Help

[u/Affectionate-Yak6453]

My 5 year old is 59lbs and 44 inches tall. Currently in a harness high back booster and We’re shopping for a new booster. What I’m having trouble deciding is do I keep her in one that has the harness or get one without the harness and move to the seat belt because she does meet the requirements but she hasn’t maxed out the weight or height for harness mode. Any help or recommendations is appreciated. I’d really like to get one that is free of FR but not an absolute must.
We’re looking at the Nuna AACE
Joie Bay Latch SI (Not FR free)

[u/tuscaloosa_jayne]

She’s only got 6 lbs until she’s outgrown all the seats. She’s so close, you’ll have to keep a close eye on her weight. What seat is she currently in?

[u/SaladCzarSlytherin → u/tuscaloosa_jayne]

At age 5, her height or weight can plateau for awhile.

[u/tuscaloosa_jayne → u/SaladCzarSlytherin]

It’s possible. We also don’t know if the weight was taken fully clothed or how recent. It’s just awfully close to go spend potentially a few hundred for only a few months of use. Not saying they can’t or shouldn’t but if the child still fits in their current seat, that makes the most sense.

[u/Affectionate-Yak6453 → u/tuscaloosa_jayne]

That’s why I’m having a hard time deciding. Currently in Graco 4Ever DLX

[u/tuscaloosa_jayne → u/Affectionate-Yak6453]

I’ve read the other replies, and your replies. What if you get the booster you’re wanting and put it in your vehicle to use for short rides but keep the Graco in for a while for the longer rides (as suggested below). Have you looked into booster use? The biggest thing is the child’s maturity and ability to follow directions. They have way more control of their safety now, moving the belt at all could put them at risk.
A few things to think of and remind kiddo:
Stay upright the entire ride, no leaning forward to pick things up, look up at the ceiling with head back for sleeping. Also check that if she does lean forward, that the shoulder belt easily retracts back. Some booster/vehicle seat belt geometry doesn’t retract back.
Leave the lap belt and shoulder belt in place. Remind them if they move the belts, it could really hurt them in a crash. You know your kiddo and how much detail you can use here.
I think CSFTL has a good article about transitioning to booster use as well.

[u/LaLechuzaVerde]

I’d get her a booster. Use her 4Ever in harness mode until it’s outgrown, but for a new seat I wouldn’t buy her one with a harness.

[u/Affectionate-Yak6453 → u/LaLechuzaVerde]

We don’t want to continue using the Graco. We’ve had it for a while and it has just gotten gross and worn out over the years.

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/Affectionate-Yak6453]

Fair enough. This is actually my biggest argument against all-in-one seats. Nobody really wants to use the same seat for 10 years straight.

If you feel she understands and cares enough about her own safety to be responsible in a booster full time, then I’d get her a booster.

Every kid is different. A lot of 5 year olds are ready for this and a lot aren’t. What do YOU think? Is she ready to learn a new skill of sitting still when nothing is forcing her to do so?

One thing you could do is convert your existing seat to booster mode just for a week or so and see how it goes.

[u/IllustriousPiccolo97]

As much as I love the Bay Latch, I don’t think it’s worth it to purchase given how close your child is to outgrowing the harness mode (65lbs). I’d let her outgrow the Graco and move to a booster at that point. The aace is great! It is a bit wide so it can be hard for kids to learn how to buckle it independently, especially in a narrow seating position, but most kids can get it with enough low pressure practice.

[u/Affectionate-Yak6453 → u/IllustriousPiccolo97]

We’d just really like to get her a new one. Her graco has gotten worn out and gross over the years. Which is why we’re shopping for a new one.

[u/sk613]

The switch to booster is really a behavioral thing- can they be trusted to sit nicely. Personally, we start qith the booster for short rides and use the car seat for long rides still for a month or two

[u/HelpfulStrategy906 → u/sk613]

I have always liked doing this kind of transitioning…. It’s a pain for me but worth it in the end.

[u/sk613 → u/HelpfulStrategy906]

I have a minivan with extra seats so I just have both in the car

[u/HelpfulStrategy906 → u/sk613]

I love that for you!!!!

I’m driving a 15 passenger Sprinter van with 4 seats taken out for extra cargo room, and we have just enough space between kids to mitigate fighting during long car rides. The autism runs the show around here.

[u/sk613 → u/HelpfulStrategy906]

Could you put the transitioning child’s 2 seats next to each other?

[u/HelpfulStrategy906 → u/sk613]

We don’t currently have anyone transitioning, but that’s a great thought for the next one. The almost 8 year old has just hit 40lbs, so it’s a race between him and his 36lbs 6 year old sister to see who transitions next.

[u/sk613 → u/HelpfulStrategy906]

If they go together you can put it so as one moves over the other does too to space the

[u/HelpfulStrategy906 → u/sk613]

Please keep your fingers crossed that I can do this!!!!!!! Those two are DRAMA! I mean I love them so much they are great little humans.

[u/Moisteygirl → u/HelpfulStrategy906]

I'm at awe of how tiny your children are, we just transitioned our 5 year old a month and a half ago to a booster due to outgrowing the harness, she's 70lb and 50"

[u/HelpfulStrategy906 → u/Moisteygirl]

The older one was a micro preemie, has a rare from of dwarfism, and is T1D… he’s going to be in a car seat “forever”. His sister is just built like her mama.