What do I do when he outgrows the TFP?

[cristeen]

DS turned 2 last week, and I realized that the RF weight limit on the TFP is 35 lbs.  So I flipped him (he's 37 lbs).  But looking at the straps, he's going to be into the last strap slots before too long... like a matter of weeks.  And his head isn't far from the top of the shell.  He's going to outgrow this before he's 3, at the rate he's growing. 

So when he outgrows this, then what?  I thought I had years still before I had to start thinking about boosters. 

[DahliaRW]

I'd give it time.  Torso growth is usually 1/2 to 1" per year.  You have time.  And as long as the tops of his ears are below the shell you are fine.  Evaluate when he outgrows it.

At 3 a booster is not an option.  The child should be a bare minimum of 4 and 40 lbs and be mature enough to sit properly 100% of a time. 

Meanwhile, new seats come out all the time, no point it looking all into it until your child is actually very close to outgrowing the TFP.
 

Originally Posted by cristeen 

DS turned 2 last week, and I realized that the RF weight limit on the TFP is 35 lbs.  So I flipped him (he's 37 lbs).  But looking at the straps, he's going to be into the last strap slots before too long... like a matter of weeks.  And his head isn't far from the top of the shell.  He's going to outgrow this before he's 3, at the rate he's growing. 

So when he outgrows this, then what?  I thought I had years still before I had to start thinking about boosters. 

[chel]

I agree, hold out as long as you can and wait for newer models of seats to come out.

I too plan on going to a booster after the tfp, but my 21m dd is only 25lbs and still not tall enough to touch the additional headrest.

Not sure what harness is bigger than a tf, maybe a radian?

When my dd outgrows her scenera (back up travel seat) I plan on getting a nautilus, but I fear the harness might not be much bigger than a tf.

[cristeen]

Unfortunately, "usually" doesn't apply to this kid.  Right now he's been averaging 1/2 inch a month in growth for the last 6 months.  At 2 he was 37 inches tall (97th %ile) and over 37 pounds (off the stupid charts).  Daddy was 6 foot tall by age 10. 

So the question still stands... when he outgrows the TFP, which will be sooner rather than later, what is taller, what can i put him in?  When I bought it, it was the 2nd tallest shell on the market, but the difference was very minor.  I can't spend another $300 on a seat that he's going to outgrow in 6 mos. 
 

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

I'd give it time.  Torso growth is usually 1/2 to 1" per year.  You have time.  And as long as the tops of his ears are below the shell you are fine.  Evaluate when he outgrows it.

At 3 a booster is not an option.  The child should be a bare minimum of 4 and 40 lbs and be mature enough to sit properly 100% of a time. 

Meanwhile, new seats come out all the time, no point it looking all into it until your child is actually very close to outgrowing the TFP.
 

[DahliaRW]

1/2" of TORSO growth or overall growth?  Usually legs grow faster than torsos.  And in car seat fit leg length is irrelevant, torso height is what matters.  My oldest has grown 4 inches in the past year, but only 3/4" in torso height.

If you need a new seat now (or want to know what to look for) your best bet is the frontier85.  Tallest harness on the market.  The nautilus or maestro are also options, but I think they only offer you another 1 - 1 1/2"

[Maedze]

He is big, but not so big that he should be outgrowing the True Fit any time soon.  A 37" child should have a significant amount of time left (probably several years) in the TFP.   

Parents often underestimate how much room for growth there is in a seat.  If you're comfortable with it, you could share a picture :)