Question Please help, I'm going crazy trying to figure this out! (booster for short/chubby boy)

CrazySingleMom · Jun 7, 2013

Ok ... I've looked ... and looked ... and tried searching the forums here .. I'm losing my mind!

Here is my problem , I have a child who is short for his age (11yr old) but hes also chubby. I had to replace my vehicle (my caravan got stolen!) and ended up buying a ford escort wagon.
Well I didn't even think about car seats, both my younger two boys just had nb boosters in the van.

I was able to easily find my youngest (skinny 9yr old) a hb booster he loves. (Harmony Defender 360)

Now in the escort my middle boy (the 11yr old) also needs a hb booster (no headrests in the rear) but I'm having a very hard time figuring out which one!

Any suggestions? ... he weighs 88lbs , and is about 53" tall, but his torso is short (sitting shoulder height is 19.5) so the seatbelt doesn't hit him right!
I've looked at a few, but they don't seem wide enough at his shoulders (he is about 12.5" across shoulders measureing from the back).

I thought I had this figured out earlier, then read that the Monterey isn't to be used without a headrest!! ... so even though that one looks best to fit HIM its out of the question?

To further complicate matters, he is special needs (Moderate Mental Retardation) so acts pretty much like a 5yr old a LOT. If I could figure out how to harness him I would! LOL!!

So, any advice or suggestions would be great. I'd like to avoid needing to come up with more then $100-$150 or so. But I could if I really need to.

TIA!
~Rachel

bbartlettnfld · Jun 8, 2013

I didn't read your whole post so I am not sure what you have tried. But my first recommendation for a chubby kid is the Diono Monteray. I have one for my 70lbs 5 yr old so I feel like I know all about short and chubby!

Its wide but hugs my chubby boy very well, it gives a great belt fit, and no wiggle room on my boy. It adjusts tall too.

Hope that helps.

BethAnn

EDIT: Oh I see you have no headrests...hmmm the Monteray requires Vehicle head support... Well that's all I've got... Sorry

CrazySingleMom · Jun 8, 2013

BethAnn,

Thanks for trying anyway

If I had vehicle headrests this would not be a problem , cause I would just get him a nbb ... lol

I think I've decided to try a Britax Parkway SG ... anyone else use one with a chubby child? Anyone know where I could have him try one out in the OKC area?

Thanks!!!
~Rachel

nannykates · Jun 8, 2013

The new parkway looks more monterry shape. And has the secureguard clip to help. Have you tried the turbo with safety surround? I dont know if he is short enough for that. Frontier 80 would probably be the best choice because its so tall and wide, but you'd have to hunt one down.

CrazySingleMom · Jun 9, 2013

nannykates said:
The new parkway looks more monterry shape. And has the secureguard clip to help. Have you tried the turbo with safety surround? I dont know if he is short enough for that. Frontier 80 would probably be the best choice because its so tall and wide, but you'd have to hunt one down.

I havn't tried anything yet, Since I do not work, and the boys are homeschooled I only go out once or twice a week. I am planning to get a Parkway SG (prob will order tonight or in the morning) to try if no one else could suggest something better. It looks like it would work. At his age, and since my youngest is 9 and in a seat that will last him for awhile (maybe til he 5 steps even) I'm trying to stay cheap so a straight booster is all I need. I'm also looking at top weight, and the Parkway is the highest at 120, since hes already 88 I don't want him to weight out before he 5 steps!
I think the Frontier is just way more of a seat then I need at this point, with no one here to pass it down too. Also I really would prefer a seat that has a removable back to be more verstile for if and when I get a different vehicle too. (and to be able to send with him if he needs to ride in other cars)

Thanks for the thoughts!!
~Rachel

MommyShannon · Jun 9, 2013

We have Parkways and they don't seem that wide to me. Given his maturity level and lack of headrests, I'd get a Frontier 85. Its a combo seat and he has outgrown the harness, but it is wide and the tallest booster you can get. The newer version (90) isn't quite as tall as a booster. Hopefully you could find a good deal on the 85. It will last him longer than anything else and it could be handed down later. AND you can buy the Secure Guard clip to use with it just like the Parkway.

tiggercat · Jun 9, 2013

The parkway is a nice seat, but I don't know how comfortable it would be for him.
This is my turning 8yo, 53in, 63lb daughter in a parkway, for comparison. It fits her nicely, but I wouldn't call it particularly roomy.
Whoops wrong pic, lets try again

(Note, she isn't using the SG in these pics, it doesn't work well with dresses! She does normally prefer to use it)
Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

CrazySingleMom · Jun 9, 2013

tiggercat said:
The parkway is a nice seat, but I don't know how comfortable it would be for him.
This is my turning 8yo, 53in, 63lb daughter in a parkway, for comparison. It fits her nicely, but I wouldn't call it particularly roomy.
......

Thanks for posting pictures! That does help, Is your Parkway (SG?) there in the picture the same as whats being sold now on Amazon?
Can I ask what size shirts she wears? would help me get a feel for how big she is

We have Parkways and they don't seem that wide to me. Given his maturity level and lack of headrests, I'd get a Frontier 85. Its a combo seat and he has outgrown the harness, but it is wide and the tallest booster you can get. The newer version (90) isn't quite as tall as a booster. Hopefully you could find a good deal on the 85. It will last him longer than anything else and it could be handed down later. AND you can buy the Secure Guard clip to use with it just like the Parkway.

I don't have any youngers to pass it down , my youngest is thin and I just bought him a seat (see OP) ... and would prefer to be able to remove the back if needed ... are your Parkways the newest ones? .. I'm getting confused about all the different ones that seem to be out there!
Unfortunatly I do not have time to search for "a deal" on a used seat, this child needs one asap. That said, what is the weight/height limits on the old Frontier 80/85 ? One thing I really like about the Parkway SG is they are rated up to 120 lbs.

Thanks everyone!!
~Rachel

nannykates · Jun 9, 2013

The frontier 80 had no weight limit just a standing height limit and a veryyy generous tallest belt guide. Thr frontier 85 is 120lbs I believe the same standing height limit and a few less inches at the belt guide (the 80s height was un necissary I'm 5'5" and could sit in it).

Eta- I keep forgetting the 85s are dropping in price! Look in store for one of those.

MommyShannon · Jun 9, 2013

I wouldn't buy a used seat, but the 85's price has been dropping b/c of the newer model out. There is a new Parkway coming out but its not available yet. The current SG and SGL have top guides at 21.5". The Frontier 85 goes to 23.5" and also goes to 120lbs. It doesn't become backless, but without headrests and if he has a lack of impulse control like a 5 year old, I'd want a high back as long as possible. I think it'd be more comfortable too.

nannykates · Jun 9, 2013

Just saw the torso height and he shoukd have a little room in the turbo with safety surround so you could do that (in store at target) while you look for a longer term solution (used fr80 or new parkway). When you find the better solution you can sell the turbo or keep it as a spare.

CrazySingleMom · Jun 9, 2013

Hmm ... lots to think about ... Thanks for reminding me to look at Target! .. this is the first time I've lived near one so I keep forgetting about them!
I have one close I can check out, let him sit in a few (hopefully) and see what we think.
I'm not as worried about him getting too tall as him getting too heavy, He grows slowly, and has been short torso'd for most of his life!

Once again in respect to a Frontier , I have no desire or need to have that much of a seat for him. I'm hopeing this will be the LAST carseat (barring a crash or theft of course) I will EVER need to buy!
My youngest already got a 3 stage (not that he will weight out any seat hes skinny skinny skinny!) and hes only 54lbs at 9 and is 52" tall ... these two boys are built VERY differently!

I'm ok with waiting a few days to have one shipped (like from amazon) so unless someone knows of a place to test/buy Britax (the Parkway SG) in OKC ?

If I get the Parkway and for some reason it doesn't work out then I may consider a 3 stage, but for now I can't see spending that much for a seat that I don't need half of (harness and such).

I wish I could wait until the newest round of seats come out, but I really can't afford to buy one now "to make do" and replace it again within the next few months!

Thanks again for the comments, I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to offer help

~Rachel

MommyShannon · Jun 9, 2013

I've found boosters to be the hardest yet. Definitely go try some, but with a 19.5" torso, its short for his age, but too tall for lots of high back boosters. The stats show the turbos are between 19-20" so he has either outgrown them or is close. He has 1" left in the parkway which if he grows slowly, may last long enough until you have a car with headrests.

CrazySingleMom · Jun 9, 2013

MommyShannon said:
I've found boosters to be the hardest yet. Definitely go try some, but with a 19.5" torso, its short for his age, but too tall for lots of high back boosters. The stats show the turbos are between 19-20" so he has either outgrown them or is close. He has 1" left in the parkway which if he grows slowly, may last long enough until you have a car with headrests.

Its been years since I have shopped for carseats, and its certainly been harder to find THIS child a hbb then any other seat I've shopped for!
Parkway SG is rated to 21.5 shoulder height according to Britax's website .. so that should actually give him about 2" of grow room. Hope that will get him to where he can 5 step!!

In fact I'm seeing (from doing all this research now) that I probally should have been paying more attention in the last couple years and had both boys in HBBs all along, but since I can't change the past I will just move on!

Thanks again!
~Rachel

MommyShannon · Jun 9, 2013

Gah, that's what I get for posting with insomnia. Yes, 2". I'd just order from somewhere with free returns if you can't find it in a store.

CrazySingleMom · Jun 9, 2013

MommyShannon said:
Gah, that's what I get for posting with insomnia. Yes, 2". I'd just order from somewhere with free returns if you can't find it in a store.

Its quite alright ... been there done that!
I had to go double check myself

The plan is to order from Amazon ($79.99 & free sh) unless someone knows a place to get it cheaper? .. so returning it if needed shouldn't be any problem.

I can't seem to find anywhere that sells them and carries them instore. Target & Khols have them on their websites, but don't stock them instore

Thanks,
~Rachel

nannykates · Jun 10, 2013

Buybuybaby has them in store. Thats the only chain I've seen them at.

lmiranda8681 · Jun 10, 2013

nobetterdeal.com has the frontier 85 SICT for $178.99..there's also a parkway sgl for 78.99, but like others mentioned it's not a very wide booster, it's about the size of the regular graco turbo booster. I have 1 for my 45lb. 7 year old.

lmiranda8681 · Jun 10, 2013

the recaro brobooster may be wider in the shoulders for him. there's one of those on that site also for $86.99. I would probably try that over the parkway.

CrazySingleMom · Jun 10, 2013

nannykates said:
Buybuybaby has them in store. Thats the only chain I've seen them at.

Thanks! , unfortunatly it seems the nearest buybuy baby to me is in Tulsa, so that really doesn't help much.

lmiranda8681 :
We looked at the Probooster, but it doesn't have the seatbelt latch/guard, or cupholders so decided to go with a Parkway SG instead. I think if the Parkway doesn't work out I may try the Probooster anyway.

Thanks!
~Rachel

Question Please help, I'm going crazy trying to figure this out! (booster for short/chubby boy)

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics