ghm...oh wise and knowledgeable one.

amiamish

Jake will be 4 in April and he's a big kid. He's already 40lbs, and 40in tall. He still fits in his Nautilis but I think its nearing too small. Soooo.... think I should put him in a belt booster (at age 4) or keep him in a 5pt harness? He's mature enough to keep his buckle on, he already puts his own carseat buckles on by himself (but I check them). DH really wants him in a belt booster, but I'm unsure. wwyd?

goodheartedmommy

In my extremely important opinion, boosters are no less safe than a harnessed seat when the kid is old enough, big enough, and mature enough. There is only evidence to support my opinion at this point. Unlike the RF vs FF debate, there is nothing to support the extended harnessing movement. I don't think it's bad to harness them longer, but I see no reason to not use a booster, either (again, as long as it's being used correctly).

There are legitimate arguments to both sides of the spectrum here, and neither have been proven right (or wrong). In sweden, where they are 30 years ahead of us in carseat safety, they RF until 4 and go straight to a booster. The Kyle David Miller movement, while sad, is not a good picture of good usage of a booster seat (he was very young and very small). 

If you decide to move him at 4, let me know and I'll help you find a good booster in your price range. Unfortunately, the nautilus rarely makes a good booster.  There's no harm in keeping him harnessed if you want to, either. At 40 inches, he should have 4 or 5 overall inches of growth left (at least).

emiliemadison

Totally butting in, but here's my take:

He may be mature enough to buckle himself in, but is he mature enough to stay still and not wiggle around or lean to get things, etc? There are a few kids (GHM's included) who are mature enough at 4 to be in a belt positioning booster. But most are not. Plus, you already have a seat that fits him (and will fit him for quite a while). The Nautilus goes to 65 lbs in the harness. He's nowhere near the height or weight limits for that. My DD weighs less (35 lbs) but is a good 5 inches taller than Jake and she has tons of room to grow.

Boosters are just as safe as harnessed seats for kids who are old enough, heavy enough, and mature enough. But they have to be all of those things If you're unsure, think of it this way: In a 5 pt harness, the SEAT is responsible for his safety because it will restrain him in a crash. In a booster, HE will be responsible for his own safety, since all the booster does is position the seat belt so that it fits him correctly. Is he ready for that responsibility?

amiamish

K, I thought you had said they were just as safe. And for some reason your opinion (even though you're an internet stranger ) helps me. He is on the last slot before going over the top in the Nautilus... so how does he have 4-5 more inches? Am I doing something wrong? Also, are high back boosters better than a reg seat booser?

goodheartedmommy

For every inch of torso growth, assume 3 inches of overall growth! So for 1.5 inches to outgrow the top harness slot, assume 4+ inches overall growth. It can take a long time to outgrow a seat when they're on the second from the top slot.

EM's right--make sure he's mature enough. Bella's almost 4 and is nowhere big enough, but even if she was, she's nowhere mature enough.

amiamish

Hi Emilie! I cant believe how big your kids are getting Yes, Jake would sit still, except if he were to fall asleep-He would fall/lean then.

goodheartedmommy

lean forward? Ethan just lays his head to the side (he rarely falls asleep in the car but slept on the way to florida and sleeps on long trips). I do like our booster because it doesn't allow them to slouch to the side or anything like that.

And high back boosters are definitely the only way to go for younger kids. Backless are legal, but don't provide near the protection a good high-back booster provides. 

amiamish

goodheartedmommy:

For every inch of torso growth, assume 3 inches of overall growth! So for 1.5 inches to outgrow the top harness slot, assume 4+ inches overall growth. It can take a long time to outgrow a seat when they're on the second from the top slot.

oh ok

emiliemadison

amiamish:

Hi Emilie! I cant believe how big your kids are getting Yes, Jake would sit still, except if he were to fall asleep-He would fall/lean then.

Hi! Yours are getting big, too! CRAZY!!

If he's a car sleeper and would lean out of position, then you may want to hold off on the booster, or just use it for short trips around town when he wont sleep in the car. Otherwise, yes, I'd be comfortable putting a mature, 40 lb 4 year old in a high back booster. 

So, pretty much ditto everything GHM has said

amiamish

right now if he falls asleep his head leans fwd, I don't know if he would lean fwd or to the side if he was just in a booster. DH wants a backless booster because it takes up less space but I told him I wasn't comfortable with that and would have to do some research (asking on here=my research LOL) Ok, I'll just leave him in the nautilus for a while no rush, and he likes the cubbies and cup holder. Now...DS2, I hate his carseat. Its some safety 1st alpha something (got when DS1 was 1yr old) I want to put him in something else, something now huge/bulky, but still comfy and safe and convertible. Any suggestions? ($100 or so? maybe $200max)

goodheartedmommy

FWIW, the nautilus seems to just push heads forward when they're sleeping. Ethan's did it, too. The wings seem to push out too far from the seat.

The alpha omega? OMG, hate that seat. The graco myride (not great FF, IMO, but you have a nautilus anyway) is good, and cheap. I love the sunshine kids radian, which you can find for about $150 for the 65 lb model (these are the seats I have for my girls). First years true fit is a good choice.

amiamish

thanks! I will look those up