R100 for newborn?

Will this work? I have an R100 that's just sitting in the garage and no infant bucket. Baby isn't due for a while, but it would be great if I can just use what I have. I found on the Diono website that it's ok to put the infant padding in the R100, so that would be easy to do.

We have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. At the time of baby's birth, the other kids will be 6, 8, & 10. I have the older two in back in HBBs because of the wonky belts. The 6-year-old I just put back into a harness because she was sitting sideways in the HBB, but by then I think she'll be big enough.

Should I keep the R100 and use it? - it'll expire when baby is about 18 months. Or get something that will actually work for a newborn and RF longer and try to sell the radian to someone who can use it? I wish a new car was in the plan, but it isn't. So I'll plan to have baby in one of the captain's chairs and then the older kids two in the back and one in the captain's chair.
 
Last edited:
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
The bottom slots often aren't low enough, the harness is too long (you can get a shorter one from Diono), and it often doesn't fit in cars at a newborn angle. Or sometimes it doesn't get a newborn angle, it sits too upright without an angle adjuster.

You can install it and see how it fits in your car, but you can't test your baby until they're here. If you can get a good angle, you can try it out, but have a plan B in case baby doesn't fit.

You can call Diono and see if you can just buy the inserts.

Wendy
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
In a Caravan, you won't be able to get a newborn angle. That's a vehicle you don't even need an angle adjuster to get a nice and upright install for an older child. The sad thing is, it's generally an easy install. It just won't recline enough for you because of how sloped the backseat is.

Wendy
 
No budget yet... Nothing too crazy? The seats we currently have are the radian and britax seats. I might borrow a bucket from a trusted friend for the beginning... Haven't decided quite yet. In which case I guess I'd have about a year before I'd need a convertible. But the other choice is to just use a convertible from the beginning.
 

jjordan

Moderator
Britax Clicktight convertibles are super nice (and I think there is a longer crotch strap available now, which answers one of the biggest complaints about these seats in the past). Another popular seat is the Graco Extend2Fit. I highly recommend checking out the recommended seats and seat reviews on carseatblog! Recommended convertibles
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top