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LiveItUp
Love my babies!
Member since 8/11 4096 total posts
Name:
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I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
Is it just me and DH or are convertible car seats a real PITA to install?  We tried yesterday but couldn't quite get it. It still seemed to be flopping over too much and didn't feel sturdy. So today I went to the britax website and watched a video on how to do it which made it look simple. But when we actually try to do it it doesn't feel simple. My car doesn't have a LATCH system and it's two doors so it's really hard to get back there and push the seat down while pulling the seat belt really tight. So happy we have a Chicco key fit for our main car which also has the LATCH system. I think we're just going to wait until after the baby is born to bother with the convertible seat. Is there a trick to it that DH and I don't know about? Or maybe we do have it in fine, but we're just paranoid first time parents? I definitely want to get this one inspected before we use it.
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Posted 9/29/12 10:40 AM  |
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Strawberry2468
It's summatime
Member since 3/09 4739 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
I just learned that the car seat inpection places will install for you so maybe they can install and show you how? I pulled the snap n go carseat out of the box and got confused so dh had to do it next week.
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| Posted 9/29/12 11:22 AM |
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spa118
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 2157 total posts
Name:
Shari
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
you do not need a convertible car seat for a very long time! You just need to install the bases for the infant seat. When the time comes for the convertible car seat (we kept DD in the infant seat for almost a full year) you can take it to a place and have them install it for you. Don't stress about it. The safety inspection places can even do the bases for you.
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| Posted 9/29/12 11:54 AM |
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LiveItUp
Love my babies!
Member since 8/11 4096 total posts
Name:
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
Posted by spa118
you do not need a convertible car seat for a very long time! You just need to install the bases for the infant seat. When the time comes for the convertible car seat (we kept DD in the infant seat for almost a full year) you can take it to a place and have them install it for you. Don't stress about it. The safety inspection places can even do the bases for you.
We're only installing the convertible seat in my car bc we only have one base for the infant carseat and a second one is almost $100. So since we got the convertible seat as a gift and it can hold a baby as small as 5 lbs we figured we'd just install it in my car in case of emergency. We'll mostly be using DHs car with the infant seat, but in case he's at work one night and I have I rush the baby to the doctor or something I wanted to have the convertible seat installed in my car. We really don't want to have to buy a second base since we already have the convertible seat and we also don't want to have to keep taking the one base we have out of DHs car every time he goes to work just in case I have to take the baby somewhere. I figure we won't have to worry about it for at least a few weeks after the baby is born anyway until DH goes back to work.
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| Posted 9/29/12 1:03 PM |
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Strawberry2468
It's summatime
Member since 3/09 4739 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
We got the 2 infant seats with bases sets for our shower. Then we bought 2 used bases on a buy sell board for DHs car for $15 for both.
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| Posted 9/29/12 1:17 PM |
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InShock
life is good
Member since 10/06 9258 total posts
Name:
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I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
It should be pretty much rock solid. If it's flopping over, it's not in right! (so you're no being paranoid!) I install car seats with seat belts all the time - I personally think it's easier than latch!
Are you pulling the seat belt all the way out before tightening? It should be in that 'locked' position as you tighten it. Your DH should be putting his FULL weight in the seat as you pull and tighten (with his knee in the seat).
ETA: I just realized this is much easier with a forward facing seat.  The knee thing is much more difficult with rear facing and not to mention a 2-door car! Your best bet is probably to have someone who's certified do it for you.
Message edited 9/29/2012 4:18:20 PM.
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| Posted 9/29/12 4:16 PM |
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springsandra
Baby girl has a baby brother!
Member since 11/09 7155 total posts
Name:
Sandra
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I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
I can't imagine installing a convertible in a two-door car! You need sooooo much effort to use your knee to get in there and push HARD into it to get it in rock solid! Can you take it to one of the places where they check it for you and have them do it? You can find where they do it (for free) here: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/Index.cfm
ETA: You might actually have an easier time just using the infant car seat without the base in the other car since you strap it in with the seat belt. Once you learn how to do it, it's not that bad to do and would probably be more convenient. You do not need a second base to use the infant seat in a second car. It's only for convenience. But if this is an "emergency" or "rare use" sort of thing, you can just do that. I mean, eventually, you'll want the convertible in the other car I think but by then you'll have to take it out and adjust all the strap holes to fit the baby as she gets bigger anyway.
Message edited 9/29/2012 7:30:44 PM.
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| Posted 9/29/12 7:28 PM |
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LiveItUp
Love my babies!
Member since 8/11 4096 total posts
Name:
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
Posted by springsandra
ETA: You might actually have an easier time just using the infant car seat without the base in the other car since you strap it in with the seat belt. Once you learn how to do it, it's not that bad to do and would probably be more convenient. You do not need a second base to use the infant seat in a second car. It's only for convenience. But if this is an "emergency" or "rare use" sort of thing, you can just do that. I mean, eventually, you'll want the convertible in the other car I think but by then you'll have to take it out and adjust all the strap holes to fit the baby as she gets bigger anyway.
Oh thats a good idea! We'll definitely try that because getting the big convertible car seat into a two door car is really a pain. Hopefully I won't ever have to take her anywhere in an emergency situation while DH is at work but we just want to make sure we have a way of doing so.any time I know I'll be going somewhere while DH is at work I could just unlatch the base from his car. DH has been trying to convince me to get rid of my car so we can get a new one for YEARS so this whole car seat situation is finally going to be what convinces me I think! Even if we get either of the seats safely installed it will still be difficult to climb back there while holding the baby so I can strap her in.
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| Posted 9/29/12 7:49 PM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: I think I might go into labor just trying to install the car seat!
{crashing}
Are u using the tether also when installing? With Most car seats you only use the tether foward facing but with the britax you are suppose to use it rear facing too.
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| Posted 9/30/12 1:20 AM |
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