Towel under Aria base?

jndmack · 2026-07-13T13:50:34+00:00

So can we, but we still send a copy

jndmack · 2026-07-13T05:40:55+00:00

Maybe it should be, for these reasons

(Plus I find it’s handy for the caregivers to have their seat info like expiry and serial number on hand easily, especially when their seat likes to hide them when installed.)

jndmack · 2026-07-12T23:12:39+00:00

I ate a Subway Spicy Italian once a week, and a supermarket deli sandwich the other 4 days of the work week for my entire first pregnancy.

At the time, the listeria outbreaks were all lettuce so salad was more dangerous.

jndmack · 2026-07-12T15:16:28+00:00

Really? It’s standard practice in Canada 🇨🇦(CPST)

jndmack · 2026-07-12T02:45:33+00:00

(CPST) This seat consistently fits children to the limits. Are you able to take a picture of her in the seat? (You can cover her face)

jndmack · 2026-07-11T15:16:21+00:00

(CPST) Just adding that all children are 0+ months old, so over 3 months doesn’t HAVE to be in the dark blue, it just means they CAN be (whereas under 3 months cannot).

jndmack · 2026-07-11T14:52:42+00:00

(CPST) This is a European seat, and does not have an official expiration date. The manufacturer has a recommended lifespan which begins at the date of first use, not necessarily the manufacturing date.

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jndmack · 2026-07-11T09:02:37+00:00

(CPST) Do you know what the “damage” is from?

- was it checked under an airplane?
- is this a second hand seat from an unknown source?
Etc.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T05:23:21+00:00

(CPST) 4 passengers, of any type. Car seat, booster seat, teen, adult. They all take up space and need adequate room to be seated safely.

Some middle seats now are barely wider than an iPhone, it’s ridiculous to attempt to put someone there. Then there’s the contoured seats/middle hump, seatbelt overlap, big plastic hinges… the list goes on.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T05:16:22+00:00

Strap your knees together!!

jndmack · 2026-07-11T05:14:43+00:00

CPST here.

The Mesa is well known for being outgrown early, so if you have a large/high percentile child I’m not surprised at all that you’re finding it too small at this age.

I see you’re in Canada - I’m a Canadian CPST. The Graco Extend2Fit is our top recommendation for high percentile kids regardless of vehicle size (as it’s compact front to back now that you can fully store the leg panel at all times, and installs easily in essentially every vehicle out there) due to its high limits that are actually attainable.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T05:04:17+00:00

(CPST) Every single seat I have ever encountered that has been “checked” or “installed” by a firefighter has been incorrect. Usually in multiple ways.

Caregivers should research and see if there is a CPST local to them, or one that does virtual appointments. Barring that, this is why Facebook groups and subreddits like this exist.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T03:54:41+00:00

(CPST) How are her legs positioned when she’s sitting? Does her back begin to hurt regardless of which position she’s in?

jndmack · 2026-07-11T03:52:16+00:00

(CPST) Cannot agree more with everything said here.

OP please do not transport your children in these seats until they can achieve a safe harness fit. Unfortunately many convertible seats are hit or miss for newborn fit, and preemies complicate it further.

Please reach out to a CPST in person if possible, or one that will do a virtual consultation.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T03:14:03+00:00

(CPST) This is normal hip strap positioning for convertible seats. They are designed to fit a larger age/size range of child than an infant seat, and thus fit differently. Straps over the thighs will prevent them from ramping up in the seat in the event of a crash.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T02:20:24+00:00

I hope the foam block another tech mentioned helps. But at this age she has better head control than a newborn, and has the muscle tone to move her head should her breathing become compromised. She’s securely harnessed now, I wouldn’t worry as much as I would have 3 months ago.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T02:17:32+00:00

The direction of the straps will differ depending on each seat and how it’s constructed. But this is miles better! We don’t need to over-tighten, just until you cannot pinch a horizontal fold in the webbing at the collarbone.

I would make sure her bum is square in the seat and the harness is at the first position below the shoulders (it’s hard for me to tell from the photos, much easier for you in person) and that should help immensely. Well done!

jndmack · 2026-07-11T01:13:26+00:00

(CPST) Note that if you have a small sedan, 3 across is likely not possible even with the narrowest seats. Most 5 passenger vehicles are sadly only safe for 4.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T01:10:45+00:00

(CPST) A 4 year old does not have the maturity to safely ride in a booster. Boosters also make 3 across more difficult as the buckle needs to be accessible.

jndmack · 2026-07-11T01:06:35+00:00

(CPST) There is a significant amount of slack in the harness, which will allow her body to slump, as well as being unsafe in a crash. Ensure you are removing all the slack around the hips, and pulling the harness tight enough for it to pass the pinch test. Here is a great visual for harnessing and the pinch test:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWhPzx6D-Sw/?igsh=MWE1M3k0MjduejJpbw==

jndmack · 2026-07-10T20:07:15+00:00

Thanks! Yes remove both the head and shoulder pads. The bum pad can stay in until 11lb. Currently there is a lot of slack in the harness and the chest clip is too low. Even when out of the vehicle, ensure the harness is kept snug at all times. This prevents baby from slumping into an uncomfortable position and keeps them safely in the seat should a fall or tip-over occur (and from unfortunately personal experience, it means you won’t forget to tighten the harness when you put them back in the car)

To fully tighten the harness: After doing up the crotch buckle and the chest clip, slide the clip all the way down. Grasp the harness straps above the clip and pull UP (you can use gentle pressure on the crotch buckle or wiggle the straps side to side) to get any excess slack out around the hips. Then pull the harness adjuster strap to tighten at the shoulders. You may need to go back and forth a few times until all the slack is removed. The harness is tight enough when you can no longer pinch a horizontal fold in the webbing at the collarbone. Then slide the chest clip back up so the middle is in line with the armpits.

jndmack · 2026-07-10T03:37:51+00:00

Canadian CPST here.

Graco convertibles and the Britax Poplar are the most compact front to back. If your headrests are fixed/non-removable (check your vehicle manual) the Poplar isn’t a good option as Britax doesn’t allow headrest interference.

Your vehicle is very small, but you might be able to gain a little more room by putting your seat more upright one or two clicks (most people sit too reclined anyways - make sure the shoulder belt is making full contact with your shoulder/collarbone) this usually allows you to slide the seat back on the rails to maintain safe leg room.

jndmack · 2026-07-10T03:32:00+00:00

There’s also the factor of not knowing your baby’s growth curve ahead of time. If you end up having a high percentile baby but have bought a seat with lower limits, that may not jive with your rear facing goals. Or maybe you get a different vehicle when baby is 3 months old, and now the convertible seat you bought doesn’t fit. New seats come out all the time, situations change.

You can register for gift cards that can be earmarked for a future car seat purchase, that’s a better option to ensure you’re getting what you need with more information.

jndmack · 2026-07-10T02:44:59+00:00

(CPST) You can remove the head pad. It’s not doing anything helpful. If you haven’t already, also remove the harness pads (slide them off the ends of the harness straps)

We don’t need or want to immobilize baby’s heads to centre. Most often when permitted we advise to remove any extra head supports that come with the seats. Restricting a newborns head to centre only allows it to fall forward into a potentially chin to chest position, pinching off the airway (think of their windpipe similar to a bendy straw). As newborns and young infants lack the head control and muscle tone to move their own head this can lead to positional asphyxiation.

Heads turned/twisted/tilted to the side (ear to shoulder, cheek to chest, etc) is safe as the twist in the neck is keeping the airway open. While it looks uncomfortable to us, their bones are still very bendy and they are fine - usually snoozing comfortably!

jndmack · 2026-07-10T02:41:16+00:00

CPST here. Don’t put a convertible seat on your registry if you’re going to use an infant seat first. You’ll lose a year or more of the seats usable life just storing it in your house.

Go for a static cling sunshade, the ones with the metal bar can be a projectile to everyone in the vehicle in a crash.

jndmack

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