Harnessed car seat or booster

DD is turning 5 this month. I feel ALOT more comfortable with her being harnessed (but probably always will feel safer that way). The problem is that I have a rav4 and when I put my britax in and newborn carrier in, there is no room left. Just a tiny space in the middle. If I did a booster it would relieve the space from the britax. Should she be switched to a booster bc she is 5? or should I buy more time in the britax? WWYD?

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

We kind of do both. I have DS in a full car seat in my car, but he's in a booster in DH car because it's smaller. I feel he's perfectly safe either way.

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

I have always had Britax, my 5 yr old is still in his. I did not want to buy another for my DH's car so I got the Safety 1st Apex 65, it has an internal 5 pt harness that goes to 65 lbs. My issue with the seatbelt boosters for smaller kids is height. If you can't get the shoulder strap in the exact place it needs to be, your child is not safe. The Apex 65 is definitely not as easy to strap as a Britax but it can also later be used as a booster with the seatbelt so it's the size of the average booster seat except with the internal harness.

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

My very mature oldest DD went into a booster somewhere between 4.5 and 5. Her appreciably less mature--yet much bigger--younger sister will be making the switch to booster by month's end...at 4.5. I've been going over the "rules" with her and she's been warned she'll be back in the carseat if she can't follow...

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

At 5 Emily was in a booster seat.

Right now I have a graco booster on one side and the Britax Marathon on the other side (for the girl I babysit for) and there is barely any room between the two seats!

We are definately going to have to get a minivan before baby #2 comes in March!

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

I have my 5.5yr old in a 5pt harness, and I'd like to keep her in one as long as possible. She's in the graco nautilus, which can transition to a high back or backless booster down the road.

I'm thinking of getting another nautilus for my 3.5yr old also, since his britax has now expired.

if you're looking for narrow car seats to give yourself some more space, the sunshine kids Radian65 is one of the narrowest.

I'm in no rush to go to a booster. I wouldn't switch just because she's 5.

Message edited 11/7/2011 1:37:32 PM.

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster

My 4 year old is in a high backed booster. I switched my 2 older kids into a high backed booster at 4 years as well because they grew out of their 5 pt harness seat. I am confident that she is perfectly safe.

Re: Harnessed car seat or booster