Can my daughter go to a non-convertible booster now???

[aes74]

My four year old's head is now peeking above the top of her Roundabout. I am afraid it is time for something new, but I'm not sure which direction to go. She is about 29 pounds, but tall and lanky. Is it okay for us to go to a booster seat now?

Here's the thing, we are expecting a third in October, and so I am really hoping for something safe that is not too expensive, as this is our first boy to buy for...and well, you know how it goes. There is no way we can afford something that's like $250!!! Help!!!

[bubbaray]

I'd go with a Graco Nautilus. Its a bit cheaper than the Frontier, some people here like it better.

I'd keep her harnessed for much longer.

[niccig]

Minimum for a booster is 4yo and 40 lbs - so you're not there yet, and if you talk to the techs here, they all say 5 or 6 is when kids have the maturity to sit still all the time in a booster.

I'd look at the Nautilus, it harness until 65lbs and then highback booster, then low back booster - really good value. It's about $150 but people have seen it at Walmart/Target/Amazon for less than that. My friend got it at Amazon when it was $127 and applied for an Amazon card that gives discount on first purchase, so she got it for $99 and opted for super saving shipping, so she didn't pay for that either.

[lorinick]

I'd go with a Graco Nautilus. Its a bit cheaper than the Frontier, some people here like it better.

I'd keep her harnessed for much longer.

I totally agree. Keep her in a 5pt. as long as you can. She still so little.

[aes74]

Ok, I looked up the nautilus on amazon and it looks nice, and seems to have great reviews. So this is one that has a good reputation, and is safe, and durable?

Thanks so much for your help. I will follow up on this seat. Whew!

[jvs195]

Just FYI the Amazon price for the Nautilus has been going back and forth from $1287 to $144 this week. I think Walmart has it for $127 online still.

[LexyLou]

I bought it from Walmart going through ebates. It's only a 1% discount but still it's something + the shipping is only $2.97.

[Joolsplus2]

And just for future reference, a harness is outgrown when the shoulders creep right above the top slots or the weight limit is reached..the head can and will stick way up at that point, but you don't want the tips of the ears to go over the top of the seat (that really won't happen if you stop using the harness when the shoulders are barely above the top slots, though )

[801kelle]

Here are some facts why a 5 point harness seat is safer than a booster seat:

* The crash forces are spread over the skeletal body over five points rather than three.

* The crash forces are spread to the strongest parts of the child's body.

* Forward head excursion (the distance the head is thrown forward) are lessened.

* The child is secured in the correct seating position rather than being able to wiggle

around, lean forward etc




In 5-point child restraints, there is also the added safety of the top tether (so long as the vehicle has this feature). The top tether or top strap (as its sometimes called) helps hold the top of the child restraint back against the vehicle. In a frontal crash at 30mph with a car seat installed properly and no top tether, there is a 32" frontal head excursion.

In the same seat, same crash, child restraint installed along with the top tether, you reduce that frontal excursion to 4-6", thus making it more likely that the child will not hit the seat in front of them.

When used correctly, 5-point harness car seats provide significant safety advantages over securing your child in a booster seat using the adult seatbelt. A child is safest in a 5 point harnessed seat. A child should remain in a 5 point harness until they outgrow it.

Here is a great link with detailed information and a video clip of a vehicle crash test video comparing a 5 pt harnessed seat vs a booster seat:

http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/pages..._is_Safest.htm