3 year old too big for a harnessed seat-Update! Fixed the problem!

[KempsMama]

DS1 just turned three.  A couple of months ago he had a huge growth spurt, and suddenly I couldn't get his nautilus buckled at all.  The straps were all the way loose, but the crotch strap was too far underneath him to get it buckled.  Even though we couldn't really afford a new seat, I took him to BRU and sat him in a Frontier, which didn't fit either.  Frustrated I reluctantly have put him in a high back booster.  Am I missing something? Is there anything else out there that might fit him?  On paper he doesn't seem that big, but his built like his dad, really broad shoulders and chest and long torso.  He's 40 inches and 37 pounds.  I would love to get him back into a five point harness, and I think he would be receptive to it still.  He does ok in the booster, but complains that he isn't comfortable. 

[bobandjess99]

Something is wrong.  I'm going to guess the harness is routed incorrectly through the back, but it may not be...but something is definitely wrong.  I can put my 6.5 yo, 46 inch, 50 lb dd in the nautilus just fine :)  

Might i ask which slots you are using?  at that height, i assume you are on the top or second to top slots?  And you have to make sure you have NOT pulled the headrest down over the harness, because that will eat up some harness (as well as being very dangerous) - but it tends to be a common mistake because when in the CORRECT height position, the headrest tends to LOOK like it is too high, but it is not.  

Another thing - you should never use a coat in a carseat, so be sure you aren't trying to fit the harness over a giant puffy coat or anything, again it is quite dangerous and would "use up" a lot of harness...regular street clothes only, or with a thin jacket if it is truly cold where you are. 

Can you please post a link to pics of him in the seat (blur his face if you like).  I'm sure we can help you figure it out.  There is really no way a child of that size has outgrown the seat...or, if he is some insane exception, It would be very useful for us techs to know that :) 

[chickabiddy]

And my 9yo, 51", 65# child (with typically broad swimmer's shoulders) can fit in a Frontier.

What exactly do you mean when you say he "doesn't fit" in the seats.  Is he over the top slots?  Can you not fasten the harness?

A newly 3yo is not safe in a booster.  We'd like to help you get him back in a harness.

[KempsMama]

Originally Posted by bobandjess99 

Something is wrong.  I'm going to guess the harness is routed incorrectly through the back, but it may not be...but something is definitely wrong.  I can put my 6.5 yo, 46 inch, 50 lb dd in the nautilus just fine :)  

Might i ask which slots you are using?  at that height, i assume you are on the top or second to top slots? Yes, top slot.   And you have to make sure you have NOT pulled the headrest down over the harness, because that will eat up some harness (as well as being very dangerous) - but it tends to be a common mistake because when in the CORRECT height position, the headrest tends to LOOK like it is too high, but it is not.  No, the headrest is not down over the harness to where it eats up strap.

Another thing - you should never use a coat in a carseat, so be sure you aren't trying to fit the harness over a giant puffy coat or anything, again it is quite dangerous and would "use up" a lot of harness...regular street clothes only, or with a thin jacket if it is truly cold where you are.  He doesn't wear a coat.  Typically he's wearing a t-shirt with a flannel shirt, on really cold days he has a coat on, but takes it off before he gets buckled, then he has a "car blankie" for warmth. 

Can you please post a link to pics of him in the seat (blur his face if you like).  I'm sure we can help you figure it out.  There is really no way a child of that size has outgrown the seat...or, if he is some insane exception, It would be very useful for us techs to know that :) I'd love to, except I don't have a digital camera anymore...he just spilled juice on it last week and it's toast!  (Right before his birthday party too, I had to buy a disposable.  :()

As far as why he doesn't fit, there's two problems that I can see.  The straps don't come out far enough to get around him without bruising involved once it's buckled, and the crotch buckle is underneath him. 

[DahliaRW]

I would recommend finding a tech in your area.  There is no way that a child that size does not fit in the nautilus.  Something might be messed up with the seat setup.

[MariesMama]

My DD is the same age and size as your LO, and we have a Radian.  She fits beautifully and has a fairly long torso.  You might want to try that.

[kalamos23]

The Radian has shorter top straps heights than the Nautilus, so I don't think going to a Radian is going to help. I can't imagine a 40" child with over a 20" torso though (as the Frontier85 top strap slots are at 20"). I have heard that the crotch strap has had that issue depending on the kid though. You might also try asking over at car-seat.org - the techs there are amazing and know the Nauti very well. 

[KempsMama]

Will do, thank you.  And I will see when the next car seat clinic in town is. 

[KempsMama]

Just thought I would update, I took the seat in to a car seat clinic, and it turns out the crotch strap was faulty, Graco replaced it free of charge, and C is back in a five point harness!