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car seat experts, I need help

Susie2005Susie2005 member
in Parenting

I did not realize that DS has outgrown his carseat (bad mom!), so I need to figure out what my next step is pretty quickly.

DS is 2y4m and is 31lbs and almost 38inches.  He in a Britax Roundabout.  Weight-wise he's fine, but his head comes above the back of the seat.

DD is 5.5mo and about 15 lbs.  She's in a Graco Safeseat.  I'm about ready to lose the bucket anyway.  That thing is so heavy and cumbersome.

So, DD can move to the Roundabout.  But I need to get something new for DS.  I'd like for it to be the last car seat we buy (for him anyway as she'll probably grow out of the Roundabout before he's done with whatever we buy!)  Is there something that would be good for him now and converts later to a booster with 5 point harness and later to backless booster?

I'm getting overwhelmed with the choices and specs and I know there are a few experts here who can help me narrow it down.  So  I figured I'd ask.  Thanks for any help!

Susie, mom to DS 4/10/07 and DD 3/6/09 (MC 9/05, 2/06) Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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Re: car seat experts, I need help

  • AnnapolisLariAnnapolisLari member

    I will be going with a Graco Nautilus once DS outgrows his Triumph.

    They harness to 65 lbs, and become a high-back, then backless booster up to about 100 lbs.

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

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  • goodheartedmommygoodheartedmommy member
    Graco Nautilus or Britax Frontier--each has something I like more than the other. When it came down to it, the frontier does not have a higher harness than the nautilus, so we stuck with the nautilus.
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  • Susie2005Susie2005 member

    Thanks ladies.  GHM, I know you always answer car seat posts, you are a wealth of knowledge! And Lari you are always so helpful.  Those are two of the ones we narrowed down to.  Now to got take a look in person and then to find cheapest current on line sales!

    Have a nice weekend!

    Susie, mom to DS 4/10/07 and DD 3/6/09 (MC 9/05, 2/06) Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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  • goodheartedmommygoodheartedmommy member
    If you have a meijer near you, check there, because they almost always have them on sale for $140 (at least once a month) which is much cheaper than even online.
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  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member

    I have the radian 80 from sunshine kids, it should be the last car seat DD ever needs.  My DD is pretty much the same size as your DS, though a little lighter, she is no were near outgrowing the roundabout. 

    The top of the head can come over the top of the roundabout, as long as he is not rear facing.  Where his shoulders are matters. 

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  • horn_jm@hotmail.comhorn_jm@hotmail.com

    Are you sure he has outgrown it?  Check your manual, as I believe he has outgrown it (forward facing) if his shoulders go over the top harness slot,  his ears become level with the top of the seat back, or he reaches the weight limit.

    DS's shoulders are close to being over the top harness slots, so I went ahead and ordered him a Nautilus.  The best deal I could find (a couple of weeks ago for around $135) was on diapers.com with the coupon codes they are running now... throw in a small pack of diapers and use the 10% off code on the car seat (and anything else you order) and the $5 code on the diapers.  Free shipping, no tax.

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  • kittycarrkittycarr

    I am apparently about to buy three Graco Nautilus' according to GHM who says the two Al Om Elite's I have for Brooke will soon be outgrown if her shoulders are at or above the top strap holes.  I don't think they are - she's still so tiny and a short fck like me.  She'll be lucky to get to 5'.

    I hear so much awesomeness from the GN's that there's no way I can't buy one now.  Or two.  Or three....

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  • CTFandmeCTFandme

    we have a nautilus for DS in DHs car. He likes it, although it's nowhere near as comfy as the Britax he has in my car.  I was going to buy 2 more nautilus (nautili? haha) when DD is ready for a convertible then I realized it's not a rear facing seat.  I thought she could go from infant carrier to the nautilus, but I was wrong.  We'll still get them down the road, but for now we need to pick something else for her. 

     

    Christmas 2009 image
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  • Angela814Angela814 member

    We have a Graco Nautilus too and are very happy with it.

    He might have a couple inches to go in the Roundabout.  Shoulders need to be at or below the belt ffing.  I thought the limit on the seat was 40", but that will depend a lot on if he has a long torso or long legs.

    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
    Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
    Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
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  • Susie2005Susie2005 member

    hmmm, now I'm wondering if I have more time.  I thought if his head was over the top of the seat that he was too tall.  Off to read the manual and take a better look at where his shoulders, ears and head are in relation to the back of the seat and the straps.  But at least now I have an idea of where we go next once he has outgrown it.   

    I may move him into something new anyway so that DD can graduate to the Britax.

    Thanks again everyone.  Helpful, as always.

    Susie, mom to DS 4/10/07 and DD 3/6/09 (MC 9/05, 2/06) Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
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