Need advice for 3rd carseat

we are expecting our 3rd child this fall and trying to figure out how to fit 3 car seats across in the backseat of both of our vehicles. we really cannot afford new cars and we both drive the children equal amounts.

first about the kids:

our daughter will be 3.5 when the baby is born - she is currently about 27 pounds and 37" tall (long and skinny). she is now in a britax marathon forward facing.

our son will be 19 months when the baby is born - he is currently 23 pounds and 29" tall. he is also in a britax marathon forward facing.

now the cars:

1- 2003 chevy trailblazer
2- 2004 toyota camry

we would of course want to keep both the older children in the safest convertible seats possible (we love the marathon). and the newborn likely in a graco snugride - but would be willing to consider other alternatives if safe and would provide a better fit.

can anyone give any suggestions for both vehicles?

thanks.

Congrats on #3.

What is your budget for new seats if necessary?

Also, your son should be rear facing. He's too little and too light to be forward facing. The one year and 20 pounds recommendation is out of date from when seats only went to 20 pounds rear facing. You've got a seat there with a 33 pound rear facing limit.

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9916868
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4144421a10.html
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071211/LIVING01/312110006/1006/LOCAL
http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/rear-facing.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/extract/121/3/619

I've gotten three across my 2001 Xterra with a rear facing Wizard (same size as your Marathons), a forward facing Radian, and a Snugride.


(yes, they're all tilting, none of them were in use so none were tethered or angled as they needed to be, this was just to see if they'd fit).

It looks like both of your cars have more rear hip room than mine. Significantly. I have 51.4", your Chevy has 58", the Camry 54". So you may be able to fit your two Marathons (one facing each way) and a Snugride. Put your older child in the middle if you can. Forward facing is less safe than rear facing, so you want to give the least protected child the most protected location. In an ideal world, anyway. Plus then you don't need to worry about the 19 month old shoving things up the baby's nose.

If the two Marathons and Snugride won't puzzle together, the first seat I would point you to would be the Radian. It's the narrowest convertible out there, with an eight year lifespan, so you'll get your money out of it. A Britax engineer designed it, so you'll recognize quite a few parts of it. $200, 65 pounds forward facing, 33 pounds rear, 18" top slots.

Wendy

Congrats!!

I agree with Wendy, I would think about turning your 19 month old RF. My DD is 16 months, 23 lbs and 34 inches and is really happy to be RFing. She never complains (beyond the normal toddler stuff ) and sleeps easily in the car.

I *think* that the Snugride is one of the more narrow infant seats out there. If not I have heard the the Babytrend Flexloc is really skinny. You might have to try a few combos to get the seats to puzzle together, so don't give up if it doesn't fit the first time. GL, let us know how it goes!

What they said. Your best bet is to find a baby store with a good selection of seats and try them in your cars (yes, both of them.)

Congrats!

Definitely turn your son back to rear-facing. My son is 27 months old and RF in his MA very happily at 26.5lbs clothed.

I would try the MA for your daughter FF in the middle, the RF MA and the snugride on the sides.

Thank you all for the advice. In response to a few questions:

There really is no budget on the seats as long as they are safe - the most expensive out there would still be cheaper than a new car(s). I have looked at the Radian and thought I may need to purchase 6 of them but it sounds like I may be able to keep at least one of the Marathons which makes me very happy.

I also forgot to mention that currently they are both in Fisher Price Safe Voyage (made by Britax) seats in the Camry. I think those may be a bit smaller than the Marathon. Maybe I could use one Voyage and one Marathon in each car with the Snugride?

I appreciate the feedback on rear facing - I will turn my son back around as we just did it recently only in the one car.

My daycare provider has two Graco Comfort Sport seats that my children ride in her car with so we could always utilize them if necessary.

I appreciate any more advice and will begin to play around with configurations in both of my cars with the existing seats we have.

I have not found a retailer near me that sells the Radian so I was thinking I needed to order them online and possibly return if they don't work. Does anyone know a place that stocks these?

Thanks again.