nephew

My nephew is a BIG 3 year old. He's already around 50 lbs. He's too big for his harness, so he's in a belt positioning booster. He's not discplined enough, however, not to play games and keep the positioner. My sister just started working so she can't afford 200 bucks on a new carseat that has a bigger harness.

Is he safe in a belt positioning booster? He JUST meets the height guidelines.

Thank you!

No, he's not ok in the booster. A mature booster age is 5-6 years old.

She has a few options. Is he long in the torso or short? If he's short in the torso an Apex 65 would work for her. It's $110 (http://www.albeebaby.com/sa1stap65boc1.html), has a 65 pound harness with 17.5" top slots and then turns into a booster to 100 pounds. It require head support from the car to the level of the child's eyes, though.

For $150 she can get the Graco Nautilus (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...00000003260330&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8112222). It has 19" top slots, a 65 pound harness limit, and then turns into a high back then a low back booster to 100 pounds.

For $180 she can get a Sunshine Kids Radian with a 65 pound harness and 18" top slots.

Those are it for higher weight seats under $200. Of the three I'd go for the Nautilus.

For less mainstream approaches, she can look at the Ride Safer Travel Vest (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...&field-keywords=ride+safe+travel+vest&x=0&y=0) for $100. The large will fit him for quite a while. There's little side impact protection, though, and it requires a top tether with a lap belt.

She can use an EZ-On harness. (http://www.ezonpro.com/products/familyVehicle/86yHarness.shtml) I think it's about $100, but I'm not at all sure. It can be used up to 168 pounds and it can be used with a high back booster. However, it doesn't have a crotch strap, so it's just a four point harness.

Again, of those I'd go for the Nautilus. If $150 is completely cost prohibitive I'd probably look at the Ride Safer Travel Vest/EZ-On, then the Radian and then the Apex.

Wendy

No, he is not safe in a belt positioning booster. The minimum to use one in our minds as techs is 4 years and 40 pounds. Here are some videos to explain why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2kO8AxKbrM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&feature=related

I would suggest the Cosco Apex, which is about $100 at www.albeebaby.com. It goes to 65 pounds in a 5-point and then turns into a highback booster. It has to have support behind the back to at least the tops of his ears. Does she have movable headrests?

The Graco Natulius, which is $150 and available at Walmart and a few other places. It has taller top slots then the Apex. It goes to 65 pounds in the 5-point and then turns into a highback and lowback booster.

These will last him a long time. Do you have any idea what his torso is? Shoulder to bottom measurement? That would help us to tell you which would last him long enough to get him to at least 4+ years.

Hi Thanks for all your responses. She actually doesn't drive so it is for my mom's car. She takes home around 50 per week so I think this is something I'll have to buy them.

My mom's vehicle is a 2002 Ford explorer. I'm not sure about much else - they're in Michigan, I'm in Arizona.

Thank you!