Special needs help requested

I have been asked by our head CPST at work to ask on here for information regarding both the Britax MultiTech and the Britax 2WayPlus (?)

Here is the scenario: One of our firefighters/techs had a grandson (she is primary caretaker) who is significantly special needs. At 18 months and nearing 30 lbs, the child cannot hold his head up or swallow. He needs to be suctioned approximately every 15 minutes around the clock. The child needs to remain rear facing and reclined for as long as any seat anywhere allows. She is familiar with NHTSA and importing and using foreign seats, and because of the child's medical needs, has elected to get information of the longest possible RFing seats out there. They are familiar with the Graco MyRide coming out, but the child's condition is not going to change and he would outgrow it too soon. Their only other option would be a reclined wheelchair and a wheelchair van- a little more $$$$ than just getting a foreign seat for a few years.

Anyway- if anyone can tell me anything about either of these two seats I would appreciate it and be able to pass it along. Please don't flame- This is a difficult situation and she is wanting to do whatever works best for the child. She is familiar with the risks and legalities, and just requesting information. As it is now she only leaves the house to go to and from doctor's visits. Thanks so much.

twinsmom just got a couple of MT's...

Several pics in this one from different people, I think there may also be TW pics:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=74863

And twinsmom's new MT's:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=80790

Here are several discussions comparing the two seats that might be helpful:

http://rearfacing.phpbb24.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=77

http://forum.nybaktmamma.com/bilsik...y-multi-tech-two-way-english-speakers-599534/

Thank yo so much!

I think in the first link I posted, there's a ton of info on both from people who live where they're legal and who own one or both seats. I was reading through a little bit of it the other night, but I don't remember any of it off the top of my head. They look like really nice seats. And there's some really big kids RF'ing.

I see 1 issue with using one of the bigger rf seats. I am not sure it would give enough recline for such a child, kwim? From what I have seen, the multi tech and two way are usually at least as upright as 30*, and it seems this child may need closer to the 45, kwim?

I would email Adventuredad (you can find him on this forum, or carseat.se). He can tell you the differences between the seats and your options. The MT does not recline. I think the Two Way Elite does. You can also try to PM Lena (Lenats31, I think her username is). She has info on both seats, as she owns them both. The Canadian forum has a thread called "Pictures of Multi Tech" - something like that - where Lena gives comparisons of both seats (sorry, I don't know how to link to a specific thread). Hope that helps.

Jennifer mom to my 7 said:

I see 1 issue with using one of the bigger rf seats. I am not sure it would give enough recline for such a child, kwim? From what I have seen, the multi tech and two way are usually at least as upright as 30*, and it seems this child may need closer to the 45, kwim?

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I believe the TWE can recline to 45*; but you should double check with AD. The MT cannot.

ETA: I went back and checked the post on the Canadian forum. Here's what Lena said about the TWE:

"Angle varies from one car to the next. This is an app. 10 degree angle install. I did not meassure it. Some very young children can have trouble keeping their heads up when sleeping. But this is a seat that you can install at a 45 degree angle. I have not heard or read of any older child (15 months +) who has faced this kind of problem."

The thread is called "Pictures of Multi Tech"; the third page of responses shows the pics. Somewhere in that thread she gives a great comparison of the two seats. Sorry again that I don't know how to link a thread!

twinsmom said:

The thread is called "Pictures of Multi Tech"; the third page of responses shows the pics. Somewhere in that thread she gives a great comparison of the two seats. Sorry again that I don't know how to link a thread!

Click to expand...

It's the first link I put up above :thumbsup:

Mama Jo said:

It's the first link I put up above :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

Oops, sorry I didn't check the link you posted. Good thinking, though

Ladies thank you so much for your help. I will pass this along to our head guy so he can get her the info she needs and help make the best decision for the child.

Obviously rf'ing as long as possible is best, but I see kids with similar issues all the time in britax travellers and they have great support. And the merritt roosevelt just added a cap that holds the child's head up. So if importing isn't possible (or reasonable) these are still great choices when he outgrows the rfing seats.