Idea for a safe but inexpensive high back booster

Unregistered · Dec 31, 2010

I thought that my DD age 4, 34lbs and 40" would be in our Evenflo Triumph Advance until she could switch to a booster with a seatbelt. She is getting too tall for the convertible now and I don't want to pay over $100 for another seat. I had wanted her to switch into the Graco Turbo Booster but am now learning how important it is for her to be in a 5 point harness as long as possible. Cost is a big factor because we need one for my car, my husband's, and a 3rd for the babysitter. What do you suggest?

wendytthomas · Dec 31, 2010

She doesn't need to be in a harness as long as possible, but until a mature booster age (generally 5-6 years old) and a decent size. Four years and 34 pounds is just too little for a booster.

I'd look at the Evenflo Maestro. See how much room she has over her shoulders (I'm assuming this is how she was outgrowing the Triumph? Her shoulders are too tall?). If she's got an inch or so in the harness that should get her to a size and age where the Turbo would be acceptable for her. The Maestro is at Target and BRU, and runs about $80. It has 18" top slots and a 50 pound harness limit.

Wendy

Unregistered · Dec 31, 2010

What if the top of her head is at the top of the seat? Does it just matter where the shoulder straps are?

apsupermom · Jan 1, 2011

For forward facing, I think kids can sit in a seat until it is even with the tops of their ears.

rachelandtyke · Jan 1, 2011

Unregistered said:
What if the top of her head is at the top of the seat? Does it just matter where the shoulder straps are?

It's outgrown for forward facing when:

the shoulders are above the top harness slots,
the tips of the ears are above the top of the shell,
OR
the weight limit is reached

If none of those apply, she still fits in the seat.

henrietta · Jan 1, 2011

My older son still fits, barely, in the Evenflo Triumph Advance. He's 5.5 yrs old, 38 lbs, and 42-43" tall w/a pretty long torso. He already outgrew our Britax seats (Decathlon and the Fisher Price clone of it). I doubt that she's outgrown it, since he hasn't. His head is a smidge over the top of the seat back, but his ears are not over the top, shoulders are still just below the top "slot" of the harness, and obviously, he's not over the weight limit. After this seat, if we choose to keep him harnessed in dh's vehicle, we'll get an Evenflo Maestro, b/c it will allow him to stay harnessed for a few more inches.

hths

henrietta

Shaunam · Jan 1, 2011

This is what a child looks like who has almost (but not quite!) outgrown an EFTA. His shoulders are about 1/2"-1" from the top of the harness and he has several inches before his ears are to the top of the seat. It is ok for their heads to stick up above the seat as long as the tips of their ears are below the top. If her head is just now reaching the top, I bet she'll fit for another year or so. You might not have to buy another harnessed seat.

Just keep an eye on her growth.

Unregistered · Jan 1, 2011

Thank you everyone! This is very helpful information and I'm glad to learn she can say in the same seat for a while longer.

Idea for a safe but inexpensive high back booster

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