Car seat.how to loosen straps

[Anonymous]

We own a Britax car seat. My DC is 18 months old and is feeling that the belt is too tight. I loosened the belt as much it allows and I feel it doesn't have much give at all. DD is 50% of weight and height so she is not overtly large but I don't think she'll last much longer in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do. I had not expected to change car seats. I thought after this she would go straight to booster seat when she was a lot older. any advice?

[Anonymous]

Are the straps too low? If they need to be adjusted upwards, it can use a lot of strap length just to get over the shoulders... If I could draw it I could explain it better.
Do you understand what I am referring to? On the Roundabout they are called the harness and harness slots. Lok to see if they need adjusting- the user guide is at britax's website.

[Anonymous]

Op here! yes I do know what you are referring to and I do it on the top slot. How long do your kids last on these seats? Anyone else having trouble?

[Anonymous]

My 35lb 3 year old has PLENTY of room in this seat (Marathon) - the straps aren't on the top slots even (the harness should be in the slot closest to the shoulder without being under the shoulder if the child is forward facing.)

Are you pulling the silver lever in front while pulling the straps out from the shoulders) to let the straps out all the way? Any chance the straps are tangled?

You should have a LOT more life left in this seat. I'd take it to a car seat technician and have it checked out. Or check your manual.

There is no way your child has outgrown this seat.

[Anonymous]

Which Britax seat are you referring to? If it's a marathon, I too would be really surprised if it's outgrown. My 6 year old can still barely fit into one. THe straps are supposed to be tight - you should be able to fit about two fingers between the straps and your child. Also, are you taking off the winter jacket?

[Anonymous]

There should be an instruction pamphlet attached to the carseat. Maybe stuck in a nook near where your legs hang. There is a crank in the back that raises and lowers the straps. There is a button you pull up on located between the kid's legs that allows the straps to loosen. I'd be careful though. If it is not done properly you will compromise the safety of the seat.
I'm fairly certain the Britax website also has instructions has to where the straps need to be sitting to be 100% safe.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have Britax Roundabout. I will go and check to see if I am doing something wrong ....

[Anonymous]

OP - You should post your question on the Baby Center Car Seat Questions board. Those people KNOW THERE STUFF!!! Plus there's lot of certified car seat experts (not sure of the exact name) that post there, so you're bound to get someone answer you who has experienced or seen what you're describing. Good luck!

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a7645/car_seat_questions

[Anonymous]

Oh, well i wouldn't expect the Roundabout to last until they're ready for a booster! You will probably end up purchasing a marathon/decathalon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, well i wouldn't expect the Roundabout to last until they're ready for a booster! You will probably end up purchasing a marathon/decathalon.

I have big guys and they were fine in the Roundabout until just under 40 pounds when they moved to a booster. They were very close to 3 when they hit that I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, well i wouldn't expect the Roundabout to last until they're ready for a booster! You will probably end up purchasing a marathon/decathalon.

I have big guys and they were fine in the Roundabout until just under 40 pounds when they moved to a booster. They were very close to 3 when they hit that I think.

Do those seats go up to 40 pounds or 65 pounds? My 20 month old is 42 pounds and in a Boulevard. I think it goes up to 65 pounds. He looks comfy but I wonder now if he needs booster because of his weight.

[Anonymous]

The Roundbaout goes up to 40 lbs, the marathon/decathalon/boulevard go to 65 lbs. However, car seats are usually outgrown by height before weight, and the marathons have higher harness strap slots.
The longer you can keep your child in a harnessed seat, the better. Boosters do not protect from impact, they merely position the seat belt so that it sits in the right position. 4 is really the youngest recommended to switch to a booster, but the longer you can keep them harnesses the better.