Question Booster time??? DD almost 4 years old, 42in/40lbs, considering Recaro Performance Booster

MyTallPreschooler · Apr 18, 2015

Hello all. My DD turns 4 in two months, does take naps on car rides.
I have a 2014 Civic, she's currently in a Safety 1st Complete Air 65 Convertible, FF middle seat position.
I love the seat, however the top of her head is less than an inch from the top of the headrest. Her shoulders are also slightly above the bottom of the side wings. She is tall for her age.
She is not a fidgety kid, she usually plays with some stuffed animals and sits well.

What worries me is the flopping over (to the side/ forward) while she sleeps.
I assume the Recaro side wings would keep her from coming out.
Looking for advice, should I just wait on the booster?
Thank you!

aeormsby · Apr 19, 2015

A just turned 4yo in a booster probably isn't a good idea. Once they're using a booster you're putting the responsibility for sitting still to keep the belt positioned correctly on the child. Most kids aren't ready (mature enough) for that until 5-6yo.

Where are your DD's shoulders in relation to the harness slots? The harness should be coming from above the shoulders when FF. As long as the harness is positioned correctly and tight enough (can't pinch a fold along it's length) then having the head flop forward or to the side isn't a safety concern.

If you want to try a different seat I would suggest looking at some of the harnessed boosters that are available. Most would harness her longer and might be more comfy than her current seat. And when she's ready they can convert to a belt positioning booster. The Nautilus (although a lot of kids have head flop issues in that one also), Britax Frontier, or if you like the look of the Recaro the Performance Sport I believe. Also the Evenflo Securekid. I feel like there are 1-2 more that I'm not thinking of.

joolsplus3 · Apr 20, 2015

Silly question, but you're sure the headrest is adjusted all the way up to the top position? The top slots on that seat are about 17", so most kids should actually fit till at least size 5/6 shirts, even size 6/6X.
It's not impossible of course that she IS that tall and too big for that seat, but I'd be seriously looking at seats with much taller top slots in that case to keep her harnessed another year or so for optimal head and spine protection. Britax Frontier is considerably taller, and while not much taller, the geometry might be different and the Nautilus or Argos (graco) or Secure Kid (evenflo) might do the trick and then become decent boosters later.