Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 car seat question

jen&gene

  I have been using it, but I am not sure if maybe my son is too small for it.  He is 16 months 29-30inches and 19lbs...I know...he's a peanut!!  lol  I originally registered for this one because I thought it was a convertable in which it could be rear or forward facing....but obviously its not. 

Just wondering how old your lo is if you use it and what you think?

Thanks

jessicaclare

If your DS isn't even 20 pounds yet, he should still be rear facing. Its actually against the law for you to have him forward facing. The minimum weight for that seat is 20 pounds.

jen&gene

actually it is until they reach the highest weight or height of the infant seat and he outgrew the infant seat by length. 

jessicaclare

jen&gene:

actually it is until they reach the highest weight or height of the infant seat and he outgrew the infant seat by length. 

The minimum weight for a child to be turned forward facing is 20 pounds. Yes, he outgrew his infant seat by height. My oldest outgrew her infant seat by height at 8 months. That doesn't mean he still shouldn't be rear facing in an appropriate convertible car seat.

No car seat will recommend forward facing before a child hits 20 pounds. Even in states that don't have the specific 20 pounds/1 year rule, they have a proper use clause. The proper use of any forward facing car seat on the market includes that the child be 20 pounds at minimum. Check your manual for the Nautilus, its in there.

Tabby2727

jen&gene:

actually it is until they reach the highest weight or height of the infant seat and he outgrew the infant seat by length. 

That's for an infant seat.  The law states that the child must be 20+ to be forward facing.

We have the evenflo symphony 65.  It's for forward facing or rear facing.  The seat is very confortable and holds a child from 5 pounds - 100 pounds. 

ohfour

jen&gene:

actually it is until they reach the highest weight or height of the infant seat and he outgrew the infant seat by length. 

Since New Jersey doesn't have the 1 and 20 law, you should be following the limits of the seat and it's not approved for use under 20lbs, so, yes, what you are doing is against the law. Not sure why you are willing to risk the safety of your child.

Buy a Cosco Scenera for $40 and RF him until he's 20lbs, or better yet until he reaches their 35lb limit, then use your Nautilus.

madhatter2003

I love the seat for my 4 year old, not for a 1 year old that is not even 20 lbs. You need to get a rear facing convertible seat. 19lbs is TOO SMALL to be forward facing. End of story.

jen&gene

Thanks for all the advice. I really didnt think that 1lb would make all that difference in forward or rear facing.  He has only been in it for a few weeks, once he out grew the length for his infant seat.  I also have a friend who has the same seat and she turned her son at 1 and he was also 19 pounds.  I have been looking for an alternative so thanks for your help. 

sunnyday016

jen&gene:

Thanks for all the advice. I really didnt think that 1lb would make all that difference in forward or rear facing.  He has only been in it for a few weeks, once he out grew the length for his infant seat.  I also have a friend who has the same seat and she turned her son at 1 and he was also 19 pounds.  I have been looking for an alternative so thanks for your help. 

 The 1lb doesn't make a lot of difference-it's equally UNsafe for a 19lb or a 20lb child to FF.

jason&robin

We moved my 3 year old from his RFing Roundabout to a Nautilus. He's abour 29lbs and it's a great fit for him. I still RF DD. She is 21lbs and is in the Roundabout.

I got rear-ended in Jan. The guy wasn't paying attention. I was at a dead stop and he hit me at about 30-40mph. I had a lot of neck pain. I can only imagine if my kids were in the car...especially my 3yo that is FF. Scares me. Their necks are so small and tender. It's just not worth the risk.