Carseat Booster Seat Questions

[DisneyCowgirl]

I know there are some DISers who know about this, so here's my situation:

I have a 3-1/2 year-old who currently rides in a Britax Roundabout and a 9-month-old who is about to outgrow his infant seat. So I am in the market for a new seat.

Can I put the 3-1/2 year old in a harnessed booster yet (like the Britax Regent or similar)? That would seem to be the most efficient thing for me since then I could turn the Roundabout around to rear-facing and put Baby in it. But I don't want to leave Big Brother in an unsafe position.

One more question--can you safely switch the LATCH straps from one seat to another? The ones on the seats I have slide right out when the seat is not installed. Are they interchangeable on seats designed for LATCH?

 

[liznboys]

We currently have our 3 and 5 yr olds in Britax Marathons and our 7 yr old is in a Husky (which is the older version of the Regent).

You may consider getting a Britax Marathon for your 3.5 yr old. The Regent is a BIG seat and not good for taking naps in. As I said my 5 yr old is in a Marathon and he will still be in it for at least another year, until he is 6. He is tall for his age too. As long as your child doesn't have a particularily long torso it will work for awhile. Then you can pass the Marathon down to your younger one when it's time just like you're doing with the Roundabout.

Here's the Britax website: http://www.britaxusa.com/car-seats

 

[olan719]

Our twins were in the Britax Marathons until age 4 when we upgraded to the Britax Frontiers (these are harnessed boosters). They still use the Marathons in my DH's vehicle, and although they are still more than adequate and meet the size standards, they are more comfortable in the Frontiers. Personally, with your child already being 3 1/2, I would invest in a seat I would use for a very long time. The Frontier can be harnessed up to 80 pounds, and then used with a seat beat until 100 pounds. It is very solid, and I like the side impact protection. Additionally, these seats have a nine year expiration, a good bit longer than most. We've been very happy with our purchase. It is also easier for the girls to climb in and out of on their own. Just do your research....buying a car seat is a very personal choice.

 

[dhardawa]

I'm a car seat tech so this is definitely my area of expertise!

To answer your first question, yes, it would be fine to move him to a harnessed combination seat. I'd recommend looking into a Britax Frontier or a Graco Nautilus. In your case, I wouldn't recommend a Marathon. Here is my reasoning. The Frontier and Nautlius will convert to a booster seat when he has outgrown the harness. They also have a 9 year expiration (the Nautilus has a six year expiration on the harness and a nine year expiration when used as a booster) so this would probably be the last seat he'd need. Then, when the baby outgrows the Roundabout, get him a similar seat (there will be new seats on the market by that time). By doing this, you'll only need to buy two more seats. If you buy a Marathon, you'll have to later buy a booster for your older son and then after that, buy a booster for your younger son so you end up purchasing three seats all together.

To answer the second question, no, LATCH straps are not interchangable between seats.

 

[Erica09M]

I suggest a Graco Nautilus for your 3.5 year old.

And no, do not switch LATCH straps between your children.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I'm a car seat tech so this is definitely my area of expertise!

To answer your first question, yes, it would be fine to move him to a harnessed combination seat. I'd recommend looking into a Britax Frontier or a Graco Nautilus. In your case, I wouldn't recommend a Marathon. Here is my reasoning. The Frontier and Nautlius will convert to a booster seat when he has outgrown the harness. They also have a 9 year expiration (the Nautilus has a six year expiration on the harness and a nine year expiration when used as a booster) so this would probably be the last seat he'd need. Then, when the baby outgrows the Roundabout, get him a similar seat (there will be new seats on the market by that time). By doing this, you'll only need to buy two more seats. If you buy a Marathon, you'll have to later buy a booster for your older son and then after that, buy a booster for your younger son so you end up purchasing three seats all together.

To answer the second question, no, LATCH straps are not interchangable between seats.

I'm a car seat tech too and 100% agree!!! The Frontier or Nautilus would be a great fit for a 3.5 year old. The MA is a great seat but for close to the same price the Frontier or Nautilus would keep him harnessed longer and convert to a booster down the road. It's very possible your 3.5 year has already outgrown the RA by height. Most 3.5 year olds have. If his shoulders are over the top harness slots, then he has outgrown it.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

My DD just turned 3 and is 42 lbs, she is currently in the Nautilus. I decided to get this seat because there are many other threads about car seats/booster seats and it was highly recommended. We have had it about 3 months now and my DD loves it. At 3 she definitely wasn't ready to be out of a 5 point harness but it was extremely hard to find another booster seat that was made for over 40 lbs.

 

[JillCT]

Not a car seat tech, but I'd also recommend a Frontier--not a Marathon. You'd get much longer use out of a Frontier. My 5.5 yo DD just outgrew her Marathon, as her shoulders reached the top strap level. We put her in a Frontier, and so far it has been great--lots of room to grow, converts to a high-back booster, a long time before it expires, etc. Our Roundabout expires next March, so we'll be buying another Frontier for my 3.5 year old before then. (FWIW, one of my 3.5 year olds still easily fits in the Roundabout, the other one is in a Marathon that was passed down from the 5.5 yo because her shoulders were at the top strap height in a Roundabout.)

 

[taymacsmom]

Another vote for the Graco Nautilus. I have it for my just turned 4 year old. The harness can be used til age 6 and the booster until age 9. I will never have to buy another car seat! The price is very reasonable and, with the harness, it is approved for airplane use.