Boosters for 4.5 YO twins

autumnlily

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #1

I'm planning on going over and getting their measurements as soon as my twins wake up. It's my neighbor (DH Best Friends) set of twins.

His girls, or at least one of them, are exceptionally tall for their age (I believe one is in size 7/8 clothes and the other size 5 for height only!). They are on the lighter side for their height.

He is intrigued by going back to a 5-point harness system - and I've got a Frontier for him to try and a Radian for the shorter twin. I've brought up the Regent in our conversation.

Getting him to extend 5-point harnessing is not out of the question -
BUT, he really wants to look into boosters. The booster seats they are using are not safe for their kids and he wants to remedy the situation ASAP (I'm SO glad I looked in his car and brought it to his attention and I'm even happier he is 100% on board for getting it changed).

Help me to know what info I need on each kid and for the 2 vehicles they ride in so that I can solicit the BEST info for them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

myliljunebugs

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #2

probably need torso height (sit them against a wall, measure to their shoulders) and weight. What vehicle(s) and budget.

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #3

I'm guessing on the years:

Passat Wagon, I think a 2004
Honda Element, I think a 2005

Budget, I'm thinking they'll aim for $100 or under per seat. I'm sure they would prefer around $50/seat. Unless I can do some heavy duty convincing

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #4

autumnlily said:

I'm guessing on the years:

Passat Wagon, I think a 2004
Honda Element, I think a 2005

Budget, I'm thinking they'll aim for $100 or under per seat. I'm sure they would prefer around $50/seat. Unless I can do some heavy duty convincing

Click to expand...

Please don't let price point keep you from recommending the BEST seat for them. I want to give them as many options as possible - even if it includes $$$.

 

S

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #5

What about seeing if they fit in Graco Nautilus? (I know a little over budget, but they are 144ish on walmart.com).

If he was going to do boosters, I would do the Sunshine kids Monetery.

If he can't afford much the Graco Turbobooster fits kids nice.

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• May 26, 2009

• #6

A child who wears a size 8 is not going to fit in a $50, or even $100, 5-point harness.

I would recommend Nautiluses, but with that budget, I think you'll wind up with boosters.

 

S

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #7

chickabiddy said:

A child who wears a size 8 is not going to fit in a $50, or even $100, 5-point harness.

I would recommend Nautiluses, but with that budget, I think you'll wind up with boosters.

Click to expand...

My daycare girl wears a size 7/8 and just outgrew the FPSVD

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• May 26, 2009

• #8

That's still not $50, though. And if money is tight, it just doesn't make sense to me to spend that much on a convertible for a child that size.

 

S

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #9

chickabiddy said:

That's still not $50, though. And if money is tight, it just doesn't make sense to me to spend that much on a convertible for a child that size.

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I agree, just saying it could work.

I vote for 2 Graco Nautilus' if they fit.

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #10

Okay, I've got the measurements!

B is 40lbs. Height 46" and Torso 17.25"

E is 30lbs. Height 42" and Torso 15"

It's dinner time here - I'll be back with more info!

 

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #11

Do they ride in both vehicles equally or one more than the other? If they're in one car most of the time and the other only occasionally, having something like Nautiluses in the main car and Vivos or Turbos in the other car might be a good compromise..
Torso height info would be helpful. One of my 7YO twins wears 7/8 pants and still fits some 4T & 5T shirts - she could still fit the harness of a Graco CarGo by height a couple months ago

 

myliljunebugs

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #12

do they want them to be in the same seat or different ones? I honestly don't see the bigger child fitting in anything except a Regent for any lenght of time if they measured correctly, that is a SUPER long torso. The smaller one is way too small for a booster, I would definitely get the Nauti for that one if they can swing it. And maybe just a really good booster for the larger one? If those #s are correct. I hate to see 4 year olds in boosters full time though, very few ride in them correctly all the time

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #13

I measured each girl twice - and yes, twin B is SUPER TALL with a super long torso - I got a 17" and 17.5" on her so I averaged at 17.25". They turn 5 in September.

They have tall and thin parents - absolutely beautiful girls.

I also think twin E is too small for a booster. She is unthinkablely thin - totally healthy... she takes after her mom's side of the family and has been tested for many "what if's" and has a complete clean bill of health.

Please help me decipher for the family this Oregon Law - it states a child under 40lbs has to be in a child restraint seat. The family reads that to be any type of child seat, including a booster. I read it to be a "child restraint seat" as in toddler/convertable/5 pt seat. Who is right? How can I prove it to them. They called our health care provider's office (we have the same pediatrician) and they said she could be in a booster because her harness fell below her shoulders - even though she only weighs 30lb drenching wet! I can't believe it wasn't recommended to buy her a larger seat.

 

myliljunebugs

New member

• May 26, 2009

• #14

A booster would technically fit the law. Stupid, but true. So what about the Generations for her? It has 17" top slots so should fit her for at least a year harnessed. And get her to 40lbs or close to it. Would they be willing to get that at least? And then maybe a turbo for the bigger one (wince, yes I know, but it would be super expensive to harness her in comparison). I really REALLY would hate to see a 30lb child in any booster, JMO

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 27, 2009

• #15

myliljunebugs said:

A booster would technically fit the law. Stupid, but true. So what about the Generations for her? It has 17" top slots so should fit her for at least a year harnessed. And get her to 40lbs or close to it. Would they be willing to get that at least? And then maybe a turbo for the bigger one (wince, yes I know, but it would be super expensive to harness her in comparison). I really REALLY would hate to see a 30lb child in any booster, JMO

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If I can give them the highs and lows of many seats - including various prices the $$ would be low on their list in terms of their daughters safety. It's just getting them to look at the list and not balk at the $$ that I need to combat - it is easier to convince them to keep listening to the benefits.

Thank you, all, so much for your input! I might start a new thread - with just the measurements and technical info so that I can give them a "print out" off all the goodies that have come of it.

 

S

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• May 27, 2009

• #16

My 30 pound, 4 year 4 month old, 15 inch torso has TONS of room in the Graco Nautilus.
The other twin would not have that much room in the nautilus though. My 17 inch torso child has maybe 1/2 inch left in the nautilus(he is 6 1/2 years old).

In the car my 4 year old is on the second to bottom strap height. He loves his seat. I like it because it can be a booster later(both high back and no back)

 

Last edited: Jul 22, 2009