm not real confident in altering a carseat but she has to be strapped in and the companion isn't an option anymore.

Thanks!!!
Christina

Another seat to try would be a Sunshine Kids Radian. It has really low sides on the bottom of the seat which help lots for kiddos in braces. It's price should be comparable to the Marathon.

I know when my ds was in KAFOs that kept his knees bent at 45 degrees he did NOT fit well in a Roundabout (smaller version of the Marathon) - and he didn't have anything holding his hips out. Just the angle of the braces caused him to hold his legs in a similar "frog leg" position.

I'd honestly try a Radian before "adapting" a different seat. Does the hospital not offer loaner seats?

I would call Britax and see if they would approve of the Hippo pads being used in a Marathon, since the Hippo is based on the Marathon. You would then need to order the pads from Britax.

Another option that would be less costly than a Hippo is the Sunshine Kids Radian - it has very low sides that may allow for the position/brace.

spokaneCPST said:

I would call Britax and see if they would approve of the Hippo pads being used in a Marathon, since the Hippo is based on the Marathon. You would then need to order the pads from Britax.

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Aren't the sides on the Hippo cut down? Or is the seat just padded up to raise the legs over the side? I used to know, but can't remember.

Yes, the sides of the Hippo are cut down. Since the sides on the Marathon are higher, they're likely to get in the way. I too would try a Radian first, its low sides mean that it's often a good fit for casted and/or braced kids (though you often will need a little bit of back support from a rolled blanket or small pillow.)

Yes, the sides of a hippo are cut out, but the pads force the child's pelvis so far forward that it may position the legs out far enough to fit over the sides of a Marathon. That is, if Britax would even approve that use.

Why the Marathon? Do you already own it? Or is it because the Hippo is based on it.

Why not another car seat all together? Your average 3mth old doesn't fit in a MA anyway. I immediately thought TrueFit, as treatment for that condition in an infant that small generally involves bracing them in the "frog-legged" position.

We already have the marathon and she's a little one still, only 3 months. I tried some cotton batting rolled up under her bum and that seemed to work a bit. I have contacted a charitable organization that loans Hippo seats out and am waiting to hear back. I also contacted my doctors, we go to a HUGE hospital but they were sort of rude when I asked about the Hippo seat or some other adaptive seat. She told me "no one else has ever had a problem before." Whatever, so I'm the first mom they've come across that cares if my daughter is transported safely. I may contact Britax, but the reason I was asking about Marathon is because we own one. I also have a radian but I don't have room to do it rear facing in my car. Any other tips appreciated!

Christina

What area are you in? Maybe someone here would have some resources?

Is she your only child? Does anyone else ride in the backseat with her?

Would the Radian fit behind the passenger seat if the seat was all the way forward? Whoever normally rides in the front would have to ride in the backseat, but it won't last forever. I'm just thinking you still might get a better fit for her in it, with the lower sides.


ETA - I looked at your other posts and see that you have a 3-across in a 2005 Accord. Do you often have a front seat passenger? If not this could still work. Otherwise, ignore me.

I'm in Southern California, I contacted a charity called Safe Kids that can sometimes provide loaner car seats to families in need of them. As for the radian, we are busting at the seams in our car. We've got 3 across in the back of a Honda Accord, our oldest is in the Radian in the middle and 1 marathon FF and then I was going to use the other marathon we have to put her rear facing. The passenger seat is needed much of the time because I usually only drive when it's a family outing.

I can't believe that my hospital, which is seriously enormous, doesn't have a loaner program available. I know for a fact that she is not the first child they've dealt with with this situation. I'm just feeling frustrated. My sister told my mom about it last night and tonight my mom said that she would buy it for us. She said she isn't comfortable with her grandbaby riding around in a modified carseat and I think she realizes that my husband and I have our emotions frazzled as it is. We lost a son 2.5 years ago and his 4th birthday would have been the 15th of this month, so we're having a rough time as it is. :/

Anyways, if anyone does have any resources in southern california that would be great.

Thanks again for the help so far!