Carseats That Fit

You should be able to get pretty much any seat to fit, sometimes it just takes someone with more experience to give you some tips. I use the car seat check at Plano Presby. They'll fit it for free and make sure it is safe. You don't have to have any association with the hospital. I think the other Presby system hospials do it too. Just call their general info line and they can get you scheduled. Or call your local firestation and see if they will do it. I have been back 4 times with various seats and two differnt children, and they ALWAYS manage to get my seat safer and tigher than I did! It's kind of embarrassing, but hey - whatever makes my kids safer. They don't mind at all.

I agree with Joanna. I am pretty sure there are some things like a swim noodle that you can use to better stabilize the seat. THat's what the car seat checkers will be able to help best with. I am in Carrollton and the police dept does the checks.

A rear facing seat is a pain no matter what!

Babies R us will let you take the demo and try it in your van if that would help at all.

I have a Toyota Sienna, too. We have the optional middle seat for the second row, which is where our car seat is positioned. That seat is actually a little narrower than the captain's seats but our car seat fits very tightly.

We got the Cosco Alpha Omega Elite; here is a link to it on Amazon.com -- http://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Alpha-Omega-Elite-Seat/dp/B00....

It works as a rear-facing seat for children under one, but then becomes forward facing and works with children up to 100 lbs. so you'll never need another seat! It is inexpensive, gets good ratings and my 22-month daughter is very comfortable in it. We did a lot of research before buying it, so I feel comfortable recommending it.

They used to make a thing called "mighty tight". It was amazing! It tightened the seatbelt that was threaded through the carseat. My now ex-husband is strong but this thing tightened the car seats down even tighter than he could. It just ratchets down - it was easy to install & it could be removed easily as well. I have no clue if they make these still - we got ours at Babies 'R' Us. I'm also not 100% sure on how they spelled it either.

I would definitely make an appt with Plano Presby to have your car seat checked, they will check the install and then teach you the best way to install your car seat and make sure that you can do it before you leave. I used to work seat checks on a regular basis with the ladies from Plano Presby, they are wonderful! Call 1-800-4-PRESBY (1-800-477-3729) and make an appointment.

Do you have an older Triumph? I would be prepared to buy a new car seat at some point if the one you are using isn't new, since car seats expire after 6 years from the date of manufacture. The new Triumph Advance's are nice, rear face to 35lbs (big plus!) and then forward face to 50lbs.

Good luck!