booster seats

[nisabba]

I imagine that many of you have switched your 4 yr olds to booster seats from the convertible type. I'm looking for the inside scoop on the booster seats. What's your opinion of them, favorable or not, and what seats do you prefer, or know to have been rated the safest?
Thanks,
Pam and Gitan

Comments

[faerieflings]

Don't get the kind that break down from a high back to a backless, they aren't as safe (something about the base and back separating in high speed collisions). I went with a basic high back booster for Kyra which is weight rated so she can use harness style straps on it up to 50 pounds, and then we'll need to switch her to a seatbelt, but continue to use the same seat. I need to get her weighed, tho, I'm sure she's closing in on 50.

[nisabba]

wow, closing in on 50! I guess I've got a lightweight. He's probably nearing 40, so I'm thinking he's getting too big for his Britax Marathon, certainly I have the straps pulled out as far as they can go (especially with winter clothes). Thanks for the tip.

[faerieflings]

I just make 'em solid, haha! Not a bit of space in their bodies is wasted, they're all heavier than they look!

[hellosarah]

Lizzie is a lightweight (not even 35 pounds yet) and still fits comfortably in both her Marathon and her Alpha Omega. My goal is to keep her in a five point harness as long as possible, so when she outgrows the Marathon (which will happen before she outgrows the Alpha Omega) my plan is to replace it with a larger seat with a five point harness - something like a Radian or a Frontier.

[daveandmonika]

Ben is still at the bottom of the charts...about 32 lbs and 40 inches. He's still in his convertible, but we're looking at getting Radians next year so we can fit 3 car seats in our Volvo when the new baby comes.

[pikefish]

I think Emily is about 35 pounds and she is in the same kind of seat as Kyra (at least they sound the same)

[kairabear]

Chloe is pretty tall- just about 45 inches and we still have her in a 5 point harness. We have her in this seat: http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=8J00BRV

which will later convert to a booster once she outgrows the harness.