Parenting

car seat questions

I've been googling all morning and I can't seem to come across the information that I need.

We have an Evenflo Triumph for my son. We just got a new Honda Fit yesterday. The car seat installs really well, but it sits up so high in that car that it eliminates 1/3 of our view out the back window. That makes me a bit uncomfortable. We removed the head rests so we could at least get 2/3 view out the back. I'm trying to figure out if we can remove the base so it doesn't sit up so high. He just feels like he's miles off the seat. (I didn't feel that way in our Sunfire!) 

I'm trying to figure out what my options are. I'm also wondering if we could get a 5 point, high back booster for him yet. He's 2 years old, 31 pounds and although I don't remember his hight exactly, he's pretty tall for his age. I can find a bunch of info that says a kid can't be in a booster until he is 4 years and 40 pounds, but that seems to be for backless boosters. He's not at all ready for that. I'm not even sure if a high back booster is right for him yet. Does anyone know?

Safety is my main concern so if this car seat is indeed the safest then I'll learn to work around that blind spot. 

Thanks for any help, advice, or opinions you can give me.

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Re: car seat questions

  • You should not remove the base. The car seat is meant to be used as is (we have 3 Triumphs). I don't quite get what the problem is. If you had an adult in the back seat, their head would block your view, too.

    The law here for any booster is 4 years and 40 lbs. My son is 38.5 inches and 31 lbs at 2.5, and there is no way he's ready for a booster.

    When you are ready, the Graco Nautilus keeps a kid in a 5 pt harness until 65 lbs and then becomes a backless booster to 100 lbs.

    AKA KnittyB*tch
    DS - December 2006
    DD - December 2008

    imageimage
  • imageAnnapolisLari:

    You should not remove the base. The car seat is meant to be used as is (we have 3 Triumphs). I don't quite get what the problem is. If you had an adult in the back seat, their head would block your view, too.

    The law here for any booster is 4 years and 40 lbs. My son is 38.5 inches and 31 lbs at 2.5, and there is no way he's ready for a booster.

    When you are ready, the Graco Nautilus keeps a kid in a 5 pt harness until 65 lbs and then becomes a backless booster to 100 lbs.

     

    Maybe I'm confused. Couldn't she put her 2 yo in a Graco Nautilus? Isn't a five pt. harnessed booster really like a forward facing careset, just that it can later be used as a booster with a seatbelt instead? My 4yo and 1.5 yo are currently both in a Graco Nautilis - and are well with in the limits of the seat. I have no idea about the removal of the base, I've never run across this before.

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  • For a forward facing child I think the Graco Nautilus would be great. He should be at least 4 and 40 pounds before moving to a high back belt positioning booster. When parents come through check events where I am working I highly recommend waiting until at least age 5 before moving to a high back booster and I wouldn't recommend a backless booster to any child under 6 but would much prefer they be at least 8.

    I have 3 Radians and I love them. That would be abother good option and would the First Years True Fit. Both of those seats are convertible seats though and if your son isn't going to rear face it really isn't needed. However, if you want a seat you can pass to a yonger sibling in the future, they would be great options.

  • njh514njh514 member
    imagecmeon_the_water:

    The 3-in-1 Nautilus is fine for a 2yo- it's a great seat that has a 5-pt harness until 65lbs. But, it's not going to solve the problem here- it has a higher profile than the Triumph by half a foot! ;)

    Assuming you're going to have this car for awhile, you should think about investing in one of the lower profile convertible seats. The Radian 65 is a great seat that will take him in a 5pt harness to 65lbs- but, it's baseless, so it's shorter than many seats with similar weight limits. It's also pretty easy to cart around, because it folds up. It's also really easy for a kid to climb into by themselves.

    Probably more money than you were thinking about spending right now, but, the Honda Fit's tiny backseat does pose some unique problems with carseats. GL!

    This is the type of info I was looking for. I guess when I say 5 point, high back booster, I'm mainly looking for a convertible car seat without a base.  I wasn't sure how to word that. I just need something with a lower profile. Yes, if there was an adult back there it would block some view, but we so seldom have an adult in our back seat that that's not an issue.  I'm certainly not going to be putting him in a belt positioning booster for a few years. I do understand that. Sorry my wording wasn't very clear.

    The reason I asked about taking the base off is because my nephew's car seat has a removable base and I figured they all did. After looking at it and finally finding the owner's manual, this one is not meant to be taken off. 

    Thanks for the input. I appreciate it!

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  • Yeah, sorry. I am taking Benadryl and my coffee hadn't kicked in. My answers for the Triumph and the Nautilus got all garbled up.

    Triumph base = not removable.

    Other option might be Nautilus, but as the pp said, it's even taller.

    AKA KnittyB*tch
    DS - December 2006
    DD - December 2008

    imageimage
  • I'm fairly certain that 2 is just too young for even a high back booster. They may be marketed for his weight and height, but it's just not as safe as an actual convertible seat.

    I'd suggest looking into the Sunshine Kids Radian 60 (or 80). They sit REALLY low, but accomodate kids for much longer. 

  • njh514njh514 member
    Perfect. Thanks ladies! I can almost always get the info I need on the nest. Much appreciated!
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