Anyone used the Britax Roundabout with a newborn? We're having #3 in April and we're looking for a new car seat. We got rid of the infant bucket seat a while back, so we're thinking of just going with a convertible from the beginning. My son (baby #2) was only in the bucket seat for 4 months, so we don't want to buy one that we're only going to use for a short time. I'm not keen on borrowing or buying one used. I'm wondering if anyone has used this (or any other convertible) car seat from day one? What was your experience? I'm not concerned about the inconvenience, etc, so please don't go into that. I'm more concerned with which convertible will fit a newborn from day one. Anyone used the Britax Roundabout with a newborn? We're having #3 in April and we're looking for a new car seat. We got rid of the infant bucket seat a while back, so we're thinking of... » Read More Anyone used the Britax Roundabout with a newborn? We're having #3 in April and we're looking for a new car seat. We got rid of the infant bucket seat a while back, so we're thinking of just going with a convertible from the beginning. My son (baby #2) was only in the bucket seat for 4 months, so we don't want to buy one that we're only going to use for a short time. I'm not keen on borrowing or buying one used. I'm wondering if anyone has used this (or any other convertible) car seat from day one? What was your experience? I'm not concerned about the inconvenience, etc, so please don't go into that. I'm more concerned with which convertible will fit a newborn from day one. « Show Less
1175449
We bought this for #4 with the same idea as you...get rid of the carrier kind so I could use a wrap for the baby and have more hands for the other kids. However, our baby was 8lbs. 4oz and 22 in long and, bringing him home was a big pain. I don't know how in the world you would get a smaller baby in there! It took a month to get comfortable stashing him in; and rolling receiving blankets around, etc. Now he's plenty big and the seat is sturdy but we are having issues adjusting straps as he grows. We think the Britax 55 is a huge pain in the 'bottom'.
287583
I was also thinking of doing the same. I will be a first time mom in July and the infant seat seems a bit of a waste of money and also a big carbon footprint considering all the safety advocates say not to use a used car seat. I was doing some research and a site called Consumer Search mentioned that Britax sells "...a foam positioning insert..." for smaller infants.
1175450
We moved our son into this seat when he was 6 week sold and weighing in at 12lbs, we used the "snuzller" also and he fits like a gem. He seems 10 times more comfortable in this seat than he did in his Chicco KeyFit. My husband is a firefighter and I'm an ER nurse and we swear this is the most secure car seat we have ever seen come out of some serious accidents, the children are for the most part untouched. The sad thing is I'm sure our son will outgrow it way before the typical growth period. The good thing is Britax makes a great step up seat and booster seat.
1175451
Thanks for your insight, Jessica. I think we're going to go with an infant carrier after all.
1175452
We have a roundabout 50 which we bought when our son was 1 year old and outgrew the carrier. I would not recommend it for a newborn, even though its rated for 5 lbs and up. The lowest shoulder strap level seems like it would be too high for newbornw and it just doesn't snuggle around a tiny baby well. Plus its harder to install it reclined all the way at 45 degrees. I believe the Roundabout 55 comes with an insert to better position a newborn, so it might work ok. There are probably better convertible seats that provide a better fit for newborns, or just use the infant carrier style and sell if once your baby outgrows it. We have a roundabout 50 which we bought when our son was 1 year old and outgrew the carrier. I would not recommend it for a newborn, even though its rated for 5 lbs and up. The lowest shoulder strap level seems like it would be too high for newbornw and it just doesn't snuggle around a tiny baby well. Plus its harder to install it reclined all the way at 45 degrees. I believe the Roundabout 55 comes with an insert to better position a newborn, so it might work ok. There are probably better convertible seats that provide a better fit for newborns, or just use the infant carrier style and... » Read More We have a roundabout 50 which we bought when our son was 1 year old and outgrew the carrier. I would not recommend it for a newborn, even though its rated for 5 lbs and up. The lowest shoulder strap level seems like it would be too high for newbornw and it just doesn't snuggle around a tiny baby well. Plus its harder to install it reclined all the way at 45 degrees. I believe the Roundabout 55 comes with an insert to better position a newborn, so it might work ok. There are probably better convertible seats that provide a better fit for newborns, or just use the infant carrier style and sell if once your baby outgrows it. « Show Less
1175453
I would love to hear what others have to say about this. We had this car seat on our registry, but I just read a review on another site that stated the First Years True Fit is the only convertible car seat that truly fits newborns. We're thinking of getting that instead.
396974
No, this is a convertible car seat. Usually only infant only, bucket-style car seats make stroller systems. This can be used from birth to booster seat age. It rear faces and forward faces. If you do start with an infant only bucket seat, then you would need to transition to a convertible anyway later on. Children need to be rear facing to at least age 2, and ideally as close to age 4 as possible.
1890488
I think this product only works with the B-Safe infant car seat. The next size up car seats are convertible, meaning that your child will sit in them rear-facing until they reach a certain weight then you'll turn the seat around so they sit front-facing. This base would not work with such a seat because it's too high in the front. Ironically I had the same question yesterday because I'm ready for an upgrade and I just did some research on convertible car seats this morning. I like the Britax brand and I think I'm going to go with the Britax Boulevard G4 for my next car seat.
2211641
I believe both Britax infant car seats do click in... We have the b safe and it goes ONLY on the top not on the bottom..UNLESS you buy the adaptor and then it clicks into the adaptor. We returned our adaptor and used the Britax b safe infant car seat on top when our son was smaller and put our daughter (the eldest) in the second seat below.. My kids are 15months apart in age so that's what worked best until my son outgrew the infant car seat then we put him on the bottom and my daughter up top in the regular seat is comes with! I hope that wasn't super confusing lol.
259264
I believe the laws in most states state that you can turn forward facing at 1 year, but that it's recommended to wait until at least 2 years old, and then only turn when they don't fit in their seat rear-facing anymore. Britax probably put that in their manual because, while it's not against the law, it is definitely not best-practice. Statistically, rear-facing children are something like 5 times safer than forward facing children in the case of a collision. I would definitely return it, and mention that to the salesman so he's aware he's going against britax's recommendations.
884849
You may want to play it by ear. Some babies do not like being in the car seat (like mine) so we used the actual stroller seat with the snug seat insert. If your baby ends up liking the car seat, you can probably wait until he's 4 - 5 months and put him directly in the stroller without the insert.
2120220
No, this seat is bulky and heavy. It is meant to stay in the car. You are thinking of an infant car seat (like the chicco keyfit 30). The infant seat is useful for the baby's first 6-12 months or so (because you can snap it in and out of the car and into a stroller). After the infant is around 6-12 months, you'll switch to a convertible car seat like this one. If you don't want to buy two separate seats, you can skip the infant seat (this convertible seat accommodates infants and toddlers--but you need to buy the version with "tiny fit"--it's a separate Amazon listing and cost about fifty dollars more) but you lose the option of toting the baby around in his seat. Good luck!
1005002
Im not sure why you couldn't use for newborns...we used an insert for the carseat and laid the seat down..however I had to return because it was too big. I ended up getting a phil &teds; navigator with double kit which I love. Although its not side by side.
691768
I would say for 5 month olds. The only con I see in this car is that the front seat does not layd (?) as much as the back one, if both kids are facing front. Sometimes I use the car for my old boys (2 and 4 years old), sometimes the 2 yo with the baby (6 months). But it is very easy to change the seats (I do it even when my 2 yo is seated and start kicking the front seat. i simply put him facing me).
1392655
I hate carrying the heavy bucket seats with an infant in them, so I prefer this style seat with my newborn. I have an older model but it works great with my son. I use a carrier like a Boba or ring sling after getting my child out of the seat.
884844
My baby hates the car seat and the bassinet. I used this snugseat when she was 2 months for my uppababy vista and she loves it. I say give it a try. Every baby is different.
2126779
The base comes with it and this carseat is the best one I've ever bought. You can recline it back more if needed, but I had my daughter early 5 days ago and shes little but not once has her head gone forward. We had to worry about that all the time when I had my son because his head would go forward in the carseat while he was asleep as a newborn and he would have seatbelt marks from the cheaper carseat. This one is pretty heavy and its just perfect for a newborn and the straps keep baby from getting marks. I love it.
2117266
We bought both this seat and the Britax Boulevard 70-3G. Both are great chairs. The Recaro's seat is not deep enough and makes it look uncomfortable but my kid doesn't complain. It has a really high back which makes it uncomfortable to get her in and out in our small car. If you're talking about a small infant, the seat does not come with an infant positioner that would make it more comfortable and more secure. The side protection wings also don't go all the way down for a tiny one. In my honest opinion, I think an infant car seat is better since it is built specifically for them. This one is much better for smaller toddlers. Pros: lots of venting so you don't have to worry about over heating. SUPER safe, steel frame. Cons: difficult install. Tall back even in a larger car. No infant positioner. I did LOVE my Graco Snugfit 35. They now make an even nicer Snugfit 40 that should last even longer than my 35. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten the Sung Fit 40 so that my 19 month old could still fit in it (35in height max) and then bought my Britax for ease of use again. I know I may have over burdened you with my answer. The seat is better for a toddler. But I wouldn't buy it again.
2114804
Although you could buy an infant insert, I wouldn't recommend this for a newborn. It just doesn't recline enough for a newborn to be in a good position that supports their neck. I switched to this seat when my son was 7 months old and had good head control
1918484
I know that it seems that most people do not keep their children rear facing until at least 40 pounds, but in actuality extended rear facing is much, much, much safer for your child. Other countries keep children rear facing until age four and have much lower rates of child mortality in car crashes. Should you be interested in extended rear facing, I would check out the Diano Radian and the Clek Foonf. If your child is not tall, the Britax Advocate is another great choice. If you are set on turning your son around, I will say that we have this seat and absolutely love it. We use it for our almost 6 year old daughter and she is very comfortable in it. The seat installs like a dream and is very solid. It's heavy though, so I wouldn't choose it if you need to move it a lot. Hope this helps!
1884031
While I know you can get the insert for the newborn head position protection, I would recommend this seat for a child a little older. I use it rear facing for my now 1 year old, but started with the peg perego viaggio infant seat. Infant seats while only good for the first year are made specifically for their smaller bodies. Perhaps depending on the new born size(5lb or 9lb) may make a difference...though over all this is definitely a wide seat for someone so small. Not to mention the convenience of an infant seat is wonderful! Especially when the baby is asleep and you can take out the whole carrier with out waking them up. =) While I know you can get the insert for the newborn head position protection, I would recommend this seat for a child a little older. I use it rear facing for my now 1 year old, but started with the peg perego viaggio infant seat. Infant seats while only good for the first year are made specifically for their smaller bodies. Perhaps depending on the new born size(5lb or 9lb) may make a difference...though over all this is definitely a wide seat for someone so small. Not to mention the convenience of an infant seat is wonderful! Especially when the baby is asleep and you can take out the... » Read More While I know you can get the insert for the newborn head position protection, I would recommend this seat for a child a little older. I use it rear facing for my now 1 year old, but started with the peg perego viaggio infant seat. Infant seats while only good for the first year are made specifically for their smaller bodies. Perhaps depending on the new born size(5lb or 9lb) may make a difference...though over all this is definitely a wide seat for someone so small. Not to mention the convenience of an infant seat is wonderful! Especially when the baby is asleep and you can take out the whole carrier with out waking them up. =) « Show Less
28418
I loved the seat, but only had it for one, and didn't use it for her as a newborn. It's certainly one of the smallest footprint seats I've seen. It would not allow you to pop the seat in and out of the car with the baby in it, which one big advantage of the other sort of seat.