Booster Question - 5-Point Harness or Seat-belt

L.:

Haven't done a lot of research about this but I know Britax has a seat that can accomodate an 80lb child with a 5 point harness. If you think of it race car drivers always use 5 point harness seat belts so I would imagine that they are safer no matter what.

O.

L.,

Consider the laws of physics: A body in motion stays in motion until it is stopped.

Would your child be best stopped by a lap belt with shoulder harness, or 5 points? The only portion of their body that is able to continue moving forward is their head, arms and legs.

This is why speeding is dangerous. A sudden stop could flex your baby's neck too far. Arms and legs have a bit of give and take, the neck is not so good.

I hadn't gotten this far thinking about going to a booster, but I am glad we have a seat with 5 points that goes to 55 pounds.

Good luck,
M.

I did a moderate amount of reserach when my son hit the 40 inch/40 lb point just before he turned 3 (about 4 months ago). He is much too wiggly for just a booster and I wanted a 5 point harness. We looked at the Graco Nautilus and the similar weight limit Britax and picked the Graco. We are very happy with it. He loved it on sight and wouldn't even try the Britax. There are/were a few others on the market but I could only find them online and couldn't look at them in person.

The only other important thing I found doing research is about to make sure the seat is adjusted properly and the top of the harness is above the top of the child's shoulders. If you look in the past posts on this topic on this site you will find a reference to a web site--I think it is carseats.com or maybe .org. Anyway, it has detailed reviews of various seats, some even have pictures.

My son has low trunk tone, which means he (sometimes) has difficulty sitting upright without support. Graco makes a five point harness that works to 65 lbs., at which point you remove the harness and it becomes a standard booster that works to 100 lbs. It's also a LATCH seat, as long as it's a five point harness, and I was told there are limitations on the LATCH that vary by car manufacturer.

HTH

5-point harness is the safest as long as you follow the weight/height requirements for the seat you own. I have the Graco Nautilus for my son, and it is wonderful! It's one of the best out there, and doesn't cost an arm & leg. You can get it at Amazon.com for about $150 including shipping. The 5-point harness is good til they are 65 lbs. Then it converts to a full back booster with seatbelt until 100 lbs or you can switch it to a backless booster. Your choice. While I loved the Britax Roundabout, I could have bought this one at 20 lbs instead and used it for much longer.

I had the same issue with my son. The Britax was to small for him (the crotch strap was to close to him). I did a bunch of research at the time and consumer reports suggested teh Eddie Bauer High Back Summit Delux. We were able to use it with the 5 point harness because it had an adjustable crotch strap. Then when he weighted more (I think it was at 40 pounds) I took off the harnes and we could use it with the seatbelt. It worked great. And then when my daughter was facing the same issue I looked at consumer reports again. Same thing was suggested so that's what she is in. She has been in it for about a year and still able to comfortable use the 5 point harnes.
My sister didn't go with that one, she went with a Graco booster with no back. I would NOT suggest that for anybody unless your child is at LEAST 4 feet tall and you have no air bags.

A 5 point harness is WAY safer for your child than a seat belt. While a seat belt (w/booster) may be positioned correctly when the child is sitting perfectly still and upright, mot kids don't have the maturity to sit still and keep the shoulder belt in the right place. 5 point harness for as long as possible is definitely the way to go. The Graco Nautilus is a great economical choice. The Britax Regent - which harnesses to 80 pounds - is a great, seat but expensive. It has been dicontinued, though, so you might be able to find a deal on it somewhere.

I.like many of you researched this to death. I would have loved to have been able to buy a Britax. I absolutely love their seats. I needed two seats for my boys so cost was an issue. I ended up buying the GRACO NAUTILUS. I love it as well and it is a little cheaper. 5 point harness, comfy, safe and a cup holder!

My son was just 4 in January and just under 40lbs, so getting ready to outgrow his Evenflo Triumph which we both LOVED! I personally did not think that he was ready for just a seatbelted booster just yet. I just purchased the Graco Nautilus (as it is the harness until 65lbs, then the high back (or backless) booster until 100lbs. But we have a 50 mile commute each day and that sits pretty straight so I also purchased two The First Years Tru Fit seats (which harness to 60 or 65lb)for everyday use. I have a friend who boostered her first two by three years old. There is no way I would be comfortable with that for my child. I checked out every convertible carseat/booster seat and read all the reviews for about two months as well as went and saw the ones I wanted and had him sit in them. I have a 6 month old who I am probably going to buy an additional Tru Fit for soon and use it rear facing, then forward. The Graco will go in my mothers car along with one passed down Evenflow.

If you have ever seen the story/slideshow of the little boy who was killed in accident-in a booster seat, you may never take them out of the harness. I saw bout two years ago, watched it several times and cried hysterically throughout it each time. It is HEARTBREAKING.

L.,
For both my girls, I have the Britax Regent. (expensive though) It goes to a five point harness until they are 80lbs. I have never heard that it is not safe to put them in the harness. Our sheriff office told me it was best. Please go to this website and you will see the reason I will NOT change my decision. http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/
Good luck.