So my DD will be 5 this May and I want to start booster training her in the summer. She is about 43 inches tall and 33 pounds. She will be going to kindergarten in the fall and will be driven in the morning. I think it will be easier if she is in a booster for the drop off. We have an old style Monterey and parkway sgl that DS is using backless currently. I don't mind buying another seat but I would prefer one that is latchable. She is currently riding in a Frontier85 and a Nautilus.
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Booster for training
- Thread starter flutie128
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MommyShannon
New member
The Parkway has a 40lb minimum. If your dd can unbuckle her harness, we didn't find it any harder for drop off.
She can't get it unbuckled yet but I we could work on that. She is just getting good at buckling her harness.
Phineasmama
New member
Make sure that you get a booster with a 30 lbs weight minimum then, a lot of them have 40 lb minimums.
I think the high back graco boosters have 30 lb minimum? I would try one of those first, they fit smaller kids really well, would be good for training and you can always use it as a backup later on if you buy a more expensive booster for your main vehicle once she's boostered full time.
I think the high back graco boosters have 30 lb minimum? I would try one of those first, they fit smaller kids really well, would be good for training and you can always use it as a backup later on if you buy a more expensive booster for your main vehicle once she's boostered full time.
MommyShannon
New member
I'd see what she can learn to unbuckle best. I hate buckling boosters, so I would harness if she can't buckle the booster IF she can learn to unbuckle her harness. My kids learned pretty well with the old nautilus buckle and FR85. I'd check her fit in the Monterrey since she can't ride in the Parkway. A turbo booster might fit better. My dd learned in her nautilus as a booster first but she was a lot bigger. I'm not sure how it fits a smaller child.
KaysKidz
Senior Community Member
One of my twins is that size and fits the Monterey well. However, we find it easier (and faster) for him to be harnessed. So he is now sporting a new RXT. He can buckle and unbuckle on his own, where as in the booster he would sometimes struggle. Not to mention issues with him sliding his hiney down when he got mad and end up with a belly belt. 
tanyaandallie
Senior Community Member
I have to agree. I know at some point with a tiny kiddo you have to just make the choice to booster but I'm not sure at what point I'd be comfortable. 33 lbs is so super duper tiny.
I personally would not recommend the original monterey, if that is what you are referring to. It is not a great fit on petite kids at all. The shoulder belt fit is super wide and did not work well at all for my smaller ds at all. We got it when dd was 5 and it was not a good fit for her until she was a bit bigger and older and she is not petite at all.
The turbo is a great fit for tiny kids.
Patriot201
Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I absolutely agree that if possible, it would be best to keep her harnessed. She is about the size of my nephew, who will be five next month. I just can't imagine him in a booster at his current size.
My nephew knows how to buckle himself, but is hit-or-miss with getting the crotch buckle UNbuckled. Therefore, he is kept within arm's reach so he can get help, if needed.
I agree that it would be best, at this time, to work with her on unbuckling and buckling.
My nephew knows how to buckle himself, but is hit-or-miss with getting the crotch buckle UNbuckled. Therefore, he is kept within arm's reach so he can get help, if needed.
I agree that it would be best, at this time, to work with her on unbuckling and buckling.
I have to agree. I know at some point with a tiny kiddo you have to just make the choice to booster but I'm not sure at what point I'd be comfortable. 33 lbs is so super duper tiny.
I personally would not recommend the original monterey, if that is what you are referring to. It is not a great fit on petite kids at all. The shoulder belt fit is super wide and did not work well at all for my smaller ds at all. We got it when dd was 5 and it was not a good fit for her until she was a bit bigger and older and she is not petite at all.
The turbo is a great fit for tiny kids.
It is the original SK Monterey that I have. I will work on getting her to unbuckle her harness. I don't want her boostered full time just on the 5 minute ride to school. I will also work on her being able to unbuckle her harness. She know how to unbuckle the chest clip. Thanks for the advice ladies.
yetanotherjen
CPST Instructor
I have to agree. I know at some point with a tiny kiddo you have to just make the choice to booster but I'm not sure at what point I'd be comfortable. 33 lbs is so super duper tiny.
I personally would not recommend the original monterey, if that is what you are referring to. It is not a great fit on petite kids at all. The shoulder belt fit is super wide and did not work well at all for my smaller ds at all. We got it when dd was 5 and it was not a good fit for her until she was a bit bigger and older and she is not petite at all.
The turbo is a great fit for tiny kids.
I have the orginal monterey for my skinny kiddo and the fit is amazing.... I think it really depends on the child. He started riding in it at 38ish lbs when he was outgrowing the Nautilus.
I too would not feel comfortable boostering a 33lb child if I didn't HAVE to. I would practice unbuckling the harnessed seat.
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