Car seat for grandparent's car?

[miamigirl]

What car seat would you recommend for grandparent's car?

I want something safe but not too expensive, since they only ride in their car a couple times a month. (Maybe more once #3 shows up)

DS is 1.5
DD is 3y 8m

They already have a Graco Size4Me that DD used to use, that will be for DS now.

So I need something for DD. She's average height and weight for her age. Would a harnessed high back booster be ok at her age?
It must be easy to install.

[aprilsails]

You would have to check individual manufacturers but as far as I know you should still be in a car seat until at least age 4 and 40 lbs (+ some unknown height requirement that my DD hits already, but she’s 33 lbs so she will be in a car seat forever).

We have a reasonably priced Evenflo DLX car seat to booster convertible seat in my Mom’s car. It is a bit big, but she has a small SUV so it’s not an issue now that DD is forward facing. It was a bit awkward up until we switched her.

I’m hoping that by the time DS needs out of the bucket seat (not born yet so hopefully 1.5 years) that we can transition DD to a high back booster. That would be easiest.

[aprilsails]

Yeah I just double checked and the major requirement is 40lbs for Transport Canada. They also don’t recommend switching until your child has actually outgrown the limits of the 5pt harness car seat. My DD is also 3y9months and she will be in a car seat forever based on her weight.

[osulori]

She may not be old/big enough yet to move from a convertible car seat to a 5 point harness booster. Assuming that's the case, you could go with an inexpensive car seat (we had a Safety 1st one in my husband's car that was always a quick install for me) or spend more for something that can go from car seat to high back booster to backless booster like the Graco 4ever.

[icedcoffee]

I'm confused why people keep saying she might not be big enough for a harnessed booster. A harnessed booster is just a forward facing car seat, right?

I'd get a Graco Nautilus since your parents are already familiar with Graco seats and they're cheap. Minimum weight is 22lbs for harnessed booster mode. I assume DD is 22lbs at over 3 years.


www.gracobaby.com/en-US/nautilus-65-lx-3in1-car-seat-103533?selectedSku=1946250

[preppy]

I also don't understand people saying no harnessed HBB. Since she is FF its a less expensive great option with a full 5pt harness as long as she meets the requirements for height and weight, which she likely does. My 3.5 year old uses a harnessed HBB as our spare seat without issue. I however hate the seat itself as its very difficult to install so I do not recommend this one:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y1QQDVZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[gastro]

My DS2 is about that age (big for his age) and he’s in a 5pt HBB in both my car and my parents. We have the Britax frontier clicktight which will convert later on. Not the cheapest option but the clicktight gives me more piece of mind with the install because my parents do uninstall/install the car seat themselves sometimes.

[starburst]

Yup, a harnessed high back booster is the same as a forward facing convertible car seat, so it's fine if your DD is forward facing,

[miamigirl]

Yes, I was sure a harnessed HBB would be fine for her.

We have two Clek Fllo in my car (DD is FF and DS is RF) and I plan on keeping on them until they outgrow them, I love them. But I don't want to spend that money on something they only use a few times a month.

[pooh8402]

Yes a harnessed booster is the same as a forward facing car seat. I would get a combination seat like Graco Tranzitions for your older child. It can be a harness or booster.

[momin2013]

I recommend the Evenflo Maestro - inexpensive, super easy to install, and converts to a high-back booster when she's ready.

[isabel]

DS1 is pretty heavy at 4 and he still has plenty of time in his 5-point seat. I wouldn't do a booster for a child her age.

[sju1982]

Didn't realize you were pregnant miamigirl, congrats!

[miamigirl]

May 14, 2019 10:32:46 GMT -5 sju1982 said:

Didn't realize you were pregnant miamigirl , congrats!

Thanks! 

[miamigirl]

May 14, 2019 10:25:48 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

I recommend the Evenflo Maestro - inexpensive, super easy to install, and converts to a high-back booster when she's ready.

I was just looking at that one on Amazon!

[nessness]

I agree with the Evenflo Maestro. It's inexpensive and I find it super easy to install.

[achi]

Something to consider is a seat where the harness tightens easily. MIL originally picked a seat that the harness was definitely more difficult to adjust and we ended up swapping it for something easier for her.

[yourmother]

May 14, 2019 10:53:32 GMT -5 achi said:

Something to consider is a seat where the harness tightens easily. MIL originally picked a seat that the harness was definitely more difficult to adjust and we ended up swapping it for something easier for her.

This is a great point.  My dad has the Evanflo Maestro and the harness is SO EASY to adjust.

[sillygoosegirl]

We find switching cars to be the most convenient, and that way I don't have to worry whether or not my parents actually did a good job with the seat install.

[awkwardpenguin]

I bought an Evenflo Maestro for travel for my DD who is the same age as yours, and it's worked out great. Highly recommend!

[miamigirl]

May 15, 2019 9:35:57 GMT -5 virginiaham said:

What's the vehicle?

It’s an Audi Q5