Is harnessed booster safe for 2 year old?

[ceetee]

My daughter's Size4Me is expiring the same month as her 2nd year birthday. I would love to go straight to a combination seat rather than getting another convertible. She's my youngest and I feel I'll get more use out of a combination. I do not want the bulk of an all-in-one.
1. Assuming she'll be forward facing regardless, is a harnessed booster as safe as a convertible?
2. How firm is the expiration date? Can I use it a few extra months to keep her rear facing a little longer? The seat has been in constant use since it was purchased in 2017. I live in the northeast, and my driveway is well shaded so my car doesn't get ridiculously hot in the summer.
3. Which would be the most comfortable harnessed booster option considering that she'll be using this as her primary seat for such a long time? In the past I've had kids with leg pain from Britax, so I want to have that in mind.

Thank you.

 

[ketchupqueen]

1. All forward facing harnesses are the same "stage." While I would consider a cheaper convertible and a booster later rather than an all in one if I were you (neither all in one seats nor combination seats are as easy to use in booster mode as a dedicated booster designed specifically for ease of buckling the seatbelt) and get extra time rear facing, if you don't intend to do that, a combination seat that is properly used and installed is no less safe than any other properly used and installed forward facing harness. Make sure to attach the top tether and properly adjust harness!

2. While we know manufacturers build in a little wiggle room on expiration, we don't know how much and it may vary. I would encourage you to get a new seat ASAP and switch seats by the end of the expiration month (seats generally give you the whole month rather than expiring x years from the day of manufacture.) (Was your seat made in 2016?? Geez, I barely recall the Size4Me even being out back then! Lol.)

3. Britax is actually usually one of the more comfortable combination seat choices for older, longer-legged children. It can cause very small ones at the bottom of the use range some pain simply because it's designed for bigger kids. I would encourage you to go to the store and check out seats with your child if you can, though, as this is very much personal preference and child build so very individual. Here are some recommended brands to look at: https://carseatblog.com/safest-recommended-car-seats/#COMBINATION


Good luck with your seat search!

 

[ceetee]

Thanks for your input. I've decided that I want to keep her rare facing longer so I will go with a convertible. I was going back and forth between the nextfit and maxi cosi Pria. I couldn't find the nextfit near me but in the pictures it didn't look so cushiony. The pria has fantastic padding, my daughter looked so comfortable in it, but it just felt flimsy to me. When I adjusted the headrest, I felt like it would crack in my hands. I considered the Boulevard but the no cup holder makes it not an option for us. Ultimately I decided to buy another size4me. I would have liked something more exciting and premium feeling but we never had any issues with the size4me and my son (until age 5.5) and now my daughter (from age 8 months) have always seemed comfortable in it.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Well, if you ever have occasion to buy another convertible, be aware that Britax sells a cup holder accessory for the boulevard!

I don't think you'll regret going with a seat you know works for you and you already like, though.