My 5.5 yo is still in a marathon

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jun 30, 2013

• #1

My 5 1/2 year old is still happily riding in her Britax Marathon in my car. She is 41" tall and 33 pounds. She seems to still fit. However, I think I should let her have something else to ride to Kindergarten in? What seats would you recommend for her keeping in mind that she is 5 1/2? Thanks!

 

soph's mom

New member

• Jun 30, 2013

• #2

I would go with a nautilus or one of the new evenflo seats... I think the frontier is probably overkill for her since she's so tiny...

 

tiggercat

New member

• Jun 30, 2013

• #3

The Marathon is outgrown when the tips of her ears are above the top of the seat OR her shoulders are above the top harness slot, OR she reaches the weight limit - whichever happens first.
If she still fits in the Marathon, and she doesn't complain, I see no reason to switch because she is starting school.
If you do want a "big kid" style seat, I'd look at the Britax Frontier 90, or the Graco Nautilus or Argos.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

 

Kel

Well-known member

• Jun 30, 2013

• #4

Hello...Do you have other younger kids to pass seats down to? And how long are you going to keep harnesses?

 

Kac

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Jun 30, 2013

• #5

What's your budget?

 

krasota

Well-known member

• Jun 30, 2013

• #6

If she still fits, there's no need to switch *unless* her seat is expiring soon. And it very well might be, depending on date of manufacture.

My small 6yo is riding in his 2007 Blvd until it expires. He's got a few inches of torso room before he outgrows it, but its time will be up in a couple months. He can buckle and unbuckle himself, he'd just like a cupholder (of course).

Of course, if you want to switch it up just for fun, go for it!

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 1, 2013

• #7

Kac said:

What's your budget?

Click to expand...

Safety is more important than budget.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 1, 2013

• #8

Kel said:

Hello...Do you have other younger kids to pass seats down to? And how long are you going to keep harnesses?

Click to expand...

I do have a 3 yo, but he is almost the same size as my 5 1/2 year old!

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 1, 2013

• #9

Thank you all for your responses. Because she is small, I suppose she should be harnessed for a while. I know she can stay in the marathon for a while, but at some point I will have to buy her a new one anyway. I might as well get her a big girl seat now, or at least be watching for a good deal!
Are the radians still the only narrow ones? Are they as safe as the Britax? Safety is my main concern.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Jul 1, 2013

• #10

Unregistered said:

Safety is more important than budget.

Click to expand...

Unregistered said:

Thank you all for your responses. Because she is small, I suppose she should be harnessed for a while. I know she can stay in the marathon for a while, but at some point I will have to buy her a new one anyway. I might as well get her a big girl seat now, or at least be watching for a good deal!
Are the radians still the only narrow ones? Are they as safe as the Britax? Safety is my main concern.

Click to expand...

There's no need to spend money. She's perfectly safe in the seat she's in, and then when she outgrows it or is ready for a booster she can move to a booster seat. There are several that start at 30 pounds, and no studies showing a harness is better than a booster (or a booster is better than a harness) once she reaches maturity for it, since she's already over the minimum size of boosters.

Wendy

 

O

oddduck

Active member

• Jul 1, 2013

• #11

If it makes you feel better, my DD1 is going into grade 1 in the fall and still rides in her Marathon (maybe 1/2" of harness over her shoulders). She'll be 6 in under a month.

 

E

EALOVE

New member

• Jul 1, 2013

• #12

wendytthomas said:

There's no need to spend money. She's perfectly safe in the seat she's in, and then when she outgrows it or is ready for a booster she can move to a booster seat. There are several that start at 30 pounds, and no studies showing a harness is better than a booster (or a booster is better than a harness) once she reaches maturity for it, since she's already over the minimum size of boosters.

Wendy

Click to expand...

When does the "no better harness/booster" stage begin?

 

tiggercat

New member

• Jul 1, 2013

• #13

EALOVE said:

When does the "no better harness/booster" stage begin?

Click to expand...

When she is mature enough to sit correctly in a booster 100% of the time. So not lean out of position to grab things, bug a sibling, lean sideways, slouch out of position when asleep.

I also think it is important that they be at least 40lb, but that is my Canadian showing

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 7, 2013

• #14

So, if I keep her in her marathon until she outgrows it, she can go in to a regular unharnessed booster at that time and be just as safe? What age do kids typically move into the unharnessed booster seats?

 

Kel

Well-known member

• Jul 7, 2013

• #15

My DD moved into a hbb (high back booster), at just past 5. She knew to stay in position and took it seriously.

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Jul 7, 2013

• #16

Every child is different, but usually kids are okay in boosters when they are between 5 and 6 years old. Some kids are okay at 4, and others aren't ready until closer to 7 or so, but most are okay between 5 and 6.

 

cookie123

New member

• Jul 7, 2013

• #17

If you prefer a 'big kid' harnessed seat, the Evenflo Secure Kid 400 is nice. Matthew my grandson will be 6 in December. He has no complaints. He can buckle and unbuckle okay himself. Or the Maestro might be enough seat for her. It's similar, but with a 50 lbs weight limit.

http://www.toysrus.com/buy/toddlers...0-crawford-booster-car-seat-30811304-12535597

http://www.target.com/p/evenflo-mae...sku=14419202&gclid=CIa5wND5nbgCFdBaMgodQQ4Alg