Recommendations for Booster Seat

Here is the video that was mentioned below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&feature=email

Definitely keep your child in a 5 point harness as long as possible. I think the Britax Regent holds up to 80 lbs or something. Some other info:
The Kyle David Miller Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of Hip Monkey, http://hipmonkey.com/store/
- You can now purchase Britax, Sunshine Kids, Safeguard and Recaro car seats and many other baby/children's products from Hip Monkey and the 100% of proceeds from every sale will be donated to the Kyle David Miller Foundation to go towards purchasing car seats for children in need!! Please visit HipMonkey.com and help support children in need through your purchase!

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter who is 6 is just being moved from a 5 point harness. She is tall and the harness belts are lower than her shoulders on the 6 to 7 models we have measured her in. So we did our research and after much debate, we moved her to a high back booster. According to the research these are much safer than the backless boosters. I also got one that can be latched to the seat so that in a wreck, I don't have to worry about the booster seat moving.

Good luck in your decision.

J.,

Keep your precious child in that Britax as long as you can. My eight year old STILL is in hers. It will take a child up to 80lbs. I need not send you the link to the YouTube video on the poor child who was in a booster when their family had a horrible car crash--other responders have.

We use the Britax; it is meant to be a five point booster if you read the fine print. Not that convienient, but a small price to pay for more assurance. My eight year old can buckle and unbuckle it herself. Not so bad.

~D.

I just researched this last weekend for my daughter as well! I am looking for what to use for her in my husbands car that's inexpensive but will last through her carseat years since she is hardly ever in it and has a Britax Marathon in my car. If you have a Britax (which model??) most are rated to 65 lbs so unless she is too tall for it (the straps on the top setting will be well below her shoulders) she doesn't need to move. If you want her to move just cause, I would get a full back booster based on reviews that I read and safety issues. They really shouldn't be in a non-back booster until they are 4 or 5 and over 40 lbs and at least 40 inches tall. Look at the Graco Turbobuster Safeseat which can convert to a backless if you find she is ready. It is NOT 5-point harness so not as safe as other boosters or car seats but seems to match more of what you are looking for and is easily portable. The trick to using these for safety is to make sure everytime you buckle her in, pull the shoulder strap all the way out so that it locks. In the youtube video that others have suggested watching, this wasn't done.

Good Luck!

I just went to the firestation today because I was having problems with my new booster seat. I bought the Greco that us the seatbelt instead of a 5 point harness and can be used with or without a back. The fireman told me to use that back because it offers some back and head support. I am having a problem with my child taking off the belt and sometimes my belt does not lock and he can stand up. The fireman said the 5 point harness offers more safety and suggested I return the one I have and get safer seat.

From the experience I have had with my children it is really a matter of their comfort. If your family regularly takes long trips or your child falls asleep as soon as the vehicle starts up (had a couple of those) then you are better off with the a high back seat because his/her little head won't be kinked or the whole body isn't coming forward when they wonder off into dream land. Some of them also have an adjustment to be able to tilt them back slightly so the child isn't sitting straight up. (We own one of these and it is very convenient for us and our toddlers would rather use that one.
If you are really undecided they have newer models that actually have the detachable back so you can have the best of both world so to speak. They do cost a bit more though. Hope this helps.

Watch this video before you consider a booster seat...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

I decided to get the Britax Regent instead of a car seat. I feel much better knowing he is in a 5 point harness. I am in no hurry to get him out of one.

Good luck with your research!

K.

The smaller booster is wonderfully portable, but of little use in a side impact crash. Your young one will get tossed from side to side and injuries will happen that wouldn't in one of the larger full frame boosters. I unfortunately learned from experience so I highly recommend the full sized boosters with the shoulder strap.

Please, Please, listen to the responses that others have given. It is not about making things easier for you. It is about protecting your child. Your child needs to be in a 5 point harness for as long as possible. If you have any doubt then please look up 5 point harness carseats on youtube and watch Belle's and Kyle story. There are many 5 point harness seats out there including a great one by Britax. Do plenty of research before making this decision. It is not one that should be made lightly.

J.,

When I saw your listing, I remembered a link to a YouTube video that someone sent me months ago. Needless to say, it had a huge impact on me. You may want to watch it, and keep a box of tissues handy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

If the link doesn't work go to www.youtube.com and enter "Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat" in the search window.

I'd leave her in her Britax. They should be good for six years. I didn't move my son into a booster until he was almost 7, and I'm glad I did. The 5 point harness is just so much safer.

Although the base seat is convenient and portable it is not recommended at 39 pounds. One issue, is the child height. The child needs to be tall enough that the seat belt will hit at chest level, usually at 3, that is not the case. Those seats are usually used for kids 5 and older. I recommend a high back booster, they come 5 point harness. You can find some that are good up to 60 pounds, This would be a safer option for your child.
Do some research online before purchasing. There is some great car seat reviews available.

For safety reason I would not go into a booster. I was in a wreck about three weeks a go and minor damage to my truck and my sons britex held up but my daughters booster broke in 4 places. And they were both in there seats. i have talked to the doctors and they all have told me me 7 year old 45 pounds should still be in a car seat booster and with the 5 point harness. My brother works as an EMT and most kids hurt in accidents were in Booster seats before they sould be. Trust me I have 2 kids and travel alot and the booster is so much easier and movible but ask your doctor what they would suggest, since you I am sure you want your little one safe.. Since the wreck I bought my daughter the new BRitex seat that holds up to 90 lbs and its a 5 point harness and she understands why she went into that again. I don't want to scare you but you need to look at the safety of your 3 year old I dont't think there body can handle a wreck in a booster yet.

Our kids will be in a 5 point harness as long as they make them their size. I watched a video on youtube that a father made to show awareness of the booster seat. His daughter was in a 5 point harness (because she was younger and smaller) and his son was in a booster. They were in a horrible accident and the son was ejected from the car. The entire family was in the car and he was the only one ejected. Not to scare you but, after watching that video I made the decision to keep them in the 5 point harness for as long as possible! You can never be to careful.

Hi J.,

I would try to keep your little one harnessed for as long as possible. Check out the Graco Nautilus. She can be harnessed to 65 pounds then it converts to a booster.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3009610

Good luck,
S.