Question Choosing New Car Seats Help

L

lilmama2

New member
Hi,

We are in the midst of investigating new car seats for our kids. Here is our current set up. We have a newly 4 year old 38 lbs 39" in a FF Safety First Scenera. And a 4 month old 18lbs in a RF Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP (5-22lbs).

At first I thought we would just purchase a booster for our 4 yr old and move our new guy over to the Safety First RF. However, I'd like to keep my options open to go three across in the future, so I started researching and now realize I'm not a huge fan of the Safety First purchase and I my 4 year old really isn't ready for a seat belt at all.

So here I am reading every blog I can find. I thought the Diono Radian or Ranier were gonna work (buy two one for each kid), but then we went and saw them and they felt so big and open for my 4month old, and I read the review here about the belt/booster getting stuck when using them as a booster and got put off. I'd love some advice. Obviously money is a consideration, but when I think about this being a long-term solution for us, plus the safety factor, cost lowers in priority.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
ADS
ketchupqueen

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Hi!

The Scenera is a fine seat. I'd hand that down to the baby for now and get a combination seat (forward facing to booster) for the 4 year old.

What car is this?
 
L

lilmama2

New member
The car is a 2013 Hyundai Sante Fe (no third row). I think with the right seats we should be ok, but since I'll have to purchase something at least for my 4 year old, I thought getting a more narrow model would give us the best chance.
 
L

lilmama2

New member
We did try out the Harmony Defender in the store, but the lower crotch strap seemed a bit short. It fit fine now, but I thought that it might not be long before I'd be pinching thighs with the buckle.

I'm reading that the securekid is 19" wide. Is that narrow for the harnessed to belt boosters?

At what age could we still use the diono for the 4 year old harnessed? My understanding is that it isn't the best for booster, but perhaps if we used it till my 4 yr old was ready for a belt, then pass it to our little one and get a narrower belted booster?

My other concern is comfort. We do a few long drives so I liked the idea that some of them reclined which I assume is more comfortable.
 

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