Car seat question for a 4.5 year old

[anna7602]

So we gave away our Britax Marathon right before leaving the U.S. in January. We figured DD would have outgrown it by the time we went back to live there and that we'd have time to figure out a new car seat since we don't own a car in NY and rarely use one.

Now I am considering a trip to the U.S. in October in which we would need a seat for our stay (will be in car-areas, not just NYC). I have no idea what I should tell my parents or ILs to get. Does a Graco Nautilus go through various stages? Ideally, DD would use this seat in October, and it would still be something she could use when we go back to the U.S. for good about 6 months- 1 year later, and for a while after that.

DD will be 4.5 in October. Last time she was at the pedi in February, she was 17 kilos and nearly 110 cm, so 37-ish pounds and close to 43 inches. That put her in booster category when we traveled to Spain in March, but I don't know if req's are different in the U.S.

Help?

[brit1017]

DS is the same age and about the same height and weight. We just moved him to a booster. We got the Graco Turbobooster. Fits him perfectly at the lowest setting, and I think it goes to like 10yo and 100lbs.

[Deleted]

Britax frontier 85 5 point harness til 60 lbs or something then belt positioned until 85 lbs.

[SusanBAnthony]

We also did a turbo booster, with the back belt positioning thingy. I think it starts at 30 or 35 lbs, but you also need a kid who will cooperate and sit still in it, which ds did at age 4, no problem.

[pierogigirl]

Aug 4, 2012 19:12:05 GMT -5 dbsk8dance said:

Britax frontier 85 5 point harness til 60 lbs or something then belt positioned until 85 lbs.

This, but it's a five point harness until 85 lbs and booster until 120 lbs (we have it).

[frlcb]

Aug 4, 2012 19:49:19 GMT -5 pierogigirl said:

Aug 4, 2012 19:12:05 GMT -5 dbsk8dance said:

Britax frontier 85 5 point harness til 60 lbs or something then belt positioned until 85 lbs.

This, but it's a five point harness until 85 lbs and booster until 120 lbs (we have it).

I third this. It is so much safer to have them in a 5 pt harness for as long as possible.

[Redpoppy]

We just got Frontiers for DS. I also looked at the Recaro Prosport but there seemed to be more harness strap length with the Frontier and it seemed a little easier (usual quick install I've always experienced with Britax). That said, I did just pick up a TurboBooster to use on our vacation at the end of the month. We only have a few short car trips and I don't want to check his regular car seat. He's well within the limits to use a booster, but we want him in a 5point longer. I did consider getting a cheaper 5-point booster but it seemed like they wouldn't last much longer as 5-point for him. And ten years ago I was putting 2 year olds in boosters, which I'd never consider now. I plan to pull the seat belt out to lock it on him. Once he's a little heavier I'm going to get a bubble bum seat for when we visit my brother in NYC and take taxis.

[vanillacourage]

A Britax Frontier is totally overkill for a short trip. A Graco Turbo Booster is $50 or less, or there are probably even cheaper options. They are all safe, the individual prices are just driven up by things like plushness and cup holders.

[h]

My almost 5 yo is in a Frontier, but I agree that it is pricey for one trip. I would get the Nautilus instead of the Frontier or, if you think she is ready for a seat belt, just get a Turbobooster.