[mataji4]

...what about if I gave the baby the Marathon we already have and got something else for the 3 yr old (36 pounds)? What about the Compass B510 Folding Booster Seat? It says it's for 30-100 pounds and has a 5 point harness. Sounds pretty good, eh?

 

[chickabiddy]

The Compass B510 does not have a harness and a belt-positioning booster without a harness is not appropriate for a 3yo.

 

[TheGirls]

Also, a Marathon is not appropriate for a newborn, unless you intend to use an infant seat for awhile first.

 

[mataji4]

It did say in the description that it has a 5 pt harness. There was a different Compass booster for the same weight allowances and it did not have a 5 pt harness. (both at Target)<br><br>
My newborns are over 10 pounds, and I don't take them in the car for the first couple of weeks at all, so probably they are about 12 pounds when I do. I have an infant insert thing with headrest that I put in the seat. Why wouldn't the Marathon be appropriate for a 12 pound infant with the headrest??

 

[chickabiddy]

This is a Compass B510, linked from the manufacturer's site, and there is no harness: <a href="http://www.learningcurve.com/product/detail/CB510ASP?locale=en_US" target="_blank">http://www.learningcurve.com/product...P?locale=en_US</a><br><br>
When rear-facing, a child's shoulders must be at or above the harness slots. A 12# baby might fit a Marathon, but it is not safe to use an infant insert that did not come with the seat (and the Marathon does not come with inserts).

 

[mataji4]

Thank you for the information! I'm so confused- this is the description of that Compass seat I read, and under "Features" it lists a 5 point harness as a safety feature!!<br><br><a href="http://www.target.com/Compass-B510-Folding-Booster-Seat/dp/B000HI2MWY/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton" target="_blank">http://www.target.com/Compass-B510-F...i_detailbutton</a><br><br>
I had read that a baby's shoulders could be no more than an inch below the strap slot on the car seat, which is why I could put my newborn in the Marathon. So that was wrong?<br><br>
I think I'm back to wanting the True Fit for the baby, then probably after the infant phase I'll have to switch my 3 yr old to that one as he's going to outgrow his Marathon in height before too long. Then the baby will for sure be big enough for the Marathon. That seems safe.

 

[chickabiddy]

You're right: that Amazon description does state that there's a harness, but really, there isn't, and Amazon is wrong.<br><br>
Britax has stated for a few years now that baby's shoulders must be at or above the strap slots rear-facing, and it is a retroactive change. (They used to allow shoulders to be up to an inch below the strap slots, but they do not now.)<br><br>
A TrueFit would be an excellent choice.

 

[mataji4]

You are awesome chicka, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and un- confusing me.