Portable 5pt carseat for 6yo?

[MNdisneymom]

You are not supposed to use LATCH past 40lbs.

http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html

Thanks for the info...I checked the Nautilus manual online and it said to 48 pounds...DS is right around 45 lbs. , he's a skinny guy. I'm going to check the car manual in the morning and see what it says too. It's been so long since I've installed a carseat without LATCH...but if that's what I have to do, that's okay.

 

[badblackpug]

Wow, I didn't know that these days you stayed in a booster that long! I know I was in a booster by about 5 or so, I distinctly remember just sitting in a regular seat in first grade and onward. I didn't break 48lbs until I was in 4th grade and hit a huge growth spurt!

Here the car seat laws are 8 years old or 80 lbs. Of course, there aren't even seat belts on school buses.......

 

[cuppycake]

You are not supposed to use LATCH past 40lbs.

http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html

It's not LATCH that makes the determination. You can absolutely use certain (quite a few!) carseats to harness a child waaay past 40 pounds, and not use LATCH to install the seat.

Car seat laws are a minimum standard. They aren't necessarily what is safest, but rather what is "allowed by law". It's a personal decision to be sure, but I'm proud to say that my 4 year old, 40 pound child is still harnessed in a Graco Nautilus and will be for quite a while.

As for the use of a booster for a young/Lightweight child, there are so many inexpensive highback boosters out there that will protect them much more than a backless variety. It's worth doing some research to find out what you're comfortable with. It's sad that better information isn't out there for the public to see!!

To the OP....I agree with the others who have said that a booster seat would work at his age/weight IF you are sure that he can sit in it properly. Best of luck

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Car seat laws are a minimum standard. They aren't necessarily what is safest, but rather what is "allowed by law". It's a personal decision to be sure, but I'm proud to say that my 4 year old, 40 pound child is still harnessed in a Graco Nautilus and will be for quite a while.
QUOTE]

Another person here who LOVES the Nautilus! DD is 3.9 yo/39 pounds. She still fit in her Marathon, but one more growth spurt and her shoulders would be too high for the harness slots, plus since it has a thick base on the bottom (recline pivot for rear-facing infants), she sat so high and had little leg room in the car. I scored a Nautilus on clearance at Target for 50% off since they changed them from grey to brown! Now in the Nautilus she can still take naps w/o falling forward, she loves the cup holder and she sits much lower giving her normal legroom... plus she is still in a 5 point harness! For travel we gate-check the Cosco high-back booster (can 5 pt to 40 pounds) and as a spare/emergency seat we have the Graco Highback booster. She does well in the highback, but honestly I feel she is so much safer in the Nautilus. In time when I feel she is ready for a backless booster both Graco seats we own will convert to backless so we don't need to buy anymore seats!

 

[pooh4evr]

Just a dumb question but in your original post you said you wer looking for something to use in a taxi also - if you take a big harness carseat what are you going to do with it once you get to the parks? - are the lockers big enough to hold that? Just wondering - good luck!

 

[tigger1972]

Annacali - I like the Safeguard go option (though of course it is alot pricier than a simple backless booster). One thing I'm worried about is that when our in-laws pick us up from the airport, DS6 will need to sit in the backseat of their Lexus SUV (they have whatever the smallest model is) along with 2 other adults. One adult will be MIL - small, 5'1" prob. 105 lbs, but the other adult back there will either be me (normally 5'1", 110, but I'll be 28 wks pregnant!!) or DH (5'10", 190).

So while I like the safety of some of the other hard-shelled 5pt foldable carseats, I'm just afraid we all won't fit back there, esp if we also end up in a taxi during the trip.

Is the Safeguard Go soft and flexible enough to fit back there with 2 other adults? Would you put DS in the middle or on one side? Are the harness slots and crotch slots bid enough to fit an average-sized 45 lb 6 yo?

Looks like it's basically coming down to three choices:
1)Safeguard Go - if it fits, looks like it might be the safest portable choice?

2)Vest - maybe 2nd safest but looks kinda funny to wear. Anyone have experience with these?

3)Backless booster - cheapest, easiest solution. I'm kinda leaning towards this one still, but then I have the awful thought of us all getting in a roll-over accident on the way to the resort. I guess I'm one of those over-worriers.

Thanks for all the great responses, and I still welcome any more advice!!

 

[annacali]

The Safeguard Go doesn't take up any more room than a backless booster. The bottom basically is a backless booster, the back is soft and fits against the back of the car seat flush an the headrest is narrower than the bottom (and fist inside the bottom when it is folded). My mom had 2 of the Safeguard Seats and one rearfacing Evenflo convertible carseat 3 across in her Buick LeSabre at one point when she was watching my two plus a great niece. It was a tight fit but it worked.

As far as the size my DDs are both 42-44 lbs and my tallest is 44.5 inches and she has plenty of room to move the straps up and the crotch strap is plenty long enough. Everything adjusts just by a simple push button (no threading and rethreading) so it is REALLY easy! As far as where...you have to have the LATCH anchors and top tether to install so where ever you have those (usually not the middle) you are good to go.

Yes, the SafeGuard is a bit pricier...but it gets great reviews as a backless booster with the seatbelt adjuster clip too, so once your child does get to that point, it is a backless booster to 100 lbs. I have seen them as low as $125 with free shipping if you aren't picky about color. I would have been happy with ours if we had just used them for travel and felt they were worth the price, but I liked them so well I tossed a 3 in 1 Eddie Bauer seat and an Evenflo seat that were in my mom's car in favor of these after our first trip with them!

 

[ccudmore]

Airtran does not charge for checking a stroller or car seat. It's a freebie. At least according to their policies published on their web site.

 

[heldysgirls]

I have twin daughters that are 6.5 and they are still harnessed. One is 40 lbs and the other is 38 lbs. I have the Sunshine Kids Radian. My DS who is 3 is also in a Radian. I love my Radian's! They are a dream to install however we will not be taking my daughter's Radian's with us in November. I am taking my son's Radian and I will have a newborn in a Chicoo keyfit. If I weren't lugging those two car seats I would have brought them. My DH didn't want to lug three Radian's through the airport. They do fold up nicely and very slender.

My daughter's have two Recaro booster seats (can't post links). They are slim like the Radian's plus are highly recommended on the car seat.org board. I bought them online for $60. I have been doing some booster training also with my girls for short trips. I will be gate checking the boosters since we will be renting a car to visit the beach one day. I'm not personally comfortable with a backless booster for my girls but they are smaller. Sorry, again I can't post links but at walmart.com there is a Cosco booster car seat for $19.88. If you are looking at a more economical high back booster. I thought about getting one for a back up to use for travel. It seems light weight.

I've heard good things about the safe rider vest also. But for two of those I can't justify the cost for us. That would work better in a taxi than lugging around booster/car seats. Good luck with your decision and good for you for keeping your son harnessed longer. I get so much flack for keeping mine harnessed.

 

[tara32]

i would definitely use the backless booster.100%.

 

[jessica52877]

I am so surprised at all the recommendations for a backless booster. I would not go that route at all but it is a personal decision I guess. They might be recommended for 4 and 40 lbs but it is much safer to keep your child harnessed for as long as possible.

I would recommend the Graco Nautilus! DS is 6 1/2 and weighs about 49 lbs and 49 inches tall. We have no issues with it on the plane. He'll actually still sit in it on the airplane (just know where the FAA approved sticker is - on the bottom of ours). It is easy to install so far in all the cars I have tried. I have never once had the airline question my decision to bring it on the plane and I didn't even buy it until after he weighed 40 lbs.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Use whatever carseat you like but if you (a general you) are going to put your 6 year old on a plane in a carseat then please be mindful of their feet. The person in front of them will not like getting kicked the entire ride.

OP- I think a booster seat would be fine. Good luck making your decision and have a great trip.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am so surprised at all the recommendations for a backless booster. I would not go that route at all but it is a personal decision I guess. They might be recommended for 4 and 40 lbs but it is much safer to keep your child harnessed for as long as possible.

I would recommend the Graco Nautilus! DS is 6 1/2 and weighs about 49 lbs and 49 inches tall. We have no issues with it on the plane. He'll actually still sit in it on the airplane (just know where the FAA approved sticker is - on the bottom of ours). It is easy to install so far in all the cars I have tried. I have never once had the airline question my decision to bring it on the plane and I didn't even buy it until after he weighed 40 lbs.

I really don't know why you are surprised - the OP was looking for a seat that will probably be used less than 6 times, not something she is going to use on a daily basis. Backless boosters are approved for children over 40 pounds, and the OP's child is closer to 50. Sometimes, as parents, we have to make some adjustments due to circumstances (my 2 oldest were in boosters at 4 and 6 because, at that time, I had to fit 3 other carseats in the van). Her child is 6, and it's not like she's suggesting going without.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Another CPST here ~ I understand your dilemma. I'm a little sad that DD has outgrown her travel seat ~ Cosco Scenera, such a light seat. I really don't want to drag her main seat (Britax Wizard) around with us, especially since we'll only use Disney transportation once we get off the plane. I'm looking at renting a CARES harness for the plane (up to 44 lbs) ~ I'd love to purchase a Nautilus ~ but we don't really need it, I have too many seats already - DS9 is still in a 5 point harness seat (Britax Husky) although he's almost too heavy for it. For your son I would purchase a backless booster for the trip ~ can he sit in the middle (would the vehicles have a lap/shoulder belt ~ would he have a head rest/does the seat back come up high enough for him?)

I highly recommend www.car-seat.org for anyone who has child passenger safety ?'s.

 

[liznboys]

Another CPST here ~ I understand your dilemma. I'm a little sad that DD has outgrown her travel seat ~ Cosco Scenera, such a light seat. I really don't want to drag her main seat (Britax Wizard) around with us, especially since we'll only use Disney transportation once we get off the plane. I'm looking at renting a CARES harness for the plane (up to 44 lbs) ~ I'd love to purchase a Nautilus ~ but we don't really need it, I have too many seats already - DS9 is still in a 5 point harness seat (Britax Husky) although he's almost too heavy for it. For your son I would purchase a backless booster for the trip ~ can he sit in the middle (would the vehicles have a lap/shoulder belt ~ would he have a head rest/does the seat back come up high enough for him?)

I highly recommend www.car-seat.org for anyone who has child passenger safety ?'s.

It's really nice to see another mom who kept her son harnessed at that age. My oldest is 9 and was in his Husky until late last year. My 7 yr old is still in his Husky. I would keep them harnessed even longer if I could. Heck, I'd use a 5 pt harness myself if they made them! lol Will your son go to the actual vehicle seat/belt after he stops using the Husky?

We used the Sceneras for travelling (when flying) too, they were great. It would be nice if the size limits were higher, for the OP's use and others.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hi ~

I don't really know what I'll do with him once he outgrows the Husky - it is useable till just past his 10th B~day (I'm sure you're aware child safety seats have an "expiration" date) ~ he certainly will be too big for it by then. It'll depend on the vehicle (will he be able to pass the 5 step test?? http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm) he's in but I figure he'll use a backless booster for awhile. Heck DD was rear facing till just before her 4th B~day!

It's really nice to see another mom who kept her son harnessed at that age. My oldest is 9 and was in his Husky until late last year. My 7 yr old is still in his Husky. I would keep them harnessed even longer if I could. Heck, I'd use a 5 pt harness myself if they made them! lol Will your son go to the actual vehicle seat/belt after he stops using the Husky?
We used the Sceneras for travelling (when flying) too, they were great. It would be nice if the size limits were higher, for the OP's use and others.

 

[Cedarmom]

A backless booster, when used with a headrest and a lap/shoulder belt, for a child of that weight and age, is a perfectly safe option as long as he sits correctly. Is it the safest? No. Is it a good solution for this particular situation where there is limited car usage and portability is a factor? Yes.

FTR, I would not have the same recommendation for a 4 year old of the same size...

My 6.5 year old is harnessed at home--he's got a Regent. If we take him a seat, we'll take him a backless booster. He's mature enough to sit correctly and he weighs 48 lbs (now--I'm sure he'll gain b/w now and December). I've seen all of the crash tests. I know the risks and statistics, and I'm comfortable with it for my family. One of my personal rules as a tech is never to recommend something for someone else that I wouldn't do with my own kids.

DisMom81--I just turned my 3 yo around this summer. I got tired of weighing him every day to see if he had hit the limit yet.

 

[momma_mouse]

Thanks for the info...I checked the Nautilus manual online and it said to 48 pounds...DS is right around 45 lbs. , he's a skinny guy. I'm going to check the car manual in the morning and see what it says too. It's been so long since I've installed a carseat without LATCH...but if that's what I have to do, that's okay.

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet or not as I have not read all of the replies but please check your vehicle's manual as well. You have to read both manuals to make sure seats are installed correctly. Every vehicle has different safety features. I know when I talked to a tech she said she never reccomends using LATCH past 40 pounds.