Change to booster or find a larger seat?

[ilovemygirl]

DD is four months shy of 4 y/o. She is 41 inches tall and only 32 pounds. My dh thinks it's time to put her in a booster but everything I've heard for safety is the "four AND forty" rule. I can't see her being forty pounds for a really really long time. 

So, what are my options? I just discovered the Graco Nautilus but have seen a lot of complaints about it being too snug and uncomfortable. Are there any other 5 point harness seats made for older kids? DH thinks I'm being paranoid and she'd be fine in a booster but I tend to be a better safe than sorry kind of person. 

Any advice is really appreciated ... TIA

[chickabiddy]

She's not four, and four is the absolute bare minimum for boostering.  Most techs and advocates don't recommend boostering full-time until she is at least five.  A 3yo should absolutely not be in a booster.

Is the seat she currently has rated to 40#?  If so, you need to get a new seat before she goes in the car again.  Weight limits are absolute:  there is no wiggle room.

Some kids complain about the Nautilus, but lots of kids are comfortable in it.  Mine was, and she's far from skinny.  The Britax Frontier is another high-weight harnessing combination seat.  But again, if she has outgrown her current seat by weight, you need to get whatever you can get asap before she rides in the car again.

[ilovemygirl]

She's not outgrowing by weight - it's by height. She's in an Evenflo Truimph right now. The weight limit is 50 pounds so she is no where near in danger of being at the top limit .. even if the limit were 40 pounds she's only 32. But she is tall and although her shoulders aren't above the strap yet, they could be soon so I'm hoping to find a car seat that's made for larger kids instead of a booster. Is there even such a thing? 

[an_aurora]

Yes, there are several :)  

The Graco Nautilus, Britax Frontier and Recaro ProSport all accommodate bigger kids and all turn into boosters eventually as well.

[chickabiddy]

I'm so sorry -- I misread the 41" as 41#.