Car Seat Dilemma

[lcarlson90]

DS2 just turned 4 and he has outgrown his Roundabout and Triumph. We were planning to buy him either a Nautilus or the Securekid 400. While I was at the store I mentioned to the salesperson that my 7 year old DS was still harnessed in a Nautilus. He suggested we move older DS to a HBB and put our younger son in older son's Nautilus. So here is what I am wondering.

1. Is it a good idea to put DS(7) in a HBB? He is 48 inches and 46 lbs. If we go this route which HBB is the best? The Vivo, Turbo-booster, Harmony or something else?

2. Or should we just keep older DS in the Nautilus and get a new seat for DS2? If we do this, which is better, the Nautilus or the Secruekid 400?

[jjordan]

I would absolutely move the 7 year old to a dedicated booster. Find one that positions the seatbelt well on your child and you're good to go! Also check how high they adjust, as that will determine when the highback portion is outgrown.

There are LOTS of good boosters to choose from.

[belovedgandp]

If the Nautilus DS1 is in will last your younger one until he's close to booster age than yes, I'd probably switch.

As long as he's not a big car sleeper or going to mess with the seatbelt a HBB is a great option for your 7YO. My 8 1/2 YO moved to a HBB at just over 6 because of similar carseat shuffling among siblings.

No great advice on which one though. We just have a turbobooster because of a good sale and DS didn't seem to mind it.

[Joolsplus2]

Some boosters are way better at sleep support than the Nautilus, so even if he IS a car sleeper, a booster will be fine
Check that thread at the top of the page here for a list of highbacks and their pros and cons. Diono Monterey is a pretty popular one lately, or Recaro Probooster or Britax Parkway SG/L.