I would love to get a good recommendation for purchasing a booster seat (and also any to avoid). I have a 4 1/2 year old that is about 48 pounds. We do have a car seat that we can use with seat belts and we are now looking for more of a booster type seat for my husband's car, grandma's car, and to also take on vacation. I am not too concerned about the cost, since it's a safety issue.
Thanks!
I have 2 of the Graco Turbo Booster seats. We have one in each vehicle. I like them, because once the child is old enough you can take the back off and use just the base when the child is old enough. My older daughter uses the Graco Turbo backless booster seat. I guess I favour Graco when buying baby/toddler items, since I have had good luck with them.
If you are looking to keep him in a five point harness, which of course is much safer, I would recommend the Cosco Apex. This seat will harness to 65lbs and then becomes abelted booster. Its a GREAT seat for $130 at Babies R Us or online. It will fit most kids to age 7. The only quirk to this seat is you need to have adjustable headrests or high seat backs to use it. We almost purchsed this seat for our 5 year old, but went with the Britax Regent instead.
AS for belted boosters, take him to the store adn sit him in a few and see how he fits. See if he's mature enough to sit in a booster with jsut the seatbelt. IF he's wiggly, moves the belt behind him, leans forward or to the side, or falls asleep in the car alot, I'd stick with a five point harness seat to keep him safe. :)
Graco Turbo Booster, Britax boosters, Compass Brand
Stay away from Evenflo brand,my daughter(6) falls asleep and flops out of it, or the seat is to upright it pushes her forward. We have the one with the snazzy little built in lights for reading etc., looks cool the seat is horrible.
Compass brand boosters fold for traveling, I've heard great things about this one but have never tried it. I don't like that it doesn't have and head support for my sleeping kid.
My daughter(6)50lbs., is in the Britax Regent a harnessed carseat that will harness up to 80lbs. We both like this over any booster and feel safer. Although we do use a booster as a backup on occassion with traveling, carpooling, going in someone else's vehichle etc. I have had the best luck with the highback Graco Turbo Booster! And they have some in pretty girl colors or boy print to make it more fun!
I suggest reviewing the car seats at http://www.kyledavidmiller.org for info. There is even a video on the car seats they recommend including use, safety and installation information as well as licks for local places to check your installation.
It's a sad story with a very strong and detailed message with excellent information and resources. Enough that we changed all our car seats to 5 point harness Radion80 seats.
Good luck.
I just bought the Apex 65 at Babies R Us and it was $129.00 only! I actually had a 15% off coupon too so it was an even better deal. The only thing I didn't like was that the strap on the crotch buckle part isn't very long so you have to reach far down between the legs to snap it together. I just called the company and they are sending out a replacement buckle with a longer strap so hopefully that will work better.
Good luck,
J.
We also have the Apex and really like it. However, my son (who is 4y3m and 45 lbs)has already outgown the harness straps. Even with them pulled out as far as they would go, the buckles still wouldn't close over his winter jacket. So last week we switched over to the seat belt function (sooner than I would have expected). But we still really like the seat--it's light, sturdy, easy to install, and comfortable. I also hadn't thought to call the company like Jennifer did; I would be thrilled with a longer crotch strap.
