car seat issues

[snhancock]

I don't know if any of you have run into this, but Emma is about 18 1/2 lbs and only 25 inches. She was getting to look squished in her infant seat so we moved her to a convertible one. The Evenflo Symphony. I love that seat so much. But, with her helmet, the padding in it made her head tilt forward. It has an adjustable head rest for when it it used as a booster and the only way to keep her head from tilting forward was to raise the head rest. Not exactly safe. So anyway, she was given an Evenflo Triumph Advance LX. It works wonderful. Gives her plenty of room, plenty of support and doesn't tilt her head forward due to her helmet.

Another note, check with your local safety council about inspecting it. Because of her helmet, she qualifies as special needs for the car seat. We were given this brand new car seat ($130) for free. Apparently Kohl's gives them grant money for this type of things. You know those books and stuffed animals that they sell for $5. The grant money comes from those.

Anyway, I just wanted to share in case anyone else was having issues with the helmet and car seats!!

Somer

[AuburnLocks]

That's very cool!

The helmet definitely made Patrick a little uncomfortable in the car seat. That was the only issue we ever had with it so we usually just took it off in the car

[beccad]

Julianna is only 17 lbs and still in her infant carrier facing the back. She is so small that I'm not worrying about turning her around and putting her in a bigger seat just yet. We do not have to worry about a helmet either though. That is great that you got that seat for free that is amazing. I have bought several of those stuffed animals.

[Abby'sMom]

Even though we are no longer dealing with the helmet, I'm sure your post will help many others. I'll bet there are a lot of programs like the free carseat one you found that we don't even know about.

Maybe your post can be made a sticky so that parents that come onto the site at a later date can still read it. :hugg

[Jenny]

just wanted to say that evenflo triumph is my carseat. :) i love it! oh and the triumph seats are rear facing and forward facing, in case anyone asks.

[heatherific]

ember is about to need a convertible seat. how did you find about the safety council thing? should i just call them & say "my kid has a helmet, can i have a free car seat?" i feel weird about that but it would be such a help!

[daniellelucille]

I love the Britax Marathon. I cannot express it enough. As a car seat freak it meets my every need. I have one of DS and one for DD, but she won't be in hers for a while yet. Little thing. :)

And I just want to remind everyone in the US, that the law is the child must be 20 pounds AND 1 year or older to turn them forward. Not one or the other. Just looking out for safety... and as I said... I am a huge car seat freak.

The marathon is a convertible that RFs til 33 pounds and then FFs 20-65 pounds, IN A HARNESS. :) Can't get better than that! I also would like to suggest to everyone to wait longer than 1 year and 20 pounds to FF. Every step you take forward in car seats is a step back in safety.

[snhancock]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. Emma is definitely still rear facing. This seat can be rear facing until 35lbs and she definitely will be unless she gets too tall (doubtful, we are all short in my family)!!!! Another plus is that the harness is rated up to 50lbs and most are only 40lbs.

As for how to ask, I have no clue. I didn't even ask. I was just going to modify the seat I had (put a light blanket behind her shoulders) and make it work. She said she wanted to see is this seat fixed the problem because she had them in storage to give me. I assumed I was only borrowing it. I said "so after she is out of her helmet, I just bring it back to you" and she said yes, but you aren't obligated. Because of Kohl's, I am able to offer this to you. She said that, to her, Emma needing the helmet and the fact that it tilted her head forward a little bit, made her qualify as "special needs". I was still undecided as to whether we would keep the seat or not, but my husband said he didn't see why not because if they don't use the seats, they won't be able to renew the grant in the future.

Hope this helps everyone. She is definitely comfy and cozy in her new seat.