Question Booster Seat Recommendation Needed

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Feb 11, 2011

• #1

Hello! When my DD#1 was 7 months old I posted here needed a recommendation for a convertible seat since she had reached the weight limit on her infant car seat. It was so helpful and gave me such a peace of mind to not just feel like I was picking a car seat at random. We ended up getting, I think it was made by Fisher Price or something but it was the exact same car seat as a Britax, or something like that. ANYWAY! My DD#2 is now 7 months and approaching the weight limit as well on the infant car seat. We will be moving her into the convertible seat rear facing soon, and I need a booster seat recommendation for DD#1. She is 4years 3 months, 40lbs. We have an Oldsmobile Intrigue. I guess maybe I would like a recommendation for a top of the line, middle of the line, and low end. Normally $$ would be a big factor, but we are going to use tax return $ on it. Still, there are lots of things we need that tax return for...:/ We do a lot of traveling, so I want something comfortable for distances, napping, etc...
Thank you so very much!

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Feb 11, 2011

• #2

Do you think she'll sit properly in a booster? While four years AND 40 pounds is the bare minimum recommendation, most four year olds cannot sit properly for the entire ride.

I'd probably look at a combination seat like the Evenflo Maestro (bottom of the line, will only harness seven more pounds, but $80), the Graco Nautilus (middle, 65 pound harness limit, 18.5" top slots, 100 pounds as a high back booster to 21" and a backless booster), and the Britax Frontier 85 ($280, 20" top slots, 85 pound harness limit, 23" and 120 pounds as a high back booster).

Wendy

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Feb 11, 2011

• #3

I guess I should clarify (I don't know what all the right terminology)...I was thinking a booster seat with a back and a 5-point harness (that could be removed later and use just the shoulder strap when she is older??). I'm assuming there is such a thing? Basically what we purchase now we need to have work for several years. We can't purchase another car seat and then a year or so from now get a booster, if that makes sense??

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Feb 11, 2011

• #4

That's a combination seat. A booster seat uses just the seatbelt to hold both the seat and the child in.

The three I mentioned are combination seats, though the Evenflo is outgrown about the same time for both. However its price tag makes it an attractive seat, along with the high top slots and 50 pound weight limit.

Wendy

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Feb 12, 2011

• #5

Thanks! Do you know anything about the KeyFit Strada Booster by Chicco? I saw on the description that it has "more EPS foam than most."

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #6

oh, and remember that your convertible seat will expire 6yrs from the date of manufacture... so you may need to get another convertible seat in a year or two.

 

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snoopy5386

New member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #7

I would check the expiration of your current convertible. You might be better off buying the baby a new seat and leaving your older one in her seat. That is what I chose to do - we got my 10 month old a new seat since my dd4's seat expires in 4/12. Then you can just get your 4 yo a booster when the time comes. They can be had for around $50.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #8

Unregistered said:

Thanks! Do you know anything about the KeyFit Strada Booster by Chicco? I saw on the description that it has "more EPS foam than most."

Click to expand...

More or less EPS foam has not been shown to do anything (there are seats without that pass testing). It's also a booster, which is not an ideal option.

Wendy

 

L

Leche Mami

New member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #9

snoopy5386 said:

I would check the expiration of your current convertible. You might be better off buying the baby a new seat and leaving your older one in her seat. That is what I chose to do - we got my 10 month old a new seat since my dd4's seat expires in 4/12. Then you can just get your 4 yo a booster when the time comes. They can be had for around $50.

Click to expand...

That's what I would do also. Buy a new convertible seat that will keep DD2 rear-facing as long as possible (minimum if two years, preferably to age 3 or 4) and keep DD1 in her current seat untill she outgrows it or it expires. Then, see where you are at and what you need.

 

M

mylittlet

Senior Community Member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #10

How does your oldest fit in the britax? If she has tons of room, buying another convertible makes since. If she is close to the top slots then, buying her a new seat and giving the baby the convertible makes since.

I agree with Wendy's combo seat recommendations if you go this way.

Stefanie, cpst in iowa - mom to 4 great kids

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Feb 12, 2011

• #11

That all makes sense. I'll see how DD1 fits in the convertible tomorrow. I know weight wise it goes up to 80lbs! Maybe we'll look at going with a new convertible first. Thanks so much!!!

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Feb 12, 2011

• #12

It has to be a Radian if it goes to 80 pounds. Those are the only ones that do. They're not Fisher Price, though. FP was made by Britax.

Let us know what it is.

Wendy