I just bought a Graco Nautilus for my just 3 year old (but very big and tall) son. My just 5 year old daughter is not much bigger than him and in a seat belt booster. Is it crazy for me to buy her the nautilus too? It has a 5 pt harness for up to 65 lbs. which is why I am considering going backwards with her into the harness again. It is also pretty pricey (about $180) and I already have two boosters. What would you do?
OK, so I just make the quick decision and bought the nautilus for my daughter too. She wanted the pink one (ugh) but if she will love to sit in it, then pink it is! Thanks for all of your help!
it is safest to have her in a 5 point harness...what did you have them in before the booster/nautilus? can she still fit in that? She meets requirements for a booster, but it is not as safe (as long as she fits in the car seat) as the regular car seat.
When it comes to safety, you really can't go backwards. My almost 6 year old is in a Britax that will keep him in a 5 point harness till 80lbs. I purchased it when he was 3.5 and it's still going strong. You might even consider looking into the Britax seats that will carry you even farther for a bit more money.
I'd put her in the Nautilus. You can get them for a bit less at Walmart (I got one when they first came out for like $129, now I think they're $140ish) but also BabiesRUs sometimes does the thing where you can "trade in" a used seat toward your new one... like they give you something like 20% off or something like that
My son is a very tall 4 year old and is in the Nautilus. I have no intention of removing the harness any time soon :-)
Hope this helps.
T.
I HIGHLY recommend keeping your daughter in a 5 point harness too! We bought our daughter a Britax Regent about 6 months ago when she was 4 1/2. It goes up to 80 POUNDS! So, she will be in a 5 point harness till she is big enough for a regular seat belt.
We were hesitant to buy such an expensive car seat for her when we already own a high back booster (we never used it yet...) But after researching we just could NOT skimp when it came to her safety and life. She had outgrown her previous car seat and we wanted one that would last. When our 3 year old son outgrows his, we will be getting him a Britax as well. They are BIG, but so comfortable. Our daughter (and son when he snags a ride if his sister isn't along) LOVE this car seat!
IF she will wear har. ness then it is Def. Worth it. Safety most Important
If the seat belt hits her in the proper position while in the booster, she should be fine. Both of my kids starting using just the booster at age five - unless she is small for her age.
As long as you are able to get her correctly positioned in the seat belts with the regular booster - I use the Graco Turbobooster - then, according to my research regarding car seat safety, that is all you need. I also love the ease of the basic booster.
I have the Safeguard GO Booster for both my kids (3 and 5). They sound like they are rated the same as yours. 5 point harness for up to 6 years or 60lbs, if I can remember...They are around 120.00 and I love them!
It is NOT crazy for you to put her back into a harness if it is rated for her size. Safety first and formost!
No it is not crazy! Chances are you will never have an accident and nothing is ever going to happen to your children...
However, IF you are in an accident there are about a thousand reasons why BOTH of your children are A LOT safer in a harnessed, high back booster.
If can be the difference between life and death (or serious permanent disability).
If you can afford it, go ahead and do it!
Good luck!
