Looking for New Carseat

Updated on May 13, 2007
A.V. asks from Oxford, MI
18 answers

My daughter is now 6 Months old and I need to get the next carseat for her. I bought the Alpha Omega Elite and with my car (Envoy) I can not get the seat to be level like it should for rear facing...am Idoing something wrong?? Why does the carseat have to recline so car back?? I bought the carseat leveler and if I put the seat like it should, meaning reclined with lines on side of carseat level with ground no one will be abel to sit in the driver/passenger seat. I would like to know what car seats others have or ones they have had luck with. Please Help!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your help. I went to the Auburn Hills Fire dept for them to intall my carseat. The gentleman was SOOO nice and showed me how but let me know I could come as often as I needed (if I want to move carseat or for new car) I would highly recommend going there!!!!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Jackson on

The Alpha Omega is one of those "hard to fit" seats.

We have an Evenflo Triumph it fits easily into everycar we have had it in Even a 2 door Grand AM!

I would take the seat back, and get something else.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Detroit on

Hi A.,

I know that most local Fire Departments will inspect and help you install you car seat if needed. Give them a call and see if the can help you install it. If something is wrong with the car seat maybe they can reccomend something. I think something like 80% of people do not install car seats the right way that's why they offer this free service.

Good Luck!
~Kim

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Detroit on

Can you put it in the middle? That is what I always did, esp. for rear facing carseats. There always seemed to be tons more room that way. Let me know if you would be interested in a toddler carseat (when the time comes, obviously) as my son was in one for only a few months and outgrew it!! (it is for 20-40 lb. children over a year old). Forward facing only. :) It wasn't involved in a crash or anything either. It is honestly perfectly new, if you want it, it is yours! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.N.

answers from Saginaw on

I am a mother of 3 kids. For all 3 of my kids I used a infant carseat until they were old enough to switch. Number one it was great if they fell asleep i could just carry them where every in the seat. After they were 20 lbs or a year old i switched them to Cosco High back booster seats. Which are a wonderful thing. First off they are simple, easy to fit and easy to clean. They have ......• This comfy, LATCH equipped booster takes Baby (over 20lbs.) from toddlerhood to grade school
• Use 5-point harness (with up-front adjustment) with children 20-40lbs.
• Use shoulder belt (features belt-positioning slots) for children 40–80 lbs.
• For use with children 20-80lbs.
• 30.2Hx15.9Wx17.9L"

To me, my kids felt that they had more room with it being a booster seat. Yeah they did look small in them at first but it never out grows them. Plus they are way cheaper then some of these fancy carseats that are hard to clean cause it has so many features like a pillow, or little arms. I just take the cover off and throw it in the washer. Also the idea of taking the seat to a check point works tooo. A state trooper once gave me advice about a carseat and i believe them too. Just think they are the ones that see the bad car accidents and what works or don't work. Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.K.

answers from Saginaw on

We had similar problems. We have an Envoy and a Rainier and bought and tried several carseats (Eddie Bauer, several Britax, Alpha Omega, and others). The one we ended up sticking with was the Safety First Intera (and love it!). What we ended up doing is putting the seat in the middle position and rolling up a towel as recommended in the manual until the proper recline position was achieved. I did not care for the towel idea even though it was right in the manual, but found the same issues with the several seats we tried. I just made sure to wrench the seat down as tight as possible to make sure it didn't move. We also didn't switch our son from his infant seat until he was nearly a year old. Once you turn the seats forward facing, it is not an issue. Good luck to you and your little one!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Detroit on

I agree with everyone else about going to have the carseat installed. Most police departments also do this. When they installed ours, they said they go to seminars for days on how to properly install car seats. No wonder we have so much trouble! Call around and you will be able to find someone. For what it is worth, we have the Britax Roundabout and love it! Good luck and God Bless!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have the same seat and I drive a toyota Rav4(small SUV). I found that it is tight in a rear facing position and we had to recline our back seat a little and it was snug up to both our front seats. It was pretty level but it was not moving anywhere between the front and back seats and I love this car seat.I kept it in a totally upright posotion until he was a year old,and then I turned it around and reclined it like the directions said. Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Detroit on

A.,
I work for a seatbelt safety company here in Sterling Hts., MI - you could bring the vehicle here or call my partners here and they can set the seat properly for you if you are close to the area. Also, most of your fire departments will also help to secure the seat in the automobile for you-our main number is ###-###-####, ask for Lola Twomey.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.I.

answers from Lansing on

you know the noddles kids use for swimming you can cot one of them down to put under the car seat up agaenst the seat to level it out that what they did to help level out my car seat at the safty place hope i helped

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

You've gotten some excellent advice about going and getting the seat checked by someone who is qualified to do so... I agree with that! If you are looking to get a new one... we have the Britax Marathon... it is a bit pricey, but worth every penny!!! We have one forward facing for my son who is almost 3 and one rear facing for my daughter who is 9 months old. Both are snug and fit great! Good luck!!! :) J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Detroit on

Hello,

You could try setting up an appointment with someone who does car seat safety and see if they have the same problem. I went through the Macomb Health Department. What they used to balance the car seat, was a swimming noodle. If you do find someone to inspect the seat for safety they should have those there and that why you know you have the seat secure.

Good Luck
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Detroit on

If you take a pool noodle and cut it so that it fits under your carseat it actually helps raise it up a lot. It sounds crazy but when I went to a carseat safety check the man told me to do that and it works. I hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Saginaw on

well where are you located? I am taking some Child Passanger Safety Technician classes this spring to be able to check carseats and see if they are installed/being used correctly. If you are close, I'd be happy to check it for you!! (free as part of my class study)please email me at ____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Detroit on

Car seats are tricky business and as you it is very important to install it correctly. Before you pull your hair out any more, I would recommend calling a car seat check post. The fire department usually has someone trained to help install car seats. I have used the state police on 10 mile in Oak Park I believe hte troopers name in Trooper Edwards. She has helped me install 3 car seats. She is a mother and very knowledgable, just call ahead to schedule an appt because she is busy, but is was a great helping me to get my convertible car seat installed correctly.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Detroit on

Try the web site for the carseat manufacture and/or take the seat in the Envoy to the fire department. These are the best I can suggest.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.T.

answers from Detroit on

I would suggest calling your local police department and tell them you are having problems. I am sure they will have you come down and show you how to put it in correctly. During the warmer months they have car seat things where they check to make sure it is installed correctly and also that it is the correct size seat for your child as well as making sure the seat hasnt been recalled or is too old.

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.T.

answers from Detroit on

I also Drive an Envoy....we have the Evenflo Triumph Conv Seat (A Consumer Reports pick). I use a rolled up towel to level the seat (per manufacture suggestion). My passenger seat can't go back all the way, but I am 5'9" and don't feel crunched when I am sitting in it. My son is now 11 months and we still love it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Saginaw on

Hi A., Do you know what those water doodles are? The big foam things they sell to play on in the water? If you cut a piece of one of those then put it under the car seat towards the back of the your actual car seat. Make sure every thing is in right and it is tight. This is what was reccomended to us by law enforcement. I have a seven month old and had the same problem. Good Luck M.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches