Britax Marathon

[2littlejumpingbeans]

Recently T joined my brood and is riding in a Graco Snugride 35. He only weighs 7 lbs 10 oz. and it is just a peanut. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to carry the infant carrier around and would like to get him into a convertible car seat soon instead. I can get my hands on a Britax Marathon but am wondering when he might be ready for it? I have heard that newborns don't fit well in Britax seats but would like to know if there is an average age that babies are before fitting into them.

Also, I drive a Ford Fusion and am wondering if the seat will fit back to front comfortably. I have to put it on the passenger side because my DH has to scoot the front seat back to far but I am worried that the passenger seat would have to be way too far forward. Has anyone had any luck with installing this seat in a Ford Fusion RF?

Lastly, I know this is a dream but has anyone had success getting two boosters and the Britax Marathon across the backseat of a Ford Fusion? It would be rare that this would happen but I am concerned that if the 7 year old missed the bus, I would have no way to get him to school!

Thanks in advance!

 

[zactayaus]

I'd just continue to use the SR but just leave it in the car rather than taking it in and out. And yeah, MA's don't usually fit little ones unless they happen to have a super long torso.

 

[jourdysmom]

I'd just continue to use the SR but just leave it in the car rather than taking it in and out. And yeah, MA's don't usually fit little ones unless they happen to have a super long torso.

:yeahthat:

 

[wendytthomas]

The earliest most kids fit into a Marathon is about two months. The average is probably closer to six, and the short torso kids are closer to a year.

I agree, just leave the seat in the car, put the handle down, and use it as a convertible seat.

Wendy

 

[lovemybabies924]

my 7m old is still a couple inches from fitting the ma65

 

[2littlejumpingbeans]

I probably should have specified. I currently don't have the base installed for the SR because it is in my DH's car. The car seat just didn't fit securely enough without the base in his car so we put it in there. I am just tired of buckling in the car seat every time whether I take the car seat or not.

So, would it be worth it to get another base? T is currently 20 in. long and the last two were always tall for their age so I wonder if he would be ready for the MA in a few months.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[wendytthomas]

It doesn't matter how tall he is, only how long his torso is.

A second base is an easy fix.

Wendy

 

[all together ooky]

If you really want to have a convertible in your car and use the infant seat for just your husbands, there are other convertibles that will fit your baby better than a Marathon. Or are you set on the Marathon?

 

[2littlejumpingbeans]

No I am not set on the Marathon. My sister-in-law has one that she purchased and doesn't install right in her car so they purchased another seat instead for their 18 month old daughter. They live in TX and are heading up here for vacation and said I could have it since they cannot return it. So, I technically could go out and purchase a new seat, the marathon was just a really good deal .

So, now I am thinking about new convertibles that would fit newborns well. I don't want anything too expensive (less than $150 if possible). I am wondering how cosco scenera, Titan Elite or Graco Myride work for a newborn? Which would be the better deal?

Also, how does the Graco Myride work with an older child (like 3 or 4 forward facing)? Do children usually complain about a slant/recline?

Thanks!

 

[msg221]

The Graco My Ride fits small babies very well. Right now Babies R Us and Toys R Us had it on sale for $99.99 plus a coupon which will get you an extra 20% off. It's only for the Chadwick pattern though. Here's the thread on that one:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=180753


I have heard that it can be very reclined forward facing so some older kids may not like that. You might want to try it in your car first. IIRC, I think some have said it may work well with boosters since it sits so high on the base, making it easier to buckle the boostered kids in. Again, I'd go to BRU or TRU and try it in your car first.

 

[2littlejumpingbeans]

aghhh...I just realized that T's infant seat is a Snugride 30

Has anyone been able to find an extra base for that seat? If so, does it cost around $40-$50 like the SR 35 do?

If that is the case, I definitely want to put my money into a convertible. Does anyone know how the alpha mega elite works with a newborn?

I am not to crazy about the Graco MR only because of the recline forward facing. I may still go try it but would love to know a few other options while I am there.

 

[eyeslkethesky5391]

aghhh...I just realized that T's infant seat is a Snugride 30

Has anyone been able to find an extra base for that seat? If so, does it cost around $40-$50 like the SR 35 do?

If that is the case, I definitely want to put my money into a convertible. Does anyone know how the alpha mega elite works with a newborn?

I am not to crazy about the Graco MR only because of the recline forward facing. I may still go try it but would love to know a few other options while I am there.

the sr35 base is the sr30 base....it is interchangable. The Alpha Omega isn't recommended alot here...it HAS to be at a 45 degree angle with a 40"limit. It is outgrown before most seats for that price. I would stick with a myride65 or some of the other seats recommended here.

 

[wendytthomas]

The SR30 doesn't have spare bases. You use a 32 or 35 base.

The Alpha Omega Elite doesn't fit newborns at all. The bottom harness height is too high.

Wendy

 

[lovemybabybug]

And yeah, the MR puzzles well lots of with boosters. I have a small Pontiac Sunfire and I can fit the Turbo, Evenflo Big Kid and the Harmony on each side with the MR in the middle. The seat has a high base, so the arms rests on the boosters fit right under the MR's shell

 

[Sunshy9]

I have a Pontiac G6, and can fit 2 turbos outboard, with either a MA70, MA65, MR65, SR22 and SS1 30(same base as SR 32 and 35) in the middle.

 

[all together ooky]

You may also want to look at the Evenflo Momentum or the Triumph Advance 65. Both fit newborns and are more upright than the MyRide when forward-facing.