Regent Question

[Shannon]

I was on here recently asking about car seats for my two special needs sons, ages almost 4 1/2 and almost 5 1/2. I got some great recommendations, but since then, my husband's car was stolen with two of our seats inside and we have to replace ASAP. My boys are now about 44 inches talls and 43 lbs. I think. Anyway, a friend offered a Britax Regent that she only used twice on long road trips. It was manufactured in 2009 so has three years left on it. Anyway, is this seat a good seat for a special needs 5 1/2 year old and how long will he be able to sit in it?

 

[Phineasmama]

As long as it's a friend that you trust and you know the seat has never been mishandled or been in an accident, it would probably be great for your 5.5 year old. A normal sized 5 year old could have several years left in it! The seat is outgrown when the top harness slots are below the shoulders, so your child would likely fit in it until it expires.

 

[ahgirls]

My giant torso almost 6 yr old fits with room to grow. She's 52 lbs, 50" tall (last I checked) & size 10 shirts. As long as its a car seat trusted friend, go for it.

 

[Shannon]

Thank you both!!

 

[luckyclov]

As long as you trust your friend entirely with the history and use of the seat, I say go for it. We loved our Regent and I think it's a great choice for a special needs kiddo. It's a post-advisory Regent, however, so make sure you have the recline bar on the back/bottom.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

 

[courtfrog2]

And I believe it requires the top harness to be attached! Great seat!

 

[Jeanum]

And I believe it requires the top harness to be attached! Great seat!

Top tethering is required with a post-advisory Regent for a child weighing 40 lbs. and up, along with the short belt path installation method at 40 lbs. and up (a long belt path installation is required under 40 lbs. for post-advisory Regent installs and all install methods require using the recline bar as noted earlier in the thread). Pretty sure that top tethering is what you meant by the "top harness" but wanted to clarify that for the OP, and fingers crossed the OP's vehicle is top tether anchor equipped.