R56 R56 S Hardtop Car Seat Question
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
R56 S Hardtop Car Seat Question
So, searching didn't really turn up the answer I was looking for, so I'll turn to those with experience in such matters.
My daughter is only 8 months old, and she is starting to push the limits of the Peg Perego infant car seat in terms of length. Last checkup at the doctors (at 6 mo.) had her at 26" long (pushing north of 27" now). I'm starting to think that she may hit the 30" limit of the seat before she hits a year (or hits 30lbs).
While getting the infant car seat in and out of the car hasn't been an issue, I'm wondering how I will get her in and out when we switch up to a rear facing convertible seat, which from what I have seen, are really intended to be more permanently installed. I haven't seen one yet that has a handle for removal like the infant seat. Once she goes forward facing, then it's not so much of an issue, but I'm having trouble grasping how to get through this transitional period. Looking at some of the instructions for convertible car seats, like the Britax Marathon 70-G3 series, it looks like their recommendation to switch to forward facing is at a minimum of 20lbs.
So, how have you done it?
My daughter is only 8 months old, and she is starting to push the limits of the Peg Perego infant car seat in terms of length. Last checkup at the doctors (at 6 mo.) had her at 26" long (pushing north of 27" now). I'm starting to think that she may hit the 30" limit of the seat before she hits a year (or hits 30lbs).
While getting the infant car seat in and out of the car hasn't been an issue, I'm wondering how I will get her in and out when we switch up to a rear facing convertible seat, which from what I have seen, are really intended to be more permanently installed. I haven't seen one yet that has a handle for removal like the infant seat. Once she goes forward facing, then it's not so much of an issue, but I'm having trouble grasping how to get through this transitional period. Looking at some of the instructions for convertible car seats, like the Britax Marathon 70-G3 series, it looks like their recommendation to switch to forward facing is at a minimum of 20lbs.
So, how have you done it?
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
In my 3 series convertible (kids are bigger now that I have the Mini) I would put the rear facing seat behind the passenger. Then I would climb in from the drivers side to put him in the seat. Next to impossible to do it from the other side with a permanently installed rear facing seat. You're right that front facing solves that issue. Just remember, check your local laws. Some places require rear facing seats until 1 year. I believe the Academy of Pediatrics just pushed their rear facing recommendation out to 2 years!
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 8
From: Philly PA
I've done it in two MKII and MKIII VW GTIs and now in the Clubman.
My son was switched from his safety bucket (Rear facing) to his front facing Recaro Young Sport seat (still have it, and he's 5.5 years and 50 lbs now..) when he hit the 30 LB mark.. There was no way his feet were going to fit in a rear facing seat anymore...
The VWs being two doors.. I'd have him in the passenger side... I'd open the passenger door, slide the seat all the way up, flip it, and drop him into his seat.. then I'd "sit" on the folded seat back crouched.. and buckle him in,..
Flip the seat forward.. close the door, good to go.
One thing I'd always seem to do was bump his head now and then on the headliner of the Golfs when setting him into the seats..
Obviously the Clubman is way easier.. he can help himself in.. and do his own belt.
Oh, and throw a sheet under the seat and onto the floor... I use marine grade vinyl 2 yards.. holes cut for belts and LATCH anchors... SO much easier to clean up ... a vomit, food, juice, or milk spill in the back seat.
My son was switched from his safety bucket (Rear facing) to his front facing Recaro Young Sport seat (still have it, and he's 5.5 years and 50 lbs now..) when he hit the 30 LB mark.. There was no way his feet were going to fit in a rear facing seat anymore...
The VWs being two doors.. I'd have him in the passenger side... I'd open the passenger door, slide the seat all the way up, flip it, and drop him into his seat.. then I'd "sit" on the folded seat back crouched.. and buckle him in,..
Flip the seat forward.. close the door, good to go.
One thing I'd always seem to do was bump his head now and then on the headliner of the Golfs when setting him into the seats..
Obviously the Clubman is way easier.. he can help himself in.. and do his own belt.
Oh, and throw a sheet under the seat and onto the floor... I use marine grade vinyl 2 yards.. holes cut for belts and LATCH anchors... SO much easier to clean up ... a vomit, food, juice, or milk spill in the back seat.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
In my 3 series convertible (kids are bigger now that I have the Mini) I would put the rear facing seat behind the passenger. Then I would climb in from the drivers side to put him in the seat. Next to impossible to do it from the other side with a permanently installed rear facing seat. You're right that front facing solves that issue. Just remember, check your local laws. Some places require rear facing seats until 1 year. I believe the Academy of Pediatrics just pushed their rear facing recommendation out to 2 years!
I guess I'll have to check around at my local stores to see what the local rules are for rear facing requirements. I'll just have to put a brick on her head to stop her from getting any taller for the time being (I'm kidding, just so we're clear on that
)
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Not saying I agree with the recommendations. I turned my son around exactly at 12 months because he was already so long his feet were up on the headrest of the back seat. Granted he also weighed enough to safely be secured facing forward. I have a Recaro front facing seat as well. Love that thing. Fairly light and looks good in the car.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I haven't had a car seat in the mini yet (just bought it), but here are my observations and have bought 8 car seats. I outfitted my 4runner, our Touareg, and my parent's X5 with a forward and rearward facing seat for our two boys. Currently 3 years and other is 10 months. We retired the 2 Keyfit 30's when our yougest was 6 months old, he just got too tall for it.
Go Recaro over Britax. I have two Britax marathons, 2 Recaro pro-rides, and 2 Recaro Pro-sports. The recaros are better than the Britax and cheaper. Better belts, adjusters, materials and they look cool.
Start with a pro-ride, works rearward and forward. When the kid finally outgrows it, get the pro-sport which is forward only, but also converts to a booster and when the kid outgrows that, he/she won't even need a seat anymore.
Hard to beat the price here and they show up quick.
As for getting the kid in/out of a rearward facing seat in a 2 door- good luck. But you only need to do it for another 4 months or so. Our kid was too big by 18 months to face rearward anymore because his legs were cramped up.
Go Recaro over Britax. I have two Britax marathons, 2 Recaro pro-rides, and 2 Recaro Pro-sports. The recaros are better than the Britax and cheaper. Better belts, adjusters, materials and they look cool.
Start with a pro-ride, works rearward and forward. When the kid finally outgrows it, get the pro-sport which is forward only, but also converts to a booster and when the kid outgrows that, he/she won't even need a seat anymore.
Hard to beat the price here and they show up quick.
As for getting the kid in/out of a rearward facing seat in a 2 door- good luck. But you only need to do it for another 4 months or so. Our kid was too big by 18 months to face rearward anymore because his legs were cramped up.
Last edited by Zimm; Aug 29, 2013 at 08:56 AM.
Trending Topics
My son was already 4 years old when I got the MINI, so, no personal experience with regard to rear facing seats in the MINI. However, I did have him in a rear facing seat in a Porsche 993. For that car, the seat was on the passenger side and the passenger seat was slid all the way forward. I had to get in on the driver's side to strap him in. It worked, but, I was glad to transition him to forward facing.
I have read of people actually putting the kid in *from the back hatch*! If you remove the head rest, it probably isn't too bad and if you need to, you could lower the opposite seat back for additional access. Just a thought.
Bob
I have read of people actually putting the kid in *from the back hatch*! If you remove the head rest, it probably isn't too bad and if you need to, you could lower the opposite seat back for additional access. Just a thought.
Bob
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Oooooh!! That might need to happen when the time comes.
Going through the boot is something I have thought about. Doesn't sound fun, but if it's the way it has to be done...
I haven't had a car seat in the mini yet (just bought it), but here are my observations and have bought 8 car seats. I outfitted my 4runner, our Touareg, and my parent's X5 with a forward and rearward facing seat for our two boys. Currently 3 years and other is 10 months. We retired the 2 Keyfit 30's when our yougest was 6 months old, he just got too tall for it.
Go Recaro over Britax. I have two Britax marathons, 2 Recaro pro-rides, and 2 Recaro Pro-sports. The recaros are better than the Britax and cheaper. Better belts, adjusters, materials and they look cool.
Start with a pro-ride, works rearward and forward. When the kid finally outgrows it, get the pro-sport which is forward only, but also converts to a booster and when the kid outgrows that, he/she won't even need a seat anymore.
Hard to beat the price here and they show up quick.
Amazon.com: Recaro ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat, Blue Opal: Baby
The ProRIDE looks like a good seat, and pretty vertical. That will be nice to reclaim a little from seat space. Much better price than some of the others I've been looking at.
Amazon.com: RECARO Prosport Combination Car Seat, Blaze: Baby
As for getting the kid in/out of a rearward facing seat in a 2 door- good luck. But you only need to do it for another 4 months or so. Our kid was too big by 18 months to face rearward anymore because his legs were cramped up.
Go Recaro over Britax. I have two Britax marathons, 2 Recaro pro-rides, and 2 Recaro Pro-sports. The recaros are better than the Britax and cheaper. Better belts, adjusters, materials and they look cool.
Start with a pro-ride, works rearward and forward. When the kid finally outgrows it, get the pro-sport which is forward only, but also converts to a booster and when the kid outgrows that, he/she won't even need a seat anymore.
Hard to beat the price here and they show up quick.
Amazon.com: Recaro ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat, Blue Opal: Baby
The ProRIDE looks like a good seat, and pretty vertical. That will be nice to reclaim a little from seat space. Much better price than some of the others I've been looking at.
Amazon.com: RECARO Prosport Combination Car Seat, Blaze: Baby
As for getting the kid in/out of a rearward facing seat in a 2 door- good luck. But you only need to do it for another 4 months or so. Our kid was too big by 18 months to face rearward anymore because his legs were cramped up.
My son was already 4 years old when I got the MINI, so, no personal experience with regard to rear facing seats in the MINI. However, I did have him in a rear facing seat in a Porsche 993. For that car, the seat was on the passenger side and the passenger seat was slid all the way forward. I had to get in on the driver's side to strap him in. It worked, but, I was glad to transition him to forward facing.
I have read of people actually putting the kid in *from the back hatch*! If you remove the head rest, it probably isn't too bad and if you need to, you could lower the opposite seat back for additional access. Just a thought.
Bob
I have read of people actually putting the kid in *from the back hatch*! If you remove the head rest, it probably isn't too bad and if you need to, you could lower the opposite seat back for additional access. Just a thought.
Bob
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
igzekyativ
MINIs & Minis for Sale
34
Jul 16, 2020 12:54 PM
marendt428
MINI Parts for Sale
68
Nov 14, 2015 10:03 AM
marendt428
MINIs & Minis for Sale
0
Aug 8, 2015 04:44 AM