Need Help deciding which 3-1 Seat to Buy

[pearlywhites72]

My son is 7 months old and close to out growing his infant seat. I would like to purchase a 3-1 seat so he will be able to use as a booster as well. I have been doing my own research but there is so much info. Would appreciate any advise, I am in Canada. Thanks in advance.:confused:

[canmom]

All the 3 in 1 seats are exactly the same, all made by Dorel, just different covers/names/prices and some older ones have lower weight limits. The 3 in 1 does not make a good booster seat. I think you're better off buying a seat like the TruFit which will last longer rear-facing AND forward-facing then buy a good booster down the road when he is a min of 40lbs and a min of 5 years old.

[canadiangie]

Hi, welcome to the board :)

If you decide to go with a 3-in-1 seat you need to make sure it's the newest version -- the one that allows for rear facing use up to 35lbs (not just 30lbs), and harnesses forward facing up to 50lbs (not just 40lbs).

In terms of using a 3-in-1 in booster mode, not too many of us will recommend you do so. When converted to booster mode the shape of the seat tends to force the lap portion of the seatbelt too high on a child's tummy, and doesn't always position the shoulder portion of the seatbelt where it needs to be. Further, it cannot extend tall enough to get a child to proper seatbelt age and weight (about 8 years old, around 80lbs, and 4'9" tall) and so you're left buying an additional booster seat down the road.

Typically we suggest buying a good convertible -- something that rear faces to 35lbs, and forward faces for as long as possible (well past 40lbs, tall top harness slots), and then once your child is mature enough to use a booster seat (around age 5-6), buy a seperate dedicated booster seat.

Very few children can use a 3-in-1 seat from start to finish... either they outgrow the harness too soon, or don't have a good fit in booster mode, or the seat gets passed down to a younger sibling... etc, etc.

On a sidenote, please be sure to read up on why rear facing is so important. It's no longer recommended that children transition to a forward facing seat on their 1st birthday. These days we like to see kids rear face for as long as possible, ideally until their 2nd birthday and even beyond. :thumbsup: