What is you favorite/safest booster seat?

[lpoeppelman]

I need to purchase a booster seat for my 4 year old. He's currently in a Britax, but he will soon be moving to the back seat of the van with the older boys-- so I will use the Britax for the new baby.

I was wondering if you have any suggestions on what type you like the best? I'd love to have something on the sides (like Britax) for him to rest his head on... but it isn't a requirement.

Thanks!

 

[kmgt]

I've been doing research too because my Britax seats are about to expire.

The two best I've come up with are the Britax Frontier and the Graco Nautilus. I've been a britax mom since my oldest was big enough for a convertable, but I actaully think I'm gonna go with the Nautilus. They are very comparable and I don't think I'll get anything more out of the Frontier than I would out of the Nauti, and the front. is more expensive. The Nauti is easier to install. However, if you're worried about head slump, I've heard frontier is better for that.

You really gotta pick what's best for your child and your vehicle though.

 

[CarpeDisney]

We also have a Britax Frontier for our 3 year old, and love how secure it is.

When it comes to these types of purchases, I much rather prefer some testing/data over word of mouth.

I found the study conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety tremendously helpful in my purchase of a booster seat. Here is a link to that study. The main page has links to best bets (the Britax Frontier is included in this list), as well as those models not recommended.

http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters/default.html

I hope this helps. As parents know.....this purchase, and the implications of our decisions, are so important.

 

[Erica09M]

The Graco Nautilus and the Britax Frontier are great options so you can keep your child harnessed for another 1-2 years before converting the seat to a high back booster We own 3 of Graco Nautilus seats for my 4 year old, and we love them! Very comfortable, easy to install and use, and the price is great Both have headwings, like you mentioned you liked

Are you planning on using the Britax convertible from birth with your newest little one, or are you going to be using an infant carrier first? I highly recommend an infant carrier because Britax convertibles are not compatible for newborns. I know that they are rated from 5 pounds, but the lowest harness slot is way too high for it to be at or below the shoulders for the majority of newborns. Most babies don't fit properly in Britax convertible seats until they're a few months old. I've seen 10+ pound, 22 inch newborns not fit in a Britax convertible seat.

 

[Swimalie]

We just bought a new seat for our 4 year old. He was in the Boulevard but was outgrowing it in height. We considered the Nautilus as well as the Frontier but went with the Frontier because the straps go higher on the Frontier. It's only about 3/4 of an inch but when you are talking about keeping them in the 5-pt harness, that 3/4 of an inch can mean a lot in keeping them in there longer. Weight means a lot but chances are, most kids out grow their seats in height so height is what most people need to look at more.

 

[LONES]

We just bought a new seat for our 4 year old. He was in the Boulevard but was outgrowing it in height. We considered the Nautilus as well as the Frontier but went with the Frontier because the straps go higher on the Frontier. It's only about 3/4 of an inch but when you are talking about keeping them in the 5-pt harness, that 3/4 of an inch can mean a lot in keeping them in there longer. Weight means a lot but chances are, most kids out grow their seats in height so height is what most people need to look at more.

This is a really good point, and definitely something to consider. We bought a new carseat when our daughter was 4 1/2, and we opted for the Graco Nautilus because our daughter is pretty short. I figured we have a really long time before she would possible outgrow it height-wise. If she were tall for her age, I probably would have considered the extra money for the Frontier.

We have been very happy with the Graco Nautilus!

 

[mamaLori05]

We have the Britax Parkway SG booster for my 4.5 yr old. It has the sides like the other Britax's, and also has a little clip inbetween her legs to make sure the bottom belt is in the correct place. Also prevents her from slipping through the bottom in a crash. (the Britax parkway SG is the only one that has this that I am aware of) We are VERY happy with it. She doesn't flop forward when she falls asleep like she did in other boosters. Plus it's Britax quality, which I love!

We purchased ours at USA baby for about $100. Babies R us doesn't carry them in store, but online they do. Amazon also carries them.

 

[mamaLori05]

editing. realized I just switched it around. I appologize. Wasn't thinking correctly when I posted.

 

[soonerfan2008]

Just and FYI- When infants are rear facing, the seat belt is supposed to be ABOVE the shoulders, not below! The seat belt is not supposed to be at or below the shoulders until the child is forward facing.

NOOOOO!!! Rear-facing infants must have straps AT or BELOW their shoulders! Forward facing children must have straps at or above their shoulders. Please don't pass on incorrect information on such an important, safety-related subject!


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

 

[mamaLori05]

NOOOOO!!! Rear-facing infants must have straps AT or BELOW their shoulders! Forward facing children must have straps at or above their shoulders. Please don't pass on incorrect information on such an important, safety-related subject!


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

see post above. realized I made a mistake as soon as I posted so I deleted it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you're asking about the "safest", I'd say forget the booster seat and get a Nautilus, to keep him in the safer 5 point harness for longer.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Since you're asking about the "safest", I'd say forget the booster seat and get a Nautilus, to keep him in the safer 5 point harness for longer.

My sentiments exactly.

4 year olds are generally not mature enough to sit properly in a booster, I'd keep him harnessed if at all possible.

 

[Erica09M]

We just bought a new seat for our 4 year old. He was in the Boulevard but was outgrowing it in height. We considered the Nautilus as well as the Frontier but went with the Frontier because the straps go higher on the Frontier. It's only about 3/4 of an inch but when you are talking about keeping them in the 5-pt harness, that 3/4 of an inch can mean a lot in keeping them in there longer. Weight means a lot but chances are, most kids out grow their seats in height so height is what most people need to look at more.

The difference between the top harness slot of the Nautilus and the Froniter is about .25" not .75". But the new Frontier 85 that is being released actually has a top harness slot almost 2 inches higher than both the Nautilus and the regular Frontier. Also, most of the time the Frontier is reported as having lower slots than the Nautilus since the Frontier tends to lose some height when installed and the Nautilus tends to gain some height when installed. (it really depends on the vehicle, and depends on if the person who measures compresses the seat cover like a child would when sitting in it) Either way, they're both great seats and you really can't go wrong with either one

Also, the Frontier's belt guide for the shoulder belt (when used in booster mode) does adjust higher up than that of the Nautilus.

 

[micheleq]

Just got two Graco Nautilus' for my DDs; one is almost five, the other almost three. They each weigh about 32 pounds, so they are still harnessed. They love them! These convert to high back boosters, then backless boosters so I am hoping these are the last seats they will need.

I'm sure Bren's Mom will chime in here at some point -- she's a car seat tech and gave me great advice

 

[sydneysmom]

we bought the Britax Froniter and love it. it's nice because this booster seat "grows" w/ her... you can raise up the head rest area. it's got cup holders on each side and it's got nice cushion. but you also feel like it's totally SOLID.

 

[kcc]

We have the Radian 80 by Sunshine Kids. It is convertible for rear-facing children 5 - 45 lbs and forward-facing children 20 - 80 lbs in a 5-point harness. The new Radian uses LATCH system up to the 80 pounds - so you don't even have to use the seat belt (I think this is the only carseat with this capacity) but you can if you want. Radian fits three-across in a mid-size car and it folds flat for convenient travel and storage. This may be a good fit for your 4 yo, 2yo and one on the way. We used the Britax prior to purchasing the Radian 2 years ago and couldn't be happier with the Radian - one of our best buys.

 

[Davids-Coco]

You said safest... so look at harness seats. We love our Frontiers. Nautilus gets good ratings too. I love the radians as well, but it does not grow to a booster if that is a concern.

The new Radian uses LATCH system up to the 80 pounds - so you don't even have to use the seat belt (I think this is the only carseat with this capacity) but you can if you want.

Keep in mind that you can ONLY latch to 80 if your car allows latching until 80. Honda, for instance, only allows you to use latch (not tether, but lower anchors) till 40 lbs. So check your car too!!

 

[lpoeppelman]

Are you planning on using the Britax convertible from birth with your newest little one, or are you going to be using an infant carrier first? I highly recommend an infant carrier because Britax convertibles are not compatible for newborns. I know that they are rated from 5 pounds, but the lowest harness slot is way too high for it to be at or below the shoulders for the majority of newborns. Most babies don't fit properly in Britax convertible seats until they're a few months old. I've seen 10+ pound, 22 inch newborns not fit in a Britax convertible seat.

No, I don't plan on using the convertible until she is actually too big for the infant carrier. Which they always seem to grow out of quickly in my experience.

But, I need to get something else now for the back seat for my 4 year old because our current Britax is sooooo heavy and difficult for my 4 year old to buckle. Which is something I will need him to try to do on his own - since he will be in the back seat. He's actually 4 1/2 and should be able to get himself in... or at least that is what I am hoping for!

 

[lpoeppelman]

Wow! What great advice!

You've all given me so much to think about and learn about. I shamefully admit some of these things I did not know. I am so glad I posted!

We will go with a 5-point harness for sure. I do hope he will be able to do it himself eventually (correctly, that is).

Please keep the advice coming... I really appreciate your comments.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We will go with a 5-point harness for sure. I do hope he will be able to do it himself eventually (correctly, that is).

Go with a Graco Nautilus then. My son is 4.5 and has no problem buckling and unbuckling his Nautilus on his own. The only thing I have to do is reach back and pull the harness adjustor strap to be sure it's properly snugged up.