Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat
Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go! Christmas means seeing family, which often means traveling in a car possibly for long periods. In Minnesota snow and busy roads, safety is definitely high on my list of important factors for the drive to grandma’s house. Graco continues to make safety an easy check on the to do list with another great car seat: the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat. The Graco Nautilus can be forward facing with harness, high back booster with belt guides, and sit-alone booster seat. With some great perks, the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat is my new favorite seat for my 3 year old!
Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat: Installation
The Graco Nautilus is easy to set up out of the box. It comes flattened out for easy shipping and could be easily pulled apart to be a booster. If you want the back on, just lift the fabric out of the way and click the back into the upright position. The height is easy to adjust with the release at the top, and the tilt can be adjusted slightly for different angle car seats.
A great perk of the Graco Nautilus Car Seat is the way to secure it in the car! I can either use LATCH, or I can easily store the LATCH system in the back and use my car’s seat belt. Not all cars have belts that lock, though, and the little metal securement device is so annoying and difficult, so I love that Graco put a securing clip right onto the sides of the seat at the belt path. I simply open the catch, put the belt through the opening and line it up with the clip, then firmly close the clip (does take a bit of effort) to securely hold the seat belt right where I want it.
Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat 3 Positions:
The Graco Nautilus can be forward facing with the harness from 22-65 pounds, then convert to a high-back booster with belt positioner for kids 30-100 pounds, and finally a backless booster seat from 40-100 pounds. The overlap in weight limits allows you to choose the option that not only fits the weight but also your child’s needs. My 33 pound 3 year old could be in the high-back booster based on his weight, but I know the wiggly little man would not keep the seat belt on as well as the harness so I’m glad the harness can still be used up to 65 pounds. And kiddos can easily weigh enough to be in a booster but still be short enough to need the belt guide.
Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat: Perks
There are a couple perks I love about the Graco Nautilus. Most of all I love the armrest storage! Both armrests on the base portion are hollow with openings so the kiddo can store snacks, lovies, or small toys inside to make the car trips to grandma’s house more bearable. LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! There are also little pockets in the fabric cover on the outside of the armrests to tuck little things like fruit snacks, mittens, or the wipe he is bound to need after he eats his snack!
The Graco Nautilus also has a built-in cup holder on the base, which I’ve discovered is a necessity for my little man. He loves being able to keep his sippy there or can use it for little lose pieces of snacks like nuts or fruit snacks.
The other big thing I love is the harness holding pockets: Just slip the metal tooth of the harness clip into the pocket on each side to hold the harness belt out of the way while loading and unloading you loved one. No more tangled harnesses stuck under their bums or behind their backs!
Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat: Other Features
The Graco Nautilus does have an insert for children under 30 pounds. It’s shown in the picture with my 1 year old, who is just barely a the weight limit to use the seat. The insert makes me feel like she’s better padded, though I definitely prefer to use it with my three year old because he makes better use of the pockets and will need the booster options sooner.
The harness also rides a little high above the shoulders on my 1 year old, the shoulder protectors and insert make her fit securely but I prefer other car seats that are designed for lower weight limits for her, at least for a few more months. My 3 year old fits perfectly and I anticipate this will be that last car seat I need for him since it can grow with him.
The Graco chest clip isn’t my favorite. It’s easy to secure but can sometimes be difficult to release. I have to apply the right amount of pressure on the top and bottom to release the clip, which gets easier as I get used to using it.
Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat: Overall
I love this Graco car seat. I LOVE the in-arm storage, easy harness storage, and possibility of easily switching to a high-back booster then backless booster. It’s only restriction is that it cannot be rear-facing and cannot be used for children under 22 pounds, but potentially you could keep baby in the rear-facing infant seat up to 22 pounds and at least 1 year old (2 years rear-facing is actually better physically) then move the toddler to this Graco seat. The whole seat feels safe and solid and is definitely the one we are using to visit grandmother’s house (and auntie’s and the other grandma and more) this Christmas.
Check out the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat online. Or visit Graco online, on Facebook or on Twitter to check out other great baby products for your family or someone you love.
I’m a Graco Mom and received this car seat to review. Opinions are 100% my own. Merry Christmas!
OH what a great car seat! I love that its the 3 in one and goes up to 100 pounds!
I love that you can use this car seat for so long! The LATCH system is great too! We recently installed our infant car seat and it makes it so much easier.
Graco is one of my favorite baby products. I use Graco stroller for my little one and he loves it! I really love the harness holding pockets of this Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat!
I love that you can also use this as a backless booster seat, so this is so neat!