What would you do for a tall 2-1/2 yr old?

La-Di-Ma

New member
My DD is almost 2-1/2, and because of a growth disorder she's 42" tall and 42 lbs. She also has the bone age of a 4-1/2 to 5 year old. She will soon be starting medication which should slow down her growth, but we don't know yet how much it will slow her down.

She has maxed out her Marathon, and even though the TrueFit's top slots are supposed to be an inch higher, when I put her in that, she's above the shoulder slots as well (which is odd, because she's only barely above her MA slots).

She technically fits the requirements for a booster seat in BC, but I really don't want to do that.

When I look at the top height for the Frontier, I see it's only 18-1/2 inches. I haven't actually tried her in it yet, but I don't know that we'll get much longer out of it. I've also heard that the Radian allows you to go above the top slots as long as the ears are still within the shell.

Are there any other options I'm not seeing? What would you do if she were your kid?
 
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selinajean

New member
Hmmm. Interesting situation. I can't say what I would do because that's honestly a tough situation.

What about the nautilus? My 7yo son is about 49" and 56 lbs and he tried it out last week in the store. His shoulders were just at the top harness slots so we decided to not get it as it would only work for another month or so as a harnessed seat. It also has the booster options for later on which the radian doesn't. (That is my one major complaint with the radian.) I think the shoulder harness height is around 18" too. Does she have a really long torso?
 

Shaunam

New member
Nautilus or frontier...if neither of those work (or will be outgrown too soon), I'd ask about a SN needs seat like the britax traveller (they have those in canada right?).
 

La-Di-Ma

New member
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's a tough situation :)

Looking at all the threads comparing the Nautilus to the Frontier, it sounded like there wasn't as much shoulder space in the Nautilus. Since the price difference here is fairly minor (missed the sale at Zeller's last week) I was leaning towards the Frontier for the 9 year lifespan (we have a second child on the way).

There's no way DH would go for the $700 special needs seat...he's already thinking we should go with a regular booster :mad: But if there's something we can bring in from the States with higher top slots I wouldn't be opposed to doing that, even knowing that it's not legal.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Some people have had their seats confiscated at the border, so be aware that is a possibility.

I would probably see how long it is before you max out the Frontier, and go from there.

Is there any chance his medical insurance will pay for a SN seat? Here in the U.S. we can usually get insurance or the hospital treating a child to pay at least part of the cost when it's truly necessary.

There are also vests-- I believe you can get approval for the EZ-On 86Y as a special needs seat in Canada in some instances. They are much cheaper than a SN seat with a shell. I think you need a prescription, etc.
 

Shaunam

New member
Some people have had their seats confiscated at the border, so be aware that is a possibility.

I would probably see how long it is before you max out the Frontier, and go from there.

Is there any chance his medical insurance will pay for a SN seat? Here in the U.S. we can usually get insurance or the hospital treating a child to pay at least part of the cost when it's truly necessary.

There are also vests-- I believe you can get approval for the EZ-On 86Y as a special needs seat in Canada in some instances. They are much cheaper than a SN seat with a shell. I think you need a prescription, etc.

Dang it! I always forget about the vests! :rolleyes: Definitely a good, low-cost option is she outgrows the frontier too soon. And I would definitely check about ins paying for a SN seat. Sometimes it's just a matter of a letter of medical necessity and any good doc would see the need here. :)
 

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