5.5 year old... but Tiny - HBB or harness

[TallyD]

My dd is 5.5yrs old, 15kg and just 106cm.

she's outgrown her rear facing car seat, I do not want to buy a ERF seat at this point.
Is she safer harnessed in a Joie Bold R, or is she saver in a HBB with crotch guard?
She is sensible enough for a seatbelt, but still quite tiny.

Thank you!!

Hi OP,
Is she 15kg fully clothed? 15kg is the lowest weight that she would be safe with the 3 point car seat belt. I would think that at 5.5 years then a harnessed FF seat would be unnecessary, as she should understand to sit sensibly in the seat. I’d definitely consider one with a crotch guard, and maybe a knee rest to support her feet and encourage her to sit into the seat more.

Have you considered a Cybex bolster seat?

She could use the bolster part until she’s 18kg I believe, and then she’ll be a bit bigger when she transfers into a seatbelt only.

It's hard to say as there isn't really any hard evidence either way for this specific scenario.

As she's 15kg she's over the minimum for using a HBB and the other two stats (age and height) she is well over so I would think it would be OK.

OTOH she is only just at the min weight, and being in a harness would also be fine if you wanted to do that. The Bold is hard to buy now, so if you don't already have one you might have difficulty getting hold of it. Cozy n Safe have a couple of 25kg limit seats without height limit, Excalibur or Hudson. Or Puggle Safe fit & Grow is the same model as the Excalibur.

The crotch guard things don't really seem to make any real difference but they can provide parental reassurance. If the HBB gives a good lap belt position then the guard isn't necessary.

Another thought is if she still fits physically in her rear facing seat (assume this is i-size 105cm limit) you could continue to use it past the 105cm. This is not strictly an approved use, so at your own discretion, but realistically if she is under the weight limit (esp under 18kg) and she is not physically too big for the seat (eyes level with top of seat, shoulders higher than bottom of headrest or straps more than 2cm behind shoulders or straps lower than shoulders when FF) - it is unlikely that it would pose a safety hazard.

Considering that a lot of the i-size models are basically the same as the older R44 models which often had certification up to 18kg with no standing height limit, and some of them even say in the manual that the seat may be used in a non i-size car up to 18kg without height limit - I was happy to continue to use one for my own child, obviously everyone has to make their own risk assessment there.

@BertieBotts This is super helpful, thank you! I have found a Bold R in stock in our local Argos - I'm also going to pop to John Lewis and try out some HBB and see if any get a good fit.