Baby Trend 3 in 1 Hybrid Plus How to Loosen Straps

(Last Updated On: September 18, 2021)

Baby Trend Hybrid high dorsum booster mode

The Baby Tendency Hybrid 3-in-i forrad facing automobile only combination seat has been around for some time at present. Our late admin and good friend Jennifer Penick reviewed the pink zebra print version of this seat several years ago. She did a wonderful job, but since then, this seat has undergone a few changes so we're updating our review with the latest version of the seat.

The Hybrid has several updates that we noticed right from the commencement. The lower ballast weight limit is high – the lower anchors can be used for the entire life of the seat, there are plenty of fun colors, and the seat is relatively lightweight. Those are the best parts of this seat.

There are also a few quirks that can make the seat difficult to use properly. We'll explore those quirks in item in this review.

CSFTL Quick Stats

• Forrad facing weight range: 22-fifty pounds
• Forward facing height range: 29-48 inches
• High back booster weight range: forty-100 pounds
• Loftier back booster height range: 38-50 inches
• Backless booster weight range: xl-100 pounds
• Backless booster elevation range: 42-57 inches
• Expiration: Harness and loftier dorsum portion expires vi years from the date of manufacturer – backless booster expires 10 years from the date of manufacture
• Lower anchor weight limit: 50 pounds
• LATCH permitted in booster fashion
• FAA approving: approved in harness mode only
• Cupholders required

Measurements

• Highest harness position: 17.5 inches
• Highest booster guide position: 18.5 inches
• Width at the widest point: 19.five inches at the cupholders
• Harness mode seat weight: 15 pounds
• Loftier back booster mode weight: xiv pounds
• Backless booster mode weight: 5 pounds
• Seat pan depth: xiv inches
• Seat pan width: xiii inches

Associates Required

Baby Trend Hybrid assembly

The Hybrid comes in 2 parts, the backless booster portion and the dorsum of the seat. To assemble the seat, set the booster portion on the flooring. Then lay the back of the seat on the floor with the "arms" of the back overlapping the bar on the back of the booster portion. Next, rotate the back to a 90 degree angle and push the dorsum down into the base of the booster portion.

Optional Inserts/Covers

• Head insert (optional for both harness and high back booster modes)
• Body pillow (harness mode only, cannot exist used with the tertiary and 4th harness slots)
• Harness covers
• Crotch buckle cover

Features

Head Insert

The head insert is optional in both harness mode and high back booster fashion. It can be removed by reaching under the caput remainder pad and undoing the claw and loop closure.

Body Pillow

The body pillow can exist used in harness mode merely, just must be removed when the child requires the harness in the 3rd from the bottom harness slot.

Harness Covers

The harness covers are optional. They are removable by removing the harness from the splitter plate at the back of the seat. And so pull the harness through the seat shell to the front of the seat and slide the harness covers off. Supplant the harness.

Crotch Buckle Cover

The crotch buckle cover is optional. The crotch buckle encompass did make buckling and unbuckling the crotch buckle more difficult. To remove the embrace, turn the seat upside downward and discover the metal retainer clip for the crotch buckle. Turn the retainer clip sideways, pull upwardly on the crotch buckle to remove it from the seat, and slide the cover over the metal servant. Replace the crotch buckle by sliding the metal retainer through the buckle slot.

Cupholders

There are 2 cupholders, they are required for use. This made our models pretty excited!

Multiple Harness Aligning Slots

Babe Trend Hybrid loftier seat back

The Hybrid has 4 harness slots. The top one is a bit difficult to meet. It hides just under the lesser edge of the headrest cover. 1 unfortunate discovery nosotros made is that the headrest slides downwardly easily when any modest amount of pressure is put on the peak of information technology.

LATCH Permitted in Booster Style

The lower anchors and top tether can exist used in high dorsum booster style. Since the lower anchors are attached to the seat dorsum, if using the seat in backless booster mode the seat would need to exist buckled in if unoccupied.

Adjustable Crotch Buckle Length

Baby Tendency Hybrid crotch buckle shortening clip

The Hybrid has two buckle lengths. The seat comes with the buckle installed at the shorter length. This length is to be used until the child is 35 pounds or the buckle tongue touches the child's thigh, whichever comes first.

To lengthen the crotch buckle, turn the car seat over to expose the underside of the base. Locate the metal buckle shortening clip and remove information technology from the crotch buckle webbing. Store it on the designated storage spot nether the encompass of the seat.

Intendance and Cleaning

Baby Tendency Hybrid removing the encompass

The cleaning instructions were hard to find. The manual says to follow the care instructions on the tag on the cover of the seat. I searched the main embrace of the seat and did not run across whatsoever intendance tags. I turned my search to the trunk pillow and head insert. The intendance tag is located on the bottom of the trunk pillow. This is disappointing because the trunk pillow is required to be removed when the kid is using the tertiary harness slot from the bottom. This leaves the potential for the insert, and the instructions, to exist lost.

Removing the cover can exist hard. Some of the elastics are tied into identify and must be untied to remove the cover. Other parts were merely difficult to admission.

Installation Quirks

Before we delve into installation and fit, it should exist noted that in that location are MANY install methods for the Hybrid. We know that the manufacturer adult these many methods with the well-intentioned intent of offer caregivers the chance to discover the method that works the best for them. Unfortunately, we have constitute over these many years that these many methods lead to defoliation and misuse in many cases.

These methods are based on a few different factors such as the child'due south weight and the use of the top tether — some of the methods do not require or explicitly prohibit the use of the top tether. This gives us a chip of intermission because we always recommend the use of the top tether because information technology reduces head excursion by quite a bit.

One potential workaround is to install the Hybrid using the lower anchors — the seat can be installed with lower anchors for the full weight range, so information technology's possible to install it with lower anchors and utilise the top tether anytime the lower anchors are used.

Babe Trend Hybrid installation chart

This nautical chart found in the manual can assist a caregiver decide the proper install method based on the kid'due south weight.

There is also a graphic on the side of the seat vanquish with the installation methods. We're nevertheless not convinced that this makes using the seat properly any easier.

Babe Trend Hybrid installation methods

Pro tip: always use the manual that came with your specific seat. In that location have been several versions of the Hybrid over the years and the rules and install methods vary between them.

At that place are two different belt entry methods for both the lower anchors and the vehicle seat chugalug – front and rear entry. The front entry method is how most forwards facing harnessed automobile seats are installed, with the belt routed directly through the forrad facing belt path. The rear entry method (sometimes chosen the long chugalug path) is entirely different and can be difficult to master.

Installation

Forward Facing Harness Mode

Lower Anchors

Rear Entry Method

Rear entry method with lower anchors

Remove the lower anchors from their storage location on the seat vanquish. Place the Hybrid on the vehicle seat with the harness facing the front of the vehicle seat. Road the lower anchors through the belt path. Adhere the lower anchor connectors to the lower anchor bars in the vehicle seat. Printing down on the seat pan while removing the slack from the lower anchor webbing.

Cheque Your Work

Baby Trend Hybrid belt path

Later on the seat is installed, requite it a firm handshake at the belt path, brand sure the seat moves less than an inch at the chugalug path.

Front Entry Method

Baby Trend Hybrid chugalug path

Start by removing the lower anchor connectors from their storage spots on the seat shell. Set the auto seat on the vehicle seat with the harness facing the front of the vehicle. Starting on one side of the seat, connect i lower anchor hook to the lower anchor bar in the vehicle seat. Road the lower ballast belt in front of the arm rest on the car seat, through the slot in the seat beat on that side (from the front side), behind the seat shell, through the slot in the other side of the seat shell (from the back side), and around the other arm residuum, connecting the loose lower ballast to the anchor bar in the vehicle seat.

Baby Trend Hybrid installed with lower anchors

Slack likes to hide in the lower anchor webbing when installing with the front entry method. To remove it, work the slack toward the side with the lower anchor adjuster. And then push downward in the seat pan while removing the slack from the lower anchors. Remove the slack from the top tether ballast webbing.

Bank check Your Work

Once the seat is installed, give it a firm handshake at the belt path, make certain the seat moves less than an inch at the chugalug path.

Vehicle Seat Belt

Rear Entry Method

Baby Trend Hybrid belt path

Identify the Hybrid on the vehicle seat with the harness facing the front of the vehicle. Route the vehicle seat belt through the forward facing belt path and buckle the vehicle seat chugalug. Consult the vehicle transmission on how to lock the vehicle seat chugalug. Lock the vehicle seat chugalug and remove the slack while pressing downwards in the seat pan of the car seat.

Check Your Work

Once the seat is installed, give it a firm handshake at the belt path, make sure the seat moves less than an inch at the chugalug path.

Front Entry Method

Infant Trend Hybrid front entry

Disclaimer: This method is incredibly difficult to remove from the vehicle once it is installed. This install method uses up almost the entire length of the vehicle seat belt webbing, leaving very little slack to remove the seat.

Baby Trend Hybrid front entry

Here'south how to install the Hybrid via this method: gear up the car seat on the vehicle seat with the harness facing the front of the vehicle. Route the vehicle seat belt route the lap and shoulder chugalug in front of the arm balance, through the slot in the seat beat out on the same side (from the front), backside the seat shell, through the shell on the reverse side (from the back), and around the front of the arm remainder.

Baby Trend Hybrid front entry

The shoulder portion of the vehicle seat chugalug goes over the armrest, while the lap portion goes under the armrest. Buckle the seat belt. Consult the vehicle manual on how to lock the vehicle seat belt. Lock the vehicle seat belt (if it hasn't locked itself already) and remove the slack while pushing downwardly on the seat pan.

Bank check Your Piece of work

In one case the seat is installed, requite information technology a firm handshake at the chugalug path, make sure the seat moves less than an inch at the belt path.

Baby Trend Hybrid forepart entry

Fit to Child

Forrad Facing

5 Years Old

Baby Trend Hybrid 5 years old

Our newly v yr onetime model weighs 49 pounds and is 44 inches tall. He wasn't peachy on getting out of his jammies, just he was gear up to model! He is only 1 pound abroad from the weight limit on the harness for this seat. He is not mature enough to ride in abooster seat only yet so a different combination seat would be in his firsthand futurity.

He did observe the seat comfortable but wasn't a fan of the crotch buckle cover. The harness sits merely to a higher place his shoulder and the crotch buckle has been lengthened. The harness was like shooting fish in a barrel to tighten and loosen. 1 perk we found is that there is a cover over the cam lock that makes information technology more difficult to access for little hands.

Splitter Plates

Baby Tendency Hybrid splitter plate

Another matter that makes the Hybrid unique is the splitter plate — information technology's ii plates that are sewn together. To convert the seat to and from booster fashion, remove the harness from both sets of splitter plates. When the harness is put back on, the harness loops must be fastened to both of the plates.

Converting to High Back Booster Mode

Infant Trend Hybrid converting to booster mode

Converting this seat to booster mode basically entails removing the harness and storing it in a location you'll retrieve.

To catechumen the seat to high dorsum booster fashion, unhook the harness from the splitter plate and pull the harness through the forepart of the seat. Turn the seat over to betrayal the crotch buckle retainer clip. Plough the retainer clip sideways and lift the crotch buckle off the seat base of operations. While the seat is turned over, locate the metallic harness retainer clips on the lesser of the seat base. Turn each 1 sideways and pull the harness up out of the seat base of operations.

Store all the components in a prophylactic place for time to come use. Nosotros recommend a resealable bag, labeled with the seat name.

Booster Manner Setup

Baby Trend Hybrid shoulder belt guide

In one case the seat is converted to booster mode, fix the Hybrid on the vehicle seat with the loving cup holders facing the front of the vehicle. Thread the vehicle seat belt through the chugalug guide. This was no easy task. The belt guide consists of two plastic slots. The vehicle seat belt must residue inside the inner slot. This took exercise and our models were unable to do this themselves, different many other loftier back boosters in our collection.

High Back Booster Mode

seven Years Old

Infant Trend Hybrid booster mode 7 years old

This model is seven years former and weighs 57 pounds and is 49 inches alpine. He said "I really like this seat" when I first pulled it out of the box. His opinion didn't change much when he was finally able to put his bum in information technology. The seat's broad base meant that he wasn't able to accomplish the buckle to secure himself in the seat — we had to assist him each time. Once he was in the seat, nosotros were pleased by the fit — the shoulder belt sits center over his collarbone and the lap chugalug is depression on the hips, touching the tops of the thighs.

Converting to Backless Booster Mode

This procedure has a few steps to it and involves a bit of transmission labor. Start. place the Hybrid on the floor and lightly place a genu into the base of operations of the seat. Take hold of the seat back on either side of the shoulder surface area. Gently wiggle the seat back side to side while lifting up. Once the seat back is all the mode out of the seat base, rotate the seat back toward the ground and carve up it from the seat base.

Fit to Child

Backless Booster Mode

10 Years Old

Baby Trend Hybrid 10 years old booster way

Our 10 yr onetime model weighs 63 pounds and is 53 inches tall. The lap belt is squeamish and low on the hips, touching the tops of the thighs. His shoulder belt is centered nicely over his collarbone. This model was able to buckle his seat belt on his own.

Important Information: Where to Detect

Date of Manufacture

Baby Trend Hybrid appointment of industry label

The engagement of industry is located on the underside of the bottom of the seat base. The manual states the harness and seat back expire 6 years after the engagement of manufacture, the seat base of operations expires 10 years after the date of manufacture.

Lower Anchor Storage

Baby Tendency Hybrid lower anchor and top tether storage

The lower anchors shop on the back, bottom of the seat base. They are a scrap difficult to keep in place.

Top Tether Anchor Storage

The acme tether anchor stores on the back, bottom of the seat base of operations along with the lower anchors. It's a pretty crowded footling storage expanse!

Transmission Storage

Infant Trend Hybrid transmission storage

The manual storage pocket is located under the cover of the seat base of operations, near the child's hip. A large portion of the embrace needs to be removed to access it. The belt shortening clip besides stores here, on a small elastic band.

FAA Approving

Baby Tendency Hybrid FAA approving label

The FAA approval label is located on the bottom of the seat base.

*The Hybrid is FAA canonical in harness way Simply.

Overall Thoughts

The Hybrid is a mix of pros and cons. It'south very budget-friendly, which nosotros always applaud. Notwithstanding, the forepart entry installation method tin can confuse even the nigh seasoned CPSTs and the harness weight limit of 50 pounds means some kids won't be booster set earlier they outgrow the harness. While the Hybrid is well-priced and comes in a variety of interesting colors, we worry that the challenges that the install presents hateful that this seat is pretty tough to install and employ correctly on every ride.

The skillful news is that booster fashion fits a variety of kids well and the models loved the fun color. It is lightweight and the wider seat interior is nice for wider built children.

We'd primarily advise this seat for upkeep-conscious families who are willing to invest the time required to install and use the seat properly.

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Source: https://csftl.org/baby-trend-hybrid-combination-car-seat-review/

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