Hi Mama's, we are debating between buying Britax Boulevard vs Graco Nautilus car seat for our tall for his age 14 month old son. DH is tilted towards Graco both because it has high ratings and is cheaper than britax. We went to check out both car seats in store and I felt that the Britax was more sturdier and would be more comfortable. People who have Britax swear by it. Graco has additional advantages of having a cup holder, arm rest and converting to a booster seat. I was hoping that you all could help me make a decision. Thanks for your inputs.
We have the Graco and LOVE it. My son seems very comfortable in it. He is 15 months old and is 30 1/2 inches and there is plenty of room to grow. The cupholder is a great feature, he puts his toys and pacifier in it as well as some snacks. I don't know anything about the Britax. Good Luck!
We also have the Graco Nautilus. I chose it because it does not take up as much room as some other carseats and it will last a long time. And the price. My daughter, 15 1/2 months now, is very comfortable in it and I would not consider it to be flimsy at all. My d uses the cupholder for little crackers, her cup or a toy or such. I don't have her exact measurements but she was already 30 inches at 10 months.
We have the Boulevard. I like it because the straps are adjustable with the knobs - there is no threading of the straps and the wings help hold my sons head up when he falls asleep in the car. The only downside I found is that it's really heavy for traveling and the price. However I found it on sale for $229 on amazon so if you price watch you might be able to find a good deal on line.
i would get the one that rear faces for the longest amount of time (highest weight) have you looked into the new recommendations? Please look yp this info for the safety of your child! http://www.car-safety.org/
We have the Graco and love it. It is pretty easy to install, sturdy and easy to adjust as they get older and taller. The cup holder is very handy too especially no that my daughter is 21 months.
I guess it really comes down to what you feel more comfortable with buying. I do notice though that I tend to analyze everything and then as soon as I decide and purchase I don't pay attention to all the things I was so stressed about.
Good luck I think either one will work!
We actually have both of those seats and love each of them but for a 14 month old I would definitely suggest the Britax. We bought the Britax when my son (now 3-1/2) grew out of his infant seat. He would still be in it if we hadn't needed it for our daughter (now 15 months). When she transitioned from an infant seat we moved our 3 yr old to the Nautilus. I am very happy with the Nautilus for ds but can't imagine our 15 month old in it, she is 24lbs, 32". My son is a tall 3 yr old (42" 95th percentile) and he is just starting to not seem too small for the seat. His just recently got tall enough for his head to comfortably rest on the sides of the headrest when he falls asleep. Plus you can keep your little one rear facing in the Britax which is strongly suggested. We plan to keep our daughter rear facing for at least another few months. I think our son was under the rear facing limits until at least 18 months, maybe longer. I can't remember exactly when we turned him around, and as I said he was still completely comfortable in the Britax forward facing. Even at 42" he still had plenty of room to grow. I would expect he could have used that seat for at least a year or 2 longer. I'm sure our daughter will be in it until she is ready for just a booster in a few years. Also even though the Britax is big it is actually really easy to move between cars if need be. Given how long you can use it, and the rear facing ability I would definitely choose the Britax.
We have the Britax Roundabout and the Graco Comfortsport. Britax wins hands down. While the Graco is nice, it just doesn't even come clos to comparing to the Britax. To me, the price doesn't matter - safety does and that is why you should go with the Britax. It is the safest car seat out there. My husband thought the same thing about the Britax - too expensive - but after receiving it, he wishes we had two of them! We got ours at Albeebaby.com. Free shipping and much cheaper than anywhere else. Britax is easier to install, has more padding with nicer material, the recline is better (she is still rear facing) so she isn't sitting as straight up as with the Graco, the release for the straps is EASY compared to Graco. Hope this helps!
I would go Britax without question! We have a Graco brand and a Britax brand convertible and there is just NO comparison. I will never buy anything other than Britax :)
I have the Britax Blvd and that came recommended by the Safety Squad www.safetysquad.com they are awesome and helping you make a decision based on studies and their experience. I also used www.healthycars.org to have the best of both worlds when it came to safety and toxins in the carseat.
Good Luck,
Jasmine W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Examiner
I have 2 taller than average boys that have only ever had Graco car seats. They have been through the ringer and both the baby carrier/car seat and the first toddler seat have endured both of my Children. In fact the baby seat just completed a 3rd child (premie, so she was in it over a year) and no worse for the wear. The baby seat and the toddler seat have been in accidents and my son slept through them both! They were inspected by NTSA certified car seat safety people and no damage to either seat.
I have read that the more expensive on is typically not safer as each has to meet certain national standards for safety.
We take long car trips(8-9 hours) and these guys do great in their seats, and my husband and I are both Paramedics so we are very picky about car seat safety!
Hope this helps you save some money!
I have the Nautilus for both of my kids and love it. I also love the fact that it is the last carseat I will ever have to buy...wish I had gotten it sooner. I don't know much about the Boulevard, but when my daughter was younger, we had the Britax Roundabout, and I know that Britax is supposed to be safer than most, but it really seemed no better than any other carseat we've had...imho.