Britax car seats and boosters

Should I wait for the Frontier? I don't know when it will be available here in Canada. My daughter is 5.5 years old and 38 lbs. Don't know her height but she is petite. We can barely do up the buckles of her Marathon when she has a snowsuit on. Here boosters are not approved for children under 40 lbs. Is the Frontier safer for her since it anchors using the LATCH system? If I don't wait, what is the difference between the Britax Parkway and Marathon? Grateful for your advice.

Welcome.

First, the snowsuit in the car is dangerous. It will compress in a collision. You mention it's hard to do up her straps. Have you put her in without the snowsuit but the straps in the snowsuit position? That's how much air there would be in a collision, and having her in with her snowsuit basically means the harness is that loose on her.

Given that, she's probably got a bunch of time in the Marathon. Then you can decide on the Frontier, Parkway, or Marathon. Though the Parkway has been discontinued so the availability may be less.

Copied from http://www.elitecarseats.com/Britax-Monarch.pro:

"The Monarch Has:

* Expanding padded armrests
* Same weight, height, and weight capacity
* Option to be a backless booster
* More side impact protection for torso
o The Parkway loses some of its side impact protection when the headrest is raised, while to Monarch has high side-wings that protect all the way to the shoulder

The comfort factor on the Monarch is significant as well; with a triple layer of padding in the seat area and easily removed, machine washable plush fabrics. The headrest itself is adjustable with just one hand, and the seat can accommodate children from 30-60? or 30-100lbs. The padded armrests expand away from each other, creating space for bigger passengers that may need a wider seating area. There are also retractable cupholders (which the kids love) are in place on either side of the base. The Monarch is just the latest addition to the Britax family, and it proves once again why Britax is at the upper echelon of car seat comfort and safety."

Wendy

Is the Monarch available in Canada? (Where the OP is.)

Wendy is right on the snowsuit, it's really not a good idea in a carseat.

Here is a great link on keeping your kids warm in the car without compromising their safety:

http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=29772

HTH!

If I recall correctly, the Monarch isn't available in Canada at current.

To answer the OP's question of how the Parkway is different than the MA, well, the Parkway is a high-back booster seat. It doesn't have a five point harness like the Marathon - it relies on the vehicles shoulder-and-lap belt to keep it's occupant contained.

If I get a vote, I think that your DD will probably get some more use out of her Marathon, and by the time she outgrows it, the Frontier (which will harness) will probably be on the shelves in Canada ...

Unregistered said:

Should I wait for the Frontier? I don't know when it will be available here in Canada. My daughter is 5.5 years old and 38 lbs. Don't know her height but she is petite. We can barely do up the buckles of her Marathon when she has a snowsuit on. Here boosters are not approved for children under 40 lbs. Is the Frontier safer for her since it anchors using the LATCH system? If I don't wait, what is the difference between the Britax Parkway and Marathon? Grateful for your advice.

Click to expand...

A petite 5.5 year old would definately have room to grow in the Marathon. Perhaps she is currently in the roundabout?

If she is indeed in a Marathon and not a Roundabout than the only other Britax available in Canada currently is the parkway, which is strictly a booster (no internal harness).

If you daughter has outgrown her current seat by height you need to move her into something different ASAP. A seat is outgrown by height forward facing if her shoulders are above the top slots OR if the tips of her ears are above the back of the shell.

Please also check the expiration dates on your current seats.

Do you have other children to pass seats down to? There are other options to keep your dd harnessed.

HTH,

Heather