happy w/regent for tall 4.5 yr old but what about travel?

[oldmama]

Thanks to everyone's advice re the REgent -- I am really happy with this solution and my daughter is comfortable. But we're traveling to Norway in a few months and I am utterly stumped. What am I supposed to do? I'm certainly not carrying or stowing this thing (too heavy for one and afraid of damage for the other, also we cannot lug it around transportations, etc).

So should I buy a booster for the trip? Do I use it on the airplane, or just in buses, etc. Or just skip the whole deal for the trip? She is 4.5 yrs, 42" only 38 lbs.

Thanks for any advice!

now I see that Mnmadhouse replied to a much earlier post as follows, but I am still stuck: Re the reply below, my daughter is already in the next to top slot of the Regent, so I can't imagine the nautilus will do me any good, would it? It never seems to be in stock anywhere to just try out. Does anyone know the shoulder heights?

the reply from mn madhouse:
as for overseas use, you could do a couple of things. if you want her harnessed on the place, you can check out the graco nautilus; harness to 65lbs, then booster to 100lbs--then you can use it as a backup when you get home. it will run you about $150. you could try her out in an evenflo triumph advance (it harnesses to 50lbs), but you likely won't get any use out of it.

another inexpensive route is to get a backless booster, put it in a piece of check on luggage and use that when you are overseas.

if it were me, i'd get the nautilus only b/c it harnesses to 65lbs and i know i can use it in another vehicle later on. it is a larger, fairly heavy seat.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

	Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat - Click for more info Graco, an industry leader in juvenile products, knows that your child's safety is of the utmost importance to you. Graco designs its products with your child's safety in mind, while at the same time ensuring that you get optimum value for your money. In both regards, the new Nautilus 3-in-1 MultiUse Car Seat fits the bill perfectly. The Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat is designed for both versatility and safety, offering right-size comfort and protection as your child grows. Nautilus is a harness seat, a high-back booster and a backless booster. Because it adapts as your child grows, from age 1 to age 10, you can buy one Nautilus instead of a toddler seat, booster seat and backless booster. That's one seat instead of three--a fantastic investment that doesn't compromise on safety. Nautilus is the last car seat you'll ever need to buy! You get three products for the price of one!

[SusanMae]

Your daughter may fit differently in the Nautilus than in the Regent when they are installed. The top slots are 18.5 inches in the Nautilus.

I think the Nautilus will work best for you. If she doesn't fit...a Cares harness on the plane, and do you have someone in Norway who can have a seat for you when you arrive? You're daughter may be able to ride RF there.

Susan

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

	Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat - Click for more info Graco, an industry leader in juvenile products, knows that your child's safety is of the utmost importance to you. Graco designs its products with your child's safety in mind, while at the same time ensuring that you get optimum value for your money. In both regards, the new Nautilus 3-in-1 MultiUse Car Seat fits the bill perfectly. The Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat is designed for both versatility and safety, offering right-size comfort and protection as your child grows. Nautilus is a harness seat, a high-back booster and a backless booster. Because it adapts as your child grows, from age 1 to age 10, you can buy one Nautilus instead of a toddler seat, booster seat and backless booster. That's one seat instead of three--a fantastic investment that doesn't compromise on safety. Nautilus is the last car seat you'll ever need to buy! You get three products for the price of one!

[oldmama]

Thanks SusanMae- Do you actually have a nautilus- I have seen the top slots listed as 16, 17, and 18. If 17, I am disinclined as she is already in the 16.5 slot on Regent and I wouldn't get much use.
Did you mean RF for in Norway? I can't imagine having her rear facing -- is there some reason i would need to? We will use public transport almost exclusively so I'm wondering about the wisdom of dragging a nautilus just for the plane-
also wondering whether that's going to be a terribly uncomfortable ride for her to be in a car seat for 12 hours, or whther this is one of the few occasions where I should just suck it up and use a backless booster.

any ideas appreciated, thanks.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

	Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat - Click for more info Graco, an industry leader in juvenile products, knows that your child's safety is of the utmost importance to you. Graco designs its products with your child's safety in mind, while at the same time ensuring that you get optimum value for your money. In both regards, the new Nautilus 3-in-1 MultiUse Car Seat fits the bill perfectly. The Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat is designed for both versatility and safety, offering right-size comfort and protection as your child grows. Nautilus is a harness seat, a high-back booster and a backless booster. Because it adapts as your child grows, from age 1 to age 10, you can buy one Nautilus instead of a toddler seat, booster seat and backless booster. That's one seat instead of three--a fantastic investment that doesn't compromise on safety. Nautilus is the last car seat you'll ever need to buy! You get three products for the price of one!

[SusanMae]

At only 38 pounds, she can't use a backless booster. But I can see getting a Turbo booster and a Cares harness for the plane. Using the harness is going to be much more comfy for her sleeping on a long flight.

Norway is one of the countries that does extended RF...I think to 40+ pounds. It's much safer than FF. And their RF seats provide children with more leg room. But the seats are larger too...wouldn't be reasonable to haul around for public transportation.

So here's what would probably be a best fit given the situation--
Cares harness on the plane---that'll only work if you're flying an american carrier though, I think.
Then get a turbo booster or a compass booster(it folds). Pack at least the backless in your carry-on, the back in your luggage---that way you at least have something if your luggage gets lost.

Will you be riding the bus or catching cabs? On the bus she won't be able to use her booster, but she could in cabs.

I don't have a Nautilus...I just wish I did!

Susan

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	the First Years formerly Compass - Click for more info Compass was founded by a group of fathers who had spent years in the corporate world developing child care products. Disillusioned with the slew of problems that come with working for a giant conglomerate, this group set out the make their own mark on the child care industry in 2003. Compass' first innovative booster seat, the B500, started shipping in January of 2004. This was the first foldable belt-positioning booster on the market, and its design was so praised by the industry that Compass received a Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) Innovation Award 5 months after its release. The great minds at Compass have now taken the next step with their success by releasing some fantastic infant car seats and compatible strollers, all of which are designed with the same innovative simplicity that make Compass Boosters such a sought after product. No longer just "The Booster People", Compass is making a serious run at the competition by offering the I-410 and I-420 Infant Car Seats , as well as the Magnesium S330 Stroller and Magnesium T730 Travel System.

	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat).

	Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat - Click for more info Graco, an industry leader in juvenile products, knows that your child's safety is of the utmost importance to you. Graco designs its products with your child's safety in mind, while at the same time ensuring that you get optimum value for your money. In both regards, the new Nautilus 3-in-1 MultiUse Car Seat fits the bill perfectly. The Graco Bravo Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat is designed for both versatility and safety, offering right-size comfort and protection as your child grows. Nautilus is a harness seat, a high-back booster and a backless booster. Because it adapts as your child grows, from age 1 to age 10, you can buy one Nautilus instead of a toddler seat, booster seat and backless booster. That's one seat instead of three--a fantastic investment that doesn't compromise on safety. Nautilus is the last car seat you'll ever need to buy! You get three products for the price of one!

[oldmama]

SusanMae, thanks so much for all your information. I had NO idea about RF being used so long in Norway, but I think my daughter will prob. be 40 lbs by then anyway. And since Cares Harness was still being debated last time we flew, I never purchased one, but would happily do so now -- I was all set to do it but on their site it says "Children who are 4 years old, weigh at least 44 pounds and are more than 40 inches tall are considered old enough and strong enough to travel without an airplane child safety belt," and DD is 43" tall. So I guess that leaves me with some sort of booster to bring.

Re ground transport in Norway: I think we will almost undoubtedly be in buses/tram/metro, not cabs (which I understand are terribly expensive and scarce). We will take the Norway in a Nutshell tour too, but mostly be in Oslo.

So I have two questions: 1) having just bought two regents I'm a little strapped; what would you think of using a Graco Platinum CarGo? (which we already have) I'd taken it out since I got the Regent, and never used it as a booster once I wised up about harnessing kids as late as possible. But if it would be close to the Turbo Booster in utility, I'd hate to also make that purchase. I suppose the TurboBooster is more easily portable, though?

And 2) as long as I'm here, do you have any opinion about the two ways to secure a Regent and the 40+under/40+over directions? If my child is 39 lbs, should I still stick with the 40+ under, and must I switch her the minute she hits 40? My husband weighed her with winter boots, etc. and she was 39.5, but after a recent flu bout, and w/o boots, she is 38 -- any light you can shed on the best choice here?

Thanks for your thoughtful help!

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

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	Graco Turbo Booster - Click for more info The Graco TurboBooster Safe Seat (Step 3) is a sporty and detailed booster seat. The headrest is made of EPS foam for support and side-impact protection, which is now the standard for booster seats. The head support is height adjustable, and the seat can be converted into a backless booster for older kids. The adjustable armrests are a nice touch that add comfort and support for your growing child. We were a little surprised by how thin the padding was on the "Lazy Daisy" version of this seat (the Fairfax TurboBooster has padded armrests and additional GracoPedic memory foam in the seat).

	Graco CarGo booster seat - Click for more info The Graco CarGo is a dependable and easy to use booster seat. When your child is on the lower end of the height/weight limits for the seat, the 5-point harness is used to keep them safely in place. It features a convenient one-pull snugging mechanism in the front of the seat - making it easy to tighten the straps down after your child has been buckled in. When your child is around 35-40" tall, the CarGo's harness can be removed, so that the seat can be used as a belt-positioning booster, using the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. In this mode, the Graco CarGo will work for kids up to 54" or 100 lbs. Both the Platinum and the Ultra CarGo feature an Energy Absorbing Foam (EPS) liner, a removable, washable seat pad, and a cup holder. The Platinum CarGo is a softer and more comfortable seat than the Ultra CarGo (although still not as comfy as the well-padded Britax booster seats).

[SusanMae]

How does the belt fit her in the Cargo? But for the portability---spend the $15-$20 on a backless booster....Evenflo, Cosco and Graco all make them. Then you can have it on hand for playdates, ect.

I'd say your on the fence whether or not to use the CARES---this would probably be the only time you would need it...and you could probably be able to resell it.

I've only done 2 regent installs. I would leave the under 40 pound install until she's 40 pounds dressed with shoes and a full belly. Where I am it's starting to get warmer, so that means more cars on the road headed to the beach for the weekend. Also she'll be lighter with summer clothes on than with winter clothes. And you know about the no heavy coats in the carseat rule, right?

Susan

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Regent - Click for more info The Britax Regent is the safe way to carry your older and larger passengers, all the way up to 80 lbs. Known as the "king of all car seats," the Britax Regent will accomodate your little king or queen for far longer than traditional car seats or booster seats. The Regent features a large roto-molded shell, comfy extra-thick comfort foam, washable covers, Patented Versa-Tether™, flexible buckle LATCH system, patented HUGS™ system, and tangle-free polyester 5-point harness.