Ok to move into Booster Seat?

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evansmom

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #1

My son turned 6 years old in January. He weights 51.5 lbs. and is 48 inches tall. Is it safe to move him into a booster seat? I have a Britax Frontier in one car and a Graco Nautilus in our other car and I know he can be kept harnessed longer in these seats, but can he safely be moved to the highback booster on these seats?

Thanks!

 

Last edited: May 31, 2014

MommyShannon

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #2

Besides fitting well, a child must be mature enough to sit properly 100% of the time. If he is mature enough to not move the belt, lean forward, slouch, etc; then he is ready. Since he hasn't outgrown the harnesses, he has a better chance of fitting the nautilus as a booster. You can post a pic of him in it here for techs to evaluate the fit. The Frontier especially has a tendency to not let the belt move well when the headrest is still lower.

 

aeormsby

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #3

For his size and age he is fine in a booster. Just make sure he understands that he needs to stay seated properly so the seatbelt stays positioned correctly. Most kids do fine with that by age 6.

 

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evansmom

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #4

Thanks.. Do we still use the tether for the highback booster? I have no idea how to change the seat, as I have not yet read the manual..

 

cookie123

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #5

I'm not sure about the tether. Someone will answer! But do read the manual.

Here's a link that helps with booster fit. Feel free to post a photo or 2 and we will help you evaluate fit.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/child-boosters

 

Baylor

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #6

evansmom said:

Thanks.. Do we still use the tether for the highback booster? I have no idea how to change the seat, as I have not yet read the manual..

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I don't know about the FR but in the Nautilus yes. You can use the entire LATCH system to keep seat secured when not in use. Latch holds the seat, Belt holds the child.

 

2BunniesMommy

Well-known member

• May 31, 2014

• #7

evansmom said:

Thanks.. Do we still use the tether for the highback booster? I have no idea how to change the seat, as I have not yet read the manual..

Click to expand...

You can use the tether in booster mode, but it is not required.

 

MommyShannon

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #8

You also don't tighten the LATCH as tightly as a normal install. Just remove the slack.
Read the manuals. The nautilus is a little tricky to remove the harness. The Frontier 85 requires the block on the bottom to be flipped to the back in booster mode.

 

Baylor

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #9

MommyShannon said:

You also don't tighten the LATCH as tightly as a normal install. Just remove the slack.
Read the manuals. The nautilus is a little tricky to remove the harness. The Frontier 85 requires the block on the bottom to be flipped to the back in booster mode.

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That is not what they told me when I called to ask Graco. They told me to install just like I would the car seat and then just use the belt.

 

MommyShannon

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #10

Baylor said:

That is not what they told me when I called to ask Graco. They told me to install just like I would the car seat and then just use the belt.

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Hm, I had read on here that not being as tight ok and possibly better. I didn't talk to Graco though.

 

Baylor

New member

• May 31, 2014

• #11

I emailed them to confirm it was okay after I got the last Nautilus because it did not state it in the Manual. I think I still have the email. I will look for it.. Just to make sure I read it right.

 

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Athena

Well-known member

• Jun 4, 2014

• #12

One thing to keep in mind is that those seats often don't fit well in booster mode until the child is close to outgrowing the harness. That'w what I've read and experienced. At 48", I'd guess he's close to outgrowing the Nauti harness anyway, but with both, I'd make sure to check the fit carefully.

You can latch and tether the Frontier, in fact I think Britax might recommend it.

 

CarSafetyGuy

New member

• Jun 4, 2014

• #13

2BunniesMommy said:

You can use the tether in booster mode, but it is not required.

Click to expand...

Yup. Functionally, the seat belt is what's protecting the child.