What do I remove to make a booster seat?

[confoundit]

Hi

I have a Safety 1st Enspira that I am going to use as a booster this afternoon for DD. I cannot find the manual (have sneaking suspicion it's in the glove box of the other vehicle...which is not here). I know I have to take out the belts, the tether anchor and unscrew the UAS belt. Do I take the headrest part out and the pillow at the back of the shell? An answer ASAP would be great for any techie out there or a parent who's had this or an Alpha Omega and converted it. Oh yah and do I have the headrest in my vehicle or not? It's going in a 2003 Dodge Caravan in a captain's chair (has adjustable and removable headrests)

[canadiangie]

Hi,

Well this answer probably comes a little late (you posted this aft, and it's the evening as I post this), but I'll try to offer some help anyway.

1) if you're in Canada the child must weigh 40lbs to use the seat in booster mode. the ideal age to transition to a booster varies from child to child, but most of the time it's sometime after age 5 that kids become mature enough to correctly use a booster (no leaning, slouching, reaching, squirming, and of course old enough to have a firm grasp of being told no never unbuckle).

2) if you feel your child is ready to move to a booster rather than transitioning to a High Weight Harnessed seat, then you'll need to remove the 5 point harness, remove the top tether strap, be sure the seat is in it's most upright position (the Enspira has a recline foot IIRC -- if so, make sure it's pulled down rather than tucked up), and unscrew ans store the UAS/LATCH strap. I admit to being a little unknowing when it comes to the headrest on the Enspira...IIRC it is moved up manually (?)... either way, if it is able to be moved up, then move it to it's highest position.

3) all Dorel boosters require a head restraint. you'll need to move the head restraint in your vehicle up so that it supports the top of the Enspira.

4) all boosters require the use of a lap AND shoulder belt at all times (ie: no lap-only belt). be sure to have your seat in an appropriate seating position.

5) once the child is seated in the Enspira take note of how the lap portion of the seatbelt fits over the child. If the lap portion sits high on the belly or too far out from the child then a different booster may be needed. it's not uncommon for the Dorel 'do-all' seats to be less than ideal when converted to booster mode. it has to do with the overall design/shape of the seat shell and the 'scoops' where the lap portion of the seatbelt sits. (hope that makes sense).

6) and finally, if you feel your child may not be ready for a booster seat, or you don't like how the seat fits your child, please post back for more help. :thumbsup:

hope that helps,

oh, and if you can't locate your manual, post back for a link to an online version (or google doreljuvenilleproducts).

[canadiangie]

oops, sorry, it's "dorel juvenille group"