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Toddlers: 24 Months+
sara785
member
Booster seat mayhem
sara785
member
After I typed all this, I realized how long it is and how anal I sound. My apologies.
DS (33months, 31lbs., 37") is in a convertible car seat. I believe it goes up to 50lbs. Now that I'm pregnant (27 weeks), I really can't lift him into his seat very easily, and it's difficult for him to get his footing well enough to climb in unassisted. Since BRU is having their trade-in event, I've been looking into a booster for him. (I will keep his seat now for this LO... I have other things to trade.) They definitely sit lower on the seat of the car, and look less bulky so his legs would fit more comfortably. I don't know what to get! This baby is a girl, so I'm trying to stay as neutral as possible, considering she may use this seat in the future. I also need to buy 2, as DH and I switch taking him to and from DCP. So I'm trying to be sensible, but also very safe.
The Graco Nautilus is definitely what I want (converts all the way to backless), but not sure I NEED it, since it can be used forward facing at 1 year, which is what I will use my convertible for with DD. However, it is black, so generally neutral. My thinking is that DS can use it until DD outgrows the convertible. By that time, DS should be able to use a backless booster, which are pretty cheap. So I'm figuring if I buy 2 Nautilus's and 2 backless boosters for DS in the future, I will spend about $300. DD would be able to use the Nautilus as a backless when the time comes.
I'm also looking at the Evenflo Securekid 400. This is also fairly neutral (gray, black, and white), but cannot be converted to backless. Same time frame, but I would also have to buy 2 backless boosters for DD down the road. It's cheaper though... 2 Securekid's and eventually 4 backless boosters would be about $320 total, but about $40 less upfront than the Nautilus.
Lastly is the Evenflo Maestro. It's not at all neutral, so we would probably end up getting DD her own boosters when she outgrows the convertible. It also does not convert to backless. It is much less expensive though. So taking all THAT into account (and assuming we'd get her the Maestro), I would spend $350 total, but $97 less upfront than the Securekid and $156 less than the Nautilus.
I have some thinking to do...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Booster seat mayhem
If I were you I'd go for the Graco Nautilus (one for each car) since is can be RF or FF. DD2 is 30 months and still RFing in her seat, so I wouldn't even consider a seat that was FF only at this point. I'd hold off on the backless boosters since it will be quite some time until you will need one of those. No need for it to sit in your basement for 2+ years before using it.
If you want to save more money I would find a small stepstool that your DS can use to get into his car seat and teach him to get in and out and just keep the seats you have. DD2 is able to get in her RFing seat by herself. For my older children (DS1 is almost 7 and DS2 is 5) I have the Safety first Hybrid booster, it's lower so easier to climb in, but I couldn't imagine putting DD2 in that seat (even though she hits the minimum requirements). GL with your decision.
The Nautilus does not RF. It can be a FF 5pt harness up to 65 lbs, then a high back or backless booster to 100lbs.
OP, I'd get a Nautilus for your DS now and not worry about the rest of the future car seats until you have need of them due to expiration dates of seats. That's the seat we plan to use for DD1 when she turns 3. She's still RFing in a convertible seat at 2.5yo, but we will put her FF in the Nautilus when she turns 3 and have DD2 RFing in the convertible.
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
I'm thinking of getting the nautilus for our 2nd car for DS#1, then use it in the main car when DS#2 needs the convertable that DS#1 is currently in.
DS#1 has been forward facing since he was about 20 months, when we discovered that he gets horribly carsick in a 20-30 minute drive if he was sitting backwards but fine forward facing.
DS has been FF since he was 1. I seriously can't imagine trying to make him RF after that, even though I know that's what was recommended.
I'm not actually buying anything other than the seat right now. I was just estimating costs when all was said and done.
I talked to DH and I think we are just going to buy 1 seat now instead of 2 and try to take the 1 car wherever we need to go with DS. Especially since he can still use the convertible. Leaning toward the Nautilus though.
Whoops, I read 3 in one and though it RF, my bad!
A lot of people make that mistake. I think car seat terminology really needs some streamlining
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
It's very misleading and confusing. The three functions that it does is FF w/harness, HBB, and NBB.