Question Extra Convertible for two different sized children

jeffersmama · Mar 31, 2011

I am looking for an extra convertible seat for my husband's 2004 Toyoto Echo.
I'd like to be able to put either of my children into it though and this is where I'm a bit stumped. Is there a convertible available that would fit my 2.5 yr old son and my 11 week old daughter without having to reinstall for harness height and recline? My daughter is a few ounces away from 13 lbs and measured 23" last week. My son is 33 lbs and 38". Both have long torsos.
This seat would be more of convenience as it would be used infrequently.

Thanks for any help or suggestions offered.

canadiangie · Mar 31, 2011

Assuming your oldest child is rear facing, then yes there is.

You want a seat that rear faces to 40lbs, and you need one with infinite harness adjust.

I would look at the Safety 1st Complete Air. It will work well for both of your children, assuming your baby's shoulders are level with the lowest harness position. You won't need to fuss with any major adjusting... There are levers up in the headrest that raise and lower the harness height.

Be sure to have the seat appropriately reclined for your 3m/o. Probably somewhere between 40 and 45 degrees. Once baby has better head control the seat can be installed more upright.

Hope that helps,

mommycat · Apr 5, 2011

:yeahthat: It sounds like your DD may be tall enough to fit in the CA bottom slots since she has a tall torso. (I want to point out that the stated limit on the CA is 36" in Canada - it's 40" in the US - so there is a parental decision involved on your part to continue to use the seat beyond the stated limit. You can do some research on the board to see why some people choose to do so and with what seats/by how much.)

Another option would be the First Years True Fit, but it would only work a very short time since the RF weight limit is only 35lbs. It does have non-rethread harness and built in lock-offs though, so reinstalling might not be a major PITA. The height limit follows the 1" rule for shell over the head.

The only other tall option with a higher weight limit is the Radian, but I am not sure how it would do in an Echo as it is finicky about adjusting recline and takes up a fair bit of room, and it has neither the adjustable harness nor the lockoffs. It does RF to 40/45lbs and has a stated limit of 40".

What seats do they usually ride in? How they fit in them (room to grow by weight/height)?