extended bucket use - best options?

[Unregistered]

Hi everyone,

I know this is somewhat unusual, but I want to purchase a new infant bucket seat for my 18-month-old. He's currently in a Keyfit which will soon expire. Obviously, I want to keep him RF. However, I do not want to move him to a convertible just yet. He's my 5th, we are on the run a lot, and I completely depend on car seat naps to keep him well-slept. He doesn't transfer well (out of the seat, while sleeping), and I do not want to give up the ability to bring him in the house in the bucket and let him finish up napping in it for a few hours in my room. I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to prolong this stage, that's how desperate I am

So, if he's about 24-25 pounds, and 31 inches, what do you think my best options are for something that will last me several more months? It's the height I am worried about.

Thanks so much!

Laura

 

[amyd]

The Graco Click Connect 40 has a height limit of 35". Most of the rest are 29, 30, or 32.

 

[jacqui276]

The Graco Click Connect 40 has a height limit of 35". Most of the rest are 29, 30, or 32.

Just wanted to second her recommendation!

 

[Unregistered]

OP here - (sorry, I should have registered!)

I misspoke before. He's not in a Keyfit anymore. He's in a Graco SafeSeat, which says it goes to 32 inches. The Keyfit was a 22lb/30 inches and he moved out of that several months ago.

Thanks for the recs so far!

Laura

 

[thepote]

Hi and welcome-
Just wanted to say I did the same thing with my 4th! I got a new, larger infant seat around the same time for the same reason

Even though there are a lot of fancy new infant seats out you can't go wrong with the larger graco infant seats... They are great.

 

[Lnatt]

Ok it's me again, but registered this time

I went to BRU to see the CC 40.

I'm still unsure if this will even work. The 1-inch rule still applies, just to the headrest?

Here's a pic. Thoughts?

Laura

 

[Lnatt]

Better pic.

Thanks!

Laura

 

[Brianna]

His head needs to be 1" from the top of the headrest, and it appears he's not on the top headrest setting yet. Did you check how many more settings until he's at the top? There is a 35" overall height limit.

 

[Persimmon]

My friend has 6 kids and her youngest was like yours. We also live in a super hot climate and he tended to overheat in the summer if he was worn outside for any length of time. After he outgrew the largest bucket on the market at the time, she bought a Combi Coccoro (small convertible) and she and her teenager would take the Coccoro out of the van into a Snap n Go EX. So don't feel bad about buying another bucket.

 

[Lnatt]

I thought that was the top setting, but maybe I was mistaken....

Laura

 

[Lnatt]

Ok I think I know what the issue is. It's the angle of the pic. That's the canopy you are seeing behind the headrest, not the fabric of the shell itself. The headrest is extended all the way past the top of the shell, as far as it can go, I believe.

Do I measure with a ruler on top of his head? Straight or angled?

Laura

 

[jacqui276]

Measure angled like this:
http://carseatblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/How-to-measure-1-inch-rf.png

If that is the top setting he looks awfully close to outgrowing it by height.

 

[Dillipop]

The combi shuttle 35 goes to 33 inches. It is really tall. My dd outgrew it the same time she outgrew the cocorro. I know you said he is 31 inches but at that age, I found that height measurements were pretty inaccurate so would feel comfortable going a little more. I believe you can go to 1 inch of the headrest and 33 inches. You must use the base for over 22 lbs.

 

[shashoo]

I have a First Years Via and it seems to have a ton more room than than other seats with similar height limits. Like another poster said height measuring could be inaccurate and to rely more on the one inch rule. It is now the Contigo and can't be installed baseless. Also my via is heavy! Like 11 pounds but naps are priceless and I will lug my kid around in it if necessary.

 

[shashoo]

I am probably running to BRU if you want a comparison pic with a specific seat. I will attach a pic of the Snugride 22 and her Via. She is 3 months, 90%tile, and cloth diapered.

 

[Lnatt]

Thanks everyone!

I ordered a CC 40 off Amazon prime (much better price than BRU) and installed it today. Now my issue is that the seat seems shaky in the base?

I should say my DH installed it. He's never run into this with our several other infant seats over the years. The base feels secure. The bubble indicator is fine. And it doesn't matter what the recline setting is. It just feels nowhere near as stable as I am used to.

Any ideas?

Laura

 

[seb3244]

Thanks everyone! I ordered a CC 40 off Amazon prime (much better price than BRU) and installed it today. Now my issue is that the seat seems shaky in the base? I should say my DH installed it. He's never run into this with our several other infant seats over the years. The base feels secure. The bubble indicator is fine. And it doesn't matter what the recline setting is. It just feels nowhere near as stable as I am used to. Any ideas? Laura

Did he put some weight in it when tightening? I always find that helps. Also long as it doesn't move more than 1 inch then you shake it like a hand shake with your non dominant hand it's tight enough. At least that is what the CST told me when she checked our seats.

Also what is the non abbreviated name of CC 40? And it goes to 33inches?

 

[Lnatt]

It's the Click Connect 40 by Graco. It goes to 35 inches. I'm hoping to buy 6 more months of bucket use for my 32-inch 18-month-old...

The base itself is stable. The bucket just feels like it rattles inside the base. I looked online and a few other people have reported this same phenomenon. It's definitely clicked in, but just is very shakeable. Weird, I know.

Laura

 

[amyd]

This is common with some seats. It's not unsafe, just annoying.

 

[Lnatt]

Thanks, Amy!