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Okay, another car seat question (re: big kids in 5 pts)

If your older child is doing the extended harnessing in a 5pt booster... are you still using the Latch system to secure it, or have you switched to using the regular seat belt? This is one thing I'm worried we're doing wrong.

Re: Okay, another car seat question (re: big kids in 5 pts)

  • latch, as it has latch clips.  I will still latch when I use the seat belt too. Just to hold the seat in place.  There is actually a new graco highback booster that includes a latch connection too.
  • Ditto, Amanda.  We moved Noah to the seatbelt in his booster last year (when he was 6), and used the latches with the 5 point harness and now that he uses the seatbelt, it's still secured with the latches.   I *think* the only ones that don't use the latch system are the backless boosters.
  • Okay, good to know! I don't install the seats, but I know that our convertibles had the option of using the belt or the latch system. Then I thought I recalled reading something about the Latch not being made to support the higher weight limits of the newer seats, but maybe that was false.
  • imageMandyMilller:
    Okay, good to know! I don't install the seats, but I know that our convertibles had the option of using the belt or the latch system. Then I thought I recalled reading something about the Latch not being made to support the higher weight limits of the newer seats, but maybe that was false.

    I did a quick search on that and did find something that said some car manufactures LATCH system has lower weight limits than the car seats for using the LATCH system. So I would check your car's manual to see if it is mentioned that you should use the seatbelt after a certain weight.

     

  • http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/booster-combination-car-seats/higher-weight-limit-seats/index.htm

    This is a good link to read too. Mentions:

     "But average consumers may not know that their vehicle has such limits, though some child seat and vehicle owners' manuals do mention it. The owner's manual for the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 clearly indicates to "Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds." But parents still may not be aware that the child seat must be reinstalled using the vehicle's safety belts after the child exceeds a certain weight."

    I certainly didn't realize this. But will be sure to read over the manual again!

  • Thank you for posting this, I wasn't aware!  Jake is nowhere near 48 pounds yet, but that's something to keep in mind since that's our seat.
    The Blog - Parenting: Uncensored


    imageimage

    Jake - 1.15.08
    Liam - 5.17.11
  • Thanks Amanda! I need to look into this b/c Lanna is definitely pushing the weight limit if it's 48 lbs.
  • Yep, LATCH is only good up to a certain weight, and then you need to start using the seatbelt. Your car's owners manual should tell you what the weight limit of the LATCH system is.
     
  • imageAmandaJLewis:

    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/booster-combination-car-seats/higher-weight-limit-seats/index.htm

    This is a good link to read too. Mentions:

     "But average consumers may not know that their vehicle has such limits, though some child seat and vehicle owners' manuals do mention it. The owner's manual for the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 clearly indicates to "Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds." But parents still may not be aware that the child seat must be reinstalled using the vehicle's safety belts after the child exceeds a certain weight."

    I certainly didn't realize this. But will be sure to read over the manual again!

    Ditto - My response was going to be that I thought you could only use the LATCH up to a certain weight so we attach the Nautilus by the seat belt. I do the same for Keira's Roundabout. I do TETHER all of them.   Eamon's is the only one I still use the LATCH, rear face & tether.  

    photo 332252f4-f278-4d48-99f9-c275d87c3339.jpg
    How time flies! Caileigh (9), Keira (6) & Eamon (3)







  • I just looked up our seat and it says check cars manual but must not use LATCH after 48lbs. From looking online sounds like our cars default to the seat manual. I didn't realize it was 48lbs. We still have some time but thanks for posting!
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
  • So when you use the seatbelt on the Nautilus, do you have to stop using the 5 pt harness and just have then in with the belt?

    Why are carseats so confusing? This is why 90% of the population is driving around with carseats improperly installed. I feel like I TRY to be proactive in keeping up with it and somehow I still don't know if we're doing it right. It really shouldn't be this hard for parents. It breaks my heart when I read about kids who were lost in accidents due to improper carseat use b/c I'm certain that a good majority of their parents were just unaware they were doing anything wrong!

  • I didn't realize there is a difference between tethering and latch.  (Latch is on the bottom of the seat, right?)   Then, Noah is tethered, and uses the seat belt - not latched.
  • imagewaltsgirl102503:
    I didn't realize there is a difference between tethering and latch.  (Latch is on the bottom of the seat, right?)   Then, Noah is tethered, and uses the seat belt - not latched.

    yeah I'm confused by this too. I'm thinking in dh's car she is tethered. I'm not the installer ever so I'm assuming dh knows more!! I'm going to have to ask him tonight. 

    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
  • imageMandyMilller:

    So when you use the seatbelt on the Nautilus, do you have to stop using the 5 pt harness and just have then in with the belt?


    No, you can still use the 5pt harness and the seat belt would probably be threaded through the back of the seat around where the latch belt goes through.  Check the manual. I am sure it will be more clear when you get the visual.

  • and yes, the tether strap is at the top. Latch is at the bottom.
  • imageMandyMilller:

    So when you use the seatbelt on the Nautilus, do you have to stop using the 5 pt harness and just have then in with the belt?


     

     Nope. The seatbelt holds the seat in. The harness holds the kid in.

     
  • imageMandyMilller:

    So when you use the seatbelt on the Nautilus, do you have to stop using the 5 pt harness and just have then in with the belt?

    Why are carseats so confusing? This is why 90% of the population is driving around with carseats improperly installed. I feel like I TRY to be proactive in keeping up with it and somehow I still don't know if we're doing it right. It really shouldn't be this hard for parents. It breaks my heart when I read about kids who were lost in accidents due to improper carseat use b/c I'm certain that a good majority of their parents were just unaware they were doing anything wrong!

    i know! The whole extended RFing I knew a lot about but was pretty surprised that my Pedi's office 1 year old handout said you could FF. I always found it annoying that so many people questioned us RFing but with mixed messages out there it's not surprising!! 

    Not to mention all the different seat options and installation issues. I remember I had a hard time finding a certified installation place to check ours out before dd was born. 

    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
  • imageMandyMilller:

    So when you use the seatbelt on the Nautilus, do you have to stop using the 5 pt harness and just have then in with the belt?


     

     Nope. The seatbelt holds the seat in. The harness holds the kid in.

     
  • I see. Thanks again! Looks like we have some reinstalling to do this weekend. Good times!
  • I always found that I could get a tighter fit with the seat belt on the bigger seats.  Maybe that is why they have the weight restrictions.  Anywho - yep Mandy, just thread it through the back & it doesn't interfere with the harness. 

    photo 332252f4-f278-4d48-99f9-c275d87c3339.jpg
    How time flies! Caileigh (9), Keira (6) & Eamon (3)







  • Ok so here is my question:

    You can only use the latch to hold the seat until 48lb. ok then I switche to the belt through the back- ASSUMING that the child is still in the requirements to be using the 5 pt harness.

    NOW. What about when you STOP the 5 pt and just start using the belt??? I know the booster seats without backs don't hook into the car. But iI always kinda thought that the bigger seat could stay latched in and the belt would hold the child into the seat- which seem safer to me than Having that giant seat and child held in by just the belt....

    Indifferent

    Married, September 23, 2006

     Lilypie - (mSKC)

    Lilypie - (uxBQ) 
     
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